LEADERSHAPE REFLECTION
I attended the LeaderShape conference from December 14th-19th, 2013 at Camp Higher Grounds. I was going in with mixed feelings; two of my friends had gone the year before and told me what a great time I would have, but I was a little apprehensive as I knew nobody else going on the conference. I got on the bus to go wondering what I had gotten myself into. After five days, however, I can honestly say that I do not for one second regret stepping on that bus. My short time at LeaderShape has made a lasting impression on me. Through LeaderShape I gained new friends, a clearer outlook on my vision for the future, and most importantly, learned things I had never known about myself.
LeaderShape allowed me to make connections with both students and adults in the Honors program. I was given the opportunity to meet new people and leaders from different student organizations, and spend time bouncing ideas off each other and brainstorming ways of how we could implement what we learned in LeaderShape in our various student groups back on campus. I became very close with several people by the end of the conference, and can honestly say I've gained so many new friends. Whenever I see people from LeaderShape on campus, I have to stop and say hi. Seeing them reminds me of my positive experience and instantly brightens my day.
LeaderShape also helped me envision my future. I have been fortunate enough to have known what I wanted to do since the age of five; but I didn't know what I wanted to do from there. Sure I wanted to be a teacher, but how did I want to better the world through my profession? I was able to sit down and talk about my plan (or Breakthrough Blueprint, as we called it) with several people who helped me shape and mold my thoughts into a concrete plan. In short, my vision is for Cincinnati to be known nationally as the number one city for public school elementary education. This is something I am truly passionate about, and something that I can't wait to help get put into action.
LeaderShape taught me about myself. My favorite activity we did at LeaderShape was the DISC personality test. I was an "I" or "Influence" personality type. This means that I influence others through talking and tend to be emotional. While "I" personality types excel at generating enthusiasm, entertaining people, being articulate, and creating motivating environments, "I" personality types tend to have trouble making priorities and deadlines, being firm with others, and making objective decisions. When I read the description of my personality type, it was like a veil was lifted from my eyes. It was me to a tee. Now that I knew more about my personality, I was able to understand why I behaved the way I did in certain situations, how I interacted with other personality types, and how I can play to my strengths and improve on my weaknesses.
I would recommend LeaderShape to any Honors student at UC: you will learn about yourself, leadership, and how you can put your vision into action and make a bigger impact you ever thought possible.
I attended the LeaderShape conference from December 14th-19th, 2013 at Camp Higher Grounds. I was going in with mixed feelings; two of my friends had gone the year before and told me what a great time I would have, but I was a little apprehensive as I knew nobody else going on the conference. I got on the bus to go wondering what I had gotten myself into. After five days, however, I can honestly say that I do not for one second regret stepping on that bus. My short time at LeaderShape has made a lasting impression on me. Through LeaderShape I gained new friends, a clearer outlook on my vision for the future, and most importantly, learned things I had never known about myself.
LeaderShape allowed me to make connections with both students and adults in the Honors program. I was given the opportunity to meet new people and leaders from different student organizations, and spend time bouncing ideas off each other and brainstorming ways of how we could implement what we learned in LeaderShape in our various student groups back on campus. I became very close with several people by the end of the conference, and can honestly say I've gained so many new friends. Whenever I see people from LeaderShape on campus, I have to stop and say hi. Seeing them reminds me of my positive experience and instantly brightens my day.
LeaderShape also helped me envision my future. I have been fortunate enough to have known what I wanted to do since the age of five; but I didn't know what I wanted to do from there. Sure I wanted to be a teacher, but how did I want to better the world through my profession? I was able to sit down and talk about my plan (or Breakthrough Blueprint, as we called it) with several people who helped me shape and mold my thoughts into a concrete plan. In short, my vision is for Cincinnati to be known nationally as the number one city for public school elementary education. This is something I am truly passionate about, and something that I can't wait to help get put into action.
LeaderShape taught me about myself. My favorite activity we did at LeaderShape was the DISC personality test. I was an "I" or "Influence" personality type. This means that I influence others through talking and tend to be emotional. While "I" personality types excel at generating enthusiasm, entertaining people, being articulate, and creating motivating environments, "I" personality types tend to have trouble making priorities and deadlines, being firm with others, and making objective decisions. When I read the description of my personality type, it was like a veil was lifted from my eyes. It was me to a tee. Now that I knew more about my personality, I was able to understand why I behaved the way I did in certain situations, how I interacted with other personality types, and how I can play to my strengths and improve on my weaknesses.
I would recommend LeaderShape to any Honors student at UC: you will learn about yourself, leadership, and how you can put your vision into action and make a bigger impact you ever thought possible.