DFS Week 1 Reaction

Week 1 Directed Field Study (DFS) Experience

Time spent with mentor:

I spent just twenty minutes with Dr. Irey through phone and email contact. We essentially discussed the purpose of the the DFS, what I hoped to gain, and availability for connection. I worked with Dr. Irey to determine availability. She did not have any availability this week but she is open next week. I plan to connect with her for our first face-to-face meeting during the week of May 23 - 28. I gathered her biographical information, current work, and developed a the plan of study that will guide our work together.

This week's reading: Heath, C., & Heath, D. (2010). Switch: How to change things when change is hard. pp. 1-24. New York, NY: Broadway Books.

I took a more personal view of the reading this week. I took an internal view at my leadership with the regard to being a "Rider" or an "Elephant" and I found myself to be more of a "Rider". I spin my wheels and in doing so I often hinder progress by not sharing what I am thinking. I often forget to use the "Elephants". These individuals always help me to put my plans in motion. One of the key leadership skills that I have had to learn is how to share out and allow the available knowledgeable others contribute solutions from their perspective. In this week's discussion. I highlighted my concerns and how the major tenets of this week's reading can help me grow. 

With respect to me innovation for my PoP, shaping the path applies to my leadership in that I need to appreciate how to direct the Rider and the Elephant from my own Rider perspective. I have had a difficult time throughout life adequately accounting for the emotional needs of others. While I am always aware of these needs, formulating responses to these needs have been quite challenging. Though I am a Rider by nature, I still have to remember the other Riders in the room. I have to provide them with the support they need to act with certainty and overcome the propensity to spin their wheels.

Directing the Rider is of particular importance to me because of my tendency to speak in the abstract. I sometimes forget to contextualize my intentions and convey them in a way that is clear and concise to those I am working with. I can think so far forward sometimes that I lose some of my colleagues less than halfway through a conversation. I have been addressing this by communicating with more real world examples and using available tools to clearly communicate my intentions.