Southern Leaders
Table of Contents
Part 1: Self-Leadership
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Part 2: Collaborative Leadership
Part 3: Community and Organizational Leadership
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Part 4: Leading Positive Change
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Part 5: Leadership Legacy Project
A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.
Douglas MacArthur
Leadership Assessments
My Results
After taking the "Life Values Inventory" assessment I was about to further understand my values and the role they play in my leadership style, decision making and over-all my day to day life. My high priority section consisted of spirituality, independence, health & activity.
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After taking the "Personality Inventory" it confirmed I am very much an Orange. Meaning I can be spontaneous, impactful, and enjoy independence yet thrive from meaningful relationships. Knowing you true color gives my peers and I a better understanding of each other and our individual personalities.
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Filling out the "Task- vs. Relationship-oriented leadership"
questionnaire I learned I am more relationship oriented than task oriented. I tend to focus more on creating relationships and giving my peers the chance to feel comfortable rather than focusing more on the task at hand.
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Practices of Exemplary Leadership
Short-term Leadership Goals
What leadership roles, positions, or responsibilities do I hope to achieve while in college?
While attending Georgia Southern I would love to have the opportunity to work a job within the education field. I enjoy working with children and I would allow me to have more experience with working with them in a higher position.
What are the common characteristics among my leadership style, core values, and personality? How do those characteristics work together to enhance my leadership?
The common characteristics that come into play with my leadership are directly related with each other. I am a very outgoing person and tend to be sociable. Possessing these traits allows me to from relationship with my peers rather easily. Considering the values most important to me they play a part in my ethics and the decisions I make.
What are 3 commitments IÂ am making as I pursue my personal leadership development?
To take on task and opportunities I wouldn't normally take.Step out of my comfort zone.
Always put my best foot forward with everything I do. Don't hesitate to give it my all, even if its not something I particularly enjoy.
Continue to keep an open mind. Consider others feelings but don't let them cloud my own opinion.
Long-term Leadership Goals
Where do I want to be 5-7 years from now?
In 5-7 years I would like to be in medical school furthering my education and possibly working in some way within my field of study living a happy, healthy life.
What is my vision for becoming a leader beyond my time at Georgia Southern University?
Beyond Georgia Southern I plan to have some type of leadership role within my field of study. I tend to naturally fall into leadership roles whether they are designated or not. I plan to carry that characteristic with me throughout life to be a good leader within the workplace or at home for my family and siblings.
"Your job is to discover the world and then with all your heart give yourself to it"
Buddha
Top Five
I am a forward person when it comes to my future. I always think of what could be but also thinking of how I can change how thing were executed to have an even better outcome the next time. I enjoy listening in on group settings and gaining knowledge. I treat everyone the same and love PLANNING!
Within my talents I usually contribute an listening ear for my teammates and structure when considering a plan on how to complete the tasks at hand. I usually focus on tasks and help ensure they are delegated to someone who will be success. Giving someone a task that falls within their talents allows them to build on it a further it being a strength.
Presentation at the Georgia Southern Inquiry Forum
Service Animals for Children with Special Needs
Leading Positive Change
Emotional Intelligence
EQ helps to connect you with your feelings, turn intention into action, and make better informed decisions.
My current strengths lie within Interpersonal Relationships. I naturally form and maintain connections and relationships with those around me. I also have the ability to understand other's perspective, ie empathy. With these two components in mind I feel a strong sense of social responsibility. I feel this gives me a way to lead positive change by looking more at the people instead of just the cause or task at hand. Long after the task is complete the relationships are still present.
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The areas I can improve in lie within the area of decision making. At times my emotions can interfere with problem solving and cause a distraction. I also lack in the area of reality and impulse control. I don't always see things for how they actually are and cannot always resist temptations. To improve in these areas I feel I need to be sure to separate my relationship with my peers on some occasions to be sure I am remaining objective. I am very good at time management and completing what's needs to be done, but having balance between my strengths and my weakness will be very beneficial in future endeavors.
Intent vs. Impact
Intent can be defined as the purpose of why you are doing something. And the impact can be defined as the change or what you did.
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These two components are important because you can have good intentions but they may not be deemed necessary but those you are wanting to leave an impact on. To lead positive change you much know what the community or individuals need to have the best intent and the best outcome or impact.
Person Philosophy
Leading Positive Change
With leadership there comes responsibility from within your community and the group of people you are leading. To ensure you are facilitating positive change you must know what the community needs. To know what the community needs you must become aquatinted with the community assets. A community’s assets can be defined as the resources member of a community have to use. Examples of this can include libraries, community centers, and even form of community transportation. The facilitate a positive change you must have the right intent to have the right impact. When the community needs improvement of assets you must know what the community needs. With power and privilege, you can use them to implement new ideas or change things that you notice are unfair or biases toward a group of people.Â
To do the things mentioned above myself, I will continue to emerge myself in whatever community I currently reside in. Doing this I am able to know those who live around me and what the potential needs of the community may be. It also allows me to get to know those around me and form relationships, which is one of my EQ strengths. It is always advantageous to have community partners and dependable neighbors that share similar goals. It is easier to reach a goal when it is shared by many and everyone is on the same page. Networking is also a great way to bring in new ideas and resources into a community. If educated on the specific community, a fresh new pair of eyes can use their power or privilege to make a difference. We all come from different background, which can provide much diversity concerning change and impact.
Jaidyn McKeever-Harrison
Dr Pepper Tuition Event
Since beginning my journey in this field, my dedication to the work and motivation to grow have led me to exceptional projects and experiences. I’m grateful for a profession I’m passionate about, and am proud to share examples of my greatest work. Take a moment to check out my submission video that granted me the opportunity of competing for $100,000 in scholarship funding.
Legacy Project
Sustaining Beyond My Time
Project
For my legacy project, I was partnered with Georgia Southern's Service Dog Training and Education Program to raise $5,000 to sponsor a puppy that will later become someone eyes or an addition to a veterans support system.
Sponsorship
Sponsoring a puppy allows for Southeastern Guide Dogs to provide vet care, food, and other essential for the puppy and their raiser. The organization also provide the dogs to their future handlers free of charge.
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Paulson is the puppy that Georgia Southern students raised the funds to sponsor. He is named after Allen E. Paulson, who Georgia Southern's stadium is also named after. He is being co-raised by the President of STEP and another member. The next puppy we are raising money for will be named Russel or Hendricks. The names were voted on by members of STEP and other students from GSU.
Since I am graduating I am passing down my project to the new executive board members in hopes that they will continue to fundraise and support SEGD with their cause.