L E A D E R S H I P T O O L K I T
MBTI Leadership Assessment My personality type is ENFJ: Extrovert, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging. ENFJ’s are known for their charisma, meaning that I am someone who always wants to help, and get other people on board with my ideas. The downfall to this is that I can seem manipulative if I don’t listen to other’s opinions and value their input. ENFJ’s are described as global learners because they see the big picture. We focus on expansion, and can juggle a lot of responsibilities at once, but if I don’t focus then it could lead to me being a more scattered leader. Another trait of ENFJ’s that will support me as a leader is that I am organized on an interpersonal level, and my conclusions, based on feeling and intuition, about people and their motives are drawn quickly. I also but the needs of others before myself because I appreciate people, and value who they are as a person. But this could get in the way because I could end up taking on a larger burden than necessary.
Personal Power Profile I ranked highest with Referent Power, and then Expert Power was a close second. I view my power profile as someone who wants people to feel that they are valued, and that they are accepted and liked so that they will feel comfortable with me as a leader. I've always been a helper and like building self-‐esteem, and have always wanted people to like me and feel that they can come talk to me, and be comfortable with me. I think that's also where the Expert Power comes in because I want to be able to be a sounding board for others who if they need advice, or aren't sure of how to do something, that I'd be more than happy to help them and wouldn't make them feel stupid for doing so. I like to build moral, and try to make everyone as happy as possible. I think that my power profile has benefited me when it comes to working in groups. Like I said I want everyone to feel valued, and be happy with whatever work they are doing. In group projects I think it's so easy to get caught up and get defeated with all the work you have to do, and all the different personality clashes along with all the different ways people work. As a leader I like to step in and see what people's strengths are and what they like to do, and wouldn't mind doing for the assignment. That way usually everyone ends up doing something they feel comfortable with and we'll still get the job done. I think the biggest weakness is that people would see me as being too nice, and might take advantage of me wanting everyone to be happy. However, I know that you can't please everyone, which sucks but is part of life. I think obviously instead of focusing on making sure everyone is happy with what they're doing, I also need to make sure that they aren't slacking because they feel I'm a pushover. I need to be able to step in and lay down the bottom line because otherwise they will take advantage of me. I think it'll be important to be more task-‐oriented and less emotional when it comes to important things, and let people know there are consequences if they aren't doing what they need to do, and that I will not be happy.
LEADERSHIP TOOLKIT
Argumentativeness Scale
I scored a 45 on the Argumentativeness Scoring, which means I am Low in Argumentativeness. I knew that my score would come out to be Low in Argumentativeness. For me personally I don't like getting into arguments, and on a leadership level I think it can be disruptive, set a negative tone to the environment, upset people, and generally deflate the work ethic. For me arguing for the sake of arguing, or just causing drama is not effective, so that's where I try to avoid arguments. Now if the argument relates to something substantial like a viewpoint on company ethics, or if someone isn't effectively doing their job and becomes defensive about it, then that is where I don't have a problem arguing. There are situations like that where I have strong beliefs and I am going to stand up for myself, and my beliefs. I think from a leadership perspective in a case where you're defending your company, or your company's viewpoints than it can build moral because people know you're willing to defend them, and fight for your work and your company. An example where I did not argue a situation well was last semester when I was working a retail job, and my old boss had to leave suddenly right around holiday, and they brought someone new in. At the time in the semester I had finals, I was sick, my boyfriend just broke up with me, and my grandma was sick (and ended up passing away a week later). I wasn't exactly in the best state of mind, and so when my new boss called me one night accusing me of not caring about my work, before she had even met me, it did not go well. I ended up going into work to speak to her despite the fact that I was pretty emotionally unstable and not feeling well at the time. Despite the fact that I tried explaining to her that I had some personal things going on, along with school, she didn't care. It was difficult because I was trying to rationalize with her by telling her that I didn't appreciate her making it personal and jumping to conclusions about me having never met me, AND despite the facts that I was one of the top sellers in the group, but she was on the defensive and asserting herself because she wanted to seem authoritative. She pretty much only had one argument, and kept rephrasing it over and over, and just wasn't open to seeing other points of view. I felt as if I did come in with a proposition to her, and did defend my stance and try to point out what was wrong with her point of view, the fact that I was so emotional at the time, and that I felt personally attacked took over my ability to follow the five skills of argumentative competence. I think that I should have gone and talked to her first when I wasn't so emotional, but I did feel that I wanted to defend myself right away, but should've waited until I had calmed down a little. I think then I should've gone in with a proposition that "I do care about my work, and work hard while at work as can be seen by my numbers". By inventing arguments like "It's on both of us to communicate effectively", "Let's try and outline how you work as a manager and what you want from me as an associate". I could've then defended my positions with statements such as "Wait until you work with me before you draw conclusions", "I am a full time student", and "I have a personal life outside of work". I could've further attacked her position by asking her to give me another reason why she thought I didn't care about my work other than the fact that I didn't know what time I was supposed to work on Black Friday yet, and that she made a hasty generalization. I think the hardest part would have been to not make it personal because she started off the argument on a personal level.
