3 Dimensions of Motivation

This week in class we talked about empowerment.  Empowerment is to be able to enable others through clear instructions and trust. Through empowerment, we learned about the 3 Dimensions of Motivation. The 3 motivations are: Extrinsic, Relational and Intrinsic. The extrinsic rational motivates people to do things because there are tangible rewards, you may receive credit towards something, maybe gain public recognition, and many more motives for personal reward. The relational rational includes; not wanting to let anyone down, making a difference for someone else, pleasing others and/or gaining acceptance from others. The intrinsic rationale is motivation by learning something new, seeing the fruits of your labor, wanting to do well because you took it on and/or leaving a legacy. All of these different dimensions motivate people to do the things they do and the way that they do them.

            An example of when I used the relational rationale was when I was working on a group project in 10h grade. We were all assigned to do little parts of the assignment and I was chosen to do all of the research. I really did not want to do the work, but I did it anyway because I knew it had to be done. I got the motivation from thinking, if I didn’t do the work I would let my group members down. I would never want to let others that were depending on me down, it is just not in my character. I also thought that if I didn’t do my work, my teachers would not view me as the good student I once was anymore. I thought they would all respect for me, and that in itself gave me the motivation I needed to get the project done!

            When I was on the dance team in high school, we had to do a lot of fundraising in order to get the things we needed for competition season.  There were many fundraising opportunities throughout the year and we only needed to attend two in total. I was thinking to the future and I thought, if I went to all of the fundraising activities, my coach would see that I am a major part to the team and she will elect me as team captain next year. So I went to all of the fundraising opportunities, and I gained positive recognition from that and I was elected captain the next year. I now realize that I was extrinsic dimension of motivation. I was setting myself up for an opportunity for advancement.

            In all, I have learned that there are underlying motivations that make people do the things they do. Now I am able to put an action with a reason to why it’s happening in that way.  Now, when doing a task, I will always think about what it is that is motivating me, and think about the 3 Dimensions of Motivation and wonder whether it is extrinsic, relational and/or intrinsic. 

Oppressive Language and Society.

This past week in class we learned about oppressive language. Oppressive language is the use of words or phrases that discriminate against a certain group of people.  There are many oppressive words in the English language that are used every day without many of us even realizing we are using them.  Because of this, many people that fit the literal description of these words become offended.

For example, when I was younger, I thought the word “retard” or “retarded” were just words that were used to describe something or someone that was dumb. I have always been compassionate towards people with special needs, even going to the point of helping them read and write during my 1^st period class. But even though I was conscious of what this word actually means, my friends and I still used it quite frequently. Until one day, my friends and I were walking down the hallway and a special need’s student was approaching us from the other direction. My friend (who was not very considerate) called something “retarded” in the presence of this special needs student. Although I do not believe the student heard what my friend had said, it still had an effect on everyone in the situation.  After putting two and two together, I felt extremely guilty for even being in the presence of someone so ignorant as to blurt out such an awful word. I believe that occurrence had shaped me into becoming a more conscious person about the words I decide to use. Not only do I not use the word “retard” or “retarded” in that context, I try to refrain from using any other sort of oppressive language.

            Another example of how oppressive language effects society is the simple use of phrases that have probably been taught since early on in childhood.  An oppressive phrase that many people do not realize offends a certain culture group is the phrase, “Sitting Indian style.” Indian style refers back to the Indians in the new world and still to this day offends Native Americans. Although this “style” reflects the culture of the Native Americans and how they would sit back then, it still deems disrespectful to the culture.  Instead of using the term “Indian style,” people should use the culture neutral phrase of “sitting cross-legged.” This phrase does not pinpoint a certain culture or group, but merely describes the way a person sits, with their legs crossed. This term makes a lot more sense and should be taught in schools and in early childhood instead of the phrase “Indian style.”

            Clearly oppressive language effects a lot more people than many think. The use of this language should be eliminated and the new words or phrases should be neutral for all people. With a language full of neutrality, no one would have to watch what they say and most importantly, many people will not feel hurt or offended.

Adapting to New Cultures

This week in Bluechip was all about learning to adapt in different cultures. We found that this was very hard to do even when were we just playing a simple card game but by different rules. We all broke up into different groups and we were given a rules sheet to read, only when we were trying to figure out the game , we could not talk. Once we thought we knew how to play, we started playing in silence. Depending on if you “won” or “lost” you would either stay at the table you were at, or you would move to a different table. This means that we had a new player at our table every round. This person would have to play by our rules without getting a clear overview of how we play meaning they simply had to just adapt. At the end of the game we were asked why playing this game was important and we all had a pretty clear view as to what they wanted us to get out of it. We learned a lot from this game, and we can now have a better understanding of what it feels like to have to be immersed in a new culture without previously understanding how it works and what their customs are.

