A521.5.4_RB_Aligning Values_Wathen_Sandra

A521.5.4_RB_Aligning Values_Wathen_Sandra

There are three basic components of an ethical community.  They are:  (1) trust; (2) loyalty; (3) solidarity.  Trust in which general expectation among the group that they will have ethical behavior toward them.  And then there is loyalty, in which individuals assume their obligation by not breaking trust and also taking the responsibility of what comes with that trust.  Solidarity, is being able to put others interests above yours. 

It is important for leaders to think about their values before they use them for a tool for storytelling.  In years past, the focus for companies was more from a financial perspective which meant capitalizing on shareholder values rather than corporate values such as the ethical community.  Since we are now entering into a whole new way of thinking since there is a shift of “customer capitalism” which means a company is to serve its clients. If a company can realize this then the benefits from a shareholder perspective will come by default; success from a different approach.  This comes from the simple methodology that when people become connected with the values of the organization, they will devote themselves to the goals of the company. 

This is not something that happens overnight, it takes corporate planning to strategize on changing company values.  Transmitting and aligning values are challenging.  They need to be established through action, which means that leaders must be consistent and also hold the same level of standards by “walking the talk”; backed up by management.    Stories cannot just be told, they must have actions that back the stories.  When people see that the actions are aligned with the story, they will be more likely to incorporate those values into their work life balance of values.

As far as the company that I currently work for, they show a level of trust; a sense of loyalty; and some forms of solidarity.  However, after reading this text and having some time to assess, I don’t feel that the company I work for rates extremely high on any of the three values.  I think the biggest thing is that you really don’t see it being conducted/implemented by management, nor leadership. 

When I first started with this company it was quite small and it seemed as though, now that I reflect back, that there was much more focus on ethical values then.  But now that the company has grown significantly over the last couple years, it seems that they have lost much of that and have focused more on stocks and revenues.  Maybe part of the problem is that the company has grown too quickly and they don’t have the right people in the right positions within the company.   I hear the rumblings from the workforce and recently have felt a sense of loss of company trust and loyalty.  As far as solidarity, they put corporate values first.  So, in essence, the company is really going backwards from a values perspective – even though they seem to be moving forward from a “big” business perspective.  Based on my readings, that might be good at first, but it may come back to bite them in the end.

I am not sure how much I personally can do to regain those values unless I were to be accepted in a leadership position and even then that would require a battle with corporate.  It may be that I may have to pursue another position with a different company that instills those values.  I also don’t think that I am alone with how the company is currently viewed from an ethical value perspective; so there may be more that will follow.

A521.5.1.RB_Core Workplace Value Assessment_Wathen_Sandra

A521.5.1.RB_Core Workplace Value Assessment_Wathen_Sandra

It is extremely important to understand and communicate values; both from an organization perspective and our personal values.  As part of determining those, a personal assessment is required to find out where I fall with respect to my values and the values of my company.  I recently conducted an assessment as part of the Quintessentail Careers Quiz which provides a method to identify workplace values.  I rated thirty-three workplace values provided and ranked them from 1 thru 4 with 1 being the most important and for the least important.  Then I identified the ten most important values to me, followed by picking the five core values of those ten.

The five core values that I identified were: (1) mental challenge/mentally demanding/problem solving; (2) opportunity for balance between work life and family life; (3) integrity and truth; (4) using creativity, imagination and being innovative; and (5) respect, recognition and being valued.

I will also need to determine how the five core values match up to my current job, career path and employer.  In addition, I will need to figure out what I am going to do about these results once I have had a chance to further evaluate my life and career path.  I may want to conduct further analysis in my career planning dependent on the final analysis. 

Going back to the five core values, I would like to expand further by taking a quick assessment of those to where I feel I am currently in my career with respect to my current position.  Of the five, I feel good that (2), (3), (4) are rated very high to me and are incorporated in my current workplace values.  Although (1) is very important to me, I am limited at my work to be able to apply my full capacity. Additionally (5) is also very important to me, but in my current position leadership does not follow through with consistent methods by which to show respect, provide recognition, nor do they take that extra step to show that their employees are valued within the organization.

