HBO480 Leading

Reflective Personal Diary Part A

Date

27 June 2011

Task / Incident / Self-introduction Session This task was the opening activity that carried out during the Leading class. Activity Therefore, our lecturer has made a start to introduce him first and slowly leaded us towards the steps of introducing ourselves since we all came from different areas and countries. It was the foremost session of this class. Surprisingly, there were only 8 students for this term. As our lecturer mentioned that the number of students for this term was quite few as compared with previously this consisted of more than 20 students. During the self-introduction, I noticed that most of the students were not very responsive. They seems like so shy and doesnt want to share more about themselves to the others. Some of them spoke in loud and clear voice but few of them really whispered like ants until we cant heard clearly. The lecturer also asked each students to share two truths and a lie about themselves in order to request others course-mates to guess the outcomes. I noticed that only a student spoke according to what have been asked for. Somehow, some of them directly spoke out the truths and lies but few students even skipped the topic. I observed that most students behaved as uncomfortable because we all came from various backgrounds and beliefs. Thus, they might have the feelings of tension and self-protective. Due to the situations that we dont have many students in this class, the lecturer had requested us to arrange the table in curve-shape for easy learning environment as well as to work-in-pairs. As fair and square to eliminate any discrimination in the class, we decided to have numberingcast-lot. Initially, I conjecture about how the SLG (Small Learning Group) would help me in gaining the relevant and related know-how knowledge in Leading. Surprisingly, my pairs-member was a Chinese as well. Thus, it wont be a big problem for our group since we both can communicate in either English or Mandarin. This could to prevent us from others if unfamiliar. Thus, I need to learn through interactions among members as well as dayPage 1

Selecting & Describing What did I see, hear, or feel during the incident? What happen during the activity?

Reflecting & Inferring What conclusions (inferences) can I derive from my experience and observation?

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What

Reflective Personal Diary Part A

sense can to-day self-reflection in order to prevent over-dominant in SLG. I make of it? Optimistically, I could benefit myself from the Kolbs Learning Cycles and What helped or the definition of leadership. hindered the SLG? As the discussion furthered, I apprehended that I had occupy myself leading to implement tasks allocated. Although it was a challenging experience for me, but I knew that the ideal results of the SLG should reveal cumulative efforts. According to Forsyth (2009), in group dynamic, if one of the members in the groups acts in dominant, others will respond in a submissive manner. However, I could conclude that low involvement of the inactive members was related to their personal preferences. According to Drucker (2003, p.269), the world renowned leaders do not share any personalities traits or qualities, the foundation of effective leadership is thinking through the organizations mission, defining it, and establishing, clearly and visibly. Through the Zone of Awareness, I have a more in-depth recognition on this meaningful contact. If awareness is the goal, then a Gestalt Psychology approach is the best choice because the principles and practices are to be congruent to the map of the world.

Theorizing & Generalizing What generalizations (theories) can I make for the wider world? What theories of leading and following teams can I make?

Active Planning From the experience gained during the first session, it made me more What action concerns and aware when participating in those SLG as well as the effects recommendatio of group dynamics. ns can I make for myself or I would try to encourage another member to voice-out their point-of-view, others to be take turns to act as leader in any discussions in order to make the more effective? discussion more effective and meaningful.

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HBO480 Leading

Reflective Personal Diary Part A

Date

4 July 2011

Task / Incident / The Jung Typology + The Simpsons Personality Test This task involved the students to think of three words which best describe Activity about themselves and explain why has chosen them. We also need to work in-pairs by introducing my partner to class with their preferred name and their three words. It was the third session of this class. Today, I noticed that there was a new face in the class. We have been told to group in pairs again and talk to our partner about ourselves by using three words which best describes our preferences. Almost every of us were wonder why? Honestly, I think I never worry about what words people would use to describe me. So, I started felt that a bit difficult for me to find those appropriate words. Thus, I started looking around and found that the same scenario happened on most of my course-mates whom also dont know how to best describe themselves. When I explain my personality (friendly, serious, and easy-going) to my partner, Kazi, I can notice that she started to scrutinize my behaviors such as what kind of person I am. While Kazi told me her preferences, she said that she is shy, enthusiastic, and honest person. When pairs started to present their partner words, I noticed that there are various personalities in this class. I remembered that one of my coursemate, Fredrick, said about his preferences is to be a leader and the lecturer said that this is really a special characteristic. Towards the end of the session, Jung Typology was presented by the lecturer. He inquired the class to partake in the Simpsons Personality Test to comprehend which Simpsons character is aligned with. I remembered that some students were not acknowledging their personality type when being asked. They just kept quiet and did not raise-up their hands. Some of them even only voice-out their results when the lecturer asked. I observed that there were some students who dont wish to be identified in the personality test. This is because every personality test had shown a persons characteristics either strengths or weakness.

Selecting & Describing What did I see, hear, or feel during the incident? What happen during the activity?

Reflecting & Inferring What conclusions

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HBO480 Leading

Reflective Personal Diary Part A

(inferences) I think this is a good activity for me because I can get to know myself and can I derive others better. During the activity, we found that although both of us do not from my have the same personality but we able to identify some minor personalities experience and which are similar. observation? What sense can From this activity, I realize that different personalities would have different I make of it? thinking, decision-makings and emotions. By getting to know more about a What helped or persons preferences, it can helps to avoid unnecessary conflicts includes hindered the improve our relationship between family, friends and colleagues SLG? Surprisingly, my MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) Personality Test shown quite accurate outcome of the test. I do believe that those hidden characteristics has motivated me in together with high expectation to continue my learning process until a doctorate level. According to Jung (1959), the denied aspect of the self reflects the existence of The Shadow1. Jung Typology model has four major categories; Energy, Information, Decision and Organization. In the model, we can define 16 types of personalities. Through the Simpsons personalities test, I am Lisa Simpson (confidant). My strengths are having very high expectations for themselves and others as well as sensitive and concerns for others feelings. Accept criticisms with open minded will allowed me to have more constructive selfdevelopment. This can lead to short and long term self-development in all aspects.

Theorizing & Generalizing What generalizations (theories) can I make for the wider world? What theories of leading and following teams can I make?

Active Planning Through the personality test, I had indentified my strengths and weakness. What action Tendency to believe are always one of my weaknesses. Thus, I should recommendatio clarify first before actions to be taken. ns can I make for myself or However, the third sessions taught me about the importance of inner others to be feelings. Therefore, I felt that it is a need to be truthful of understanding the more effective? hidden feelings to control The Shadow. Besides that, we also need to learn how to accept criticisms and comments from the others in order to improve ourselves to higher levels.

HBO 480 Session 3 Course Handouts PowerPoint Slide 13-15 - SUTS

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HBO480 Leading

Reflective Personal Diary Part A

Reference:

Drucker, Peter F., 2003, The Essential Drucker, Harper Business, New York.

Forsyth, Donelson R., 2009, Group Dynamics, 5th edn, Cengage Learning, Kentucky, pp.232.

Handouts from HBO 480 Course, 2011, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Kuching, Session 1 and 3.

Internet of the Mind, 2007-2010, Gestalt Psychology, 6 July 2011, http://www.internet-of-themind.com/gestalt_psychology.html.

Lecture on Experiential Learning for HBO480 Leading by Ngui Kwang Sing, School of Business and Design, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, 27 June 2011.

Lecture on Jung Typology for HBO480 Leading by Ngui Kwang Sing, School of Business and Design, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, 4 July 2011.

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