Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween Post

In this week's Summit class, we discussed different forms of conflict management styles.  The different styles were: collaborating owl, avoiding turtle, competing shark, accommodating teddy bear, and compromising fox.  My highest scoring category was the accommodating teddy bear followed by the avoiding turtle.  I thought my results were very fitting because teddy bears value relationships above their own goals.  This can be a strength when there is a small/nearly insignificant conflict because a teddy bear will not be caught up in trying to be right and ruin a friendship because of it.  On the other hand, being a teddy bear can be stressful because I avoid telling someone that I have a problem with them for fear of damaging our relationship.  One thing that might help me become a better leader is remembering that solving conflicts can help strengthen a relationship.  If there is something that is bothering me, getting it off of my chest instead of keeping it bottled up will show the other person that I trust them to come to me when they have a problem as well.  One weakness of an avoiding turtle, my second highest conflict management style, is that we will allow someone to walk all over us before telling them that we have a problem.  I think it would be safe to say that turtles are taken advantage of often because of their unwillingness to stand up for themselves. 
The most important information I learned from this presentation was that the idea we have that conflict is always bad is wrong.  There will always be conflicts between people and finding a solution to that conflict will help to strengthen relationships.  Now that I have this information, I am going to strive to be more like a compromising fox so each person in the conflict gives a little to reach a happy medium that works for both parties.  This presentation will help me to become a better leader in the future now that I am more aware of the strengths and weaknesses of my conflict managament style.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

September Blog

I have chosen to participate in the Summit Park Leadership Community to get more experience being a leader before entering the workforce.  I am earning a degree in elementary education which requires working with children as well as parents, faculty, and staff of all ages and backgrounds.  Nathanael Greene Botanical Center was the perfect choice for a group project for me because all kinds of people work there as well.  The volunteers do not fall under one specific demographic which allows me experience working with all kinds of people.  I hope to learn how to work with different leadership styles during my year living in Summit Park.  My roommates this year both have different leadership styles which may lead to different forms of conflict resolution when a problem arises.  My training from Summit Park will hopefully train me what to do during a disagreement if a person with a different leadership style is approaching a problem in a different way than I would.  So far, our community partner has been very easy to work with.  One struggle we have had however is finding volunteer work needed at the center.  The fall is not the busiest time of year, but opportunities will arise with the seasons changing.  My leadership style fell under the blue category, so I enjoy harmony within the group. My roommates are both oranges and they bring a lot of spunk into the mix. I think the combination of colors will bring many creative ideas for projects for the Center and one challenge we may have is staying organized together.  The Nathanael Greene Botanical Center is our partner this year and their mission is to "enhance people's lives through plant demonstrations and education."
Provided below is a link to their website:
http://www.friendsofthegarden.org/

Katelyn Wojan