Kevin Schatell PDLP

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 2

Introduction

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COMPONENT 1 • Personal Purpose and Core Values

PAGE 4

PAGES 17-19

My Personal Purpose My Core Values Who I Am At My Core My Eulogy

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COMPONENT 2 • Leadership Perspective and Vision

PAGES 21-23

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What Is Leadership?

Leadership Visioning Exercise My Leadership Vision My Leadership Values The Impact of My Vision and Legacy

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COMPONENT 3 • Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses

PAGES 30-35

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Keirsey Temperament Emotional Intelligence Strength Deployment Inventory Interview Feedback Interview Feedback Summary Summary of My Strengths Summary of My Weaknesses Moving Forward

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COMPONENT 4 • Development Action Plan

PAGES 63-65

Development Outcomes Outcome Directed Thinking Model

PAGES 5-8 PAGES 9-16

PAGE 24 PAGE 25 PAGES 26-27

PAGES 36-44 PAGES 45-49 PAGES 50-56 PAGES 57-58 PAGE 59 PAGE 60

PAGES 66 PAGES 67-68 PAGES 69

Table of Contents

Welcome to Holland Closing

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Creating MYSELF

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT & LEADERSHIP PORTFOLIO B Y K E V I N S C H AT E L L

I am a work of art in progress. With every word, every action, and every breath, I am creating myself. I am painting a vivid picture of who I am on the world’s canvas. The following pages reflect who I am and who I hope to become. One of my main values is growth. In completing this portfolio I have explored my values, my vision, my purpose, my dreams, my strengths and weaknesses, and my goals for the future. This PDLP has been a major tool in helping me focus on how I can, and will, grow and continue to create myself. My hope is that in reading this, you will learn more about who I am, but also that you’d be inspired and learn something about yourself.

Read on, and enjoy.

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”

George Bernard Shaw

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Introduction

PERSONAL PURPOSE AND CORE VALUES COMPONENT 1 Personal Purpose and Core Values

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MY PERSONAL PURPOSE

I, Kevin Schatell, am a passionate individual seeking to inspire others with my creative mind and heart. I will encourage others to embrace their unique qualities so that they can proudly be their most authentic selves.

I will motivate others to actively chase their dreams and follow their hearts to live a joyful, meaningful life. I will aim to awaken possibility in

everyone I meet so they go forth with wide eyes and hearts full of wonder.

I will invest myself fully and intentionally in every relationship. I will strive to entertain those around me so they are happier people simply by knowing me. I will constantly pursue personal growth and never stop working to improve myself in every capacity. I will use the gifts God has given me to make the world a better place.

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Personal Purpose and Core Values

MY CORE VALUES

My 5 core values are passion, faith, growth, loyalty, and creativity. To me, passion drives everything. Passion means having overwhelming joy and determination in your heart. To me, life isn’t worth living if it isn’t full of joyful, passionate energy. Passion also ties directly to dreaming big, which is very important to me. Faith is the underlying theme for everything else in my life. My faith is my rock and my compass. I believe that God has a predetermined map for my life, and everything ties back to His plan. Without my faith, it would be impossible for me to derive purpose and meaning from everything in my life. Personal growth is tremendously important to me. My goal each morning is to become a better version of myself by the time I go to sleep at night. Loyalty is one of my most important values. Because I pour so much of myself into relationships, I expect others to be dependable and trustworthy. Creativity is another key value for me. I have such high respect for creative ideas, and I strive to be an exceptionally creative and innovative individual.

PASSION means pouring my heart into everything

I do. Passion feels like butterflies in my stomach, a pounding in my heart, and a fluttering in my mind that I can’t control.

Energy and enthusiasm pulse through my veins and drive me to be my best.

I want passion to shine through in my actions and my relationships.

Life is too short not to give my heart fully to all that I do. I hope that people see a sparkle in my eye and say, “Wow. Kevin Schatell is full of passion.” One of my main goals is to inspire passion in other people. My passion is a blazing fire that I hope ignites flames in others. I want to awaken possibility in everyone around me. Passion ties directly to finding meaning. Being passionate about something is all the validation I need to do it. For example, I am passionate about making videos. It makes me come alive. That’s all the justification I need to remind me that when I’m making videos, I’m spending my time in a useful way. Passion is the key to having meaningful relationships and living a meaningful life.

Lea Michele portrays Rachel Berry, an ambitious performer, on my favorite show, Glee. Rachel Berry peruses her dreams with unwavering passion.

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FAITH means trusting in God and accepting that everything happens for His reason. Faith means believing in the unseen and knowing that the world is connected in ways that are beyond human control.

As I’ve gotten older, my faith has become increasingly important to me. Each day brings new opportunities and new obstacles. I rely on my faith in God to guide me through each challenge in life. I am detail-oriented and love to have control over what happens in my life, so it is difficult for me to fully surrender that control to God. I firmly believe at my core that everything happens for a reason, or rather, everything happens for His reason. Faith brings a sense of consistency and comfort to my life. Through the good and the bad, it is important that I stay connected to God and remain faithful to Him.

GROWTH means becoming a better version of myself with every

breath I take. Growth means capitalizing on my talents and learning from my mistakes. It means opening my mind and living a lifestyle of learning. Wisdom is the water that makes me grow.

I don’t want to live a stagnant life. I want to consistently grow and change. One of the most rewarding feelings is looking back and realizing how far I have come. At this stage in my life, I am more comfortable with who I am than I ever have been. My creative talents have evolved over the years. My friends and family have grown with me. I can reflect on my past with a smile on my face knowing that I’ve made progress in my life. Something that elicits a strong emotional reaction from me is nostalgia. There’s something so comforting about reflecting back on “how things were” that inspires me and propels me forward. Ultimately, my passion and faith will lead to personal growth. “I want to leave the world a better place than I found it” is a phrase that I try to emulate. In addition, “I want to leave the world a better person than I when entered it.” I feel fulfilled when I experience growth in my life.

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Personal Purpose and Core Values

LOYALTY means committing myself wholeheartedly. Loyalty is a

deep emotional dedication. Being loyal means having an unwavering, selfless devotion to something, whether it’s a person, an institution, or a cause.

Loyalty is essential to maintaining strong relationships, which is something very important to me. Any of my family members and friends will tell you that I am fully dedicated in my relationships. I always put my relationships first. In a way, I think passion (my most important value) drives loyalty. When I am passionate about something, I will naturally become loyal. For example, I am a proud Georgia Bulldog. I am passionate about my university, so therefore I am loyal to the people and the school itself. Loyalty is essentially the next step after passion. Once I discover passion for something, then I need to commit myself with all my heart.

I’m a basketball coach at the East Athens Community Center. I invest myself in the kids I coach and teach them the importance of loyalty.

Personal Purpose and Core Values

“Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love.”

Morihei Ueshiba

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CREATIVITY

means turning new, imaginative ideas into reality. There’s a natural joy that comes from artistic expression. Creativity means expressing yourself authentically and bringing your own original thoughts to life.

Being creative is at the core of who I am. My mind operates in a very vivid, visual way. My creativity is one of the main ways I inspire others. Using my graphic designs, video productions, and artistic ideas allows me to awaken possibility in others. I draw inspiration from other creative people. The most creative graphic artists, musicians, and actors all captivate me. Creativity spurs my personal growth, which is another one of my main personal values. I come alive when I am brainstorming, designing, and producing. Creating things allows me to have a tangible, lasting impact on the world.

As an outlet for my creativity, I started a web show with my friend and roommate, Tori. Tori & Kevin allows me to creatively express myself.

Passion, which is most important to me, means investing myself with all my heart. Making strong emotional investments leads to loyalty. Being passionate and loyal makes me come alive, and that spurs my creativity. Creativity inspires personal growth, and my growth is supported by an unwavering faith in God. Those are my main values. That is who I am .

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Personal Purpose and Core Values

WHO I AM AT MY CORE What have you always loved? I have always loved entertainment. For as long as I can

remember, I have been fascinated with television, movies, theater, and music. I invest myself emotionally in every show, movie, or song I love (which causes me to cry easily… and on that note, I have always loved a good cry). I have always loved teaching. I used to “play school,” and I would really commit to the role. I printed off worksheets, bought textbooks, made lesson plans, and drew on my dry erase board. There was something so fulfilling about sharing my knowledge with others (even if those “others” were imaginary). Art has always been a passion of mine. I started playing piano in first grade, and soon after I began composing my own music. I enjoyed art classes growing up, especially because it allowed

Grandma Marion?

me to be more like my Grandma Marion.

She is the most talented artist I know and inspired my love for art at a young age.

What has always come naturally to you? I have always been a natural artist. I was able to express myself at a young age through art classes, theater performances, and piano lessons. I

My Grandma Marion is definitely one of my greatest inspirations. I love her more than I can articulate.

had natural talent for composing and performing. While my siblings devoted their time to athletics, I spent my time expressing myself through art. I feel most alive when I am being creative, so art is really where I feel fulfilled.

Entertaining has always come naturally to me, too. From a young age, I felt happiest when I could command the attention of a room and make everyone smile and laugh. I was able to entertain in various ways including playing piano, telling stories, and performing skits. Connecting with people has always come naturally for me, too. I have never had too much difficulty making friends. I’ve always been fairly adaptable to social situations and able to carry conversations with anyone.

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What have you always “known” about “who you are,” even before you “knew” anything? Before I “knew”

anything, I knew that I was a dreamer.

