Engineering Leadership
ENTC 151
Reflections
Reflection Process
Required process for all your assignments
Research has shown that writing about our emotions improves self-awareness, and has a positive
impact on our emotional, psychological and even physical health. Through writing reflections on
the readings in this program, you will learn specific ways to connect the EI concepts we read and
talk about to your own life. Reflections are another effort to capture a share of your mind to
focus on emotional intelligence regularly!
Reflection is a “meaning-making process that moves a learner from one experience into the next
with a deeper understanding of its relationships with and connections to other experiences and
ideas. It is the thread that makes continuity of learning possible and ensures the progress of the
individual” (Defining Reflection: Another Look at John Dewey and Reflective Thinking,” Carol
Rodgers, State University of New York at Albany, www.tcrecord.org, 1/30/2004).
Reflection is “a systematic, rigorous, disciplined way of thinking, with its roots in scientific
inquiry….Reflection is a particular way of thinking and cannot be equated with mulling
something over” (Rogers).
The six phases of reflective thinking are:






An experience
Spontaneous interpretation of the experience
Naming the problem(s) or the question(s) that arise out of the experience
Generating possible explanations for the problem(s) or question(s) posed
Ramifying explanations into full blown hypotheses
Experimenting or testing the selected hypothesis
Ideally, at the end of this process, the meaning you’ve attributed to the experience fits, makes
sense, and can be relied on in future experiences. Usually, of course, once you have tested your
hypothesis in action, more questions and problems, and more ideas, arise. Reflection then comes
full circle—the testing becomes the next experience, and on and on. If you take the process of
reflection seriously, it is impossible for it not to change how you act in the world.
Reflection #1: EQ Assessments
1) Take the Personality Indicator (MBTI) assessment. The URL to the assessment site is:
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
John’s Type is
INFJ
Introverted
Intuitive
Feeling
Judging
Strength of the preferences %
11
25
25
44
Copy and paste the results as shown in an example above and the description of the type. Take a few
minutes and discuss your results. What do you agree with? What do you disagree with? Questions?
Comments? Concerns?
2) Design your business card, only send me a copy of the design, it takes a few weeks before you get
the actual card. Business Card: Online order - www.vistaprint.com
Example:
3) E-mail your picture to me in the JPEG format as shown below:
For example:
Doe, John.jpg
1.6
Sample – Reflection #1
All
reflections
MUST be
stapled
Staple!
Engineering Leadership
ENTC 151
Reflection #1
DATE
Name: _____________________________
1. MBTI Results
Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving
by Marina Margaret Heiss
Profile: ENFP
Revision: 4.0
Date of Revision: 28 Feb 2011
[The following comes partially from the archetype, but mostly from my own dealings with ENFPs.]
ENFPs are both "idea"-people and "people"-people, who see everyone and everything as part of a
cosmic whole. They want to both help and to be liked and admired by other people, on both an
individual and a humanitarian level. This is rarely a problem for the ENFP, as they are outgoing and
warm, and genuinely like people. Some ENFPs have a great deal of zany charm, which can ingratiate
them to more stodgy types in spite of their unconventionality.
ENFPs often have strong, if sometimes surprising, values and viewpoints. They tend to try to use their
social skills and contacts to persuade others gently (though enthusiastically) of the rightness of these
views; this sometimes results in the ENFP neglecting their nearest and dearest while caught up their
efforts to change the world.
ENFPs can be the warmest, kindest, and most sympathetic of mates; affectionate, demonstrative, and
spontaneous. Many in relationships with an ENFP literally say, "They light up my life." But there is
usually a trade-off: the partner must be willing to deal with the practical and financial aspects of the
relationship, and the ENFP must be allowed the freedom to follow their latest path, whatever that
entails.
For some ENFPs, relationships can be seriously tested by their short attention spans and emotional
needs. They are easily intrigued and distracted by new friends and acquaintances, forgetting their
older and more familiar emotional ties for long stretches at a time. And the less mature ENFP may
need to feel they’re the constant center of attention, to confirm their image of themselves as a
wonderful and fascinating person.
In the workplace, ENFPs are pleasant and friendly, and interact in a positive and creative manner with
both their co-workers and the public. ENFPs are also a major asset in brainstorming sessions; followthrough on projects can be a problem, however. ENFPs do get distracted, especially if another
interesting issue comes along. They also tend towards procrastination, and dislike performing small,
uninteresting tasks. ENFPs are most productive when working in a group with a few Js to handle the
details and the deadlines.
Explanation on what it means to you, agree or disagree, and Why?
2. Copy paste the design of your business card
3. Email your picture
Your picture must be labeled as:
your last name, first name.JPEG (Only JPEG format)
For Example:
Zoghi, Ben.JPG
Size: 400 x 400
1.8
Exercise 1: Exercise - Time Awareness: Keep track of how you spend your time on an
hourly basis every day for the next two weeks
One week
schedule
1:00 am
6:00 am