There are certain things that I can do to mitigate those differences.  Core value (1) is something that I could discuss with management and talk to them about possibly offering some new or more challenging work where I could use my critical thinking more in-depth and feel like it is value-added.  It would help to meet my one of my five core values and also assist them with fulfilling a long desired task.  Core value (5), I might be able to diplomatically provide a recommendation for programs that may create and foster increased employee recognition.  If accepted, this would help me with meeting my five core values and also help the company develop a better employee recognition program.

Now, as a supervisor, I think that I must also assess myself to the same standards that I am to the company.  This will also give me ideas of how to improve or where I lack with my core values.  It will also allow me to ensure that I am instilling my core values in those that support me.   

In summary, it is important for people to periodically assess themselves against their values in the workplace.  People need to know their workplace values to see who and where we are now.  When you align your values to the workplace it will assist with becoming better performers in the organization; win/win situation.  It also gives you insight as to whether your company is meeting your values.  As a result, the assessment could determine if you want to make a career change or possibly make recommendations to management in areas of improvement.

A521.4.3.RB_Subtleties of Communication and Hidden Messages_Wathen_Sandra

A521.4.3.RB_Subtleties of Communication and Hidden Messages_Wathen_Sandra

First I must understand the subtleties of communication and be able to identify hidden messages for both when I am communicating and when I am being communicated by another person.  To do so, I must understand the types of communication methods to include body language, Para-language and Meta-messages, as well as, hidden agendas.

There are two types of communication methods; non-verbal and verbal.  Verbal communication is expressed in ways such as gestures, facial expressions and even how you move your body.  Body language is important since it represents your message from a large degree.  Facial expressions are the biggest trigger for someone to recognize body language.  Many times your body language overcomes your words.  For example, you may say something doesn’t hurt, but your body language shows different.  The thing that you should look for with respect to body language is; whether or not the nonverbal communication is congruent or in-congruent.  When something is congruent, it simply means that the cluster of movements or body language is consistent with the words someone is saying.  If it is non-congruent it means that the words do not match with their body language.  A lack of congruence can also be found with a simple handshake but no eye contact which can be a sign that the person has signs of conflicting feelings.  Being aware of in-congruence will help with determining the nonverbal message being given and make for a more effective communication based on the understanding of the message being received.  

There are many types of body movements such as facial expressions, gestures, posture and breathing. Body movements often are gestures that are passed on by generations and are known as social kinesics which are gestures that are learned.  Some body movements are derived by groups, regions or even those that are considered universal.  It is important though to remember that different cultures and customs use gestures differently; often see disrespectful.  Body languages are different and often unique by a person.  For example, in a situation one person may respond with one type of body language while the other person responds with completely different body language.    Illustrators are movements that communicate a message by illustrating the nonverbal communication; simply pointing at something and the person understanding your need.  Regulators are also methods by which to communicate non-verbally, such as when you control the situation through body language.  

One of the most expressive parts of the body is the face and can be observed by things such as raised eyebrows, wrinkled or smoothed forehead, or even color of someone’s face.    People also talk with their arms, hands, legs, and feet.  Some examples are when someone is upset or nervous they may rub their necks, rub their hands together, etc.

A person’s posture and breathing are also signs of defensiveness or a sign of openness.  For example, a person who is tense might be showing signs of defensiveness and a person who is relaxed may be signs of interest.    Breathing changes are also signs of body language.  Something as simple as how a person is breathing can be showing signs of depression, or tiredness in a person.

Spatial relationships or Proxemics is a way to communicate through how you utilize space.  Basically, it is territorial in nature and how a person responds to invasion of their territory through nonverbal statements.  Territory and personal space are similar.  There are different types of Proxemics, such as; intimate distance, personal distance, social distance and public distance.

Other types of body language is that of Para-language and Meta-messages in which those are how you talk and words you use when you talk.  These change how the message is received by others.  There are six elements of Para-language which are pitch, resonance, articulation tempo, volume and rhythm.  Any or all of these can reflect a different message or identify a different meaning than that of what is said.  Para-language can be practiced and improved; especially if you want to extend positive communication in what you say.  Meta-messages on the other hand are a source that displays interpersonal conflict.  They are statements that have two levels in meaning in which the first level is the normal information that is being communicated by just using a series of words.  The other level is when words are communicating attitudes or feelings such as they pitch or verbal modifiers.  It is when words are emphasized, shows blame or hostility; basically showing a rise of inflection, therefore the message becomes very different.  