My mind has always been filled with daydreams and hopes for the future. I have an intrinsically creative mind that is always at work. At each and every phase of my life, I have spent ample time wondering about the future. In high school, I had visions about college. Now that I am in college, I am dreaming about the “next step.” That has always been true for me. I have always been an emotional person, even before I could place labels on the emotions I felt. I have Glee helped me come to terms with who I am. I really connect with the characters, like Kurt.

always known myself to feel things more than rationally think about them. I cry very

easily, and I have always had a strong sense of empathy. I have a big heart that yearns to love and to be loved. I have always been innately motivated. My parents instilled it in me at a very young age that I would have to work hard to be successful. I’ve also always known that I was “different” than other boys. I never loved sports. I didn’t want to talk about girls. It wasn’t until around middle school that I was able to place a label on that difference: I am gay. That is an aspect of my identity that I have always been aware of, even before I knew what it really meant. Now, I embrace that aspect of my identity with pride.

What has always felt true to you? Above all, relationships have always felt true to me.

When I am alone with my own thoughts, I easily second-guess myself. However, when I am around other people, I clearly see my personality shining, and I receive affirmation from the people around me about who I am. Therefore, being around other people has always felt true.

Art has always felt true to me, too. Unlike my older brother and sister, I am not athletic. I have never felt comfortable playing sports. I do feel comfortable, however, when I am experiencing or creating any form of art.

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Personal Purpose and Core Values

What are some moments or experiences in your life when you have said to yourself, “This is the real me”? Watching the first episode of Glee was really the first time I felt like the 100% authentic version of myself. Ever since, watching Glee has become a personal ritual. I watch the show alone so I can really connect to it without disruption. That is when I feel like the real Kevin. The moment when I told my parents that I am gay was another experience when I felt like I was authentically myself. Although it was a stressful, highly emotional conversation, my soul exhaled in a sigh of relief. I no longer had to hide a very important aspect of my identity. During my sophomore year of college, my beautiful friend Emily Curl and I created our own web show as an outlet to express ourselves.

Producing The Dish with Emily and Kevin made me feel like “the real me” because it allowed me to be creative and to entertain. After Emily graduated, I wanted to continue working on something like The Dish, so my roommate Tori and I began a new web show, God, I love Emily Curl. She brings out the very best in me.

Tori & Kevin, that brings me just as much joy. Most recently, I felt

like the true “Kevin Schatell” when I attended several Grady College events during Homecoming weekend. I was able to network with alumni and build important relationships with some inspiring people. Being around Grady faculty and alumni meant that I was surrounded by people with similar interests as my own, and that made me feel like “the real me.”

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard T hurman Personal Purpose and Core Values

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What would be really important to you, no matter how the world around you has changed? As the world inevitably changes around me, self-discovery and growth are very imperative. I believe that life is a journey, and I learn more and more about myself each day. In the midst of change, I find comfort in knowing who I am and valuing my individuality. No matter how the world around me has changed, love is most important. I always need to have people and experiences that I love. The ability to express myself and be authentically me is extremely important. Regardless of the circumstances, it’s essential that I can be my true self.

What have you always cared about? This question is especially difficult to answer because I care about so much, and I always have. I am a naturally caring person, and I invest myself High School Musical changed my life. The story focuses on students who want to break social norms and express their true selves. The movie inspired me to do the same. Individuality is something I hold deeply in my heart.

emotionally in so many things. To start, I have always cared about my friends and

family. I am highly relationship-oriented, so people come first for me. I care so deeply about the well-being of everyone around me. I have always cared about my future. I want to grow and become a better version of myself every day. In addition, I have always cared about working hard.

Even when I was very young, I was a perfectionist. I have always cared about details because I want the work I do to be excellent and impressive. I’ve always cared about and valued “being who you are.” I know this is true because anything (i.e. a television show, movie, book, etc.) that stresses the importance of individuality instantly captures my heart. One early example of this is High School Musical, a movie following the story of a high school basketball star who wants to break the mold and truly expresses himself through singing. I storyline really resonated with me.

A few years later, at the beginning of high school, I discovered the show Glee, and my life would never be the same. That show embodies my values in every way. It is an entertaining story about embracing your uniqueness, being artistic, and chasing your dreams. There is nothing more “Kevin Schatell” than that.

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Personal Purpose and Core Values

What feels familiar and right to you no matter what? Being around people feels right to me, no matter what. Although I can be comfortable alone with my own thoughts, I have always felt more comfortable expressing myself with other people. That definitely ties to the fact that I am a strong extrovert. I draw my energy from others which is why I feel at ease in big crowds or in front of an audience. Music has always felt right to me, too. From playing piano to jamming out to CDs growing up, I have always had a deep love for music. I listen to music to organize my thoughts and emotions. However, I do not just “listen” to music. When I hear a song, my mind naturally paints vivid pictures to match the sounds.

What do you keep coming back to again and again? For me, my life consistently comes back to the word “dream.” That word is so important to me that I even have it spelled out in giant letters above my bed. Dreaming means exploring possibilities. If I am not dreaming, I have nothing to work toward. Dreaming means growing. To me, I keep coming back to “dreaming big” because my dreams give me purpose. For example, my dream of working in the entertainment business motivates me to be productive and build new skills each and every day.

I keep coming back to entertaining, too. My entire life I’ve been advised to “do what makes me happiest” as a career, and when I reflect on that advice, I keep coming back to entertainment.

Something else I keep coming back to in my mind is New York City. I know that I want to spend a portion of my life living in the Big Apple because the city embodies ambition, culture, and art.

Having the word Dream above my bed serves as a reminder to reach for the stars... and to sleep well!

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“Never be ashamed of what you feel. You have the right to feel any emotion that you want, and to do what makes you happy. That’s my life motto.” Demi Lovato What things seem to always motivate you and give your life meaning? I seek out the meaning of every experience in my life. I tie everything to a higher purpose. I draw meaning from my faith. I believe in a God that has an intricate, higher plan for each and every creature on Earth. Therefore, I believe everything happens for a reason. This belief system helps give my life meaning. My most important motivations are my dreams, my friends and family, and entertainment. My dreams are the fuel that gets me through each and every day. For example, when I have tasks that I need to complete, I label them “stepping stones” as opposed to a “to-do list.” This simple change in wording reminds me that everything I do brings me one step closer to a brighter future. My family and friends

Demi Lovato is one of my favorite musicians. Her personal purpose, which has inspired me, is to encourage others to “stay strong.” Many of songs are about self-acceptance, and that really motivates me.

motivate me and give my life meaning. I draw my energy from the people around me, so without family and friends, my life would really have no meaning or direction. Entertainment has always been motivation for me, too. When I emotionally invest myself in songs, television shows, and movies, I connect with the stories and can easily draw inspiration. I love inspirational quotes, song lyrics, and Bible verses. Inspirational phrases resonate in my mind and heart, and they help keep me on track. One of my favorite quotes is by Theodore Roosevelt: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” I always try to keep that quote at the forefront of my mind because when I begin comparing myself too much to others, I lose sight of what makes me unique.

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Personal Purpose and Core Values

In November 2012, I was hired at the UGA Visitors Center... and my life hasn’t been the same since.

I’ve met the most remarkable people and have the opportunity to pour into others every day.

What is my personal mission and direction? Working at the UGA Visitors Center has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. As a staff, we are trained to do much more than give tours of campus. Our mission is that every single person we encounter should leave feeling better and happier. I love that idea so much that I have adopted it as my personal mission. My mission is growth, and my direction is forward. I want to grow every single day of my life. I want everyone I meet to be a better version of themselves by simply being around me.

I believe I can achieve my mission by being intentional and thoughtful in all that I do. Being an entertainer with a large-scale platform, such as a television show host, would allow me to reach large audiences and make my impact as extensive as possible.

What do you sense is the changeless authentic core within you? I think my changeless authentic core is my loving heart. I am innately caring and compassionate. I am highly emotional at my core, which allows me to feel the richness of every experience in my life. This also means that I can be hypersensitive and overly emotional, but that is an ultimatum I accept.

I would rather be an emotional person with the risk of feeling too much than be desensitized and feel too little. At my core I am a dreamer. I am not living unless I am dreaming and being creative. I am also an entertainer at my core. I love storytelling and making people smile. Lastly, I am a leader at my changeless core. I have lived a lifestyle of leadership for as long as I can remember. My leadership skills have grown and evolved, but I know I was born to lead and inspire.

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What is my reason for being? I believe I exist to inspire, love, and entertain. Overall, my reason for being is to encourage the hearts of everyone around me. I want to help others be truly happy, discover who they really are, and chase their dreams. In order to achieve that goal, I need to embrace my own set of talents and use them strategically. For example, with my artistic mind, I’m able to create graphics and videos that inspire audiences. God has given me a special set of skills that I should utilize to make a positive impact in the world. “Encouraging hearts” is not necessarily a tangible or measurable outcome, but I really believe it’s my reason for being. The greatest things in life, in my opinion, are intangible and kept stored in your heart. The greatest impact I can have, and therefore the reason I exist, is to inspire a positive, emotional change in people’s hearts.

Who am I really? I, Kevin, have a special set of talents and strengths that makes me unique.

My creativity and genuine heart allow me to entertain and to love effortlessly. My creative mind has always looked toward the future at all of the wonderful opportunities that lie before me. I am intrinsically passionate, and my strong work ethic leads to tangible results. Therefore, I am a creator. My heart is my steering wheel. I am easily moved by my emotions and my gut feelings. I am an entertainer, a lover, a dreamer, and a creator.

Warning: This image is Photoshopped. As much as I wish it were real, I have never met Ellen DeGeneres. I really hope I do one day, because her and I have a lot in common. She is my idol.

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Personal Purpose and Core Values

MY EULOGY The room is bright and colorful. A lot of natural light pours in through the windows. Sweet, acoustic music plays softly in the background. My family and close friends are together in the room, hugging and consoling each other while sharing their favorite stories. Everyone is gathered to celebrate my life and my legacy. My husband stands at the front of the room and begins speaking: “The following is a poem by Mary Frye entitled Autumn Rain:

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush, I am that swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft star that shines at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die.