7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
Noon
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:00 pm
10:00 pm
11:00 pm
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
3.2
Write down your two strengths and one weakness
Strength 1:
___________________________
WHY? ___________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Strength 2:
___________________________
Why? __________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
One Weakness (That you like to change): ___________________________________
Why? __________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
How? __________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Daily Plan:
____________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Reflection#2: Two Strengths and One are for Improvement
(EQ Strengths and Weakness)
Summarize two of your strengths and one weakness as indicated in the EQ. Do you agree with the results?
Elaborate on what you can do to further enhance your strengths and what you can do on a daily basis to develop
your weakness.
Sample – Reflection #2
Engineering Leadership
ENTC 151
Reflection #2
Personal Leadership Development (V1.0)
Date
Name: _____________________________
Summarize two of your strengths and one weakness as indicated in the EQ. Do you
agree with the results? Elaborate on what you can do to further enhance your
strengths and what you can do on a daily basis to develop your weakness.
Strengths #1:
For example: Achievement Orientation
Do you agree with the results?
Elaborate on what you can do to further enhance your strengths
Strength #2:
For example: Positive Outlook
Do you agree with the results?
Elaborate on what you can do to further enhance your strengths
Weakness #1:
For example: Self-Awareness
Do you agree with the results?
Elaborate on what you can do on a daily basis to develop your weakness.
Note:
If you disagree with the EQ assessment results, choose
any competencies that you think truly reflect your
strengths and weakness.
1.7
Exercise 1: Exercise - Time Awareness: Keep track of how you spend your time on an
hourly basis every day for the next two weeks
One week
schedule
1:00 am
6:00 am
7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
Noon
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:00 pm
10:00 pm
11:00 pm
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Reflection #3: Trigger Points
Main Trigger: Write down your top five trigger points:
Trigger #1:
EventThoughts –
Feelings –
Behavior –
Consequences (Usually negative)
EQ Behavior
EQ Consequences (Usually positive)
Trigger #2:
EventThoughts –
Feelings –
Behavior –
Consequences (Usually negative)
EQ Behavior
EQ Consequences (Usually positive)
Trigger 3:
EventThoughts –
Feelings –
Behavior –
Consequences (Usually negative)
EQ Behavior
EQ Consequences (Usually positive)
Trigger #4:
EventThoughts –
Feelings –
Behavior –
Consequences (Usually negative)
EQ Behavior
EQ Consequences (Usually positive)
Trigger #5:
EventThoughts –
Feelings –
Behavior –
Consequences (Usually negative)
EQ Behavior
EQ Consequences (Usually positive)
6.8
Reflection #4: Personal Motivation
What motivates you in life, personally and professionally? What have you done lately to
motivate yourself more effectively?
Exercise: Exercise - Time Awareness: Keep track of how you spend your time on an hourly
basis every day for the next two weeks
One week
schedule
Midn’t
1:00 am
6:00 am
7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
Noon
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:00 pm
10:00 pm
11:00 pm
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Assign one of the four Quadrants (1, 2, 3 or 4)
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
6:00
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
1:00
2:00
3:00
4:00
5:00
6:00
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Total
One week
schedule
Midn’t
1:00 am
7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
Noon
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:00 pm
10:00 pm
11:00 pm
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
YOUR NEW LIFE – Effective Time Management
One week
schedule
Midn’t
1:00 am
2:00 am
6:00 am
7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
Noon
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:00 pm
10:00 pm
11:00 pm
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Reflection #4: Personal Motivation
What motivates you in life, personally and professionally? What have you done lately to
motivate yourself more effectively?
Reflection #5: Time Awareness
Turn in your time management tables pages 86, 114, 165, and 172.
Objective is to show how much improvement you have had in managing
yourself (time) over a few weeks of awareness. Need to explain what and
how you did it, and its impact.
Reflection #6: Empathy
content and the emotions of another person (empathetic listening) is one of the most important
skills to develop. Almost all of the other interpersonal skills like influence, collaboration,
leadership, negotiation, and change management are built on the foundation of understanding the
other person.
Goals for the Assignment:
 Practice listening empathetically
 Begin
to build a skill that will be useful throughout your career and life
 Realize what
 Build
is possible to accomplish by listening, and
the foundation for the other interpersonal skills
Assignment: Listen empathetically to another person for at least 45 minutes. After the exercise,
write down when you listened empathetically, when you listened and when you were preparing a
response. The purpose is to practice and then see what happened when you listened more
empathetically and when you did not. See if you can notice any differences in how the other
person responded.
Hints:

Focus must be on the other person at all times

Sometimes take a deep breath

Pay attention to the contents and feelings

Ask open-ended questions

Do not judge

Do not propose any solutions

Do not prepare a response

Do not be defensive
Reflection #7: Giving and Receiving Feedback
Describe your efforts to give and receive feedback. What have you learned? What skills do you do well and
what do you need to improve?
Reflection #8: Personal Mission Statement
Step 1
Brainstorm Ideas - Write about each of the three topics below without stopping.
This is free writing, so don’t worry about spelling, punctuation, etc. If you hit a point
where you can’t think of anything to write, just keep going and write words or phrases
that come immediately to mind. Remember, you’re brainstorming and not writing a
final draft. The purpose is to capture your ideas on paper. Spend 2-3 minutes on each
topic.
1. Identify an influential person- Identify one person who had a positive influence on
your life. What are the qualities you most admire in this person? What qualities did you
gain from this person?
2. Define who you want to become- Imagine it’s twenty years in the future. You have
achieved all you ever hoped to achieve. What is your list of accomplishments? What do
you want to have, do, and be?
3. Determine what is important to you today- What are the ten things that are most
rewarding to you today? What do you live for and love in life?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Step 2:
Take a Breather - Now take a deep breath and relax. Put your writing aside for a
few minutes and walk away from it.
Step 3
Gather your Thoughts - Review what you’ve written and circle the key ideas,
words, and phrases that you would like to include in your mission statement.
Step 4
Write a Rough Draft - Now it’s time to write a rough draft of your mission
statement. During the week, carry your rough draft with you and make notes, additions,
and deletions as needed each day. You may wish to write a new draft each day or every
other day. This is an ongoing exercise. Your mission statement will change over time
as you change. Take some time right now and compose a rough draft of your mission
statement.
Step 5
Complete Your Mission Statement
At the end of the week, write a final copy of your mission statement and find a
permanent place for it where you can easily access it.
Step 6:
Periodically Review and Evaluate
Every month or so ask yourself the following questions:
-Do I feel that this mission statement represents the best within me?
-Do I feel direction, purpose, challenge and motivation when I review my mission
statement?
-Am I living my life according to the ideals and values that are incorporated in my
mission statement?
Reflection #9: PLDP—Section I
You are required to turn in a 10-12 page paper describing what you have learned and your future
leadership vision from your Emotional Intelligence (EQ-i 2.0) assessment, and interviews that
you will conduct with significant individuals in your life. The document should consist of two
sections.
Section 1: The first section is a 5-6 page analysis of your individual leadership philosophy
and practices based on your EQ assessment. You are required to seek out 360 degree feedback
from about 5-7 others, at different levels around you. Interviewees might include work
colleagues, bosses, direct reports, family members, friends, class members, teachers, coaches,
and anyone else who knows you reasonably well. Please indicate whom you interviewed (in
person, or by phone or email) to gain this information. The topics to be discussed should pertain
to your leadership approach and behaviors, specifically examples and stories of your:
 Overall

leadership impact.
Leadership approach, philosophy, values, and vision.
 Core leadership
strengths.

Inspirational actions, including evocative language, symbols, feedback, and other
motivational devices.

Leadership integrity and courage.

Leadership presence and style.

Leadership competencies, especially emotional intelligence competencies.
 Development
and coaching/mentoring of others.
 Demonstration
and sharing of power, authority, and influence.
Reflection #10: PLDP—Section II
Section 2: The second section of the paper is a 5-6 page plan of your 7-10 year leadership
vision and the future leadership development required to advance this vision. First, extend 710 years into your future to create a vision of your contributions that draws on your leadership
strengths (about 3-4 pages). Extrapolate your vision of yourself as a leader, creator, and
contributor – what, how, whom, and why will you create, contribute, impact, and serve? How
can you best leverage your leadership to create, contribute, influence, and serve? I would urge
you not to narrow down your 7-10 year vision to a specific job, or position, or organization
in the future – rather, visualize how you will extend and leverage your leadership approach and
strengths into the future - regardless of the specifics of your job, position or organization in 7-10
years. Second, explore the leadership aspects requiring further development in light of this future
vision. Specify these enhancement areas in your leadership portfolio: how you envision
developing your overall leadership to advance your vision.
Specifically, develop a leadership development plan by addressing the following areas.
 What
specific experiences and development opportunities will enable you to develop
the necessary leadership skills?
 What
needs to be done to grow your strategic network and alliances?
 What
needs to be done to gain continuous feedback about your leadership?
 What
specific steps will gain you significant mentorship and championing?
 What
needs to be done for you to become a significant mentor?
 How
will you build a leadership development culture around you that leverages your
vision through others?