ESTJ!

 

 "When we put people in boxes where they can only be one or another, we miss the opportunity to see people as diverse as they are"

In many ways this statement is very true in today’s society.  By literally “categorizing” people we do just that.  We look at entirely different personalities and attempt to compare them to one another so that we can better understand.  HOWEVER, I believe that, in a way, being categorized allows for people to develop further within those realms and better understand themselves because of it.  For example, because I now understand my categorization to be ESTJ, I know a lot more about who I am.  Not only that, but how I behave and things to watch for and improve upon in the future. 

I think that the MBTI very well described my personality in most of the categories; in fact it was almost eerily perfect.  However, two of my category descriptions were very much on the edge and therefore I feel as though I fall a little bit into both.  Before the test I believed that I would be categorized as a feeler instead of a thinker because I have many characteristics that fit both. The test also addressed helped me realize and focus in on some of my strengths.  A few of these are my outspoken and talkative qualities, being organized, keeping on top of things, being a model citizen and role model, and thinking through things logically in order to arrive at the best decision.  The test very well categorized these strengths and made me more aware of what it is that I do well.

The Leadership Challenge

Out of all of the leadership theories that our class learned about, the one that I feel like I connected most with was the Leadership Challenge.   This is a theory that has been explored by my other business classes and one that I have really taken too.  I feel like it is very applicable to all aspects of leadership yet it is also extremely straightforward and easy to comprehend.  The five practices that make up this theory are encouraging others, modeling the way, inspiring a shared vision, challenging the process and encouraging the heart.   These practices can all be applicable to my own life and leadership journey! I love that any person can integrate these ideals into their own life.  A student would be just as successful with these as a company CEO.  Any great leader needs to be able to do these things in order to be successful and respected as a person and a leader. 

            The only problem I can see with this theory is its simplicity.  However, who doesn’t like simplistic things! Not only this, but it is still a powerful and straightforward theory that encompasses many of the necessary traits that a leader should embody.  


Social Change Model
To describe the social change model I choose this picture of a team engaged in a activity.  I feel like teamwork and collaboration towards working on a common purpose are the most important pieces of the social change model.   This is what leads to the accomplishment of different activities and helps to get things done.  I like how everyone is working together and accomplishing things as equals. 

Hello, my name is Ashley Gustafson and I am a first year student at Santa Clara University in the heart of Silicon Valley.  Currently I am enrolled in the Business school there and will emerge with a Bachelor in Business Marketing.  I have always had a passion for the business industry especially public interaction in sales and marketing.  I come from a tall, fun, loud, funny, and involved family of four; I am the oldest child.  In high school I was very involved and participated in everything that I could and had an interest in.  Basketball was, and still is, my passion.  I played all four years in high school and lead my team as a captain during this time.  In addition, I was the founding member of an on campus counseling and support group called Peer Advocates.  We spent our time improving conditions on campus, presenting to our peers and providing counseling sessions to those who needed to talk.  From being involved in my school leadership class I learned a lot about leading large groups of people and how to reach the masses.  I love to lead, but I also love to follow and believe that there is always something to be learned from following and supporting others.  I cannot wait to learn more about all the wonderful and inspirational people in my Emerging Leaders class and develop more as a person!