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“Today, we are all here together to celebrate the incredible life and legacy of Kevin Schatell.

Kevin’s warm, compassionate soul has left a profound impact on all of us that will stay in our hearts forever.

Kevin loved unconditionally. He had an unwavering support for each family member and loved them for, not despite, what made them unique. Kevin gave his whole heart to serve his family proudly. As a father, he supported his children is all of their passions and always encouraged them to pursue their dreams. He was a shoulder to cry on and a constant source of inspiration.

He always went the extra mile and extended a helping hand, even when he wasn’t asked. He was a natural entertainer. He lit up any room he entered simply by being himself. Kevin had a unique way of finding light even in the darkest of times.

As a colleague, Kevin was the ideal teammate. He was simply irreplaceable. He had a brilliant mind that was always full of great ideas. He was a forward-thinker and tremendous problemsolver. He was a dependable and trustworthy leader with the highest level of integrity. Kevin’s passion was contagious. He poured himself wholeheartedly into everything he did. He worked with diligence to make his dreams a reality. Kevin will serve as a constant reminder that we should all take active steps to achieve our goals. He taught us all that we control our own destiny and we that we can make our wildest dreams a reality if we work hard and persevere.

My family means the world to me, and I love each of them unconditionally. When my sister got married in May 2012, my whole family came together to celebrate. I’ll never forget that special day.

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Personal Purpose and Core Values

Kevin was the greatest friend you could imagine. He was the most intentional, thoughtful person.

When you talked with him, he made you feel as if you were the center of the universe. He was always present and mindful. Kevin’s compassionate and caring heart made his friends feel like family. He was an empathetic listener who was always there to offer advice and support. He was the most loyal friend. You could always count on Kevin to be there for you and share some inspiration to make your day brighter.

Servant leadership was at Kevin’s core. He cared deeply about his community and always sought to give back in whatever ways he could. He was extremely generous and never thought twice about giving to those in need. He was an avid civil rights advocate who fought for equality for everyone. He never tolerated hate, prejudice, or discrimination. Kevin had a unique way of making everyone around him feel proud to be themselves.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73:26

Kevin was undeniably optimistic. Everyone who spent time with him would leave feeling happier and better. He had an uplifting spirit and never polluted the world with unnecessary negativity.

He was emotionally strong and embraced change. Kevin lived a fit and fast-paced life. He hustled around so that he could achieve as much as possible in his lifetime. However, that never deterred him from taking time to be still and enjoy life.

Kevin made his dreams a reality. He never settled and always took active steps toward accomplishing his goals. Along the way, he maintained a strong code of ethics, never compromising on his values and morals. In the presence of Kevin Schatell, you could always expect to be entertained, inspired, and loved. He was an exceptional storyteller and a captivating speaker. Any time we see something designed or created by Kevin, we will remember what an artistic, detail-oriented person he was. The ideas he shared with the world will live on forever.

Kevin leaves behind an incredible legacy of being authentic, loving strongly, and dreaming big.

He always reminded us to embrace our unique qualities, especially those we instinctively want to hide. As Kevin always said, those are some of the most beautiful aspects of our identities. He believed that love is the most important thing in the world. Just as Kevin did, we must do what we love, express what we love, and invest our hearts in all that we do.”

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LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE AND VISION COMPONENT 2 20

Leadership Perspective and Vision

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?

Peter G. Northouse defines leadership as “a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.” I have committed this Northouse definition to memory because it reminds me of the three core components of leadership: goal, group, and influence.

Northouse’s definition is a broad, scholastic definition for leadership.

To me, leadership is more than just a process: it is a lifestyle. I agree with Northouse that leadership is an influential process, but I believe it is a lifelong process. Leadership is not a badge, a role, or a title that expires. It is a way of life. My definition of leadership is as follows: “a lifestyle of loving, learning, and building relationships to move people toward a positive outcome.”

I really believe that everyone has a natural capacity to lead. In that regard, I view leadership as an ability.

Each of us comes into the world with a pre-determined set of special strengths and personality traits that contribute to our leadership ability.

Some people are born with charisma and creativity while others may

One of the most inspiring leaders in my life is Collette Toney. Coming into UGA, Collette was one of my Orientation Leaders and my Dawg Camp counselor. She has been a guiding light in my life and embodies what it means to live a lifestyle of leadership.

be inherently analytical and detail-oriented. When we cultivate these strengths, we are able to grow into strong leaders. I don’t necessarily view leadership itself as a trait, but I do believe that growing certain traits is what leads builds strong leadership.

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“Leadership is a lifestyle of loving.” One of my main personal values is passion. To me, “loving” is the verb that corresponds with “passion.” I included “loving” at the beginning of my definition because I think it is essential to love the cause you are leading and to love the people around you.

That is not always easy, but the best leaders are able to change their perspectives to find purpose and passion in everything they do. Good leaders lead with their heart.

“Leadership is a lifestyle of learning.” In this regard, leadership is a skill, or a developed competency. Strong leaders never stop learning and are always open to growth.

Leadership is not a stagnant process or a path with a definitive end. There is no “finish line” to cross. Leadership means seeking out any necessary information and gaining wisdom so that you can constantly mature and be more effective. This aspect of my definition really excites me because I personally love to learn.

Melissa Thomas has been my best friend since 9th grade. Our relationship means the world to me.

“Leadership is a lifestyle of building

relationships.” Without relationships, there is no leadership. “Leadership” and “relationship” both end with the suffix “-ship.” That paints an image in my mind of a ship at sea. To make a ship operate, a team of people must work together. That is absolutely the case with leadership.

The lifelong process of leading is based on interpersonal interactions and collaboration. This metaphor reminds me of one of my absolute favorite quotes by John Shedd: “A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are built for.”

In addition, leadership means “moving people toward a positive outcome.” Leadership requires movement because movement leads to change and progress. The best way to “move” people, in my opinion, is by inspiring them. I personally strive to inspire others and articulate a higher meaning when I lead. Another essential component to my definition is a “positive outcome.”

Leadership is meant to guide people toward a better future. There is always a more desired future, and leadership is meant to guide people to that better, preferred state.

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Leadership Perspective and Vision

Overall, I look at leadership through multiple theoretical lenses. I view it as an ability, a skill, a relationship, and an influence process. Leadership is such a complex concept, and I think it’s

“Kindness moves mountains. Acceptance opens doors, makes room for change, and diffuses misunderstanding.”

Dianna Agron

impossible to label it as one single “approach” (i.e. skill approach, trait approach, etc.). Someone who exemplifies this for me is my grandmother, Marion Schatell. Grandma Marion is my favorite human being. That is a bold statement, but it couldn’t be truer.

Grandma Marion has always been a source of inspiration for me.

Her outlook on life is always positive, and she always sees the best in everyone and in every situation. I consider my grandmother a wonderful leader. Grandma Marion possesses certain traits that make her a good leader, including kindness, respect, creativity,

and loyalty. She has built several abilities over the years that make her an effective leader, such as her ability to listen empathetically. Grandma Marion, like me, is very relationship-oriented. She embodies my definition of leadership. Grandma Marion lives a lifestyle of loving, learning, and building relationships, and she always wants to help those around her become happier.

My cousin, Stephanie D’Ulisse, has been there with me every step of the way. She is one year older than me, and we have been inseparable since birth. She is an only child and lost her father to cancer in 2007.

Stephanie has always served as an inspiration to me.

Her strength is unmated. She has always encouraged me to be myself. She is the rock I turn to when times get tough. I was able to go to the Glee Live! Concert with her in 2011. We got to meet Zach Woodlee, the choreographer of Glee, while we were there! Steph and I love spending time in the kitchen or in the art studio with Grandma Marion. We share so much in common, and I love her more than words can express.

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LEADERSHIP VISIONING EXERCISE It is 10 years into the future... I am sitting comfortably at my desk in New York City with a beautiful view of the cityscape. My office is artistic, cozy, and filled with pictures of my family and friends to inspire me. I envision myself as the producer and host of a widely popular entertainment program. Hopefully my shelves will be stocked with Emmys and Peabody Awards that recognize the excellence I have achieved. (Side note: envisioning this future is putting an actual smile on my face.) The light streams in as the sun sets, and it illuminates a poster on my wall that features my leadership vision: PACE Yourself. “PACE” is an acronym for my four biggest leadership values: passion, authenticity, community,

and excellence. PACE Yourself also reminds me to stop and enjoy every moment I am alive.

Each breath is a gift from God, and I should never forget to stop and relish in the beauty of the world around me.

When I think about my leadership vision, I think about the phrase “New York State One day, I hope to have an office that overlooks New York City.

of Mind.” To me, that means pursuing your goals with

tenacity. It embodies the pride that comes with being a part of a strong community like that of New York City. Also, the song New York State of Mind (the Billy Joel & Barbara Streisand version and the Glee version) plays in my mind. That is one of my absolute favorite songs. When I close my eyes and listen to it, I can vividly picture myself in the city. PACE Yourself is the perfect complement to a “New York State of Mind.”

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MY LEADERSHIP VISION

My leadership vision is to inspire passion, love, and creativity in everyone I interact with so that they move forward with courage and confidence. I will express myself authentically so that those around me will embrace their individuality, too. I will be intentional, inclusive, and foster a strong sense of community. I will create warm environments so that people can be open and

vulnerable. I will strive toward excellence myself and support those around me so that they may do the same. I will be selfless and put others first. Not only will I focus on my own personal growth, but I will invest myself in the growth of others. I will build and maintain strong relationships. I will bring an inspiring passion and a comforting joy to the people and the world around me. As a leader, I will dream, entertain, inspire, support, encourage, comfort, challenge, and grow... and I will do so with a loving heart.