Hidden agendas are often used as defensive maneuvers especially to build confidence.  Agendas provides for a strategy to cope with core feelings of inadequacy.  It usually means that someone is trying to prove they are better, smarter, invulnerable, etc.  There are eight types of agendas: “I’m good”, “I’m good (but you’re not)”, “You’re good (but I’m not)”, “I’m helpless, I suffer”, “I am Blameless”, “I’m Fragile”, “I am Tough”, and “I know it all”.  

So how does all this assist me, as a person and as a leader to be a more effective with communication? It helps significantly.  Understanding how a person is reacting or responding gives a better insight on both how the person is interpreting the conversation.  It gives me the ability to control the situation and possibly take a different route to foster a better outcome.  For example, I will be able to tell if a person is getting upset just by their body language, I will be able to tell if they are getting bored with the conversation and I will be able to tell if they are trying to divert the conversation to make themselves look good when in reality they are showing signs of inadequacy.

In summary, it is imperative in order to be an effective communicator to clearly understand the many different types of body languages, Para-language and Meta-messages, and the hidden agendas.  The learning from these three chapters has brought a tremendous amount of insight on the subject and will allow me to leverage what I have learned to my daily communication skills.  I feel that I can be more effective communicating both in my personal and professional worlds.

A521.3.4.RB_Personal Reflection_Wathen_Sandra

In many ways, that was the beginning of my entrepreneurial spirit. I find inspiration in work that allows me to shape the agenda, determine the measures of quality, and set the timeline. That spirit is an important aspect of my personal preferences and to some extent has guided me into my current work.

I came from two sets of families.  My parents married at the early age of 15 and 16 and celebrated their 73^rd Anniversary last year.  Unfortunately, my father just passed in September of 2011 and my mother just past this May of 2012.  Not long after being married, they had a son and by the time they were 20 and 21 found themselves with four children.  Children having children.  My dad worked three jobs and my mom had her hands full taking care of the kids.  During that time in their life, they didn’t have much.  It took another eight years before my other sister came along and then another seven years before I came along; thirty-eight when she had me.  There was a 22 year gap between me and my oldest brother.  In fact, my brother’s wife’s were pregnant the same time my mother was pregnant with me; my brother old enough to be my father.

During those early days, my father worked anywhere and anytime he could to make sure that he had food on the table and the general necessities for his children.  He made so many sacrifices during his own youth to provide for his family.    Finally, in 1945 my dad started working with the DC Fire Department which gave him an opportunity to get financially on his feet and also have one job versus three.  By the time I came along in 1960, my dad was in his late 30’s and from the day I was born to the day he passed he was my hero.  He still is.  He had so much insight on life and such an inspiration to me.

The era of the DC Fire Department brought a deep and rich love with our family of the services in that field of work.  Although there were many nights that I did not get to see my dad when I was little because of the long hours he worked and also certain situations that arose like the Marin Luther King riots that went on during his tour in the fire department.  I remember being home with my mother during that time and watching the television and seeing all the fires and rioting going on; worried so much about dad.  It wasn’t long after the riots that my dad acquired throat cancer due to the apparatus at that time not being as good as it is today.  He started radiation treatments when he was about forty-four and I was about six years old.  Dad made it through all that even though they treated the wrong side of his neck the first time and had to put him through a whole other series of radiation treatments. 

At that point, a family decision needed to be made since my dad was now forced to retire from the fire department with service disability.  Since he now could no longer afford to keep our permanent residence and the little cottage on the water (about 50 miles away); we needed to give one of them up.  So, we all decided we wanted to move to the cottage and be by the water since we all loved crabbing and fishing, as well as, all the beauties of living by the river.

I graduated early from High School; 11^th grade.  Back then, the only required 12^th grade requirement was English.  So, I applied for taking my English class during the summer and I was accepted.   I graduated in the summer of 1978 versus having to go through the entire senior year.  My dad had talked to me about going up to Washington DC and taking the civil service test as he thought working for the government would be a good thing for me to do.  So I did, and I passed.

