Reflection#1 (Stephanie Go) Defining Moments

Hi Prof. Jorge,

Resending my reflection paper#1.

Thank you,
Stephanie Go

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Stephanie Go" <stephanie.o.go@gmail.com>
Date: Jul 22, 2015 12:16 PM
Subject: Reflection#1 (Stephanie Go)
To: "Stephanie Go" <stephanie.o.go@gmail.com>
Cc:

What were your defining moments? What incidents events taught you to be better/transformed you?

            I used to think that a leader is either born or made. Before, I think that I was made rather than born. I am not the dominant type like my father. That was inherited by my older sister and younger brother. Since we were in elementary, my father would ask my sister and brother to join him to go to our store. I never showed any interest in becoming part of the business. I am very gentle and phlegmatic. I would always prefer to follow than take the lead.  But, after the discussion during the first meeting, I realized that a leader can actually be born, made, and situational all at the same time. There have been three leadership roles that I have taken through the years that are due to the mixture of being a born, made, and situational leader that actually led me to who I am as a leader now.

            Before, I thought that being a born leader means that one has already the traits of a leader at a young age. But, I realized that part of me is a born leader, as my father has always been a leader in the business, President of the school Board, and a leader of the church and various associations. On my 4^th year in high school, I was elected as the President of the student council. Most of the time, I would think that I was placed in that postion because my father was, and still is, the President of the Board. I would always doubt my skills as a leader. All I know that time was that as a leader I should be a good example. So, more than being able to deliver my obligations as the President of the student council, I made sure to be a good student, classmate, basically a good role model. Before I took any leadership position, I used to be a mediocare. I was okay as long as I pass the subject. But, when I became a leader, I want to be excellent in different aspects of my life. Consequently, I was able to get the trust and cooperation of the students and, even, became a confidant to most of the high school students. I graduated as the third honor of the class, and received a leadership award. But, more than that, I received the Christian Character Award which is the biggest award of the school. Hence, you do not need to be a dominant type of person to be a leader. You can start leading by being an example.

In college, what I have experienced was more of a situational leadership. I joined the University's Economics Organization when I was in 3^rd year. One day I was randomly asked by the President of the organization if I can be the representative to one of its tie-up interschool organization since he knows my sister. So, I agreed to it as I saw it as a mere opportunity for personal growth. As a representative of our university's organization, I just had to join in the planning, advertising, and facilitating of activities of the interschool organization. On my 4^th year, I was elected (more on appointed) as Vice President for External Affairs for our University's Economics organization and a Vice President for Publicity in an interschool economics organization since I was the only one most qualified due to the connections that I have made while I was the representative. This was situational since if not for my sister's connection to the President of the organization, I don't think I will be asked to be the representative and become the VP for Externals. I think there are others who are more fitted to be in that position but the situation has led me to be in that position. Many of those who knew me since childhood would say that it is so not like me to be game to be a leader in an interschool economics organization as that would require me to be extrovert, assertive, and outgoing. Accepting these positions have really been a challenge to me as I am introvert, shy, and a home buddy. But, one challenge in leadership is embracing change to allow yourself to be molded and become a better person. With these positions, I had to attend meetings with my co-officers in even if I did not how to go to the meeting area or even if it was already late. I had to go to different universities to meet with economics students and hold activities such as sportsfest, quiz bees, and seminars. So, I had to lead and work with various personalities. Moreover, as a VP for Externals in our university's economic organizaiton, I learned that leadership also entails delegation. So, I learned to delegate work to my Assistant Vice President and Project Heads. I also realized that even if I am leader, sometimes, I have to be follower at the same time. Just like for the internal events, the Vice President for the Internal Affairs leads the events, so I support and follow her instructions. So, this is also situational.

            My leadership experiences from high school to college prepared or made me to be a leader that can take the position of the Assistant Manger for Operations and Finance in our business. Growing up, I have always made my parents feel that they should not expect me to be part of the business. I have always thought that it is better to work for others than for my parents. And, it is easier to have an employer than to be an employer. But, when I graduated from college, my parents did not have to force me to be part of the family business. With the leadership that has been instilled in me, I decided that I want help make the business grow. In a family business, most experience conflict between how the children decide and strategize versus the parents' ways. In addition to this, in terms of my degree, management is really not taught to us. So many times, my father would expect me to know something, but I don't due to lack of experience and educational background. So, when I was starting, I would always depend on the decisions of my father. I would always hesitate to implement new ideas. But, being an exmple, handling people, working with different personalities, and talking to different nationalities since we are in imporation also, have been the work that were not so difficult for me to do due to my previous leadership experiences. Although it was not easy, expecially the first three years, I graudually grow as an Assistant Manager for Operations and Finance. I get to be more confident I become in making decisions and leading the departments under my authority. And, as I gain that confidence, I get to actualize my ideas with postive response, which earns my father's trust and support in my decisions. Currently, our business is growing, and it also means changes in the organization and workplace. More than a year ago, my father and I were arguing because of an unhealthy working environment and relation between our employees. I proposed months before this argument happened that I will create a Human Resource Department in anticipation of growing organization. He quickly turned down the idea. Basically, his reason was that it more important to invest in revenue generating staff, such as Sales Sprecialists. But, during the argument, I have presented my ideas fully and got his approval. And in the span of two years, I have developed two additional departments in our organization. These departments have made a positive impact in our operations. And, just this July, I have added another department.

Leadership is a continuous growth, learning, and decision-making. I am who I am as a leader now because of the defining moments that I experienced in high school, college, and at the present. In high school, good character was instilled in me. In college, I learned to go out of my comfort zone, to delegate, to work with different types of people. Presently, I get to live out and turn my learning into actual outputs. 

Thank you,

Rae Stephanie Go  3