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PACE YOURSELF

My main leadership values can be summarized by the acronym PACE. The phrase PACE Yourself reminds me of my leadership values and reminds me to be still and enjoy every moment of my life.

PASSION Passion is my main personal value, and it is my main leadership core value. It’s important to me as a human and as a leader, mainly because I don’t have a separate identity as a leader. “Leader Kevin” is simply “Kevin,” so my life values bleed over into my leadership core values. For me, the way I choose my leadership roles is by first thinking about where my passions lie. I always want to ensure that I am in a position where I am passionate about my work. Passionate leadership means having ambition. It’s important to foster passionate environments so that teams support the project or cause wholeheartedly. Passion drives purpose. Passionate leadership means purposeful leadership.

AUTHENTICITY Being authentic is essential to being an effective leader. Authenticity means embracing your unique qualities and being

My dad is a passionate leader. He is one of the most ambitious, determined leaders I know.

fully yourself. To be authentic, you need to understand who you are at your core and shine from the inside out. One of the most important aspects of authenticity is being congruent, both between sectors of your life as well as between your words and actions. Your unique identity remain consistent through every aspect of your life. Authenticity applies to teams and organizations, too. The best teams know their purpose and capitalize on the strengths of each member. They have a strong identity and are very transparent.

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COMMUNITY I work best in warm, supportive environments. As a leader, I create trustworthy and close-knit atmospheres for my teams. A strong sense of community leads to teamwork and collaboration.

Community stretches beyond a team environment. It also implies the geographic location of the team. Whether it’s Athens or New York City, I think it’s important that the organizations I am a part of should be alert of what’s happening in the community. Service is another key aspect of community, and service is something I hold dearly to my heart.

EXCELLENCE I give everything my best effort in hopes of achieving pure excellence. I hold myself to a high standard and always reach for the stars. I work hard to be excellent and produce excellent work. In order to achieve excellence, I must grow and innovate. In that regard, excellence is a motivator. I strive to move the teams I lead toward excellence. The motto for my high school, Mountain View High School, was Expect Excellence in Everything. During my years there, I really embraced that mindset, and it has endured. Expecting excellence means setting the bar high and then working to surpass that bar.

My two biggest commitments throughout high school were Student Council (above) and Yearbook (left). During my senior year of high school, I was Co-President of the Georgia Association of Student Councils, and I planned and hosted a leadership conference for hundreds of students around Georgia. I was also Editor-In-Chief of the Yearbook Staff for 3 years. Both experiences taught me valuable leadership lessons. The wisdom I gained from both organizations has stuck with me since.

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THE IMPACT OF MY VISION AND LEGACY I aspire to be the type of leader that instantly creates a warm environment wherever I go so that people feel safe and comfortable. I want to inspire others to live their lives full of passion, to take chances, and to dream big. As a leader, I want to be a source of encouragement and support that people rely on for emotional support. I feel most fulfilled when I make people laugh, smile, and feel happier. At my core, I am an entertainer. I will strive to use my joyful personality to creative positive environments and evoke positive emotions.

In addition to passion, love, and creativity, the core values I will lead with include respect and family. I always want to encourage a sense of belonging as a leader. It’s so important to feel a part of something greater than yourself, so I will strive to foster a family-like environment where I go. Professionally, I hope to be a source of creative inspiration that

“If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito.”

Anita Roddick

keeps the organizations I am a part of moving forward. I want to stimulate creative environments and constantly innovate.

The phrase “leadership vision” refers to peering into the future, but one important aspect of my personal leadership vision will be looking back. I will be able to reflect back on certain experiences and feel as if I were there. As a result, I will be able to appreciate

the present moment more as well as be an aid for people who are pursuing things similar to me. I want to look back and lend a helping hand to those in similar shoes striving toward similar goals as my own.

I hope to leave behind a leadership legacy of inspiring creativity, igniting passion, and awakening possibility. As a result of my leadership, I hope people would adopt the following statements as truths: “I can be true to myself and achieve anything I set my heart to” and “I am unique and have something truly valuable to contribute to the world.”

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ASSESSMENT OF STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES COMPONENT 3 Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses

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KEIRSEY TEMPERAMENT Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II Corporate Temperament Report

Kevin Schatell Idealist Champion (ENFP)

Name: Kevin Schatell VTD85475

Temperament: Idealist ™ Type: Champion (ENFP) In a world filled with unique individuals, when it comes to personality there are only four different temperaments and sixteen types of people. Understanding these personality types and mastering your own can be the keys to achieving your goals.

Your temperament is the Idealist (NF).

Idealists are relatively rare, making up no more than 15 to 20 percent of the population. Yet their ability to inspire people with their enthusiasm and idealism has given them influence far beyond their numbers. Your particular personality type, the Champion (ENFP), makes up little more than 3 to 4 percent of the total population.

This report is designed to help you understand how the needs and preferences of your temperament shape who you are and how you behave. Based on more than 50 years of research by Dr. David W. Keirsey, the Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II has been completed by millions of people worldwide.

Contents About Your Idealist Temperament Temperament, Leadership, & Talent  Temperament and Talent Relationship  Motivation and Appreciation  Your Idealist Style of Leadership  Your Champion Leadership Traits Being a Champion  Things You’re Good At  Things to Be Aware Of  Famous Champions  Your Ideal Work Environment  Working with the Four Temperaments What Each Letter Means FAQs

Thursday, August 28, 2014

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Provided by Keirsey.com

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The “How Can the Temperament Sorter Help Me?” section explains that the assessment is designed to help you “begin to master your interactions” and “build strong, lasting ties with others.” It should “bring new levels of wisdom an self-knowledge to all of your interactions.” All of those goals are an Idealist Champion’s dream! It’s as if they wrote that section exclusively for ENFPs like myself. As an Idealist, I am constantly working toward a better understanding of who I am, so an activity such as the Keirsey sorter is incredibly valuable. I have taken my results to heart and have already begun setting goals for ways I can improve.

The accuracy of my results is almost frightening. I took this assessment my freshman year of college and discovered that I was an ENFJ (Idealist Teacher). When I received my scores this time around, I was surprised to see a different result. What has changed in a two-year span?

It actually was comforting to see that I have grown and changed through my first two years at college. As an ENFP, I am “fiercely individualistic” and strive to achieve a high level of personal authenticity. My most important value is being myself. Above all, I want to maintain a strong sense of who I am and remain true to myself as I chase my dreams. Every day I wake up with the intention of learning more about myself so I can be a better person. I want there to be a distinct “Kevin Schatell brand” so that when I walk into a room, people feel loved and inspired. In my opinion, one example of someone who has achieved this is Ellen DeGeneres (one of my biggest inspirations). When you see Ellen, you immediately smile and feel comfortable because she has such a strong, inspiring understanding of herself and isn’t afraid to share that with others.

I actually did some research and found on www.celebritytypes.com that Ellen is an ENFP, too!

It made me extremely happy to see that one of my biggest inspirations and I share the same temperament. (I also discovered that Walt Disney was also an ENFP. I am in good company!)

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Only one letter changed between the last time I took this assessment and now: I went from a J to a P. In every other letter, I am very strong in one direction (scores of 9 and 10). This was the only letter where I was more evenly split. As a P (Perceiver), I prefer to keep my options open and explore possibilities. One quality of a P that doesn’t quite fit with me is that I am actually not tolerant of messiness. I really do keep my space clean and organized. I also don’t mind schedules, but where my “inner P” comes out is in decision-making. I get very stressed when making decisions. Even when I nail down a choice, my mind is racing with “what ifs” and “did I make the right choice?” I see this as a personal weakness. Before making a decision, it is important to weigh all of the options and analyze the possibilities. However, it can be detrimental if it’s done in excess. I am the king of over analyzing. Trivial tasks like coming up with photo captions or choosing where to eat becoming overwhelming because I weigh every option and can’t seem to make up my mind. I feel like if I make the “wrong” choice, I’ll disappoint people. Even after decisions, regret can consume my mind if I wasn’t 100% confident. As a leader this is something I need to work on. As I take on more responsibilities and make bigger decisions, I need to be more self-assured. The more uncertain I seem, the less people will trust me. People want to follow leaders who can make quick (yet carefully thought- out) decisions without turning back.

My indecisiveness has become more prevalent in the past two years, which is why I tested as a P this time around. I think the reason this has changed is because I’m getting closer and closer to entering the “real world” and chasing my big dreams. I want to make sure I keep my options open rather than make a rash decision and end up going down the wrong path.

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As an ENFP, I focus more on the people I lead and their personal growth than the rules and regulations of the organization or institution. That is another potential area for growth. Even though I work best in unstructured and free environments, I need to make sure I am able to succeed in more structured atmospheres. That will be important to me because if I want to work at somewhere like Good Morning America, I’d anticipate that the type of work environment will be more rigid (albeit fun and creative) because the stakes are so high for the show. In addition, because I invest myself so deeply in lives of the people around me, I can sometimes drain myself. I need to make sure I set aside some “me” time each day so that I am able to stay grounded and focused.

Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses

I was able to visit the set of Good Morning America over Spring Break. The atmosphere was incredible and felt like a perfect fit for my personality.

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Another area for personal growth, and perhaps the most vital, is coping with criticism. In the Journal 1 interviews, I was reminded of how poorly I handle criticism. My Keirsey results seemed to build on that notion. When faced with criticism, I tend to interpret it as rejection and quickly lose confidence. I need to focus on differentiating criticism of a behavior from criticism of my character. I often get those two confused. Most of the time people criticism my behavior, which is something I can become aware of and change. I often interpret that as criticism of my character and take it very personally. For example, if someone were to tell me “You were a little too talkative in the meeting today. Maybe you should let some other people speak.” I could easily interpret that as “You are so disrespectful, inconsiderate, and dominating. People are so annoyed by your neverending blabbering.” I really need to practice the skill of accepting criticism, because there is no way I will grow to be the best version of myself if I don’t embrace constructive feedback.

