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Blog Post 6

 The Indian Talking Stick concept is a powerful communication tool that ensures a code of conduct of respect is followed in a meeting. I recently had to employ the ’talking stick’ method in mediating in a conflict between my cousin and her boyfriend. She is the very restless and talkative type, that would typically want to hear herself over and over. She came to tell me why she broke up with her boyfriend, and would not allow me to make a point, without interjection.

I invited her boyfriend to join us, and I played them this ‘Indian Talking stick’ video clip. After they confirmed understanding of the concept, I brought out a measuring ruler, which I asked that we see as the talking stick. I adjured them to let us try it out, without breaking the rules.

In passing her the stick, I noticed that she poured out her heart. She said a lot more than she would have been allowed to, without the stick. Her boyfriend and I could see her pains and empathize with her by the time she finished. When the stick was passed to the boyfriend, he just broke down and apologized. He alluded to miscommunication and his inability to always listen well to her.

Using the stick gives the chance to allow people hear their views without disruption. It teaches how to be an intentful listener and how to be emphatic.

This experience showed clearly that trust can be built when individuals take out time to listen carefully to each other. She saw how emphatic he was after listening to her story and that helped her heal and be willing to forgive. He also saw how listening intently made him realize how incomplete their communication has been over time. I was glad to have made reconciliation possible through the Indian Talking stick experiment. It taught me that intentful listening is a strong interpersonal skill and when done properly, proves our humanity, it builds trust, enhances relationships, empathy, and compassion. It makes the person being listened to feel valued and important.

 The Indian Talking Stick method teaches a really great leadership skill which is listening. It allows for everyone with something to air his or her view. It is a veritable tool that can be applied in leadership opportunities, especially during meetings with people with divergent opinions. Leaders and managers often do not listen to each other to truly understand the other point of view.  This creates a lot of tension and can easily blow up into conflicts. When leaders and managers really learn to listen to understand the perspectives of their employees, customers, and other important stakeholders, they not only improve interpersonal relationships, but they also get better results.

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Blog Post 4

I recently belonged to a high performing team – AMWAY-250. We are part of a multi-level marketing company that sells health, beauty, and home care products. Our team is high performing because, we are goal-focused individuals with specialized expertise and complementary skills. We collaborate, innovate, and produce consistently superior results, compared to a lot of our peers in the Global AMWAY.

I led the marketing subgroup that covers the Mississauga area. We made presentations to different groups and individuals on the Amway products. We showcased why the products are high standard and the investment opportunities inherent in joining the group. We also take out time to train group members on efficiency, productivity and the team spirit.

We at some point noticed a few weak links in the group. They were not as focused as they should be. Some had issues with their work schedule and timing, while others really did not have a clear direction of the group objectives. In future I will advise we at the outset make clear the group purpose, roles and responsibilities, need for trust, appreciation and encouragement of diverse thinking and openness in pointing challenges as they come.

We respond to conflicts by identifying the root cause of the conflict, seek out a pragmatic solution, present and agree on the solution and make periodic check-in to see if the issues are completely resolved. I would like to add that it may be necessary to get a facilitator/expert in implementing the conflict resolution steps. A facilitator would help to manage the conflict resolution meetings without being dominant and can form objective and workable viewpoints

In my group, we suffered a few setbacks mainly in communication. This is mainly due to our different cultural backgrounds. In future I will enjoin our group to focus a little more on two-way open communication with mutual trust to achieve our common goals

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Blog Post 3

In order to a be a great leader, I have to be an effective follower. I commit to being a follower who is an independent critical thinker, a follower who is a team player and would call out something unethical.

I commit to being a follower who is a capable self-manager, a follower who requires minimal supervision and takes responsibility for his actions.

Finally, I commit to being a follower who would initiate real change and carry out actions that are only in the best interest of my organization.

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Blog Post 2

my strengths are positivity, Futuristic, Individualization, Arranger and Harmony.

