Today is the first day of the second block of the summer semester and my emotions have been all over the place: sleep deprivation, exhaustion from taking tests, joy deprivation not to mention very annoyed. Continue reading “Deprived”
Tag: Opinion
Share Your World – 2016 Week #25
How many languages do you you speak? Continue reading “Share Your World – 2016 Week #25”
Essay: Why isolate between two poles? Hire Ambiverts!
Here is the third speech I wrote for my public speaking and please note that this is a counter-persuasive speech in which I am against managers hiring introverts (no offense to all introverts out there, I’m one myself but that’s the assignment). Continue reading “Essay: Why isolate between two poles? Hire Ambiverts!”
Essay: Why Introverts Make Great Leaders?
My public speaking class officially came to an end this morning, after I turned in all the research I conducted for my speeches and receive the grade from my final speech along with a great big donut. My finance class will end tomorrow and then I hope I can finally take a breath before my corporate tax class starts next Monday. In the least to say, I’m happy with the grade I got for my public speaking class because who wouldn’t be happy with an A? 🙂 Anyway, here is my second speech and please note this is a persuasive speech.
Why Introverts Make Great Leaders?
If I were to ask you to picture a stereotypical leader, what qualities would immediately spark in your head? According to an article in the ASCA Newsletter, most people would immediately picture someone confident, brash, and outgoing. Were those the qualities you thought of? If yes, then you’ve pictured a classic extrovert. From my last speech, I talked about an experiment done to compare the effectiveness of an introverted vs extroverted leader. The results were that the stores with an extroverted leader earned a higher profit than the stores with an introverted leader. So does this mean a company shouldn’t hire introverts for leadership positions? In my opinion, as an introvert, I think companies should hire introverts for upper management positions and in the next 4 minutes or so, I’m going to talk about the pros and cons of introverted leaderships as well as what can the companies do to close the gap between introverted and extroverted leadership.
The ASCA Newsletter article, 7 reasons Introverts Make Great Leaders, says that introverts make great leaders because they are great listeners and are usually calmer and better prepared than extroverts. They often prefer to collaborate rather than telling others what to do, unlike extroverts who prefer to lead. Also introverts don’t typically settle on a single idea. They like to explore deeper for alternatives and will explore until they are satisfied. In addition, introverts prefer solitude to reflect and theorize on ideas and if they’re not doing those things, they’d write.
However, everything always comes with a downside. For introverted leaders, it is that they prefer to be alone and they prefer not to be the initiator of conversations and social interactions. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to brainstorm with an introvert. Also introverts prefer one-on-one conversations rather than speaking to a group. Lastly, according to an article by J.G. Skakoon, a consequence with having an introverted leader is that the introvert’s performance can be impaired by distractions whereas distractions would go unnoticed for an extrovert.
So what can a company do to close the gap between introverted and extroverted leaders? To cancel out the cons I just spoke of? Well, a company can rethink open-plan offices despite many studies suggest that open-plan offices tend to lead to counterproductive behavior. Or a company can provide separate meeting rooms to reduce distraction as well as allow employees ample time to prepare for presentations. Secondly, companies should encourage employees to think like an introvert, allow them quiet to reflect on ideas. Finally, companies should allow introverts to shine! Companies should allow introverts to perform tasks normally done by an extrovert. Employees should encourage to show patience when introverts speak, to allow them the time to think before speaking. Lastly, leaders should be allowed to choose their team members.
So why should companies hire introverts for leadership positions? Because instead of jumping to conclusion and into the task, introverts are good listeners of ideas and quiet observers as well as they often go beyond a single idea. Now that you’ve heard all about the pros and cons of an introverted leadership, does it cause you to rethink the image and qualities of a stereotypical leader?
Essay: Difference between Introvert and Extrovert
As my public speaking class draws to an end, I’ve decided to share the speeches I wrote for the class. Yesterday, I shared the last speech, today, I’ll share the first speech I wrote for the class. As you read, please keep in mind that this is an informative speech.
Difference between Introvert and Extrovert
True or False? Introverts are quiet and shy, extroverts are wild. False. People who prefer introversion just tend to think before they speak while extroverts tend to speak before they think. However, with these two completely polar opposite personalities, don’t you wonder how they will get along in a group? First, though we have to define what really makes an introvert and extrovert, then we’ll compare and contrast the two personalities in a group and leadership setting.
What categorizes one as an introvert or an extrovert? Well, it depends. From the research of psychiatrist Carl Jung, introversion and extroversion refers to the origin of our energy or what energizes us and what drains our energy. However, contrary to popular beliefs, introverts are not quiet or shy, they are simply those who prefer to observe before they speak rather than the other way around. For example, when socializing with strangers, introverts tend to want to get to know the person better before sharing their inner thoughts and beliefs. Extroverts are the opposite of that. They are those who have no problem speaking to a large group of strangers. Basically, extroverts get their energy from being surrounded by people while introverts get their energy by focusing internally on thoughts, ideas, and reflection. What happens in a group setting, when introverts and extroverts are forced to communicate? According to senior organizational consultant at the University of Arizona, Mark Trommer, “it can be hard for people to communicate with one another if they have different styles.”