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LEADERSHIP TOOLKIT
STRENGTHS •
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WEAKNESSES
Charismatic to deal with clients and to be able to market myself and make connections. Organized, and decisive. I can make decisions on the spot, and will have work in order, and in on time. In tune with other’s feelings, and emotions, so I can adjust to other’s needs. Passionate, and hard worker. Mediator, and provide a sense of calm during crisis.
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THREATS
Be more confident, and assertive with new ideas, and around other people. Use my charismatic nature to bring in more clients, and to make sales to potential shop owners. Use my expert power on clothing construction to be viewed as a more valuable employee. Use my age group (one similar to brides) as an advantage.
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May be viewed as too nice, or a pushover. Shy away from conflict, even when it’s necessary. Take on more tasks than I can handle at one time-‐ overzealous. Put other’s feelings before my own.
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Wedding budgets are on the rise, but brides are spending less on their dresses. If I’m not assertive enough when bringing new ideas to the table my employee value could go down. More well-‐known designers are starting bridal lines-‐ more competition in selling brand. My age, and personality could also be a disadvantage because people might not take me seriously.
LEADERSHIP TOOLKIT
Bridal Industry Analysis State of Current Business Climate: There is a huge opportunity in Chicago for the bridal market. Brides in Chicago have the second largest wedding budgets in the country. Wedding budgets are going up, but unfortunately brides are spending less on their dress. At my current internship with a bridal wholesaler one of the main advantages is networking and social media, because brides are browsing the internet for ideas. In Chicago specifically there is a greater income level, and more people in general who are getting married. However, there is a lot of competition when it comes to selling product to boutiques because more well-‐known designers are starting to make their own wedding lines, and brides are looking for name brands.
Customer Demographics and Psychographics DEMOGRAPHICS: • • • • • • • •
Age: 18-‐35 Sex: Female Family Life Cycle: Engaged/In a Relationship Income: $40,000 and up Education: College degree or currently in college Occupation: Business woman Religion: All Ethnic Background: All
PSYCHOGRAPHICS:
Every bride wants the perfect wedding dress and to a bride it is one of the most important aspects of their wedding. When picking out their gown they want it to be an experience, and want to have the moment of finding “the one”. Brides will browse through magazines and the internet on Pinterest, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, and other wedding sites to find inspiration. They want a gown that not only fits their wedding theme, but fits their personality, and is on trend with the current season.
Skill-‐Sets and Knowledge Needed:
The bridal market is a part of the fashion industry, so it’s very important for designers, wholesaler designers, and boutiques to stay on trend for each season. Utilizing technology, and having knowledge of social networking sites is a must. It is also extremely important to know who your customer is, and then where your target market is, and to go out and market the line, and place yourself in that segment. On the business end it’s very important to stay organized, and to be knowledgeable about how the production and manufacturing process works from design to shipment. It’s important to constantly be coming up with new ideas and to know what brides need. 4
LEADERSHIP TOOLKIT
Personal Vision and Mission Statement Competitive Differentiation:
My Personal Vision Statement: Live a life full of love, happiness, and feel accomplished and be passionate in everything I do. My Personal Slogan: Love, Accomplish, be Happy.
a. I create value in the fashion industry by having a clothing construction background. Designers will know that I have knowledge about both halves of the industry: the design and business aspect. I am extremely hard-‐working, and organized. Also because of my charismatic nature, and ability to get along with people I will be an asset in the workplace, with customers, and when it comes to selling a line.
