MSLD - Rivera, Chad

The email presented from the CEO of Cerner to four hundred company managers is a very poor example of communication. In his email, he did not practice supportive communication at all. In fact, the email was one-sided, or rather, a prime example of one-way listening. He told the managers what he wanted them to hear and did not expect to hear any type of reply. He expected full compliance. His message went from being problem-oriented directly into person-oriented and, in my opinion, did not have a specific message. He states that he gave these managers the ability to create a culture of their own, however, it seems that he probably did not set the expectation of a 40-hour work week from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. everyday. In that instance, it is the CEO’s fault for not establishing proper expectations from the beginning which is a perfect example of his incongruent communication. Moreover, his email had no intention of validating the managers’ cultures, but rather, he completely invalidated...

Pablo Picasso said that “every act of creation is, first of all, an act of destruction”. Consider this statement in light of the constraints we place on ourselves in the workplace. What are some constraints that you need to destroy before you can engage in creative problem-solving? Give an example of how a constraint you placed on yourself prevented you from solving a problem. Reflect on what you could have done differently and how you will prevent that constraint from limiting you in the future. Destruction brings creation - that is the circle of life. Just as a phoenix in folklore is reborn upon death and as forests grow anew after a devastating fire, the world is filled with this destruction-creation cycle. Pablo Picasso's quote transpires more than these tangible examples and can even be put to good use when reshaping management and leadership techniques. Problem-solving is all about breaking down barriers and creating answers. These barriers can take several forms such as ment...

       Taking only 10 minutes a day to do nothing accomplishes more than you would think. After three days of taking 10 mindful minutes a day to meditate, as Andy Puddicombe (2012) suggests, I have found that I am happier and more productive with my other tasks. However, as easy as it sounds it is a difficult task to perform. I discovered that trying to do nothing is one of the hardest things to do. My mind would continually wonder and worry about the next task. After several failed attempts, I was able to sit and do nothing and the end result was a refreshed and rejuvenated mind with clarity.      Lately, I have been undergoing a lot of stress with a high-tempo job, wedding planning, being a homeowner, and now taking graduate classes. Downtime is unheard of in current life, but, I learned something valuable from this weeks lesson which is that we must make an effort to live in the present. As Puddicombe (2012) offers, “familiarize yourself with the ...

     Since beginning my MSLD program specialization at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, my level of self-awareness has changed dramatically. Although I haven't been able to put this knowledge into action yet, it has helped me understand several instances in my past. There are Five Core Aspects of Self Awareness according to Whetten & Cameron which include Emotional Intelligence, Personal Values, Cognitive Style, Attitude Toward Change, and Core Self-Evaluation.      Emotional Intelligence is arguably the most important aspect as it is the ability to correctly diagnose and manage one's own emotions and relationships with others. Emotional Intelligence, or EQ, allows us to know ourselves to help us understand others to include trigger points, the sensitive line, comfort zones, strengths, weaknesses, and inclinations. Ultimately, EQ allows us to appreciate individuals and their differences which allows us, as leaders, to manage talents effectively. Mo...