            For example, this year coming to the University of Arizona all the way from Chicago was a complete culture shock. I was not really sure how different the people here really are. At one point last semester, I was very close to transferring because I felt very out-of-place and I wanted to be back in my comfort zone in the Midwest. After deciding to come back on a whim, I realized I just had to adapt a little bit more to the way people live out here. I am still not 100% used to it, but I am getting better and I have become a much stronger person because of it. I feel like I can do anything after I’ve overcome the obstacles of living in a new culture.

            Another time when I had to adapt to a new surrounding was when I was in high school. I had one group of friend that I always hung around and had a good time. But one day, a friend from outside that group asked me to hang out with her group of friends. Of course I agreed, and there I went. I hung out with her friends, and they all did things way differently than my other group of friends. I soon came to find out, I liked the way this new group of friends did things, and I started hanging out with them more often. That group has become my best group of friends yet! I am so happy I adapted to that culture and took a risk.

            In all, from the game we played in class and my own real-life experiences, I have realized how hard it is to adapt to a new culture. I will always have respect for people coming into our country and having to adapt to our ways. 

Personal Vision Statement

This week in BlueChip, we talked about vision statements and how to write one effectively. Prior to this class, I had heard of a vision statement but I had no clue as to what one actually entailed. This week I learned that there are two types of vision statements, one being organizational and one being personal. An organizational vision statement is a statement exemplifying how great your organization is. For example, a sorority’s vision statement includes what that sorority specifically involved in and what they care about as a whole. It is not based on a specific person’s beliefs like a personal vision statement would. A personal vision statement revolves around one specific person’s life and how they envision it to be in their future.  Many people’s vision statements are a good indicator of what their goals are and what they want our world to be like in the future.

            When I think about things that I want to include in my own vision statement, I always include something to do with bettering education and making young people feel like they are worth something so they can live a fulfilling and successful life. I believe that these are my beliefs because I have watched too many people go down the wrong path when they could have done something useful with their lives or they could have at least still been alive today. I also want to educate young people about hardships of others and make them look at their life from a different perspective. I have learned to do this, and because I have, I have become an open minded and caring person who believes everyone deserves happiness. I believe that by everyone thinking like this, we could make a huge difference for our youth so we can have strong leaders for tomorrow.

            When I think specifically as to what I can do to make my vision statement a reality, all I can think about is becoming a teacher. I have been a teacher ever since I was a little girl, but I was just never paid for it. I remember teaching my little brother math and I just remember the pure satisfaction of knowing that he can succeed because of me. I came to realize my greatest joy in life is to help others attain their personal goals. I will do whatever it takes as a teacher or as a friend or as a sister to make sure that they attain their goals so they can be as happy as I am. I believe that by helping each other attain their personal goals, everyone will be happier and we will live in a much more peaceful and loving society.

            With all of these goals included in my vision statement, I will be sure to enlighten anyone who reads it with what I believe will make for the best future. I have learned so much as to what a vision statement is, and it has helped make mine unique to me. 

Finding the urge to fight toxic leadership

            Experiencing toxic leadership is one thing but experiencing the actual force that causes you to stand up and fight can be an entire new experience.  On the other hand the experiencing what makes us stay with a toxic leader can be poisonous it.  We may choose to stay with a toxic leader for internal reasons like psychological feelings like needing an authority figure to replace parents and or caretakers that have structured our lives for so long we have failed to learn independence.  Pragmatic reasons may include simply earning money to continue paying the pills and earning money and maintaining a stable job.  Next we may stay for existential reasons just to have the sense of belonging and avoiding the fear of loneliness and isolation.  There are also external reasons like uncertainty due to fear of loss of security and psychosocial reasons, which include the need to meet society’s standards of achievement and increasing self-esteem.  The last external reason is the feeling of being unfinished in an unfinished world.  Whatever reason it may be, finding the urge to fight it must come from some driving force. 

            These driving forces to speak out may include proximity, information, cost, and the identification with the victim.  Being in close proximity to the toxic leadership will most often result in the chance of someone to speak out.  In order to speak out one must be sure they have the right information, being accurate will give rise to confidence and build the urge to fight.  Emotionally we are humans and seeing other people get hurt is tough but many also weigh the costs because if it is too high many people will refuse to speak up.  One must remember there is power in numbers and whoever is leading this “rebellion” must have strong qualities to convince his or her followers that they will win and do the right thing. 