Something I found surprising in my Keirsey results is that Champions can come across as “tireless talkers.” When I interviewed my friend Sahl, he said that I sometimes talk too much and tend to talk in circles. It was interesting to see those thoughts actually explained in the Keirsey results for ENFPs. I think this relates to the fact that ENFPs can often talk their way into and/or out of As a Grady Ambassador, I represent my college and assist with Grady events. It is the perfect role for an Idealist Champion like me because I am articulate and love talking (sometimes in excess).

situations. I need to think before I speak. As an extremely high extrovert, that can be very difficult to do. I am always the one to fill an

awkward silence or strike up conversation, even if it means accidentally saying the wrong thing.

If I feel like I’ve said something wrong, I will proceed to talk even more to try and fix my blunder (and either end up saving myself or digging myself into a deeper hole). I like the fact that I am talkative because it allows me to connect with people more easily, but I do need to work on being more intentional with my words.

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Overall, I am surprised and satisfied with the accuracy of my Keirsey results. Reading the descriptions of an Idealist Champion felt like I was reading my own biography. I fully embrace my ENFP temperament (and the title “Idealist Champion” has such a positive ring to it, does it not?). It was comforting to read about what Champions do well: focus on growth, dream and innovate, connect deeply with people, draw on emotions and experiences, and strive to be the best versions of themselves. I try and exemplify all of those things. I gained a lot of insight from reading about the things Champions should be more aware of, and I was therefore able to set some goals: being more confident in my decisions, working better in structured environments, setting aside “me” time, and embracing criticism. The Keirsey assessment has helped me gain a better understanding of who I am, which is something Idealist Champions like myself really love.

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EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

The Emotional Intelligence assessment was really helpful in understanding my strengths and weaknesses in managing my emotions. Overall, I scored a 112 and fell into the 79th percentile of all other test-takers. I honestly expected to score higher on the assessment. I have taken other assessments and discovered that I am a very emotional, compassionate person. For example, for the True Colors test I am a “blue,” and for the Keirsey Temperament I am a “feeler.” Therefore, I expected to score higher on this assessment. Being compassionate and caring doesn’t mean I have above-average emotional intelligence skills. That realization alone made this assessment worthwhile. Although I pride myself on being kind and empathetic, there are several aspects of my emotional intelligence that I can improve.

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According to this assessment, my strengths included striving (score of 95) and social insight (score of 90). Striving is defined as a “desire for increased knowledge and skill.” I was so pleased to see that I scored highly in this category. As indicated by my Keirsey results (ENFP), I am “an excellent catalyst for change and growth” for both myself and for others. I pride myself on my drive and determination. Anything that affirms my strong will and determination helps me become even more determined. For that reason, I will hold these results close to my heart as motivation to stay focused and keep growing. I also scored highly in social insight, meaning that I am able to assess social situations, judge others, and respond appropriately. This has proven to be true for me. I hate stereotypes, and I understand that everyone is uniquely diverse. I am not quick to judge which allows me to ignore labels and see people and situations for what they truly are, not just what they appear to be. This stems back all the way to middle school when I was chosen to be a part of my school’s Power Over Prejudice team. I’ve been instilled from an early age with the mindset that people are complex and multi-layered. With that perspective, I am able

I celebrated my 21st birthday in New York City. Hopefully my ability to strive will carry me toward a career in NYC.

dig deeper into people and assess interpersonal situations more effectively. Of course, I did not receive a perfect score for either of my top two strengths. There is always room for improvement.

I believe these skills will greatly benefit me throughout my life and are worth developing.

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Two areas that I scored highly in really surprised me: conflict management knowledge and coping skills. I will be the first to admit that I am not an expert on handling conflict, so seeing that I scored a 97 for conflict management knowledge was astonishing. By reading the descriptions for each category of the assessment, I was able to better understand what exactly that high score means. I am skilled at evaluating conflicts and identifying solutions that benefit everyone. However, my score of 72 in conflict management behavior shows that I am not particularly good at responding to conflict and implementing the solutions I brainstorm. I know this to be true. I am very good at objectively viewing conflict for others and finding a solution, but I am not good at taking my own advice. It is difficult for me to adjust my framing from “self ” to “observer.” This is one area that I will work on improving using some of the strategies discussed in class (i.e. being mindful, empathetic listening, etc.). I also scored a 92 in coping skills, which was surprisingly high. My score implies that I use healthy techniques to cope with stress. I know that I don’t do unhealthy things to deal with stress (i.e. physical violence, drugs/ alcohol, etc.), but I also don’t think I handle stress the most healthy way possible. I tend to get overwhelmed, so I think there is a discrepancy in my score that relates back to my conflict management skills. I able to identify conflict resolutions and coping mechanisms, but I am not always good at implementing those in my own life.

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Two personal weaknesses from the assessment that stood out to me were self-control (score of 48) and rumination (score of 96). Self-control is the “ability to soothe oneself ” and “put things in perspective.” I know that I am hypersensitive and can easily become emotionally charged. It can be difficult for me to step back from highly emotional situations and view them objectively.

My heart tends to have more control over me than my mind. I am easily guided by how I feel rather than logic and facts, which makes it difficult to regulate negative feelings. This ties to my high score in rumination. Rumination is the “tendency to focus on the negative aspects of an issue.” An ideal rumination score is between 40 and 60, but I scored a 96. My high score proves that I have difficulty viewing situations objectively. I tend to take things too personally and over analyze criticism. One negative comment, especially if it is personal, can consume my mind and spiral out of control. Even if 99 out of 100 people said they liked me, I would naturally be concerned with that one person who disliked me. I would ask myself, “Why don’t they like me?” and may even find myself thinking, “Why should anyone like me?” I have found that it’s difficult for me to find peace with negativity or hardship on my own. I rely heavily on my spirituality and affirmation from other people to find peace when faced with a negative situation. Overall, I am a joyful, positive person, and those who know me the best would agree. I have always been an idealist and a people-pleaser. It’s hard for me to embrace negativity, and therefore, it consumes my mind.

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The first step toward improving my emotional intelligence skills is awareness. After completing this assessment, I have a better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. First thing’s first: I need to stop ruminating on the fact that my score was lower than expected! I know there is plenty of room for improvement, so now I need to set goals to improve my EiQ. Something I noticed about my weaknesses is that they were mainly labeled as “skills” in their descriptions rather than “attitudes/personalities.” This was comforting to me because “skills” are things I can practice and improve. On the other hand, “attitude/personality” traits seem more innate and unchangeable. As I continue on my leadership journey, I need to make a conscious effort to ruminate less. Focusing on negativity will only distract me and prevent me from achieving my

“No doubt emotional intelligence is more rare than book smarts, but my experience says it is actually more important in the making of a leader.” Jack Welch

goals. I need to embrace criticism and disappointment as a natural part of life and move on.

Because I scored so highly on striving, I know I am apt to work toward personal growth. That supports the fact that I will take my results from my Emotional Intelligence assessment and truly work toward bettering myself.

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STRENGTH DEPLOYMENT INVENTORY

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My preferred Motivational Value System is blue, meaning I am altruistic-nurturing when things are going well. Having a blue Motivational Value System indicates that I am concerned about the protection, growth, and welfare of others. This could not be more accurate. The altruisticnurturing style aligns perfectly with my own personal values. I value growth, inclusiveness, respect, and family, and I am highly relationship-oriented. I think that my constant effort to make others feel valued ties with my own desire to feel valued and loved. I strive to treat others the way I wish to be treated. I know that’s considered the “Golden Rule,” but I think it could also be called the “Blue Rule.” People with a blue Motivational Value System like myself embody that mindset to the fullest. We want to be appreciated and treated kindly ourselves, so we aim to do that for others. My first priority is always making those around me feel comfortable and loved.

For example, when I give tours at the University of Georgia Visitors Center, my goal is to always ensure that the visitors feel welcome and to awaken possibility prospective UGA students.

In those moments, I am especially blue.

Because I have a blue Motivational Value System, the most engaging environments for me are open, friendly, and supportive. Tying back to my previous example, I feel happiest and most comfortable at the UGA Visitors Center. The work environment there is Working at the Visitors Center has given me so much... like the opportunity to meet these two ladies who were roommates at UGA 50 years ago!

sincerely welcoming, supportive, and socially stimulating. That kind of atmosphere is where I come alive because I’m able to express

myself and connect with others. Two strengths I possess as a blue that I believe will contribute to my leadership effectiveness are (1) my compassion for others and (2) my unwavering dedication.

I think it’s extremely difficult to accomplish anything without first having solid relationships.

My compassion and genuine care for others will allow me to foster warm environments with open communication. Whenever I am in a leadership role, I always aim to create a supportive team climate before anything else. Another strength that stems from my blue Motivational Value System is my loyalty. When I discover something that I genuinely love, I fully commit to it.

There is no “half way.” I am so easily guided by my heart, and when my heart finds something it cares about, there is nothing that will stop me from completely dedicating myself to that person, organization, task, or cause (or television show, like Glee).

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Some of my “overused strengths” include being too submissive, self-sacrificing, and self-effacing.

I have diagnosed myself with “chronic yes syndrome.” Symptoms include over-commitment and the inability to say no. I have the most difficult time saying no to helping others because I never, ever want to let people down. Whether it’s something simple like picking up a friend who has a flat tire or something more time-consuming, like taking on a long-term project, it’s nearly impossible for me to say no. To prevent becoming overstretched, I need to make sure to fully weigh the pros and cons of taking on tasks. Instead of agreeing to something just to please someone else, I should always ask myself, “Will the benefits outweigh the consequences?” Even when I ask myself that question, I interpret it as this: “Will the benefits for the other person outweigh the consequences for me?” Sometimes I need to change my framing and view situations more objectively. Another potential drawback of being blue-oriented is being too self- effacing.

