Running head: SELF-REFLECTION: LEADERSHIP SKILLS SURVEY

Self-Reflection: Leadership Skills Survey

Ana Bills-Goggins
University of St. Thomas
EDUC 5390 Educational Leadership
Dr. Nicole Walters
September 2, 2015

SELF-REFLECTION: LEADERSHIP SKILLS SURVEY

As I sit and reflect on taking the leadership skills survey, I realized that it was an accurate
portrayal of me as a leader based on my past leadership experiences. At first, I was very
apprehensive about the survey, as I was uncertain if I could be objective in evaluating myself;
however, after scoring it I felt comfortable with my efforts and my self-honesty. My skills
abilities rated at a total score of 31, and on thinking about my comfort in leadership roles, I
believe it was accurate. Yet my score disappointed me because, although the survey indicates
that I have strengths in leadership, it also states that I underuse potential leadership abilities.
Consequently, based on this tool, I started to ponder reasons why I scored what I believe to be
mediocre total. After several days of reflection, I realized that my experiences have influenced
my attitudes and abilities towards growing as a leader.
According to the survey, my strengths included the awareness of my feelings, the ability
to remain optimistic, and the fostering of relationships. Understanding these as positive
leadership traits that I could easily identify, I reflected on my experiences acting out these traits
in my school setting, and how they have constructively influenced my team. My school, after
many academic shortfalls, based on large personnel turnover and the hiring of inexperienced
baby teachers faced many challenges. Despite this, I have always remained optimistic about
my schools future in educating our children, and have worked to be a model team player. As a
result, despite offers to change schools, I have decided to stay and continue my commitment to
the school in reaching its mission and goals. Since perseverance is one of my leadership
strengths, making this commitment was an easy decision for me to make. Furthermore, I have
displayed the leadership trait of relationship building by being a teacher buddy for new
personnel in showing them the ropes. Overall, the survey was a great tool for allowing me to
reflect on the positive moments that have demonstrated my leadership abilities and strengths.

SELF-REFLECTION: LEADERSHIP SKILLS SURVEY

On the other hand, the survey also displayed areas where I may be deficient and need
more growth as a leader. Items that I identified as needing improvement included some
interpersonal skills such as, being sensitive to others and resolving conflicts, as well as dealing
with stress. Not surprising to me, these are areas that I can honestly say that I have the hardest
time, and have also caused me to avoid taking leadership roles in the past. As I reflect on these
areas of concern, I realize that I potentially set unrealistic expectations for others and myself. As
I look back on my role as a skills specialist, I experienced times when peers did not share many
of my high personal expectations. For me this was frustrating and a source of stress, which
caused me to avoid leadership roles. Furthermore, my avoidance of conflict has resulted in me
not taking a strong stance when leadership was in need. Consequently, from the survey results, I
can better see areas that I need to improve to reach my full potential as a leader.
In conclusion, taking this leadership survey has allowed me to be a little more honest and
less critical of myself in working towards becoming a leader. In contrast to my past selfperceptions, which were primarily negative, I can now see that I bring positive leadership traits
to my school and my relationships with others. These qualities were attributes that I overlooked
in the past, and not seeing them was probably the cause of me avoiding leadership roles.
Additionally, the survey allowed me to view areas that I need to improve to become an effective
future leader. I was able to analyze and pin-point why my own perceptions and thoughts of
myself have hindered me from pursing more leadership roles, while gaining an understanding
that leadership is a growth process that also takes time, nurturing, and continual feedback from
others for success.