Wedgworth Wire

Aha Moments to Athletic Directors

Life has a funny way of bringing things together, making sense out of the silly things and experiences encountered along the way.  Life also has a way of teaching us about the important things, how trust, integrity and self-evaluation is critical if we choose to be effective and great leaders of our time.  Nelson Mandela once said “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall”, and boy did Class XI learn on day 3 how leaders can rise and fall throughout life. 

We kicked off the morning in Austin Cary Forest at the Stern Learning Center with an eye opening presentation on “stress”, and how many leaders go about it all wrong.  Did you know that stress can actually be used as motivation, and if managed correctly, can be viewed as a strength?  Although stress affects everyone differently, there are techniques to changing our behavior, which changes our thoughts, and essentially the mood we are in, but all closely correlated to the level of stress we are experiencing.

However we choose to deal with stress, it is important to practice mindfulness meditation, avoid burnout at all cost, and always take time to reflect on recent events. 

10 Strategies of Reflection

1. Making Metaphors
2. Role Taking
3. Journal Writing
4. Peer Leadership
5. Fish Bowling
6. Quote Response
7. Thinking Aloud
8. Positive/Negative
9. Imaginary Videotaping
10. Devils Walking Stick

Class XI had the honor and unique experience to meet one of the greatest legends in the history of University of Florida Athletics.  Mr. Jeremy Foley, the UF Athletics Director Americus shared with us his rise and fall as a leader.  He expressed that everyone has to have an intentional desire to be a leader, and that leaders are made, not born.  It takes work, it takes integrity, you have to be trusted, and you have to show your followers that you care about them as individuals, as well as the task at hand.

Developing culture in a program is the key to a successful organization.”

Jeremy Foley

As Class XI wrapped up photo opportunities with the man responsible for 27 National titles in 10 different sports for the University of Florida, spouses trickled in for lunch and the afternoon session.

Have you ever wondered why your spouse carelessly installs the new roll of toilet paper facing the wrong direction, or how he/she can maintain the speed limit in a car while driving, even though you are running extremely late for a very important event? What does the Cyndi Lauper song “True Colors” have to do with leadership? Well, fortunately there are personality types in all of us that are very similarly grouped in 4 colors.  Dr. Joe Joyce, gave us all that “AHA” moment as he explained the four personality types in his presentation of “ What Are Your True Colors?”, followed by a strengths discovery presentation by Ms. Megan Stein, Lecturer at the UF Department of Ag Ed and Communication.

Although tired and worn-out from the long day of learning, the excitement of meeting the extended Class XI family filled the room of the Farm Credit of Central Florida building.  A huge applause to Mr. Jeffery Spencer, Mr. Zak Seymour and staff of Farm Credit, who could not have been more hospitable, preparing for us one of the finest slabs of bovine we have ever enjoyed.  

At the completion of the feast, we each had the ability to share photos of our family and tell stories along the way.  Although some were extremely funny, others had us all fighting back tears as we learned some of the health battles and recent losses of loved ones.  This night was a defining moment, a huge step in the lifelong relationships we are going to build with each other along the way.

Day 1: From Strangers to Tears in 12 Hours Flat

Who knew you could take 30 complete strangers, add in a couple team-building challenges, rubber-play toys, Legos, and a personal item and bring these unique individuals to tears in less than 12 hours? That is just what occurred with the kickoff of Seminar I of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute’s Class XI. Here’s how it quickly added up:

After spending the day learning names and getting to know each other, we each shared a personal belonging that was special to us. Whether this was about a special pocket knife passed down from generation to generation, a very personal item maybe sacred or reminder of a parent, a Christmas ornament, a pair of work boots, a special memento necklace as a reminder of a dad passed too soon, a belt buckle or two, the wrist band announcing the birth of a brand new baby, or simply an item as a reminder of where we came from. All led to a connection of a team ready to see our communities and world in a whole new light. 

“Team 11” is off to a great start. We now know who our teammates are, the names they will go by, and who forgot to wear deodorant the first day. 

The Class 11 team of the WLI – the class so great that we require two #1s!

Temptations of Talent

Growing up, I was not very good at sports. To be transparent, “not very good” is giving myself grace. First, it was soccer. My asthmatic lungs whimpered each time the ball soared past me. Next, I tried out softball. I am convinced my hand-eye coordination gene has a permanent “out of order” sign. Then, my parents enrolled me in tennis lessons. Again, flying objects? Not a highlight of my childhood. What did I do? I quit. First, soccer then softball and finally tennis. I do not recall how I introduced the idea of quitting each time, but I clearly remember how my parents reacted. Initially, I was met with disappointment. The disappointment would merge into offers of private coaches and additional lessons. My refusal transformed into new sports pamphlets conveniently arriving on the kitchen counter.

