It’s the end of week one and time to reflect upon the change
in self-awareness that we can note.
Heading into the class, I felt fairly confident that my
level of self-awareness was high. Interestingly, I am not sure what scale I was
comparing my level against. Upon reflection, I have come to realize that I was
using my co-workers and friends as my barometer. Against that scale, I still
feel that my self-awareness was above average before class began.
Once I took the assessments at the beginning of the week, my
opinion was tempered a bit. The scores substantiated my belief in some areas.
My goal in those areas is to maintain my awareness and to continue apply those
capabilities in my work and home life. Specifically, maintain my
self-confidence, my openness to new ideas, and my flexibility in dealing with
ambiguous situations or data.
The first assessment we took was an overall examination of
our self-awareness. There were two steps to the test. That was the first, and
the second was to re-take the assessment after reading the first chapter. My
score went from a 55 to a 59 over the course of the week. That would indicate,
to me at least, that my understanding of self-awareness and the multiple facets
involved has grown.
My biggest learning moment of the week involved the area of
personal values. As it said in our reading, until people encounter a
contradiction or a threat to their basic values, they seldom articulate their
values or seek to clarify them. Whetten & Cameron (2011) pg. 65
That statement jumped out at me, as I appear to have been
lucky enough (or maybe unlucky enough), to not have faced a time when I have
been forced to answer that question. My mind has been occupied with defining my
values a number of hours per day, since. So far, I know I value
professionalism, commitment, dedication, and trust-worthiness. Incidentally,
these are some of the same leadership values my company grades me on twice a
year. I wonder where these values would rank if I had not had as much focus on
them over the last 10 years, in particular. Probably near the same level, but
would they have jumped to mind as readily? As the course, and life, goes on
I will take more time to focus on defining my values.
One impact to my values has been my work and study in the
field of cultural diversity and inclusion. To a great extent, what values I had
built were modified as I learned about other cultures and the values they
espouse and practice.
Seeking knowledge of the self, therefore, seems to be an
enigma. It is a prerequisite for and a motivator of growth and improvement, but
it may inhibit growth and improvement. It may lead to stagnation because of
fear of knowing more. Whetten & Cameron (2011) pg. 58
I was talking with my confidant about the stress of having
to push through the painful parts of self-discovery. While I have grown and
feel very good about the experiences I have had doing so in the past, there is
still a sense of sitting outside the doctor’s office on inoculation day. We
agreed that the benefit far outweighs the aches and pains. We also agreed that
the gains will be lifelong assets.
I will press through the fear. The fruits to be had are
excellent and will provide me the ability to be an even better husband, father,
leader, and manager.
Whetten, D. A., & Cameron, K. S.
(2011). Developing Management Skills
(E. Svendsen Ed. 8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
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