GRAD 702-Reflections on Module 2 Concepts

1. Were there any surprises in your HBDI results? If so, what were they?

There were no surprises in my HBDI results. I have had the chance to get lots of feedback from people during my personal and professional life. I am also very aware of how I react to situations and prefer things done. My upbringing and career have transformed me into the person I am today. I come from a military and disciplinarian background, and my career has been within the banking industry, which needs attention to detail and a high sense of organization, planning and attention to detail.

2. Given your HBDI results, what will you do differently?

I will probably want to look at things much more from a holistic point of view. I think by always following procedure and being critical on things may make me miss the very essence of life, which is to have fun along the way. No matter what I get myself into doing, I do intend to make it as fun-filled as possible, and involve people a little bit more. In cases of extreme pressure, I hope I will be able to reach out more to the groups rather than withdrawing and working on things by myself. The group also has a lot to offer, and if I am feeling pressure, then most probably, members within my group are feeling it too.

3. What personal legacy do you desire to leave to your family? Your country? The world?

I desire to leave a legacy of achievement to my family. I have seen my parents struggle a lot to put my siblings and myself through school. I have also seen them make many sacrifices to ensure that we did not lack. I desire to be remembered by them as a go-getter and achiever.

Kenya is a beautiful place with wonderful people. It has a rich culture and a great history. I am extremely proud to be Kenyan. I desire to be the new age that went back to the background and roots of our economy-Agriculture. Many young people my age have no desire to get into farming, and all want corporate jobs. I have a passion for dairy farming. I hope to get into dairy farming within the next five years and do it on a large-scale basis within the next ten to fifteen years. I desire to be the new crop of a young generation who still believed in the backbone of the economy, which is agriculture.

Within the world, I desire to leave the legacy of an individual who embraced world values and changes in their totality. I desire to learn as much as I can about people from all over the world and to be an ambassador of sorts for cultural diversity. I desire to be remembered as an individual who transcended all cultural differences and believed that man, irrespective of race, creed, religion, sex, color, or any other differences, can still come together and transform the world into a better place for our children and the future.

4. Recall the most creative thing you have done or been a part of. What made it creative? How did it make you feel?

The most creative thing I have been a part of was coming up with the Future Banking System (FBS) when I worked with the bank. I was part of the team that was to review the current procedures and critique it. This was great because there were many procedures which I had always been against and considered them outdated. It was creative because I finally could come up with procedures and help change the system into one that I felt would make the job more interesting and fun-filled. We came up with ways to do away with paper work and cut costs within the bank’s service delivery department. There were many procedures which duplicated themselves and we did away with a number of them. This made me feel great. The feeling was enhanced by the fact that I knew that within the history of the bank, I contributed to the ways that some things were done, and that in the future, when I visit the bank and see these changes in place, I will be proud to know that I made a difference.

5. How do you typically deal with conflict? Is this your desired way of dealing with conflict? Why or why not?

I deal with conflict by being logical and staying with the facts. I believe that facts talk for themselves and that you cannot argue regarding something that is obvious. This is my desired way of dealing with conflict because I find conflict time-wasting. Conflict also interferes with the quality of the end-results. If people can remain true to what needs to be done and focus on the facts, then there will be less chances of conflict because we would all know exactly what needs to be done by knowing where we want to be.

6. What other information related to Week 2 assignments did you consider to be of value?

The power of teams and knowing how to deal with people from different quadrants or ways of thinking has been of great value. It has helped me understand why certain people behave and react the way they do, as well as why I am the way I am.

7. Which concept(s) from the Covey readings for this week had a personal relevance for you?

Covey’s voice of influence (be a trim tab) had a personal relevance for me. It has helped me have an understanding on how I can affect others, and that in order to do this, I must first identify my vision and align it with discipline, a passion for it, and with conscience. The concept of modeling is a very powerful one. I believe that this is lacking not only in organizations, but also in our personal lives. If we can be models who can be admired and make a difference through helping others self-identify with their potentials and destinies, then that truly, is the essence of human existence.