“Lead like The Lorax ” 360º Leadership Reflection

1. Jennifer Jones EDLP 717 March 16, 2013 “Lead like The Lorax”360º Leadership Reflection “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.” ―Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

2. 360º Data Tool Fall 2011 Fall 2011 360° Survey Data Collection Process For the fall 2011, initial data collection, each individual to receive survey feedback had to provide the contact information for one supervisor, three direct reports, and three peers to university staff. Four respondents rated my leadership capacity. In turn, University staff electronically mailed the survey to the indicated respondents as well as to the individuals to receive 360 Feedback. Each individual to receive feedback also completed self-rating survey that includes the same survey questions that others receive in their forms. Responses on the 360 Degree Survey were automatically tabulated. The raw data results were presented in an excel spreadsheet to individuals via electronic mail. Raw data responses were compiled and the means and medians for individual responses for each category were computed. The means were compared to examine individual leadership differences and similarities with regard to the feedback data provided from the 360 Degree survey “” I speak for the trees. For the trees have no tongues.” ― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

3. 360º Data Tool Spring 2013 Spring 2013 360°Survey Data Collection Process For the spring 2013, follow-up data collection, individuals were provided with a Red Cap account and had flexibility in self-generating 360 questionnaire projects. Once the project was generated, the survey instrument was electronically mailed to one supervisor, three direct reports, and three peers. Each individual to receive feedback also completed self-rating survey that includes the same survey questions that others receive in their forms. The seven responses on the 360 Degree Survey were automatically tabulated. The raw data results were presented in an excel spreadsheet to individuals via electronic mail. Raw data responses were compiled and the means and medians for individual responses for each category were computed. The means are being compared to examine individual leadership differences and similarities with regard to the feedback data provided from the 360 Degree survey. “It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become.” ― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

4. “Data shows administrative growth for cohort.”-Jennifer Jones What the data says about our Virginia Commonwealth University learning communities The 360° cohort data shows positive growth across all three learning communities. The graph to the right shows the ten areas of leadership measured by the survey and trend data from both the 2011 and 2013 survey administrations. As a cohort we grew by leaps and bounds in several areas. The participation in the coursework seems to be having an impact on the way we see ourselves as leaders as evident from the growth in developing and understanding self categories. In each of the ten categories of leadership development there are marked increases between the Fall 2011 and Spring 2013 360º Surveys. “” – Unless!” ― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

5. “Data shows administrative growth for individual.”-Jennifer Jones What Colleagues Say About My Leadership… The data from this study represents a very small number of respondents who were surveyed to provide feedback regarding my personal leadership competencies. Due to having a sample size of four (Fall 2011) and seven, (Spring 2013) the means were taken as a whole of all respondents. Overall, my colleagues have seen growth of my leadership in many areas. Most notably, respondents indicated that my knowledge of self , teamwork, and sensitivity have improved over time. Surprisingly, my colleagues noted that my written communications have “slacked off “a bit. Upon reflection, my reasoning for this centers around the premise that my office has undergone great metamorphosis as we are currently understaffed. As I try to keep up with work demands, I may come across as short in electronic communications; the primary source for business transactions with many of them. “” I speak for the trees. For the trees have no tongues.” ― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

6. “Data shows administrative growth for individual.”-Jennifer Jones Personal Leadership and Development Reflection… Overall, I am experiencing positive growth in my leadership development. I rated myself most favorably in the areas of sensitivity, judgment, and written communications. It has been my goal to really work on eliciting feelings and concerns of others at work and at home. I routinely ask for feedback after meetings and always take the time to listen no matter how busy I may be. I have made it an art form to express disagreement without creating conflict and am more able to stand my ground with superiors. I feel that the strategies I have employed have served me well as indicated by my colleagues and from my own personal data points in these areas. I was shocked to see that my colleagues had rated me somewhat lower in the area of written communications but had a moment of clarity when I realized why that may be. I have ascertained that my efforts have been focused on my academic program evaluation work and on a technical manual I am putting together for my job. This has left little time for e-mail communications which is what my colleagues primarily based their ratings upon. On the other hand, my professors and supervisors are seeing the fruits of my labor and based their ratings on the “enterprise documents” that I am producing. “” I am the Lorax and I will scream and shout for the fine things on Earth that are on their way out!” ― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

7. “Data supports ENTJ - MBTI personality type.”-Jennifer Jones All seven respondents rated my performance in oral communications and organization as highly effective In turn my own assessment of oral communications and organization equaled their responses. These finding were of little surprise to me because of my high scores on the Meyers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI) in the area s of extroversion and intuition. According to the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), I am classified as an ENTJ. E = Extroversion N = Intuition T = Thinking J = Judging The data responses collected from myself and peers supports this personality type. ENTJ personality types can be characterized as being decisive, and assumes leadership readily. I quickly see illogical and inefficient procedures and policies, then work to develop and implement comprehensive systems to solve organizational problems. I enjoy long-term planning and goal setting. I make it my passion to be well informed, well read, and I enjoy expanding my knowledge and passing it on to others. I can be forceful in presenting my ideas “” I speak for the trees. For the trees have no tongues” ― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax