"Understanding Preferences and Personalities"

The Myers-Briggs personality test was interesting. The results revealed my personality type as

an INFP-T, Mediator.

According to Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, n.d., the Mediators are:

- 54% Introverted

- 64% Intuitive



 -59% Feelings

- 51% Prospecting

- 90% Turbulent

STRENGTHS

- Idealistic- believe that all people are inheritably good

- Seek and value harmony-not interested in having power over others, democratic approach

- Open minded/flexible, dislike being constructed by the rules

- Creative

- Passionate/energetic, dedicating time and energy to project, like to give helping hand

- Dedicated and hard working

WEAKNESSES:

- Too idealistic - believes everyone and everything is perfect

- Too altruistic - giving too much to the others, forgets to take care of their needs

- Dislikes data - Moderator is focused on people's emotions, morality.

- Takes things personally - does not like conflict always tries to find middle ground

- Difficult to get to know- private, self-conscious

Susan Cain video was to the point. I do not want to be a center of the attention, and that is fine with me. I am comfortable in my skin. However, my current manager is an extrovert, and we complement each other. She is aware that I have to be asked if I have any new ideas and proposals regarding the project. As an introvert, I do not favor long meetings and explanations, so just make it short to the point. :) According to Cain (2012), the more freedom we provide for introverts, the better outcomes they achieve. I believe my manager is very aware of this fact.

Caroline McHugh (2012), a presentation on being you was interesting. This webcast was my favorite, and I watched it few times. This webcast made me think about being “myself’.

As an introvert, I tend to think about everything else but myself. Caroline McHugh reiterated that we all have the same end results in life, and is important, to be honest, true to ourselves, and to be authentic.  I really like her statement that the older we get we become more honest and less compromising. Finding ourselves in the “true mirror” is a must.

Dana Caspersen (2015) asserts that it is crucial to recognize conflict as an opportunity. However, most people try to avoid conflict, or they feel uncomfortable engaging in conflict. Conflict is healthy, and it is part of human interaction (Porter- O’Grady and Malloch, 2015). As leaders, we need to be aware that conflicts should not be avoided. Moreover, a leader needs to create an environment that encourages individuals to identify and to express conflicts (Porter-O’Grady and Malloch, 2015).

Quantum Leadership presentation

Porter O'Grady and Malloch (2015) focuses on complexity and impact that leadership role has at the workplace.  As leaders, it is essential to adapt, participate, and promote change. "The leader is an agent of change, responsible for providing others with a vision of change and ensuring that their response to the demand for change is appropriate" (Porter O'Grady and Malloch, 2015, p. 12).

Most people do not like change, regardless if it is in the personal or professional life. However, we all know that change is inevitable and we cannot control it. Therefore, it is important that we as individuals and practitioners adapt and embrace the change.

In my professional career, I can recall several occasions where I was not very receptive to change. Several years ago my organization switched from paper charting to computerized charting, and I was petrified. I remember being very reluctant to embrace the new way of charting. Probably my personal weakness was taking over since I'm not technically savvy. However, after several months of utilizing this new technology, I realized that change was good. New computerized charting improved patient care, patient safety, and made me more productive and efficient nurse. Long story short, I love electronic charting!!!  Porter O'Grady and Malloch (2015) wrote, "In the emerging age, a large part of the leadership role will involve facilitating the transition to a new way of living and working" (p. 22).

References

Cain, S. (2012, May 2).  The power of introverts.  [TED Talks].  Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4

Caspersen, D. (2015, July 13).  Conflict as a place of possibility.  Retrieved from [You Tube Video].  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfQeH3092Sc

McHugh, C. (2013, February 15).  The art of being you. [TED Talks].  Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veEQQ-

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (n.d.)  Retrieved from https://www.16personalities.com/personality-types
Porter-O'Grady, T., & Malloch, K. (2015). Quantum leadership: Building better partnerships for sustainable health. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

UNDERSTANDING MY WHY

“Understanding My Why”

It feels strange to write or speak about my qualities. I believe we all have qualities, and some of those qualities are more prominent than others. My friends and family would probably describe me as loyal, reliable, and organized.  My friends usually joke about me being "always on time," and expecting everyone else to be as well. I have been told numerous times that I am funny, caring, and patient.

 I am grateful for my children, parents, friends, and my coworkers.  Spending time with friends, my kids, and my parents brings me great happiness. The little moments, like morning coffee with my mom, hugging my children, walking my dog are moments that I cherish.  It is funny how the older I get, the life becomes simpler and little things are what's important. 

Am I living the life I imagined? I think I am.  As a kid growing up in Serbia, former Yugoslavia, I always dreamed of moving to far away land.  Maybe I had a premonition. Well, my dream became true when I moved to the United States in 1991. At twenty-three years old, I was eager to learn and prove myself.  I thank God every day for giving me an opportunity to come to this country and be whatever I want to be.  Do not get me wrong, I love my "old country," and I visit Serbia frequently.  However, the United States is "home."  I feel fortunate to spend the majority of my life in the United States.

My current position as a case manager is another aspect of my life that I cherish. Being able to make a difference in someone's life, by offering empathy, and just being present brings me great joy.  Working in a health care field and advocating for my patients is very rewarding.  I guess that is why I do what I do??? 

WHY DO I DO WHAT I DO???

There are many answers.  However, it is very simple.  Because I care, I love helping people, I like teaching, empowering and listening to people.  I remember when I was a nursing assistant in a nursing home, and after a hard day I "complained " to my mother on how hard my day was.  My mom replied, "Just hope that one day when you are old and frail, there will be people like you to take care of you."  It is that simple, but at times we need to hear it.  Helping another human being at their most vulnerable time, spending extra five minutes just listening to the patient goes a long way.

             Steve Jobs video was inspirational. As he points, it is crucial to focus on the reason why we do what we do, and the impact we make on others. Mr. Job’s ability to contribute and be present, despite his terminal illness, helped me to discover my personal reasons and why’s (Jobs, 2008).