Leadership II Self-Portrait of a Leader

Glyph Key for Drawing A Self-Portrait of a Leader

 

Face Shape: If you believe that leadership is an inborn trait, draw a triangle-shaped head.  If you think that leadership stems from nurture over nature, draw a square-shaped head.

 

Eyes: If you think the vast majority of OTs are leaders, make big circles for the eyes.  If you think there is a fairly equal mixture of leaders and non-leaders in the field of OT, draw small circles for the eyes.  Fill in the pupils.  Add glasses if you feel that you have had more experience in leadership roles than most other people your age at this point in life.

 

Eyelashes: Draw one eyelash on each of the eyes for each of the five themes you can name based on your personal Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment from earlier in the curriculum.

 

Eyebrows: If you like to take the role of the leader in an out-in-front way, make curved eyebrows.  If your leadership style is more behind the scenes, make pointy eyebrows.

 

Nose: Draw a triangle nose if you think that seeing yourself as a leader is necessary to being a leader.  Draw a rounded nose if you believe that a person can be a leader without seeing himself or herself as a leader.

 

Skin:  Add a freckle anywhere on the skin of the face if you believe that self-awareness is vital to effective leadership.  Leave the skin clear if you don’t think it’s an essential trait.

 

Mouth: Draw a smiling mouth if you can think of at least one leader who has had a positive impact on you.  Draw a frown if you can’t think of a good example of a leader.

 

Ears: Draw round ears if you think technology is an important part of effective leadership in many situations. Draw pointy ears if don’t think so.

 

Hair: Draw the hair based on a continuum, based on your personal viewpoint in two areas: 

 

What’s more important in leadership:             Curly hair  <------------------------->  Straight hair 

          creativity or organization?                   Creativity  <-------------------------->  Organization

                        AND

Can an introvert be an effective leader?         Short hair <-------------------------> Long hair

                                                                           No way  <------ I’m unsure -----> Definitely yes

 

Accessories: Add at least one accessory (example: a piece of jewelry) if you see yourself as a leader.  Add a hat if the way you think about or approach leadership has changed as a result of what you have learned since beginning in OT school.

 

Finishing Touch: Label your paper with your name, writing in cursive if you have a written plan or goal about to serving in leadership roles in the future; write in print if you do not yet have a written plan. 

 

 My perspective has changed a little sine I began OT school. Previously, I thought that in order to be a leader you had to love public speaking and be a extrovert. I never thought of myself like this because i am a introvert, homebody, quiet person! However, I have realized that I am leading more than I previously thought. I am leading when my classmates need help understanding an assignment. I am leading when I am in charge of planning a party for my family. I lead in my church when I signed up to teach Sunday school. I am a leader in my own way. I still do not like public speaking or love being the center of attention, but my views have changed and I have gained more confidence since the start of OT school. 

2020

2019

Knowledge Check Leadership

The concept of internal and external locus of control is a very interesting one and effects the way we see the world. An internal locus of control is the idea that you are the reason things happen. You believe things are controlled by you. An external locus of control means that things happen to you and you have little to no influence on these things. People with an external locus of control believe that their happiness is dependent on external factors such as other people. 

This concept is important to understand for occupational therapists. I believe this can be very influential in rehabilitation, especially for clients who are disabled. If the client believes they cannot change or progress because they had a life altering injury, it can directly impact their rehab journey. Alternately, if the client believes that they determine their journey and can make progress if they work hard, this can be positive for the OT to use in their treatment. I believe that mindset directly influences progress, choices and situations. Locus of control determines one's beliefs regarding self efficacy and self esteem. 

A study done by Sylvie Janelle discusses this concept in occupational therapy directly. This article is dated, but I feel makes valid points regarding this topic and shows the importance of understanding this concept! She describes this knowledge of internal vs. external locus of control as it relates to goal setting for the client (Janelle, 1992). . She also makes the point that finding this information should be included in a initial valuation, primarily with youth who are disabled (Janelle, 1992). Determining the locus of control of your clients will help the OT understand their reasoning behind actions, beliefs and how they will face therapy challenges. 

Reference 

Janelle S. (1992). Locus of control in nondisabled versus congenitally physically disabled adolescents. The American journal of occupational therapy: official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 46(4), 334–342. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.46.4.334