Even though I love receiving kind words and praise, I struggle with accepting compliments. It’s a vicious cycle; I want to be valued and appreciated, but when someone does compliment me or do something nice for me, I dismiss it out of modesty. For example, if someone were to say, “You look good today!” I would likely reply, “No way!” I would probably then reflect the compliment back to the other person and say something like “No, you look good today!” I need to work on genuinely saying “thank you” and accepting kind words and actions rather than dismissing them.

Because blue is my preferred Motivational Value System, some potential conflict triggers include unresponsive or unfriendly people and people who don’t recognize my efforts. Sometimes I make the mistake of perceiving conflict between me and someone else when there really isn’t any. For example, if my roommate were to act quieter than usual, I may misinterpret her attitude and think she’s mad at me. In reality she may just be tired or upset about something else, but I am so concerned with maintaining a positive relationship that I mistakenly create a conflict in my mind that doesn’t really exist.

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My Conflict Sequence is R-B-G. I change from being blue (altruistic-nurturing) to red-blue (assertive-nurturing) during conflict. In the initial responding stage of conflict, I will rise to the challenge and assert myself. My first reaction to conflict is typically becoming defensive and assertive. If the problem is not resolved, I will surrender conditionally during the narrowing stage of conflict. I will either give in to maintain peace or defer to someone else. Lastly, for the defending stage, I will typically withdraw or retreat completely.

My arrow for the SDI is fairly long. It carries me from the blue sector of the triangle to the redblue area. I don’t completely cross over into the red category because I always maintain a concern for others. I become driven and assertive because I am concerned with how the conflict will affect people and relationships. Having an R-B-G sequence means that I am “a person who first meets conflict head-on with a strong self- assertion and challenge to the opposition. If this does not work, [I] then initiate efforts to restore and maintain harmony. If this does not end the conflict,

“For good ideas and true innovation, you need human interaction, conflict, argument, debate.”

Margaret Heffernan

[I] then withdraw as a last resort.” As a leader, an R-B-G conflict deployment sequence will allow me to be assertive and face conflict with tenacity, yet I will always keep the best interest of the people around me in mind. I will be able to put my foot down when necessary, and I will strive to return to my Motivational Value System of being altruistic-nurturing.

One way that the R-B-G sequence might get in the way of my

effectiveness is that I may respond to conflict too assertively and actually upset the people around me more. Also, because I deploy the green strategy last, I tend to wait too long before analyzing the conflict objectively. It is difficult for me to objectively separate conflict from people. Because I emotionally attach myself to people and situations, I find it hard to step back and analyze conflict. In that regard I need to build my skills in the green (analytic-autonomizing) area.

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One example of my R-B-G deployment sequence is my disagreements with my sister. Her and I have very different values. Anytime we disagree on an issue, I face the conflict head on. I assert my position and stand my ground. If the conflict progresses too far, I will typically give in under the condition that she acknowledges and respects my opinion. If that doesn’t work, I will surrender completely knowing that any anger or frustration isn’t worth it because we are siblings. Overall, I gravitate toward supportive, caring, and open environments. As a leader, I strive to create those kinds of environments myself. When experiencing conflict, I assert myself and face the problem, but my main priority in conflict resolution is maintaining harmonious relationships.

My main priority during conflict is to maintain harmonious relationships. Here are some relationships that are extremely important to me:

(Above) Paige and I have been friends since Kindergarten. After she moved away in 7th grade, I was distraught. UGA brought us back together, and I am so grateful for that. (Top Right) I met Jessie at UGA, and she’s changed my life. Her genuine heart never fails to inspire me. (Right) Dumbi, Sahl, and I went to high school together and now work together at the Visitors Center.

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INTERVIEW FEEDBACK DIANE SCHATELL

Mothers know best, right? My mom knows me very well. I had to get some feedback from the woman who raised me.

What are the most important characteristics of a leader?

“First and foremost, a leader must be a good listener. You can’t make decisions on your own without listening to others. Nobody makes a smart decision without getting input.

You have to hear all the facts. Leaders should be selfless. You do everything for the team and the team’s purpose, not for yourself. Good leaders accept responsibility. They accept responsibility for the good and the bad, and they admit mistakes when something goes wrong.”

What are my three greatest personal strengths? “You are a good communicator with a good attitude. You communicate well verbally and written. You can articulate your thoughts well and connect with people easily. You are compassionate. You’re empathetic and understanding of peoples’ feelings. Above all, you are driven. You set goals and go after them tenaciously.”

How will the three strengths help me be a more effective leader? “You will be able to present your ideas and express yourself effectively. Leaders have to explain themselves and articulate the why. You’ll be sensitive to peoples’ thoughts and opinions. You are open-minded and truly care. Because you are compassionate, you will be able to connect with others easily and gather many perspectives. You will constantly work toward improvement. Good leaders have ultimate goals, dreams, and purpose. You have ambition that will keep you moving to the next step. Leaders move people toward something. If leader isn’t driven, they are not really a leader.”

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Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses

What are my three greatest personal weaknesses? “You don’t take criticism well.

You are quick to defend and may not fully listen to the other person’s opinion. You are stretched too thin. You have too many responsibilities and activities and have a hard time saying ‘no.’ You’re a perfectionist. You worry about simple things and think that everything has to be perfect.”

How will the three weaknesses impact my leadership effectiveness? “You have to be a lot more open to criticism. If you can’t accept your own faults, how are you going to help someone with their faults? You may struggle with time-management. You may not be able to perfect one task because you will have so much to do. Trying to make things perfect means time is wasted. If you never say “good enough,” you might not be able to make quick decisions.”

SAHL HAKIM

Sahl is a sophomore at UGA (one year younger than me). He and I have grown to be very close over the past year. He is my co-worker at the Visitors Center, and we were both counselors for Dawg Camp. I have assumed a sort of mentormentee role with Sahl, so I really wanted his thoughts.

What are the most important characteristics of a leader? “Good leaders are good listeners. Leaders should be passionate about whatever they’re leading.

Leaders must be good at communicating.”

What are my three greatest personal strengths? “You are inclusive. You’re very social and have the ability to get along with everyone. You are dedicated to whatever you’re working toward (like The Dish, Tori & Kevin, internships, etc.). You are a really great listener. You seek out intentional conversations. You’re open to listening to others no matter how significant the conversation seems.”

How will the three strengths help me be a more effective leader? You will be able to acquire more ideas from different perspectives. You make sure that everyone plays a part in the final product. Whenever things don’t look the greatest, you are still pushing through.

You’re always looking towards the end goal. Because you’re a good listener, you will be more open to listening to different opinions.

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GREG SCHATELL

Greg is my older brother. As such, he is very blatant with his opinions of me (which, of course, can be both a good and bad thing). I really value him as a sibling and friend, so I wanted his opinions on leadership.

What are the most important characteristics of a leader? “Leaders must be trustworthy. You have to be able to have faith in a leader. A leader must be respectful. You become a leader by gaining respect. A leader is someone who truly cares about something, whether it’s the people they are leading or the cause itself. They aren’t working because it’s a job or obligation. The best leaders have experience and use what they’ve learned to move forward.”

What are my three greatest personal strengths? “You have a positive outlook. You always look at things optimistically. What might appear to be a problem or challenge, you look at as a positively (like dirty/cold New York City). You are able to look at mistakes as learning opportunities. Your happiness rubs off on others, and even if you’re not100% happy, you have a warm energy about you. You are hardworking. You put in the necessary time and work to complete tasks, challenges, problems, and projects. You are intelligent. You’re able to pick up on things and learn quickly.”

How will the three strengths help me be a more effective leader? “Leaders are people we look up to, and we want to look up to someone positive. With your contagious positive attitude, you will naturally inspire. If someone works hard, they set an example. Because you are hardworking, you set the precedent and motivate others. Over the course of history, smart people have been the best leaders. Your intelligence will allow you to learn from your mistakes. You’re smart enough to use past experiences to make decisions. You’re smart enough to “figure it out” and do the right thing.”

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Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses

What are my three greatest personal weaknesses? “You are impulsive. You can get too caught up in the moment and sometimes forget to take a step back. You are stubborn. If you think you’re right, you can get defensive. Sometimes you don’t try very hard. When you set your mind to something you’ll do it, but if you’re not passionate about it right away, you don’t necessarily commit to it.”

How will the three weaknesses impact my leadership effectiveness? “It’s important that leaders step back to make good decisions. They decide the ramifications rather than saying/doing something that I’ll regret. Being impulsive could prevent you from doing that.

You tend to think you’re right when maybe you’re not. The more you attempt, the more you’ll learn. The more experiences, the better the leader. Not trying something could come back too haunt you if you need that trait in the future.”

TORI HARTSHORN

Tori and I met freshman year through Dawg Camp, but now we’re best friends and roommates.

She and I are starting our own web show this year, so we’ll be working a lot together (in addition to living in adjacent rooms). If anyone knows me really well, it’s Tori.

What are the most important characteristics of a leader?

“Leaders should have warm personalities.

They have to be personable and relatable to others. They don’t have to be outspoken and peppy, they just have to be welcoming to others. Good leaders are reliable. As a leader, you naturally have responsibility put on you. People will look up to you and need to count on you. The best leaders possess strong individuality. It’s important to be able to bring something new to the table rather than being a carbon copy of every other leader.”

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What are my three greatest personal strengths? “You are thoughtful. You remember little things about people and naturally make people feel special. You have a strong presence.

You’re able to articulate who you are a person (including my dreams, values, etc.), and it’s easily transcribed to people. You are driven. You know what you want and what it takes to get there, and you’ll do whatever you can to reach your goals.”