And now, we are going to compare and contrast between those different styles. First of all, you should know that the effectiveness of introverted and extroverted leadership is dependent upon the type of work structure. Under the leadership of an introvert, team members tend to be proactive. It is the team members’ duty to take the initiative in introducing changes and new ideas to the team. Therefore, experts believe that the performance of a team led by an introvert tends to perform better. On the other hand, under the leadership of an extrovert, team members tend to be dutifully followers looking for guidance. They do what they are told and their leader tends to feel threatened when a team member attempts to introduce a new idea to the team because it would mean the team member is stealing the spotlight. Let’s apply those characteristics to a real life experiment conducted by the University of Carolina.
This experiment was conducted by Adam Grant and David Hoffman and it is an experiment to test whether higher performance would come from passive employees as when being led by an extrovert or proactive employees as when being led by an introvert. The profits of 57 different stores of a single US pizza chain were compared over 7 weeks and it is according to whether the store manager is an extrovert or an introvert. The results show that the stores with extroverted managers earned 16% more profit than the stores led by an introverted leader while stores led by an introvert earn 14% less profit.
So there you have it, the quantitative analysis between extroverted and introverted leadership in a group setting. Just to recap, introverted leaders are most effective when the team members are proactive while extroverted leaders are most effective when the team members are passive, meaning they’re followers. Based on the experiment’s results, does this mean the company should only hire extroverts for manager positions? Does this proof extroverts make the best leaders? I guess we’ll find out.
Essay: What has people done?
For once in a long time, I don’t have anything written today. I spent the entire weekend writing my final speech for my public speaking class and I am giving that speech today. Continue reading “Essay: What has people done?”
Share Your World – 2016 Week #24
What is the most fun thing you did in school?
Continue reading “Share Your World – 2016 Week #24”
Share Your World – 2016 Week #23
What was one of your first moneymaking jobs (other than babysitting or newspaper delivery)?
My first moneymaking job was when I was around twelve or thirteen? Continue reading “Share Your World – 2016 Week #23”
Share Your World – 2016 Week #22
Every country in the world has lost men and women in some kind of Armed Forces. When does your country celebrate or morn their deaths? (Optional) Continue reading “Share Your World – 2016 Week #22”
Share Your World – 2016 Week #21
What is your favorite go to beverage? Water, coffee, tea, coke, soda (non-alcoholic)
I would say my go-to beverage is water. Continue reading “Share Your World – 2016 Week #21”
Share Your World – 2016 Week #20
When do you feel most connected with others? Continue reading “Share Your World – 2016 Week #20”
Share Your World – 2016 Week #19
You win a pet monkey but this isn’t just any old monkey. It can do one trick for you whenever you want from getting a pop out of the fridge to washing your hair. What would be the trick? Continue reading “Share Your World – 2016 Week #19”
Share Your World – 2016 Week #18
Who was your best friend in elementary school?
Continue reading “Share Your World – 2016 Week #18”
Share Your World – 2016 Week #17
When writing by hand do you prefer to use a pencil or pen? Continue reading “Share Your World – 2016 Week #17”
Share Your World – 2016 Week #16
If you had to have your vision corrected would you rather: glasses or contacts? Or what do you use if you need to have your vision 
corrected? Continue reading “Share Your World – 2016 Week #16”
Share Your World – 2016 Week #15
Name one thing not many people know about you. Continue reading “Share Your World – 2016 Week #15”
Share Your World – 2016 Week #14
If you could hire someone to help you, would it be with cleaning, cooking, or yard work?
If I can hire someone to help me, it would definitely be cleaning and yard work. I enjoy cooking, so having someone to cook for me would just make me feel miserable that they would have all the fun. Cleaning and yard work, that’ll be great. I hate getting on my hands and knees to clean the floors, pull the dirt out of the vacuum filter, and don’t get me started with pulling the weeds. Ugh.
What makes you laugh the most?
It’s easy to make me laugh, simply tickle me, that should do it. What makes me laugh the most though is when I watch physical comedy. I’m sure those would make anyone laugh.
What was your favorite food when you were a child?
One of my favorite food when I was a child is Macaroni n’ Cheese and not the kind from the box. It’s the kind made from large soft elbow macaroni pasta with runny cheese. The only place I could get it was at school and that only became my favorite food after coming to the U.S. In China, I was consumed by the desire to get fast food that all other foods just became bland to me. Unfortunately though, I didn’t get a lot of fast food in China as you can read here.
List at least five favorite flowers or plants.
- Tulips
- Irises
- White rose
- Yellow rose
- Daisy
Image Credit (except noted): Google
A-Z Challenge 2016: I for Intuition
Share Your World – 2016 Week #13
Are you left or right handed? Right handed.
