The Take-Away

I took away so much, it probably was more than my fair share.  So many new people, ideas, and just general happiness. Wednesday afternoons brightened my whole week and put me in the best of moods. Thank you Casey, Lori, and all you excellent folks for providing that.

Other than happiness I learned about myself. What makes me tick, the types of leadership I respond to, what models I relate to, and how important leading is to the success of an idea or group.  Observing other leading styles that existed in my peers was incredible. Some approached problems directly, while other thought and then had beautifully complex ideas. And it was freaking fun. I just cannot get over the amount of wit, creativity and general lack of fear that existed in our little leadership cocoon. Also, this final project is great. It is real and applicable and just perfect for me. I love creating and planning.

Well I like to think I learn everyday. But I would like to teach others what I've learned, even if it comes about indirectly.  Applying concepts and starting a new club are a few of my goals. I would love to become involved in the planning of student activities and more time in Locatelli.

But my greatest wish is stay in contact with the great ELP Broncos. You all are so incredible and I'm stoked to watch us through the next few years as we become big names with big ideas.

Tuckman's Stages

Clip 1: Norming
This is seen in the unity displayed by a group to the point that they will take on extra work when they are not required to.

Clip 2: Adjourning
The joy mixed with sadness is a sublime emotion. Genie is excited yet mournful at the conclusion of his adventure.  The ending usually shows how close ties are and is accompanied with feelings of sadness.

Clip 3: Storming
The conflict between ideas is very clearly present as two teammates argue over the way the other is behaving. This conflict matches the idea of storming perfectly.

Clip 4: Performing
To me performing is like the climax of a book. This is what the group has been working for so they must collaborate and produce.

This leaves Forming which I think is perhaps exemplified in the following video:

So this is called "Where the Hell is Matt?" and it show how global formation of groups can happen so easily! It starts with his silly dance move and turns into something that is powerful and unifying. If this is the stage in which one fels optimism and excitement then this video is it. It's a bunch of people letting themselves be silly with a bunch of strangers. If that's not formation, then what is?

Top Five Methods for Communicating to a Group:
1. Ask questions.
2. Speak clearly, with formulated ideas.
3. View and interpret non-verbal communication.
4. Use information given to you by others.
5. Be open to questions and new ideas.

Top Five Methods for Communicating to Individuals:
1. Listen.
2. Ask questions that let them repeat information back to you.
3. If there are emotions attached to the issue wait to speak until you can be calm.
4. Do not be afraid of stating your opinions in a straight-forward way
5. Do not speak longer than necessary.

I personally love talking, which I'm sure comes as a surprise to all of you. I feel exhilarated when I am able to communicate with a group. Communicating is especially nice when the group is receptive.  The best group communication happens when questions are asked as you go.  The conversation becomes guided by what people actually want to hear and know. Questions can make it easier to speak as you are guided during the presentation.  You almost make the audience a support system.  This is most effective when you are presenting to a pretty small group.  Letting people ask questions is always important, but when they are asked depends on the size of the group.

When communicating with one person, question become less prevalent, but listening is extremely important.  Communicating one on one typically means that there is an issue that needs to be resolved involving this one person. Eliminating volatile emotions makes for better communication. Brevity is always appreciated as well.  Don't take a small amount of information and stretch it out.  When you give your opinion do not be afraid to say them. Beating around the bush can lead to miscommunication and further issues.

Communicating is an interaction between people, not at people. Questions and listening is always welcome and engages people very nicely.

I Believe in Growing up Beautiful

So you all were there and you all know I got rather emotional about American beauty, what that meant, what it meant for me, and what it means for coming generations.  Speaking to you all as a group, especially one with boys seems like it was a pinnacle for me.  I've had an issue with body image for years, as do many people.  It was only during my junior year that I realized my body wasn't wrong, the way I thought about it was wrong.  During the past two years I have been coming to the conclusion that girls and boys should not have to change the way they think about their bodies, they should grow up thinking they are beautiful.  

