Isabella Leggett

HDF 190
Final Statement

Connection of Greatest Learning and Personal Style:

My greatest learning from HDF 190 was my strengths and values. I recognize that this is a basic
answer, but learning my strengths and values was significant because I have a better
understanding of myself now than I ever have. I was aware of my strengths and values before
taking HDF 190, but I have since learned how to apply and embrace them. I have always known
that I am an overachiever who never bends or breaks the rules and sometimes thinks too deeply
into situations. At times, I recognized these traits as more weakness rather than strength. Now, I
realize that being an analytical achiever and valuing prudence is suiting for me and will help me
throughout my life as a student, leader, and voice in my community. Not only am I able to
embrace my strengths and have more confidence in myself and my capabilities, but I am starting
to understand how my unique strengths can work with my peers. Understanding that we all have
different personal codes of leadership, but each utilizing our own strengths will make a project
more diverse, efficient, and successful. This has impacted my personal leadership style because
before this class, I only wanted to work with people like me. I sought out people who had the
same values, understandings, and goals as me. While I was successful that way in the past, I have
learned that it is more beneficial to have different personalities work together for diversity,
inclusion, and effectiveness. As a leader, it is important to embrace others’ strengths and values
and take advantage of them just as much as our own. Part of being a leader is acknowledging that
we all have different strengths, so knowing when to step back and let a peer take the lead is
crucial. Now, I look forward to working with people who have different strengths and values
from me, because individuality is important.

Connection to Theory:
I resonate most with the Servant Leadership Model. This model emphasizes the ten
characteristics of effective, caring leaders and highlights the difference between helping, fixing,
and serving. I demonstrate many of the characteristics of an effective, caring leader. For
example, as someone who aspires to work in the healthcare field as a physical therapist and use
exercise as a form of medicine, I possess characteristics of listening, healing, awareness,
stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building community. Now that I
understand there is a difference between helping, fixing, and serving, I make sure that I am
always in the servant mindset. I learned that the helping mindset is belittling because the person
being helped may feel like they are incapable of improvement without someone else. In addition,
when in the fixing mindset, we believe that something is broken and won’t be repaired without
our help. But when in the serving mindset, we never get burnt out because we are in a mutual
relationship where both parties benefit. After learning this in class, I think about it a lot. Now, I
try to refrain from using the word “help” because I recognize that when I serve others, I benefit
too. Whether it is the opportunity, the relationships I make, or the knowledge I gain, there is
something to learn from every encounter.
Helping, fixing or serving? - mental health association ... (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2022, from
https://www.mentalhealthsf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/HelpingFixingServing-by-
Rachel-Remen.pdf
Character and servant leadership: Ten ... - regent university. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2022,
from https://www.regent.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Spears_Final.pdf

Marketable Skills:
Throughout the semester, I have developed skills that are not just useful in the classroom, for
extracurriculars, and for being a leader, but essential in everyday life, especially in the
workplace. A phrase I heard a lot this semester is “work hard, play hard,” and I do just that. I
have a great work ethic. I am organized and efficient. I manage my time well with a busy
schedule. I can manage information, resources, and materials. In addition, I always follow
through. I am reliable and trustworthy. I work well in a group and hold myself and my peers
accountable. I persist through challenges and make the most of situations. On the other hand, I
am good at listening and reflecting. At the end of a project, I reflect and see what was successful
and what could have worked better. I enjoy listening to feedback to grow and improve. For as
hard as I work, I enjoy having just as much fun. I love conversation and taking breaks but am
also capable of refocusing a group to finish a task. I bring a healthy balance of work and fun to a
project.