Terminal Values:
1. Family Security, 2. Mature Love, 3. Inner Harmony, 4. Happiness, 5. A sense of accomplishment, 6. Wisdom Instrumental Values: 1. Imaginative, 2. Ambitious, 3. Helpful, 4. Honest, 5. Responsible, 6 Independent
b. I am a creative and hard-‐working individual currently on track to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Business, with a background in advanced clothing construction. Through my education I have learned many aspects of the business including management techniques, merchandising plans and productions, accounting techniques, and further clothing design and construction knowledge. I am looking to work for a goal-‐oriented company where I can use my skills and passion to help invigorate the success of that company while advancing my own knowledge of the industry.
Values: I think that I'm lucky being a Fashion Business major because I'm on a career path that covers many of my passions. My goal is to have a fulfilling career that I love what I do everyday, and is constantly inspiring me, and is never repetiitve. I think that when I do have a career I'll be guided toward a job where I'm dealing with actual clothing, since I've been sewing for a long time and love the actual construction of clothing. Another point is that I love my family, and making people feel good by bringing positive energy into their lives, so I think it's going to be one of the leadership qualities that I adopt: constantly trying to be optimistic, keeping a positive moral, and helping people feel good about themselves. I think when organizations coincide their own values with that of their employees then people are going to enjoy going to work, and therefore are going to want to work that much harder to reach the organizations goals because they feel that what is important to them as a person, is also important to the place they work for.
General Deliverables and Key Attributes: Passionate, hard-‐working, intelligent, organized, charismatic, a mediator in tense situations, responsible, creative, perceptive of feelings and moods, attention to detail, visionary, self-‐aware, self-‐motivated, empathetic, personable, helpful, imaginative, ambitious, honest, independent, advanced knowledge of garment construction, and winner of sewing and leadership awards.
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LEADERSHIP TOOLKIT
Short-‐Term (2-‐3 Years)
Long-‐Term (3 + Years)
• Continue working with Elaya Vaughn Bridal wholesale designer Kate Pankoke • Learn more about the Production process from manufacturing to shipment • Learn more about Quality Control • Work on marketing and sales skills • Become more familiar with the wholesale business as a whole
• Continue working in the Bridal/Bridal Wholesale Market • Have strong relationships with manufacturers and boutique owners • Be an expert about the Bridal Market in Chicago • Become head of Quality Control • Become an asset in Sales • Be Director of Operations
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LEADERSHIP TOOLKIT
Developed interpersonal and leadership skills through group work and sports in middle school and high school
At the age of 13 in 2006, faced jirst hard family death, which lead to mental and emotional struggles, but also lead to maturity
At the age of 14 in 2006, took my jirst sewing classes with an amazing teacher/mentor that lead me to become a fashion major, and attended my jirst leadership conference
In 2010 started college, and lived on my own for the jirst time, leading me to learn how to take care of myself, and deal with roomate personality clashes
In 2010 I graduated high school with honors, as yearbook "Best Dressed", as Clothing Construction Student of the Year, and left with great teacher relationships
In 2009-‐2010 won four sewing competitions, and developed leadership skills by mentoring younger sewing students as Secretary of our Club
In 2012 started my jirst retail job, where I learned all about sales, customer and staff realtionships, and management skills
In March of 2013 started my internship with Kate Pankoke, a bridal wholesaler where I have learned about the production process, quality control, marketing, and the dedication you need to succeed
Now I can say I have developed leadership skills through class, am working at an internship which lead me to my career path, and have made amazing relationships with students and teachers
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LEADERSHIP TOOLKIT
My "Current" State: What I do now that needs improvement
My "Desired" State: How I will act when I have improvement
My Action Plan: What I am going to do to reach my desired state
• Avoiding conjlicts just so I can get along with everyone • My nice and generous behavior could cause people to view me as a pushover • Still need work on marketing and sales skills
• Be a competent arguer that uses compliance-‐ gaining strategies and be an effective negotiator • Stand jirm in my beliefs and positions • Be known as an "expert" power source on marketing and sales skills • Quote that inspires me: "Dont be afraid to give up the good and go for the great" - Steve Prefontaine
• Practice compliance-‐ gaining strategies and build my credibility without using agressive tactics • Since confrontation is not my strong suit, I need to be conjident in my ideas and back them up with research and facts • Continue internships, and work with people who have expert knowledge on marketing and sales • My suggested readings: The End of Fashion: How Marketing Changed the Clothing Industry Forever (1999) by Teri Agins