1

Running head: LEADERSHIP PLAN

Leadership Plan Breanne N. Rowland Touro University Nevada

LEADERSHIP PLAN Mission /Vision Statement To improve my leadership skills in order to empower growth and development in individuals by engaging them in lifelong learning and self-discovery opportunities within the community. I will do this by becoming culturally competent and sensitive in understanding the

various diverse values and beliefs of those within the community. I will increase my competency by understanding multiculturalism, valuing diversity, and becoming culturally educated. I will provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which individuals will be empowered to develop a greater self-confidence and personal growth. Strengths After completing the Strengths Finder Assessment, my top five strengths include positivity, empathy, harmony, developer, and adaptability. Based on these findings, the strength, positivity, refers to embodying a great deal of enthusiasm and proving an upbeat environment that allows others to become excited. This permits me to be enthusiastic about life and trustworthy to others. It also signifies that I have the ability to work well with others and work well in a group setting. The strength of empathy refers to having the ability to be aware of others thoughts, feelings, and needs. It also shows the capability to initiate, nurture and sustain friendships. This shows support and the ability to bring people together. Harmony refers to accomplishing goals that others rely on me to complete. These expectations help inspire me and pay attention to the task at hand. This also helps me to use constructive feedback to learn the areas I need to improve on. The developer strength involves helping others recognize and cultivate their own potential. I am motivated by my capabilities, appreciate the diversity in individuals, and enjoy being around individuals who are different then myself. Additionally,

LEADERSHIP PLAN the strength, adaptability, refers to going with the flow and easily working with others. I am flexible and focus on the present task and take things as they come. I also allow the future to unravel at its own pace.

After identifying my top five strengths, I am more aware of the areas in which I can focus on to improve my leadership skills. My first strength, positivity, is something that I strive for on a daily basis. Positivity is something that I feel is important to surround myself with. Having negative thoughts or people in your life can bring you down. Being optimistic about situations can help you hold a deeper meaning to life and will encourage you to appreciate what you have. My second strength, empathy, is also something that I learned from my family. I learned at a young age that it is important to put others first and to be aware of others feelings, thoughts, and needs. I think this is an important trait to have when working one- on-one with individuals, especially in a healthcare setting. My third strength, harmony, allows me to get done what others are counting on me to do. Knowing the expectations of others inspires me to focus physically and mentally on the important activities. My forth strength, developer, allows me to help individuals feel useful, valued, appreciated, and important. I try to support individuals development and encourage them by acknowledging their outstanding accomplishments and performances. My fifth strength, adaptability, is something that I have learned to do well. I would like to think that I am easy to work with and go with the flow. I am flexible and am willing to adapt for others. I like to focus on what needs to be done in the present rather than worrying about the past and the future. After learning about my strengths, I will use these findings when I work with my colleagues in various projects that I undertake. Knowing this information will allow me to use my strengths in ways to help out during group projects and when working in collaboration with

LEADERSHIP PLAN others. Based on these findings, I will be able to use my strengths to better my clients in the future and provide them with a more client-centered approach. Growth Needs The areas in which I require more growth include areas that I have identified to improve in for my future. These areas include public speaking, confidence, and being overly sensitive. I have worked on public speaking throughout my life, but require more development. I have always been a quiet individual and am shy when it comes to social gatherings. I can also be reserved and introverted at times. During my time spent at Touro University Nevada, I have

worked on my public speaking skills and have become more comfortable when speaking in front of others. With this said, I still require more development and growth in the area of public speaking for my future as an occupational therapist and as a leader. Another area of growth that has been identified is my confidence level. During my level II fieldwork, my fieldwork educator identified this as an area that required more growth as a future practitioner. During fieldwork, I was very cautious and conscientious about making mistakes and doubting myself. It is presumed with more experience and knowledge, I will acquire the skills to be proficient and gain more confidence in myself. Additionally, another area of growth includes being overly sensitive. I have always been a very sensitive individual and have difficulty standing up for myself. During my level II fieldwork, I was able to work on this weakness and learn from constructive feedback. I have learned that recognizing the past and learning from mistakes will help me grow personally and professionally. Knowing what I want for the future and setting goals can help me achieve my desires. Embracing my strengths along with my weaknesses can help me move forward in life. Becoming aware of the different paths in my future has challenged me to think

