Part 1: Personality and Leadership Style Assessment

Introduction

As part of my Masters program, I undertook several personality and leadership assessments to better understand my leadership style and how my personality traits influence my effectiveness as a leader. These insights will help me leverage my strengths and identify areas for growth in both my professional and personal life.

Test Results Overview

I completed three primary assessments:

The Big 5 Personality Test: Scored 73% in Openness, indicating a strong tendency toward creativity, intellectual curiosity, and appreciation for variety.
DiSC Personality Test: Scored 92% in the Supportive ("S") dimension, reflecting my flexible, loyal, caring nature and preference for steady routines.
Your Leadership Legacy: Identified as an "Experienced Guide" - a leader skilled at guiding others through challenges and helping them discover solutions.

Additionally, I took two color leadership assessments with different results: initially blue, then yellow (followed by green and blue) on the True Colors Leadership Assessment.

Key Insights and Reflections

The assessment results largely confirmed my self-perception, validating my understanding of my leadership approach. The "Experienced Guide" identification resonated deeply with my professional identity and past experiences, particularly in my role as a Tutor Coordinator where I mentored 20 tutors.

The DiSC assessment proved most valid from my perspective. The supportive traits it highlighted—flexibility, loyalty, caring nature, and appreciation for routine—align with feedback I've consistently received from supervisors throughout my career.

My initial surprise at the yellow leadership assessment result gave way to recognition as I reflected on my work dynamics. This insight revealed how we often develop traits from different color categories through our work relationships and environments. For nearly a decade, I worked with Eva, a "red" director whose energy and spontaneity complimented my analytical, structured "blue" approach. I provided organization and efficiency, while she kept initiatives fresh and moving forward. From this partnership, I developed yellow characteristics that enhanced my effectiveness. (Anderson et al., 2023, p. 1167) that is, personality traits are tendencies to behave a certain way, and therefore can change if behavior changes.

Professional Application

My supportive, analytical personality enables me to anticipate student needs and develop structured approaches to support their success. As an Experienced Guide, I excel at mentoring and developing others, a strength that has served me well in my roles at Del Mar College.

The complementary nature of different personality types in group dynamics has proven valuable in my professional experience. Understanding this has helped me recognize how team members with diverse traits can create a balanced, effective working environment. I now consciously seek to build teams with complementary strengths rather than similar personalities.

I plan to leverage these insights to continue supporting my director while using my planning and analytical skills to grow our department. My natural aptitude for mentoring will be channeled into creating content and services that help Del Mar College students succeed academically.

Personal Application

My leadership and personality traits remain largely consistent between home and work environments. As guardian to my 15 and 17-year-old granddaughters following their father's passing, I employ my supportive nature to guide their growth and development. The structured, methodical approach that serves me professionally also helps me establish stability in our home life during challenging circumstances.

However, I've recognized that my analytical nature expresses itself differently in personal relationships, focusing more on emotional support and guidance rather than process improvement or problem-solving.

Growth Opportunities

While my supportive nature is a strength, I need to be mindful of time management challenges. I have a tendency to over-extend myself when mentoring others, sometimes at the expense of my own responsibilities. Moving forward, I will use my analytical skills to establish clearer boundaries around my time and energy.

The complementary nature of different personalities has taught me to value traits I don't naturally possess. I aim to continue developing my "yellow" characteristics—spontaneity and creativity—while maintaining the structured "blue" approach that grounds my work.

Conclusion

These assessments have provided valuable confirmation of my natural strengths while illuminating how my personality has evolved through professional relationships. As I advance in my leadership journey, I will continue to leverage my abilities as an Experienced Guide while being mindful of potential pitfalls. By balancing my supportive nature with appropriate boundaries, I can maximize my effectiveness both professionally and personally while continuing to grow and adapt my leadership approach.

Part 2: Technology Leadership Philosophy Statement

Foundation

My leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that effective leadership emerges from authentic self-awareness, intentional relationship building, and a commitment to others' growth. As an Experienced Guide with highly supportive tendencies, I lead by creating structures that empower individuals to discover their potential while providing the stability and guidance they need to succeed.

Core Values

My approach to leadership is guided by these core principles:

Supportive Presence: I believe that every individual deserves to be heard and valued. By maintaining a flexible, caring, and loyal presence, I create an environment where team members feel safe to express ideas, take calculated risks, and pursue growth.

Analytical Structure: I leverage my analytical thinking to develop clear frameworks that provide direction without stifling creativity. I value systems that promote consistency and reliability while remaining adaptable to emerging needs and opportunities.

Balance of Action and Reflection: Drawing from both my "blue" structured nature and developed "yellow" characteristics, I recognize the importance of both thoughtful planning and decisive action. I create space for careful consideration while ensuring progress continues.

Authentic Mentorship: As an Experienced Guide, I am committed to sharing knowledge and insights that help others navigate challenges. I believe in leading by example and providing personalized guidance that respects each individual's unique journey.

Strategies for Fostering Innovation and Change

My leadership philosophy manifests through:

Intentional Relationship Building: I prioritize understanding the strengths, motivations, and growth areas of each team member, creating connections that foster trust and collaboration.

Clear Communication and Expectations: I establish transparent expectations and provide consistent feedback, recognizing that clarity creates confidence and reduces unnecessary stress.

Structured Development Opportunities: I create systematic approaches to professional development that combine regular mentoring with practical experience, helping team members build competence and confidence.

Measured Progress: I implement thoughtful assessment methods to track growth and celebrate achievements, ensuring that both process improvements and outcomes are recognized.

Professional Development and Team Building

As a leader, I remain committed to my own growth through:

Boundary Awareness: I continually refine my ability to balance my natural desire to support others with appropriate personal boundaries, ensuring sustainable leadership.

Skill Development: I actively seek opportunities to strengthen both my natural abilities and areas outside my comfort zone, recognizing that well-rounded leadership requires diverse competencies.

Reflective Practice: I regularly examine the impact of my leadership decisions and adapt my approach based on outcomes and feedback, embracing learning as a lifelong journey.

Communicating with Stakeholders

My ultimate aim as a leader is to create resilient, self-sustaining systems where individuals thrive both within and beyond my direct influence. I measure my success not just by immediate outcomes but by the continuing growth and success of those I've had the privilege to guide. Through supportive structure, analytical insight, and authentic mentorship, I seek to leave a legacy of empowered individuals who are equipped to lead and guide others.

References

I’m Your Target Demographic. (2018, Aug. 23). The true colors leadership assessment.

[video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlOxzNsA1WY

Anderson, M., & Sun, Peter. (2023). Re-Envisioning a hierarchy of leadership behaviors

using insights from the psychological literature on personality traits. Journal of Management Studies, 1167, 1165-1188.