If you had only one TV, would you prefer the TV in the living room or another room?
I only have one TV and it is all the way down in the family room and I think that’s a good place because my room is very small.
Have you ever participated in a distance walking, swimming, running, or biking event? Tell your story.
Oh, have I? I’ve participated in a jump rope contest when I was in China. Not much a story there other than it was a huge embarrassment for me because even though everyone in school knew I didn’t know how to jump rope, they still made me and while everyone did 100+ repetition per minute, I only did six. I think the teacher was just a big bully to choose me for such competition.
I also participated in a 50 meter dash in middle school and although I was racing against the slowest person in school, I still lost because something happened at the last second which force me to slow down. It was the strangest thing. I began feeling dizzy, weak, and breathless. It was like I couldn’t breathe. I think it had something to do with my heart but I never found out. I just knew my heart had some minor problems back then. Let’s just say I was once again humiliated.
Complete this sentence: Love is… .
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
Image Credit (except noted): Google
Share Your World – 2016 Week #12
Wanting something to quench your thirst, what would you drink?
Cool water (not ice cold but not room-temperature warm) but if it’s very hot outside, I’ll take an ice water. Then, I’ll drink the water and rub the ice against my skin to keep cool.
What made you feel good this past week?
I finally made a trip to the Family History Library in Downtown Salt Lake and learned how to search for my family. I’ve been wanting to go to that place for a long long long time because I’ve been super curious about my genealogy and now that I’ve gone, I know how to continue with my search.
When you’re alone at home, do you wear shoes, socks, slippers, or go barefoot?
I’d always go barefoot, that is unless I’m on hard floor. Otherwise, on carpet, I’d be barefoot. I’m not really a fan of wearing shoes because I’m clumsy and wearing shoes would just increase my chances of tripping.
Would you rather live where it is always hot or always cold?
Uh, how about neither? I don’t like either of those extremes. I think somewhere in between would be just fine.
Image Credit (except noted): Google
Share Your World – 2016 Week #11
How many siblings do you have? What’s your birth order?
I don’t have any siblings but if I did, I’d be the second child. My mom had a miscarriage before me. So if that didn’t happen, I’ll be the younger sibling. Actually, I wouldn’t even exist because of the one-child rule in China. So consider me the lucky one.
In a car would you rather drive or be a passenger?
I would rather drive because I think I’d see more as a driver than a passenger. As a passenger, I’ll more likely fall asleep.
When you lose electricity in a storm, do you light the candles or turn on the flashlight? How many of each do you own?
I have a lot of candles at home, boxes and boxes and they’re all from a while back. We buy rare candles from thrift store and our friends gave us a few boxes. Also, some people collects coins, some collects stamps, my mom collects candles and candle houses. I bet you can’t even tell that inside that house is a candle, right?
Front
Back
However, I like flashlights better, at least a flashlight does not have the risk of a fire.
List at least five of your favorite types of animals? (any animal to domestic to wild to marine life).
- Dog
- Cat
- Panda Bear
- Bear (black/brown/white)
- Sheep (year of the sheep)
- Koala Bear
- Kangaroo
- Lioness (not a fan of the mane) or young lion
- Tiger
Image Credit (except noted): Google
Share Your World – 2016 Week #10
What would you ask for if a genie granted you three wishes?
- Be smarter, flexible in the mind, and cunning
- Be braver, courageous, and able to stand up for myself (have more guts)
- Be more daring and adventurous in life
What experiences are most meaningful to you?
Probably one of those things I may never achieve (the quote). A meaningful experience is something unique (out of routine), new, memorable, and in the moment. Like going bowling for the first time or for me, trying new foods for the first time.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a lot of things. My dream career kept changing as I grew up. First, because my mom was a teacher when she was in China, so naturally, as a kid, I wanted to be a teacher too. I got a taste of that and I hated it. Next, I wanted to be a singer and then a movie director, and then it was a graphic artist. At the moment, even at nearly 25, I still haven’t achieve my dream career. It’s still evolving and may never stop.
Complete this sentence: The best day of my life was….
There has been quite a few best days and one of them resurfaced last week during my therapy session. When I was in Texas and living with my
step-grandparents, we would go to church on Sundays and then after, we would stop at a fast food joint and they would get me whatever I want. My favorite place was Burger King.
The sizes at the Burger Kings in Texas are different from anywhere else. Its smallest is a medium, and then large, and king. The medium were plenty big, at least bigger than what I have at the Burger Kings in Utah.
Anyway, I would have the Big Fish and a milkshake and I was the happiest girl in the world. I no longer cared of how ridiculous I looked in high heels, dress, and make-up, at that moment, I was in a different world and this is why it’s one of the best days of my life because I got to forget temporarily how screw-up my mom and step-dad were and how they couldn’t stop fighting.
Image Credit (except noted): Google
Share Your World – 2016 Week #9
Have you done something you truly want to do today? Continue reading “Share Your World – 2016 Week #9”
This is Another Story 