How will the three strengths help me be a more effective leader? “You can relate to people more, build stronger relationships, rally more people, and still get to know people on a personal level. People are drawn to you. People want to be around people who seem like they know what’s going on. For them it could be

“If you know something hurtful and not true, don’t say it.

If you know something hurtful and true, don’t say it.

If you know something helpful but not true, don’t say it.

If you know something helpful and true, find the right time to say it.” Buddha

intrinsically motivated because it may seem like they will be able to do less, but they’ll actually learn more as a result.

You know your end goals and can articulate your vision.

You are able stay on task and are efficient.”

What are my three greatest personal weaknesses? “You have difficulty adjusting to criticism. You’re not closed off to hearing what people have to say, but you’re headstrong in that you don’t want to change. You are hypersensitive. You take everything very personally. When people don’t agree with you or they make their opinions known, you can close yourself off. You are either 100% engaged or 100% not. If you’re passionate

about something you give it your all, but if you feel obligated to do something then you don’t give it much effort.”

How will the three weaknesses impact my leadership effectiveness? “Other people might see the criticism as constructive where you see it as destructive. It’s not that you won’t listen to others, but you may not apply their feedback. If someone is snippy or makes a comment that you don’t agree with, you might shut down. You may misinterpret their comments which could slow you down. If you have to do something you’re not necessarily passionate about, you may not give it your all because it doesn’t capture your attention.”

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Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses

EJ (far left) brought UGA tour guides, past and present, together for a fun tailgate this year. EJ has the most incredible way of bringing people together.

ERIC JOHNSON

“EJ” is my boss at the Visitors Center. He is one of the wisest, most sincere, encouraging people I know. I really wanted the perspective of my boss. He is so captivating and always has great insight.

What are the most important characteristics of a leader?

“Clarity – Effective leaders have a clear vision of the big picture and can communicate with clarity the “why” of an organization or business or movement. “Why?” comes first, and if a leader hasn’t asked and can’t answer that question about the endeavor they’re hoping to lead, they still may be leading effectively but in a completely wrong direction. Caring – A good leader cares deeply about the mission and the people involved and all the “how’s” and “what’s” necessary for excellence. The leader cares about even small details, about the process as much as (if not more than) the outcome. Apple’s chief design genius, Jony Ive, said this about why Apple is so successful: “But I do think that we sense when somebody has cared. And one thing that is incontrovertible is how much we’ve cared.” Competence – Mastery inspires confidence. We will follow someone who is clearly competent in his or her abilities and who knows his or her stuff. Teammates will rally around someone who is committed to excellence and demonstrates extraordinary competence, even if that person has not been entrusted with any official leadership role. Character – The authentic person of integrity, who treats everyone with fairness and is impeccable with his or her actions, that person is a leader I want to follow. A leader of character will be wholly themselves regardless of the circumstances or the people around them. And trust is the most valuable asset an effective leader has to offer. Compassion – A leader I admire is one who is kind and compassionate and who treats everyone with respect regardless of position or title. She is quick to forgive, eager to reconcile, and open to listening to and understanding even, or especially, divergent viewpoints.”

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What are my three greatest personal strengths? “You take action. You make things happen. You get an idea and don’t just talk about it. You do something. You come up with designs for t-shirts and business cards. You create web sites. You created a video series. You contact potential mentors and begin building relationships. You do wacky Photoshop work and share it.

You designed the cover page for the Visitors Center annual report. Taking action is magic, and most people don’t have the courage to go beyond dreaming and planning. You are far ahead by merely taking the initiative to do things that interest you. You are kind. You genuinely care about other people and others respond to your kindness with their trust and friendship. I see how your teammates at the VC enjoy interacting with you. You listen well and care deeply. You’ve got great empathy and can put yourselves in the shoes of others. (Metaphorically, of course.) It helps that you’ve got a great sense of humor. There always seems to be laughter when you’re around. You are creatively talented. Yes, you take action, but you’ve got skills, too. And excellent taste and a great eye for beauty. Your attention to detail in your design work is impressive. And you know details matter.”

How will the three strengths help me be a more effective leader? “Your bias toward action will have others following you. Most don’t have your courage to just do it. Your competence as a creative talent inspires confidence in others. “We’ve got Kevin on our team!

Our stuff is going to rock!” Your character and kindness and effusive personality will charm and delight and comfort those you serve and those you work with. You are just a heck of a lot of fun to be friends with, and you are a fierce friend who inspires loyalty and commitment like few others I know.”

What are my three greatest personal weaknesses? “No obvious weaknesses come to mind. Make sure, though, that you’re kindness extends to those who may not seem deserving of it. Don’t be too tough on those who aren’t meeting your expectations. Be loyal to those who are not present, right?”

How will the three weaknesses impact my leadership effectiveness? “Again, no glaring weaknesses to worry about. The challenge for you is to bring along even those who may not click with you, who aren’t as committed or as passionate about the details. Your high standards have to make room for and raise the standards of those who aren’t fully on board. How can you connect with and understand those who are motivated differently than you?”

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Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses

INTERVIEW FEEDBACK SUMMARY There were some very clear commonalities in the interview results. In terms of weaknesses, almost everyone commented on my sensitivity or difficulty accepting criticism. All of these people (mom, brother, friend, roommate, boss) have criticized me at some point, and all of them have observed that I am really hard on myself when it comes to accepting criticism. I know that is accurate. I will admit that I’m not the best at taking criticism with a smile and moving on. I tend to take things very personally, which I believe has to do with the fact that I am a peoplepleaser. When I hear that I am doing something wrong, I get sad and even a little defensive.

I tend to blow the criticism out of proportion and make simple, constructive comments into bigger, personal issues. In fact, this was even demonstrated when gathering their responses. The interviewees were apprehensive to share their thoughts on my weaknesses because they knew I would take it personally. I really tried to keep my mouth shut, record the answers, and move on… but it was very difficult to do!

Another commonality amongst the “weakness” responses was that I am a perfectionist and can be too hard on myself. I know this is true. I hold a very high standard for myself, so I want everything I do to be impeccable. When I fall short of my own personal goals and standards, I can get too caught up in the flaws, making it hard to celebrate the successes. That also ties back to my hypersensitivity. I simply do not want to displease or disappoint anyone. Ever.

In terms of strengths, everyone seemed to point out that I am kind, thoughtful, and compassionate. Hearing those responses really flooded my heart with joy. When I received those answers, I felt very proud. One of my main personal values is “loving strongly,” so it made me happy that others feel that I exude warmth and sincerity. I consider myself strong at empathizing.

Through this analysis, I was able to see that others would agree. Ultimately I want my legacy to be one of kindness and love.

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In addition, every single interviewee pointed out that I am driven and hardworking. That is one of the greatest compliments I could ever receive. Because I have such big dreams of working in the entertainment industry, I try my best to work hard and make those dreams tangible.

Hearing everyone praise my passion and dedication was so affirming. I hope I’m remembered as a hardworking “dreamer.” These interview results lead me to believe that will be the case. Those responses alone made this entire assignment worthwhile.

One of the biggest surprises I found was that Tori and Greg both pointed out that sometimes I “give up” on something when I am not engaged at all. I had never really thought about that before, but I see what they mean. When I am not absolutely excited about a task, I tend to give it much less energy and attention than something I am very passionate about. Once I lose interest, I tend to be disengaged and it’s difficult for me to stay motivated. Greg pointed out the example of exercising. I have always wanted to commit to working out, but every time I try I lose interest and give up. Similarly, Tori explained that if I’m not 100% excited about something, I either find ways out of it or find ways to simply tolerate it. However, as a perfectionist, I typically give each task the best effort I can, even if it’s not with a lot of enthusiasm. Another surprising response was that I sometimes talk excessively. Sahl explained that I can be very repetitive and long-winded. He said that sometimes I “talk in circles.” I need to be cautious of that because it could potentially turn people away. I need to make more of a conscious effort to be concise and meaningful in what I say.

“I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained.”

Walt Disney

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Interning at Seacrest Studios in Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta allows me to combine my passion for media with my passion for people... and it allows me to talk (which I apparently do a lot of!).

Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses

STRENGTHS “Strengths are not activities you’re good at, they’re activities that strengthen you. A strength is an activity that before you’re doing it you look forward to doing it; while you’re doing it, time goes by quickly and you can concentrate; after you’ve done it, it seems to fulfill a need of yours.”

Marcus Buckingham

• driven and hardworking(Interviews) • passionate (Interviews) • kind and compassionate (Interviews) • very thoughtful (Interviews) • good at empathizing (Interviews) • dedicated (Interviews) • creative mind (Interviews) • “out of the box thinking” (Keirsey) • “strong commitment to progress and growth” (Keirsey) • “understand the unsaid and serve as an inspiration” (Keirsey) • “natural skill at networking” (Keirsey) • “think well on your feet” (Keirsey) • “clearly care for the feelings, needs, and welfare of others” (SDI) • “comfortable with emotions in general” (Emotional Intelligence) • “positive mindset” (Emotional Intelligence) • “socially insightful and able to adapt social skills to the circumstances around me” (Emotional Intelligence) • “driven toward further self-development” (Emotional Intelligence) • “able to rise above minor issues” (Emotional Intelligence) Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses

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WEAKNESSES “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” T homas E. Edison • hypersensitive (Interviews) • “give up” when not engaged (Interviews) • hard on myself (Interviews) • perfectionist (Interviews) • “tireless talker” (Keirsey) • “low tolerance for negative feedback” (Keirsey) • “enthusiasm may seem overly intense” (Keirsey) • “pursuit of novelty means you sometimes move on before you harvest the fruit of your own ideas” (Keirsey) • “difficulty making choices” (Keirsey) • “being too modest can lead to self-effacing” (SDI) • “wanting to so much to maintain harmony that I don’t push for what I want” (SDI) • “so quick to believe in others that I don’t use good judgment” (SDI) • “sharing my thoughts and feelings with people I shouldn’t trust with them” (SDI) • “tendency to ruminate excessively” (Emotional Intelligence) • “self-esteem needs to be strengthened” (Emotional Intelligence) • “impulse control needs improvement” (Emotional Intelligence)

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Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses

MOVING FORWARD Because growth is one of my main personal values, I loved completing and analyzing these assessments. I’m constantly seeking feedback on my strengths and weaknesses so that I can grow and improve as a person and a leader. Feedback on my weaknesses is not always easy to accept, but that is one area I know I need to work on. I won’t be as effective as I possibly can be without embracing criticism with an open heart and mind. I need to remind myself that I am a flower and criticism is water (that is a cheesy metaphor, but it’s very true). Too much criticism can be damaging, but just the right amount is necessary. I need to practice filtering

“There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder.”