There are a lot of emotions tied into body image.  But connecting the heart and the head with these issues is innate.  You perceive and connect to images you are given with beauty, but you really should not connect with beauty.  Models are currently 28% under weight and their body types are achievable by 5% of women in the world.  Girls are happiest with their bodies at the age of nine. Freaking nine years old? And this isn't an issue that is being addressed? This Americanized ideal of beauty has permeated the world and body-altering surgery is more and more prevalent. It can change and it must.

Changing the way women and men think at a young age will improve health, both physically and mentally.  The idea cannot persist that people must change to attain something that is so out of their reach. Understanding must permeate more than dissatisfaction.    

The Set-Up: High school is a challenge for everyone. Academically, socially, mentally, and just waking up that early.  I went to the middle school that was considered the poor middle school in the district.  The education I received has the potential for being shoddy, but due to some fantastic teachers I was still challenged.  When 8th grade rolled around my parents decided I should go to a different high school than most people in my middle school. I recoiled from this.

The What:  My parents wanted me to be challenged and the high school they wanted me to go had the I.B. Program. This program is very challenging and it frightened me. Going to a school where no one knew me and working very hard all the time was just not appealing.  As it turned out I loved the program, loved the school, and loved the people. I enjoyed the challenge and I learned almost everyday.

The So-What: The internal conflict came from social anxiety and anxiety about not being good enough to face challenges.  As it turns out it re-enforced that I can be successful in both social and educational situations.  It was frightening but I proved to myself that I can be successful even when I feel I cannot be.

The Now-What: Now I can use this high school experience as motivation for times when a task seems daunting or unfinish-able. My academic skills and social skills would not have developed as well if my parents hadn't encouraged and eventually forced the challenge on me. It stunk for a little whle but I learned I am resilient and strong.

Congruent Cochlears

So, beyond being heart-warming and miraculous, this video is an example of innovation and hard work.  For those who do not know cochlear implants allow people who are born deaf to gain "hearing". This hearing may not be the same as unassisted hearing, but its endgame is the same: to allow the brain to process noise that is fed through the outer ear.

As I narrowed down my influencers and my biggest values it came to light that the birth of my siblings had the biggest effect on my values.  I began to value children so much more. I learned to value the hard work of my parents, the passion that someone can have for their children, love, joy, and the direct correlation that sleep has to my parents happiness.

Delight of being. My number one value is wholly reflected in this video, from the mother's joy to that incredible, tiny smile on the baby's face.  I can watch this video so. many. times. and it never stops making my happy.

The struggle of my parents having more children was one I was semi-aware of as a child. I still am in awe of my parents commitment to one another and to the twins, who did not even exist yet.  This showed me that family, love, commitment, and strength are values that can give you delight you cannot measure.

I know this is soppy and sort of sickening (believe me, I kind of am thinking about deleting the whole thing) but it is the freaking truth. Those two kids are incredible. I do not think of myself as a role model for them.  I want to be someone they would want to know, if science hadn't forced us together.

Both the video above and my siblings were effected positively by science and innovation which are invaluable contributors to society and our current values.

Currently I just try to be happy through myself and the things I do. I want to find joy in something even on the crappiest and most tiring of days. Gabby and Tristan can do that for me, which is a blessing.

Week 3: We Are In Deep

Part 1: Reflect upon yourself

One criticism about the MBTI is perfectly explained this way, "When we put people in boxes where they can only be one or another, we miss the opportunity to see people as diverse as they are"

What do you think about this statement? Does this ring true to your personality type or do you think that it perfectly describes you? What are some of your strengths that the MBTI highlights? Do you believe the certain MBTI types are viewed more positively than others? Why? Does society makes us think one way or the other, or is it possible for us to be so diverse that we do not fit into one category?

I think the end of our discussion on Wednesday definitely is an example of the boxing people up.  It definitely seems like we were harboring some sort of resentment towards group projects in particular.  I know I personally contributed to the discussion and I am in fact a Judger. So I judge. What of it? Judgers seem to have a leg up with industrialized society because that system works on a timeline of invention and production.  Many people who are P's are placed in the "artistic" category and told to focus their energy on something without a deadline.  We could be missing out on some incredible ideas just because we want that information now instead of four days later, even if both those days are before the deadline.  I am completely generalizing a P type person, but if someone is classified as something they may not realize their full potential. 

