The last 2 days has been filled with opportunities to meet each other and to deepen our understanding of ourselves. On Sunday, we spent the afternoon talking about career mapping and how to analyze your career accomplishments using the Problem + Action + Results (PAR) formula. This exercise helps determine which skill sets, traits, and knowledge you have used most frequently, have most enjoyed, and want to utilize more in the future. One of the significant realizations for me is that I really enjoy bridging people and concepts together. I can synthesize things well, cut across silos and make systemic change. Responsibilities that allow me to function in this way are both challenging and rewarding and have been evident in my recent projects.
Today was all about learning more about “ME”, my favorite subject. Hee. Hee. (That is how the faculty member introduced the conversation about the Myers Briggs Type Indicator.) Well, I am no longer an ENTJ which is what my personality profile was as a college student a few years ago. J I am an ENFJ (Extraversion, Intuition Feeling, Judging). My E and J preferences are strong and very clear to me. The N and F are more in the mid-zone and I definitely use my sensing and thinking counterparts depending on the situation. Comparing this to the Senn Delaney behavioral style principle, I can see how my “J” comes our strong in the controlling style, my “N” in the promoting style and the “F” in the supporter style. (My OSU colleagues will know why I made that comparison.) ENFJ’s are often referred to as a catalyst/diplomat because we tend to see the big picture and can relate well with visionary leaders but at the same time pull together the right people/concepts to get the job done. This really resonated with me as I can see how my project management role has strengthen this ability for the last few years.
In general, the topics over the last few days have certainly been interesting but I still don’t feel like I “fit” yet among this group. Another insight about myself…: Normally social situations come very easy for me, right? I know how to engage in “small talk” and love to have more intimate conversations with people. But, I haven’t felt like myself since arriving to Bryn Mawr, probably because I haven’t really connected with any one particular person. I have been reaching out, chatting with people every chance I get and still nothing. Yes, I know it has only been 3 days but again, this normally comes very natural to me. Right? So, what’s the problem? I am not really sure yet but I did have a few minutes of joy and comfort connecting with someone today. The irony here is that she is not a part of the summer institute officially. She is a Bryn Mawr Ph.D student studying the Arts and she is working with the sponsoring organization (HERS) with logistics and organization. She introduced herself by saying that she is a 1988 graduate of Thomas Worthington High School and that her family still lives in Colonial Hills, a subdivision of Worthington. I eyes smiled instantly. She remembers Derek’s name and when I mentioned her name to Derek, he also recognized her name but can’t picture each other. He thinks that they may have gone to middle school together at Worthington Way too! This just made me smile from the inside out.
Last but certainly not least... I have received 4 pieces of mail already. I can't tell you how happy I am. Eunice sent me my first letter and it was here waiting for me when I arrived on Friday. Today, I received a wonderfully long letter from Tom. Keep it my friend. A lovely note from Katie and the best picture/note from dyan. THANK you all. Keep them coming. I miss everyone already.
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