Ronald Reagan

others’ comments so that I’m able to store the good for and expel the bad for my own personal growth. I know that the best leaders are skilled at receiving criticism. It’s definitely possible for me to get better at that and not be as sensitive. It’ll just take intentional practice.

As I continue on my leadership journey, I need to remain kind and driven. People seem to value those qualities in me, and I think they are two of the most important traits one can possess.

However, I shouldn’t be too content with my strengths. There is always room for growth. I can always work on being even kinder (in fact, EJ pointed out that I should work on being more inclusive with people who aren’t as committed or passionate). In addition, as I get closer to graduation and “the next step” after college, I know I’ll need to amp up my drive and work even harder to make my dreams a reality.

I need to work on my self-esteem. I can’t expect to lead others effectively without fully loving myself first. Improving my self-esteem doesn’t mean ignoring my faults but rather embracing them. Nobody is perfect. As a perfectionist, that is a tough pill to swallow. I so desperately want everything in my life to be perfect. Flaws are natural, and the sooner I accept that fact, the better.

So, I am going to accept that truth right now. I am a flawed human who will inevitably make mistakes. Regardless, I need to move forward without ruminating on the past. I can’t change the past, I can only change my perspective and my attitude.

Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses

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DEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN COMPONENT 4

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Development Action Plan

DEVELOPMENT OUTCOME 1

I want to be a more active listener and speak with more intentionally so that I can be an exceptional communicator.

I want to be an even better communicator. I want everyone I interact with to leave our conversations as a better, happier person. The way I can achieve that is to (1) be an active listener and (2) speak more intentionally. One weakness that emerged from my assessments was my tendency to talk excessively. The most powerful communicators speak with fewer words that have greater weight. This skill will be especially important if I am going to pursue a career in entertainment. If I host my own show one day, I will need to speak with greater clarity. If I interview guests on my show, I need to have exceptional listening skills so that I can carry meaningful conversation.

DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY

RESOURCES/ SUPPORT

1. Disconnect from Myself and my technology. friends

TIME LINE

Ongoing; Disconnect every time I am having conversation with another person (technology time is only when I’m alone)

POTENTIAL OBSTACLES

EVIDENCE OF PROGRESS

Distracted by notifications; The desire to maintain an impressive, strong social media presence

Form a habit of turning off phone while spending quality time with others; Overall decreased desire and impulses to check phone

2. Regularly meet with people to practice listening skills.

Time and people Weekly meetings, willing to meet with beginning January me 2015

Busy schedule

Meetings become a habit and something I look forward to; My ability to focus intently and turn off internal dialogue improves

3. Pursue a Communication Studies minor.

My advisor, Mrs. Shannon

By graduation in May 2016, beginning Spring 2015

Overwhelming schedule; Desired classes are unavailable

Fulfill degree requirements; Acquire more resources from the department to be a better communicator

4. Read Talk Less, Say More by Connie Dieken.

The book, and perhaps someone to read it with (like my friend, Jessie Blaeser)

By the end of my junior year in May 2015

Busy schedule; Lack of desire to read

Finish reading the book and gather highlights and notes as learning tools

Development Action Plan

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DEVELOPMENT OUTCOME 2

I want to embrace criticism as a natural component toward growth and reduce my rumination to be more mindfully present.

One strong underlying weakness from each assessment and interview was my hypersensitivity to criticism. In life in general it is important to accept criticism, but the entertainment industry is an incredibly competitive industry with such high stakes. It is critical that I improve my ability to accept criticism and move on. Major General William M. Rajczak said something in class that really stuck with me: if you make a mistake, fess up, accept consequences, and move on. It is best to accept consequences and criticism and then keep moving forward. Ruminating is dangerous because it distracts me from the end goal. One of my greatest strengths is being visionary and focused on the future, but criticism is the main thing that derails me. If I can master the craft of embracing criticism, I can move more confidently toward my goals.

DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY

RESOURCES/ SUPPORT

TIME LINE

POTENTIAL OBSTACLES

EVIDENCE OF PROGRESS

1. Actively seek out feedback from friends and teammates.

Friends and teammates

Ask for specific feedback (not broad questions) whenever I interact in a group setting (project, work shift, etc.)

Friends or teammates not comfortable providing constructive feedback

2. Practice daily prayer and meditation exercises to channel my thoughts.

Effective exercises to complete; Quiet space

Each day before sleeping to clear my mind for the day and set goals

Too tired or busy Meditation becomes an to set aside time expected part of my routine and focus without having to remind myself; Thoughts become less chaotic

3. Schedule a “wor- Physical tools to ry break” each day. write out what’s worrying me (paper/pencil)

Each day before settling in for the evening to do work (prior to making a to-do list for the day)

Inability to expel worrisome thoughts at times besides the worry break; Worry break bleeds over into other time

Worry breaks become a helpful, routine part of working; Crumpling paper feels therapeutic and alleviates stress

4. Exercise and take care of my body.

Routine workouts each night (pushups and sit-ups); Biweekly trips to the gym (Ramsey) to run and lift weights

Too tired or physically in pain to push forward; Temptation to eat unhealthily

I crave exercise as something that makes me come alive; I feel healthier and more alert

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A gym or space to work out; Guidance from a mentor who knows more about fitness an nutrition

Embrace constructive feedback as a natural component for growth; Ruminate less

Development Action Plan

DEVELOPMENT OUTCOME 3

I want to invest myself fully in people and experiences that will help me achieve my dreams.

My dreams give me purpose and motivation. Each and every day, my dreams seem more and more tangible and achievable. Being a student at the University of Georgia presents me with endless resources to blaze a trail toward my dreams. I need to seize those opportunities while I have access to them. One key skill I need to improve upon is my ability to make decisions. With so many possibilities, I need to be able to narrow my focus and make confident choices.

DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY

RESOURCES/ SUPPORT

TIME LINE

POTENTIAL OBSTACLES

1. Meet with a mentor.

A committed mentor (Eric Johnson, Vikki Clawson)

Monthly meetings to track progress

2. Produce and host my own entertainment talk show at WUOG.

My friend and General Manager of WUOG, Jana French

Begin attending Overmeetings next commitment and semester (Spring a busy schedule 2015) and produce the show starting in Fall 2015

3. Volunteer with Grady Newsource.

Friends from Grady Beginning January Ambassadors who 2015; Help out one are managers of day each week Newsource

Busy schedule; Not finding a niche in the studio that I really enjoy

Get plugged in to Newsource and become part of the Newsource family

4. Get involved with the Peabody Awards.

My friend, Candy Sherman, and professor, Shira Chess, both of whom have connections to the Peabody Awards

Beginning January 2015 so I can attend the awards ceremony in May 2015

Busy schedule; changed policies for student participation

Increased knowledge about the Peabody Awards; Attend the ceremony in New York City

Each Monday, effective immediately

Busy schedule; Fear of not forging a good relationship with someone I look up to; Fear of bothering the idol

Larger network of mentors and role models who can offer wisdom and connections to make my dreams a reality

5. Network with an Inspiring people to idol weekly. email (i.e. producers from the Ellen Show); A strong resume and LinkedIn profile

Development Action Plan

Busy schedules for myself and the mentor

EVIDENCE OF PROGRESS

Measurable progress is made between meetings

Show is broadcasted on WUOG and I gain real experience for what it’s like to produce and host my own show

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Development Action Plan

WELCOME TO HOLLAND

I would be remiss if in this thoughtful reflection about myself I didn’t share a story that has impacted my life in incredible ways. I first heard Welcome to Holland at my Aunt Barbara’s funeral. I met a distant family member there for the first time. She had a child with special needs, and she shared this story with me because it had changed her life.

On the surface this is a story about having a child with a disability, but if you dig deeper, it is simply a story about , which is something so vital both in leadership and in life. This story was the inspiration behind by speech as salutatorian in high school.

It’s something I hold so very close to my heart, and I needed to included it in my PDLP. The following is the story Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley:

perspective

“I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It’s like this...

When you’re going to have a baby, it’s like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It’s all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives.

You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, ‘Welcome to Holland.’

‘Holland?!?’ you say. ‘What do you mean Holland?! I signed up for Italy! I’m supposed to be in Italy. All my life I’ve dreamed of going to Italy.’ But there’s been a change in the flight plan. They’ve landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is that they haven’t taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease.

Welcome to Holland

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It’s just a different place. So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met. It’s just a different place. It’s slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you’ve been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills, Holland has tulips... Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they’re all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say ‘Yes, that’s where I was supposed to go. That’s what I had planned.’

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away, because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss. But, if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn’t get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things... about

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Holland. ”

Welcome to Holland

THANK YOU FOR READING WITH LOVE, KEVIN

“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last you create what you will.”

George Bernard Shaw

G N I T A E R C E H T T E L .

. . e u n i t Con

Closing

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