At ten-years-old, I had to take ownership of my apparent lack of talent. I crushed my father’s dreams of proudly waving down at me as I accepted an Olympic gold medal on behalf of the United States. Looking back at this time in my life, this should have been obvious to my parents. I run at the pace of a turtle stampeding through peanut butter. I would beg to be taken to the library and was disappointed when I was brought to the playground. I was talented in a lot of areas. Athletics was not one of them. My parents overlooked the evident signs of my lack of ability with the blissful hope that I could be coached or trained to be great. 

This seems like a simple concept. Do not make someone do what they are not good at. However, most organizations are built on the same blissful hope of two inaccurate assumptions:

1. Each person has the ability to be competent in almost anything. 
2. Each person has the biggest room to grow where they are weak.

These assumptions guide why organizations spend so much time and resources training people to gain necessary skills rather than hiring and using those who already have them. Think of it this way – your organization has money set aside to send one employee to public speaking professional development training. You are trying to decide between two people – the one who naturally gives presentations well or the individual who has a challenging time conveying their thoughts publicly. Who do you send? Most people gravitate towards the person who has a weakness in public speaking. However, when it comes time to ask one of them to speak on behalf of your organization the person with natural talent is often selected.

Organizations are at their strongest when people are doing what they are good at. Through interviews with top global performers, Clifton identified that talent is innate. Through an investment of time and energy, those who are naturally talented can master or perfect their craft. With the same investment, individuals who do not possess the talent may show improvement; however, this will not be equivalent to those who already start with the innate ability. 

We are often tempted to ignore our talents. We know the three areas that we struggle but overlook the ten where we naturally excel. Focusing on one’s weaknesses will prevent failure, but it will never encourage success. To be successful, you must manage your weaknesses but invest in your talents. 

Managing weaknesses and focusing on weaknesses are very different tasks. Those who manage their weaknesses reach out to individuals who are skilled in areas where they are weak. You rely on your team rather than yourself when you know it is not an area you excel in.

As leaders, it can be challenging to give up control and ask for help. We often think that relying on others shows that we are lacking. However, the sign of a true leader is one who has their organization’s best interest in mind. Using self-awareness to illuminate areas where you need help is a foundational piece to being an authentic leader.

Identifying weakness takes strength. Be proud of where you are strong, and identify those who can help you where you are weak. 

Thoughts to reflect on:

• What are the areas in your life where you should rely on others’ help?
• How are you investing in your talents?
• How are you encouraging those around you to invest in their talents and become the best?

Clifton Strengths perspective adapted from Now, Discover Your Strengths (2001) by Marcus Buckingham & Donald O. Clifton. 

Clifton Strengths for Class XI

1. Responsibility – individuals who are committed to what they say they will do
2. Achiever – those who work hard and take great satisfaction from being busy and productive
3. Ideation – people who are fascinated by ideas
4. Deliberative – those who take serious care in decision making and choices
5. Arranger – individuals who can organize, but combine resources for maximum productivity
   Futuristic – people who are inspired by the future and what could be

Analysis:

With 278,256 unique combinations of Clifton Strengths talents, Class XI is one of a kind. What does this combination of themes mean for the leaders embarking on their journey with the Wedgworth Leadership Institute? With four out of six talents in the executing domain, Class XI is exceptionally talented in making things happen. Those with talents in the executing domain work tirelessly to make an idea come to life. Paired with the remaining two strengths in the strategic thinking domain, Class XI also has the ability to think through possibilities and analyze opportunity. 

For Class XI to transform their talents into strengths, it requires effort. One must be willing to intentionally invest their time, effort, and energy into their talents. Think through how you have used your talents in the past week. What tasks did you complete that came naturally to you? Did you receive a compliment on any task you have completed? What contributed to you having a great day? If any of those answers came quickly to you, perhaps it’s because you were naturally flexing your talents. As individuals in leadership roles, we must channel what makes us talented and how we can uniquely serve those around us. 

Thoughts to Reflect On:

• How can you plan to invest time in your talents in the next two weeks?
• What talents, from Class XI or in general, accurately represent Florida’s agricultural and natural resources industries as a whole? 

For more information regarding Clifton Strengths, please feel free to contact Megan Stein, mstein17@ufl.edu.