Extroverts vs Introverts

        When we did the extrovert vs introvert exercise, I found myself surprised with what I was classified as. I thought I would be an extrovert since I consider myself to be completely outgoing and down to earth. But once reading through the lists and critically thinking of who I am as an individual, i found out that I am an introvert. Everything in this list just really described who I was as an individual. I like the quiet to concentrate because too much noise easily distracts me. I have trouble remembering names and faces. I can stare at an individual for hours and now that they look very familiar but cannot remember how i know them. I can work on one project for a long time without interruption. Once I am focused on something and especially if i have a deadline for when i need to get it done, i put myself in a quiet environment and finish it.
         I am also very known for thinking before I act. I will think of every pro and con in a situation to figure out if actions are required or not. I don't like to be in odd situations so in order to avoid it I will weigh out every possibility in order to determine which is the best plan of action to take. And I come to realize that I am not a confrontational person at all. I tend to stutter over my words when put in awkward situations so sometimes written communication is better for me.
         It was interesting to go down the list and see that this characteristic describes me so well. Even my friends were amazed when I told them that I was an introvert instead of an extrovert since my personality when I am around them is so different.

Social Judgement Skills

        When going over my notes from the beginning of the year, I came across a topic we had discussed early on. It was the topic of social judgement. Having social judgement skills is having the capacity to understand people and social systems. It enables leaders to work with others to solve problems and to marshal support to implement change within an organization. Social judgement skills are the people skills that are necessary to solve unique organizational problems.
       When reading further into my notes, I noticed how I could relate this towards my life now. Being President of an RSO is a lot of work, especially a Greek council. I have to have many skills in order to be successful in my position. I have to have perspective skills, meaning to understand the attitudes that others have toward a particular problem or solution. I have to apply empathy to my problem solving. I have to be sensitive to other people's perspectives and goals- being able to understand their point of view on different issues.  I also have to have social perspectives to see how others in my organization  function. I have to know what's important to them and what motivates them. I have to be able to understand their unique needs, goals, and demands of different organizational constituencies.
       This leadership class has really helped me become a better leader. I am more aware of how I act toward individuals. Having these different perspectives has allowed me to have a sense of keen of how people will respond to any proposed change in my organization. It really allows me to know the pulse of my group on any issue at any time. Also I have learned that it is okay to change my leadership skills in order to meet the new demands. I have become a better communicator and have created an open door policy with my group. They know that they can be honest with me at any time since I want to build more of a relationship then just boss-employee. This leadership class has really helped me become more successful and an all around better leader.

mistakes

The other day at work, I had gotten into some trouble. I work in the bloodbank at the hospital and I had mistakenly issued the wrong unit of blood to a patient. It was an honest mistake but now I have to prove to my supervisor and staff that I am competent again. When talking to my supervisor, I had explained to him that we were just very busy and I had a lot on my plate at the moment and he was very understanding. He explained to me that mistakes happen every day and we are only human. I was  relieved when he had told me this. For now on I just have to be more aware. People make mistakes everyday but I just dont want to repeat my mistakes again. I prefer to learn from them and make myself a better employee.

Firing someone

The other day we hosted elections for the new NALFO board. I am currently the President and will be President again for next year. The elections went very smoothly and everyone was extremely happy with the results. However, the following day I came across some important information. The newly elected vice president was unable to run due to the fact that she is only part time. I had spoken with my advisor to see how I should go about the situation and he told me that I needed to tell the individual that they would no longer be able to hold their position in office. I was a little nervous at first since the person and I were rather close friends. However, it went a lot easier then I thought. I explained to the person the reasoning behind me having to dismiss them from their position and although she was upset at first she understood completely. We talked about things and I explained to her that I could still use her help and just because she wasn't on the board anymore didn't mean that she couldn't still be extremely involved within the group. She was very pleased to hear this information.
I think I handled the situation very well. I was informative yet I still displayed empathy. I tried putting myself in her shoes and its hard hearing that kind of information but I knew it would be harder hearing it from your good friend.

Communication

The other day at work I learned how important communication is. I work in a blood bank at the Christiana Hospital as a clerk and I really enjoy my job but it requires me to be alert at all times. One mistake and I could put someones life at risk. I really enjoy my job and when I first started working there I thought it was going to be a piece of cake. However, the other day I found myself in a dilemma. A nurse had ordered blood on the floor for two patients. It was an extremely busy day in the blood bank and when i distributed the blood, there was some miscommunication on where it was going. I was told by the nurse that it was going to one floor, but in my computer screen it had said another location. I finally decided to take matters into my own hands and call the doctor himself to figure out where this blood would be going. Once I called the doctor I had found out that the blood was going to a completely different location all together. I ended up calling the nurse back to tell her where the patient had been transported and she had no idea that he had even left her ward.
It was crazy to think that this is someones life we have in our hands and no one was able to keep tabs on him properly. Everything ended up turning out just fine but it was very scary to not know where this patient was, knowing that he needed a massive transfusion. But I think she learned her lesson that communicating with the "big" boss is always important and you shouldn't always take charge without knowing what is going on first.