It wasn’t long after that I took a job in DC as an entry clerk.  That sure was a long commute; 50 miles one way.  Every day I had to leave at 4:00 a.m. in the morning and not get home until 6:00 p.m.  I still lived at home since I was still just seventeen.   Sometimes it took everything I had to get up and make that long journey.  However, I always seemed to get encouragement from my parents; mostly my dad, to stick with it because in the long run you won’t regret it.  While my friends were out having fun during their teens, I was off to work.  So I did, and twenty-four years later I was able to retire as a GS-14 from the government with benefits and a Bachelor’s Degree; now contractor making triple digits pursing my Master’s in Leadership.

All my life I have lived by this river and I have grown to love and appreciate the small things in life.  I have learned from my two best friends; mom and dad.  They taught me how to love, they taught me about traditions, encouraged me to work hard at everything I do; never to give up.  But most of all, they have given me the realization to know when I have been blessed.

As I write this blog, I can say that I have learned from their life.  What they stood for made me what I am today.  I have a successful career, I have wonderful sons; they are now my best friends.  I have learned not to give-up, I have learned that you have to work hard and earn the things in life that you want to acquire.  I have learned that families are important.  In addition, I have gained an appreciation for those that provide services to the safety of our country; military, policemen, and especially the firefighters. My parents instilled values and morals that no one can take away.  They gave me the support, encouragement, love, and inspiration to take the leap of sustaining a quality of life and I am forever grateful.  Now it is my job to share my life experience to my family, friends, and people I meet to hopefull add value in their quality of life.

A521.2.3.RB_Danger of a single story_Wathen_Sandra

A521.2.3.RB_Danger of a single story

Reference: TEDGlobal 2009, Filmed Jul 2009: Posted Oct 2009 viewed at:  http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html

Adichie’s presentation was based on her single story experiences during her early life in Nigeria and her transitioned life to the United States.  She provided an eye-opening and powerful message of how there is danger in a single story.  She emphasizes how a single story can provide an incomplete view and also distort one’s thinking.  In her message she expressed how important it is to make sure that all of our thinking is not programmed from single points of view, otherwise our thinking will be narrow and incomplete. 

In addition, she spoke of power and the power of the storyteller in which if the “single” story gets told over and over again, then it becomes viewed as the truth.  As a result, it becomes a viewpoint in which the basis for the truth(s) are distorted; yet believed.  This gives an unusual power for those that purposely may want the truth to be incomplete or distorted to work to their advantage.

She spoke of many viewpoints that were narrowed by single, overlapping stories which made the viewers realize how distorted a single story can be and what significant impacts (both positive and negative) that they can have from a global; more specifically cultural perspective. 

Although her presentation focused on the global impacts of a single story, especially from a child’s mind, in that they believe in things they see and hear.  This creates a stereotype of thinking in children as they become confused by the truths that later become their adult reality; unless proven different.  In addition, she also provided a heeded warning for us not to only listen to single stories about people and countries, as we may put ourselves at risk and be believing in something that is incomplete and a critical misunderstanding.  Unfortunately, for a person who is only exposed to single stories may be provided misunderstandings which could continue on their whole lifetime.

She also mentioned the creation of stereotypes that are created by these untrue and incomplete single stories.  This single story can become the only story in which we become now pray and vulnerable to critical misunderstandings of the real story and its truths.

So the real questions are - how does a person not become programmed to single viewpoints or single stories?  How would a person know if the story is narrow or incomplete?  First of all, a person must realize that any story being told are sometimes just simply points of view; not necessarily factual.  Second, a person must make sure that the stories are complete.  Maybe asking another important question such as, “are you sure about that?” and maybe you then can get a feel for the real authenticity of the story.  There are other questions that one might ask to verify or complete the story.

In summary, this video clip of Adichie’s presentation has enlightened me in that I now have a whole new breadth, depth, and meaning of storytelling; especially as it relates to a single story.  Me, as an individual and especially if I am to be a future leader, must be conscious of the potential misunderstandings when either listening to or when telling stories; especially single stories.This is especially important in that I would not want to use distorted information when making informed decisions.