In terms of boxing people we all have to remember that we all got here the same way so we all have it together. I believe someone mentioned this during part of the J vs. P discussion and it really is the heart of the matter.  When you box someone up they automatically feel protective of their box and what it stands for. Judgers would really not like to hear that we are stuffy and in-flexible robots.  When boxes are given people restrict their ways of thinking. 

I prefer to think of these "types" as the tools we use most frequently. Its kind of like we've been given a large and complex house that never quite comes together because new pieces are added all the time and we just use different skills to put that thing together. 

Now for the focus on ME. ENFJ. A dog. It does makes sense. I like to please people and I hate making mistakes or disappointing people (to the point of not trying new things unless I am going to be good at them very quickly).  Like a dog social situations tend to hype me up. I love planing parties or hanging out in big groups.  Not to say that I do not enjoy one on one time but I find large groups so exciting that you can lose your negative emotions in the crowd. In terms of intuition and the big picture/future possibilities I have always been a champion day-dreamer and imaginer. MY mother always described me as hyper-sensitive. While I have reined in the crying, the personal offenses I feel are still present.  Just like a dog is sure you hate them when you raise your voice about their barking, I recoil from criticism even if it constructive. Predictability is most definitely something I appreciate. While I have worked at kids camps that value creativity, energy, and spontaneity there needs o be a schedule and expectations. I am a situational judger. When it comes to fun nights with no plans I am fine, but I'd like to know that we are indeed hanging out. 

I do think understanding people's tendencies will make me more accepting of their different working and living styles. 

Relational Leadership Model

Sonder exemplifies the idea of relationships and their importance. Our relationships are an incredible amount of who we are.  From our beginning relationships with our mamas and papas, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, etc. to the ones we choose to have with friends.  Those people have sway on our feelings and behavior.

The relationship between a leader and those being led stems from choice and chance.  It is what a leader does with this choice and chance that is the Relational Leadership Theory.

I like the idea of not only creating a machine that works, but a machine that is close knit and responsive to one another both emotionally and creatively.  I would also enjoy being part of a team that uses Relational Leadership because it sounds much more pleasant and enjoyable to be part of.

This type of leadership relates to the jobs I have had at children's theater camps. Working with kids is great, but they have to have a pleasant, funny, and serious relationship with the teachers.

Relational Leadership is about give and take.  Without give and take there is rarely any development in ideas.  There is also rarely a good relationship.

As for images that represent the social change model, there is obviously the model itself.

But really, people change, and they do it all the time. When people change, society changes.  It takes 10% of a society to change or develop an idea before it exponentially grows into change. I also like this image because it takes an overly dramatic statement and puts it on a unspecific photo.  It is just kinda funny.

Who Am I?

My name is Hannah Baker. I'm from Salem, Oregon. I am 18 years old. I can't choose a favorite color because my preference fluctuates. My favorite food has recently changed to become scrambled eggs. I like the sciences, english, and religion classes. I was thinking about majoring in biology but I am rekindling my interest in art history as that is my Cultures and Ideas class this quarter.  I used to want to curate a museum, specifically the MET in New York. It was a bit ambitious and I have reeled myself in. I would be alright starting smaller and working up to it.

That was some stuff about me individually. Of course, behind every Santa Clara Bronco is a few people who provide support.  My parents are in that number, along with my grandparents.  But the most important people are much smaller than my parents.  They are smaller in stature only.

Gabby and Tristan, on their tenth birthday.

These two are my brother and sister are twins and they are ten.  I suppose these monkeys are what makes leaving hardest. I tell a lot of stories about them and typically show pictures of them off to people. I try and limit it but look at how cute they are!

So that's a quick blurb about me. If you have more questions because I just didn't address something just let me know and I'll answer.  I am stoked to have this class with you all!

See you on Wednesday!