Life Styles Inventory (LSI)

Submitted by:

Victorina A. Villapando

Submitted to:
Dr. Wendy Finlay

Keller Graduate
School of Management

Mgmt-591-61469 – Leadership and

Organizational Behavior

July
Table 15, 2016
of Contents

1. Personal thinking style

A. Primary thinking style

 B. Backup thinking style

C. Limiting style

2. Impact on management style

A. Planning

B. Organizing

C. Leading

D. Controlling

4. Genesis of personal style

5. Conclusion and reflection

1. Personal Thinking Style

A. Primary Thinking Style –

I got the highest percentile score in Humanistic-Encouraging style (99%) and I

guess it’s true because I am person who cares a lot and I am spending my life living this

way with my family, friends, church mates and co-workers. Everyone else around me

always say that whenever they have problems, I was always the first person that comes to

their mind. First of all, maybe because every time they discuss their problems, I am more

than willing to listen and give them words of encouragement like to remain hopeful even

in a very difficult situation. For them, my positive way of living my life is what makes

them follow my advise to them. There was one instance in my life that even a consul

diplomat of one country in central American embassy whom I have met only once during

the processing of my documents necessary to visit the country, was able to tell her

personal problems when she invited me for a cup of coffee. She even said to me that she

could not believe herself telling her personal problems to a person she just recently met.

She said jokingly “ what charisma do you possess that made me open-up even my

personal matter?”.

B. Backup Personal Style –

My second highest percentile score is in Power style (93%) and again, I found it

true. I’m more of an influential person because people who get associated with me do

things that I usually does. They also trust my decision and follows. Truth is, I’m still

asking myself up to now, what is in me that I can make people follow and obey. Back in

my university days, I was always chosen and voted to lead the group even if I did not
want to. When I started working, my management skills have developed more as I lead

one department. My family also consult me for opinions and they trust my decisions. I

even created a powerful image to my nephews and nieces that they follow my footsteps

and strictly obey their parents partly because of their fear on me. One time I was doing
 my transaction in a government agency but I didn’t know exactly where to go because the

building is big enough and there was no signs indicating directions. I just asked the guard

for directions (the mere turn left-right-left) . While I was walking and hoping for the

right direction I looked back and I saw number of people walking behind me and they

said “ Miss, we are following you for directions “, I laughed and I said “ Ok, I hope we’re

heading the right way “. And we fortunately found the place.

C. Limiting Style –

I can identify my limiting style in Self-actualizing. As evaluated from the result, I got

a percentile of 75% with this style, which is my lowest. I think it has something to do

with my style in Humanistic-Encouraging that is high and it supersedes some of my goal

because it always interferes and slows down the process of my other styles. There are

things that I can not just do because I consider other people’s feelings and acceptance.

To be able for me to become effective leader, I think I must lessen or reduce my

affection with some people especially when I have to deal with the top management and

the ordinary employees where sometimes feelings can not be considered just merely

business.

2. Impact on Management Style .

A. Planning – my styles play a major role in planning because as a leader, thinking

ahead opens an opportunity for more business. Having the ability to encourage
employees to plan is an advantage to the company and to present a competitive plan

for the greater chance of approval. Avoidance style must also be considered because it

helps identify the slow or unnecessary process.

 B. Organizing – my achievement style and self-actualizing will help me organize the

Plan, together with some key-people.

C. Leading – my power style will help me lead the group. It is through power that

people tend to follow and obey.

D. Controlling – my humanistic-encouraging style will help a lot in controlling.

When a leader understands how an employee feels, it develop trust relationships between

management and employees, hence, it will not trigger any uncontrollable incidents.

3. Genesis of Personal Style.

What transpires to the result of my evaluation I guess, is the result of the major influence

of the family. It was from how I have seen my parents lived their life. From the neighborhood,

to their work place, and to top it all off, their good-relationship as husband and wife. I would

say, a good family background mould a person to become good individual.

4. Conclusion and Reflection.

Not all of the styles mentioned here are the result of one’s whole character. Sometimes, it

is the result of the person’s balance for what is right from wrong. Some people reached the peak

of their success in the expense of others while some chose to be an ordinary workers to give way

for their priorities. Majority of us wants to be a leader but only few have given the will. It takes a

lot of strengths and hardships to lead and the work itself is rewarding. Success comes to those

who never give up and when you take the road to success never leave the key of goodwill.