Arranger- A great example where strength of being an arranger can be applied is I could multi-task and manage a lot of activities that could move the team forward at the same time. Through my arranging abilities, organize big events or large celebrations for the team

Harmony- I can use this ability to create an environment where everyone works in unity and togetherness. Also, ensure that this strength is use to manage conflicts and disagreements on the team as this is always bound to happen. Lastly, help people on the team to come to an agreement by helping them see the practical side of things.

Futuristic- I can use this ability Inspire the team to see the vision of the future. Provide them with logical reason why the team would be at greater heights in the future. Also, create a culture on the team where people are present but constantly thinking of what the future has in store for them. A great way to do this is by asking them to share their vision from time to time.

Positivity- I can use this ability to motivate member of my team to focus on the things that are going on well and not the things that aren’t. I can use this ability to model a mindset where they know that the best is yet to come

Individualization- I would apply this ability to appreciate what every individual brings to the table and I would not generalize members of my team

I was able to try one of my strengths- positivity.

I used my positive strength to make my team move forward. A close colleague of mine lost her only daughter who was a good friend to our sales team at Holt Renfrew. When she passed, the whole was devastated and left in shock. We were all grieving and we stopped performing as much because it took a huge toll on our mental health. After a few weeks of mourning and crying, I called a meeting with the team. I reminded them, that one day we are all going to be gone but we have to get back on our feet to do what she would have wanted us to do. Joy would have wanted us to sell up a storm, so we have to try our best. I mentioned that we needed to start being more thankful and passionate about everything. I ended my speech telling them that we should be glad that we have food, clothing and shelter.

Doing this brought a ray of sunshine and happiness to the team. I was able to use my positive strength to make them see the positive side of things

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Blog Post 1

Leadership has always been modelled to me since I was a kid, I was never really taught how to be a leader, yet I always find myself in leadership positions. Growing up as a kid, my dad was a very respected leader everywhere we went. In our neighborhood, church and at his place of work. His opinions were always respected and taken into consideration when major decisions were to be made.

Growing into a young adult in Nigeria, I became like my dad and I was given leadership positions at church and school. My first leadership position was in grade 9 when I was made a class prefect. It felt amazing and overwhelming at the same time. It was interesting to see how much influence I had over people. Also, bringing different personalities together to have a productive team was challenging yet enjoyable.

From my leadership experience, I learnt that as humans we all bring different skills and strengths to the table and we can always work together to find a common ground that would move us to success. I also learned that leadership is not just about telling others what to do. It is mostly about showing the right example!

After studying the Gallup strength finder, my strengths are positivity, Futuristic, Individualization, Arranger and Harmony. My ability to stay positive makes me stay encouraged and motivated that the best is yet to come despite the situation in life. I have an ability to have a bright outlook towards life and this reflects in the people around me. I am always there to make them focus on the things that are going well in their life and encourage them to forgot about what is not going to well. A great example of my positivity in action is when my brother went through a very bad accident that could lead to him strengths never walking on his two feet again. I was always there to motivate and encourage him to be thankful for the fact that he has food, clothing and shelter that most people don’t have. I told him to have faith and see himself walking in a couple moths. I went as far as congratulating him on healing and wellbeing. Few months later, my brother started walking! He got on his feet and he is now a personal trainer! I strong believe the best is yet to come.

Another strength of mine is Harmony. I have a great ability to make sure there is peace and I have an innate ability to make sure that everyone around me lives and works in a non-toxic and friendly environment. A great example is my two assistants at work who did not get along with each other for the longest time, with my strength of creating a harmonious workspace, I was able to bring them together to settle their differences and now they are both great team players.

 The leadership strength that I would like to develop are communication and empathy. I really think these are two important strengths that every leader must have in order to move forward in life. Communication is very key because one has to be able to effectively receive and deliver information to team members in order to forge ahead. Communication would help me understand the struggles, setbacks and victories of my team members.

Empathy is a strength that I need to work on. For someone like me who is a high achiever and works at a fast pace, I tend to want every other member of the team to be like me but that is not possible. I have to be empathetic to understand where they are coming from and meet a common ground where we all could achieve results.