            Growing up and witnessing even the simplest things I would feel guilty.  If I saw my brother steal something from the candy store or even from our own kitchen I had this urge to say something to him, but was nervous of the outcome because he was older and more intimidating but he was influencing me and showing me anyone could get away with it.  But I had the information, I saw it with my own eyes but he was my brother how could I turn against him.  These situations are always tough even if they are minute but doing the right thing should always be a priority.  In high school I was driving with one of my girl friends and she backed up into a nice car.  She hit it pretty hard and was just planning on leaving.  Fear of karma I convinced her to turn around and find the owner, the lady who drove the car lived in my town, if I didn’t say anything I wouldn’t be able to face her later.  Toxic leadership is a strong influence but a terrible odor.  It is best to find the urge from somewhere and do what is right because it’s not worth it if you will feel guilty and unsure of what to do.   

Toxic Leadership

            This week in Foundations of Leadership we learned about toxic leadership. There are many types of toxic leadership that should be looked out for in certain situations. Many people fail to recognize these characteristics and it can have a harmful effect on the group itself or the people the leader is trying to lead. I have had an encounter with two of these types of leadership and these situations have helped me to understand what to look for in a leader.

            The first type of toxic leader I encountered was the Bully leader. I was in fifth grade and I remember having a group of friends that I always spent my time with. There was one girl in particular who had to be the leader at all costs. We naturally allowed her to take charge and she led the group in everything that we did. Eventually, she became a bully. She would always make fun of the girls in the group that did not have the “cool” clothes or the “cool” lunchbox. This brought down the girls’ self esteem and therefore forcing the girls to want to leave the group. And now without her followers, she had nothing. Clearly, groups with a Bully leader do not stay together and do not have positive outcomes. I am glad I learned my lesson early on, and now I know that if I were to lead a group I would not use the bully technique.

            The second type of toxic leadership I learned not to take part in is the controller leadership style. When I was on the dance team in high school, I had a coach who had to be in control of EVERYTHING. If I were to ask to make up a sequence for a routine, she would always want to see it before I taught it so it could fit her standards. Half the time she would change the ENTIRE sequence and turn it into her own. She also never allowed anyone else to have a say in what we wore on Fridays. She would always make us wear these ugly, itchy polyester uniforms that no one liked. No matter how much we complained to her that they were uncomfortable to wear during the day, she would not let us wear what WE wanted. It was always her way or the highway. The lack of leeway made me think that when I become a high school coach, I will ALWAYS make sure my team has a say in what they do and wear otherwise it will cause resentment.

            Clearly these types of toxic leadership cause dissatisfaction for the group members. When someone is in a leadership position, it is their responsibility to make sure their members are happy and have a say in what goes on in the group. I have definitely learned my fair share about toxic leadership growing up and I know now that one day I will know exactly how NOT to run a group and instead adopt new ways of leadership and apply them to the group I run. 

Taoist Leadership Principles

This week in Blue Chip we talked about Taoist Leadership Principals. Although the list of his principals is much longer, we only talked about 6 of the principals we thought best reflected our views in Blue Chip. One of the two principals I thought was most relevant to everyday life was principal #47 called Here and Now. This principal basically states that a leader must know the obstacles that are obstructing the group from attaining their goals now, rather than having idealist views about the future. In my life this has happened a few times. Recently I was pondering about what I wanted after college graduation. I thought about getting a good job and having nice things to go along with it. Sure these things are nice, but I was not thinking about the here and now. In the present, I had a huge exam that I had not done much studying for. I then thought of the Taoist principal and realized I had to pass this test in order to reach my goal of the finer things in life.  Clearly it helps to live in the present and overcome obstacles that will lead to the future rather than thinking too far into the future and forgetting about what is going to get me there. 

The other important Taoist principal I thought was important was principal #54, The Ripple Effect. The Ripple Effect states that if you are a positive influence in the world, it will rub off on everyone else and the ripple effect continues. I believe this is so true for many reasons! For example, one day in high school I was walking past a girl down the hallway and I really liked her shirt. I then smiled at her and acknowledged that I liked her shirt and kept walking. After passing her, I heard behind me that same girl’s voice. She went right ahead and complimented another girl on her shirt while they passed each other in the hallway. My act of kindness and positivity clearly rubbed off on others and it put everyone in a better mood including myself.  It is clear that one act of kindness can lead to many great acts of kindness no matter how little it is. My philosophy is if you can make at least one person smile during the day, you have done your job. Of course making many people smile is even better but if you could lift one person’s spirit it is a job well done. Clearly this Taoist principal is important in my life and I believe if everyone displayed this kind of positivity, great things will happen.

The Taoist principals are wonderful to live by. They are insightful and powerful and should be used by everyone in the world. Not only do the principals work in leadership situations, but more importantly they work in every day situations. There is nothing better than to make someone happy and to be living your life to the fullest in the present rather than searching for the good in the future.