CRITICAL THINKING NATIONS
How have your life’s experiences shaped your ‘inner value.' Discuss specific examples and explain the inner values associated with each.
Growing up in a religious family, one of the greatest ‘sins’ I could ever commit was to lie or steal. These ‘sins’ usually warranted an extreme form of discipline which would ensure that it doesn’t happen again. As a result, I developed honesty from a young age. It was regarded one of the greatest values in my family, and it has become a personal trait that I am proud of to this day. Besides honesty, I came to understand that in the absence of hard work, success becomes an illusion. My parents rewarded me whenever I got something done. Nothing in our house was for free. From a young age, I had to work to get money. I would wash my parents’ car to earn some extra money. I was told that if I worked hard enough, I would make all my dreams come true.
Lastly, when I went to high school, I got to know a teacher who valued straightforwardness more than anything else. Whenever I was late for class or submitted my homework late, she demanded a straightforward explanation and a promise to become better next time. Through my teacher, I learned always to keep my word and to be true to my words, however difficult.
People say that I lead by example. I have learned that if I want people to be as hardworking, honest and straightforward as I am, I have to be what I want them to become and they will follow suit.
For Sheryl Palmer, her brand of leadership can be summed up in two words ‘shoes off’. How about for you? Using a similar approach sum up your leadership style in two words. Explain.
‘Accomplish it.' As a leader, I value results. Accomplishments to me come in the form of getting things done on time. Whenever I fail to accomplish something, I feel like I have failed miserably.
