DISCOVER ROLESWinter Leadership Conference 2012

Tiffin University

Tom Nellson

Assistant Director of Residence Life

What is leadership?

Who is a leader?

LEADERSHIP

Who is a Leader? A leader is “anyone who seeks to influence

the thinking, behavior, or development of others.” – Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges, Lead Like Jesus

LEADERS OF OUR TIME…

Describe the following leaders/influential people based on what you know or what you think you know about each…

Bill Gates

Mrs. Obama, First Lady

Snooki, The Jersey Shore

Charlie Sheen

Martin Luther King, Jr.

J.K. Rowling

You…

WHO ARE YOU?

Emotions

Personality

Strengths

Values

Self-EsteemHabits

A SELF-AWARE PERSON…Has identified personal valuesSpends time and energy on endeavors

related to valuesAware of strengths and weaknessesWants to constantly learn and growRealizes that s/he is not perfect – yet can

still perform at high levelsAware of emotions and biases – this

awareness helps make decisions that are wise and fair

Has developed habits that shape personalityMaintains positive self-esteemTakes time to reflect

SOLICIT FEEDBACK

Ask good questions Be equally open to all types of feedback

Positive, negative, constructive, etc. Listen without justifying

When you’re too busy defending your actions, you miss what the person is trying to tell you

Consider who you are asking for meaningful feedback

Consider how you are asking for feedback Show appreciation/sincere thanks

STRENGTHS QUEST

Strengthsquest.com verbiage through the Gallup Organization

Strengths quest… a lifelong adventure Begins as you look within yourself (your

natural talents) Building natural talents to become strengths

– abilities to provide consistent, near-perfect performances in specific activities

Discovery, development, and application

WEAKNESS FIXING: THE WRONG ASSUMPTIONS

All behaviors can be learned. If you try hard enough, you can do it. If you want it badly enough, you can do it. If you dream it, you can achieve it.

The best in a role all get there exactly the same way.

Weakness fixing leads to excellence.

STRENGTHS BUILDING: THE RIGHT ASSUMPTIONS

Some behaviors can be learned. Many are nearly impossible to learn. There is a difference between talent, skills, and knowledge.

The best in a role deliver the same outcomes, but use different behaviors.

Weakness fixing prevents failure. Strengths building leads to excellence.

RECOGNIZING TALENTS

Yearning: To what kinds of activities are you naturally drawn?

Rapid Learning: What kinds of activities do you seem to pick up quickly?

Flow: In what activities did the “steps” just come to you automatically?

Glimpses of Excellence: During what activities have you had moments of subconscious excellence, when you thought, “How did I do that?”

Satisfaction: What activities give you a kick, either while doing them or immediately after finishing them, and you think, “When can I do that again?”

WHAT IS A STRENGTH?

Talent X Investment (knowledge + skill ) = Strength

A strength is the ability to provide consistent,near-perfect performance in a specific activity.

STRENGTHS FORMULA

Natural Talent(9) Talent x (5) Investment = 45 (9) Talent x (10) Investment = 90

Less Natural Talent(4) Talent x (5) Investment = 20(4) Talent x (10) Investment = 40

TAKE A MOMENT…

Take a moment to describe yourself. Jot down, at least, what you consider to be

your top 5 strengths. What makes you unique?

ROLES REFLECTION

Take a few minutes to jot down all of the roles you have held, past and present.

TOM NELLSON ROLES, A SELECTION

SOME CURRENT ROLES Son Brother Friend Student ADRL Advisor Male Cousin Godfather Catholic

Volunteer Coworker Supervisor Editor

SOME PREVIOUS ROLES Resident Assistant Sr. Resident Assistant Undergraduate

Student Applicant Undergrad Leadership

Coordinator Retreat Leader Hospitality Coordinator Coach Teammate

Leaders are committed to developing their naturally born talents to assist them in reaching their vision.

Life is a balancing act Maximize your potential for success in

academics, personal life, career path, and co-curricular activities by building on your talents – the way you most naturally think, feel, and behave – rather than focusing on your weaknesses. 

LEADERSHIP IN ACTIONACTIVITY: PLANNING AN EVENT

Divide and conquer. Who is responsible for what? Advertising Activities Food Entertainment Budgeting

Why should we divide up tasks as such? Who will ultimately be responsible for the

event?