LEADERSHIP PLAN

about what is really important to me in life. Learning and acquiring leadership skills is a lifelong process and requires adaptation and compromise. Leadership Model & Style The leadership models and styles that pertain to me include enabling others to act and encouraging the heart. These leadership skills will help me in the future as a leader and a professional. I feel that these leadership skills are accurate and are helpful to be aware of. The leadership skill, enabling others to act, allows me to foster collaboration and encourage team work. By doing this, I inspire others to actively include others and strive for an atmosphere of respect, trust, and dignity. I enable others to feel competent and confident within themselves and promote individuals to feel empowered and capable. I am very aware that teamwork is essential, especially in the field of occupational therapy and leadership. Working in collaboration can help strengthen others and foster growth. An additional leadership skill that relates to me is encouraging the heart. I recognize contributions that individuals make and encourage positivity. I promote rejoicing in accomplishments and make people feel successful and prosperous. I have high expectations of myself and of others. Goals One Year SMART Goal: I will commit to a Toastmasters group, once a week for 12 weeks, to improve my speaking and leadership skills and increase my self-confidence by 3/22/2015. This will help me communicate more effectively as a leader. I will achieve this goal by joining and attending the Toastmasters program in Las Vegas, Nevada. The outcome measure will involve my increased confidence and leadership skills. Improving my public speaking skills will help me become a more confident and competent professional.

LEADERSHIP PLAN Three Year SMART goal: I will become certified in the areas of yoga, Pilates, and Kinsio taping in order to gain more knowledge and experience to apply to my practice, by 3/22/2017. The yoga and Pilates classes will incorporate mommy and me bonding and relaxation classes in order for families to experience a deeper bonding experience, while being in a socially supportive

environment. I will seek out an established yoga studio and provide services that are not offered. The outcome measures will include new knowledge gained, certifications, and offering services that are not available elsewhere. The resources that I will have available and will seek out will include a mentor, and evidence based research on yoga and its benefits of bonding experiences in new mothers with children with disabilities. The accomplished target date for this goal is 3/22/2017 Five Year SMART Goal: I will develop and implement a business plan for a non-profit program, offered to students in lower-income school, to address childhood obesity by 3/22/2019. This program will run in conjunction with after school programs and will provide students with a curriculum that focuses on individual lifestyle choices and empowering children to make healthier choices. The outcome measure will include research that will be conducted to demonstrate the programs success. Resources available will include previous research on the topic, teachers, volunteers, and school administration. The accomplished date will be 3/22/2019 Ten Year SMART goal: I will promote and open a wellness clinic that will include different disciplines and will incorporate cooking, baking, mommy and me classes, yoga and Pilates, and additional classes that promote health, wellness, and prevention by 3/22/2024. I want to incorporate and

LEADERSHIP PLAN offer many different types of interventions and classes to the community, proving a variety of services to a diverse population I also want to work in collaboration with others in a team

approach (PTs, SLPs, etc.) in order to provide the best care possible. The outcome measure will provide the community with a new wellness program that will provide a type of business that has not yet been offered. The resources used will include prior experiences and professionals from others disciplines, evidence based research, and mentors who will offer their assistance in opening a business. The accomplished target date will be 3/22/2024.

LEADERSHIP PLAN References Kouzes, J., & Posner, B. (2003). Leadership practices inventory: Leadership development planner. San Francisco: Pfeiffer.

Rath, T. (2007). Strengths finder 2.0. New York: Gallup Press.