Thursday, April 21, 2011

DISC leadership/management diagnostic

The result of my test was Id. I was initially surprised with this result. I've always thought I was a C person, but then I concluded I like to think I'm a C person but in reality I'm not. I like to think I'm analytical, logical, rational, conscientious, detailed, and not impulsive. It makes me feel smart and intelligent. But I don't think I can become this person I've always wanted to be, this is just not me!!!
However, the older I get the more I get to know myself and to appreciate who I really am. The test only came to confirm it. I'm definitely a natural born leader, but not a dominant person. I like to influence people and logically convince them to do and think the way I want them to. Many times it happens unconsciously (I hate the idea that I'm all the time trying to get people to do and think on my way, but in reality this is how we live).
From my I side, I like to contact people and I'm very communicative (my major is communication), so I'm all about making a favorable impression and verbalizing with articulateness. I also believe that people must be motivated and act because of incentives. I like entertaining people, participating in a group and I'm a very optimistic person. I believe in freedom of expression, democratic relationships, coaching and counseling, and favorable working conditions.
From my D side, I definitely make quick decisions, like to get immediate results, solve problems and question the status quo. I also believe I'm more productive when I face difficult challenges, as well as many new and varied activities, and when I have freedom from controls and supervision.
It is definitely useful to determine a person's management type. By doing so, companies can distribute employees among tasks based on their personalities, therefore ensuring productivity and efficiency. Every company needs Ds, Is, Cs, and Ss. The problem is that not all types are good to do everything. This is why it is so important to determine who they are and delegate them the right assignments.

Monday, April 4, 2011

The power of vision.

The video's central message is how by envisioning our future, we can make our lives richer. It says that in though times, people only think about the present and forget about the future. And this capacity to think about, dream and envision the future is what distinguishes leaders from managers.
Inspired by Frank Pollack (The image of the Future), Benjamin Singer, and Victor Frankl (Man's search for meaning), the author Joel Arthur Barker created this motivating and inspiring movie about the power of vision. According to him, Vision is the result of dreams and action. Significant vision precedes significant success. Leaders envision, share their vision with communities (create a supporting structure and motivate people to extraordinary achievement) , and make the vision a reality.
The video also talks about values as the way to measure the rightness of our directions; they protect us from making unethical decisions. However, values don't determine direction. To determine direction is the role of vision
My vision of the future is to finish school at the end of this year, to move back to Brazil, and get a great job in the marketing communications field. I envision to stay there working for 2 years and then go to London to do my MBA.
Everyone must have a dream. It is key for our futures. And education is essential to achieving our dreams.
I envision spending time with my family who I have been apart for 9 years and catch up with my country, culture and favorite places and things I miss so much.
I plan to achieve my vision by being loyal to my values and working hard. Being proactive, smart, and ethical is a good strategy to getting where I want to!!!
I learned a lot while living here in New York and I'm sure I'm ready to stop dreaming and act towards my vision.
I know I can make it!!!