10. REFLECT Results

The REFLECT test that we had to take for our BSE colloquium class was a huge shock to me because it gave me the complete opposite results than what I expected. I still have trouble believing that a generalized online test can tell me more about myself then I can. Nonetheless, at the end of the test I was presented with an overall summary of how I would perform in the business world as well as the positive and negative aspects of my behavior.

According to REFLECT, I’m a practical and levelheaded contributor but I lack originality in creating new ideas. I act impulsively without thinking of the process required to make a good decision. I also focus more on day-to-day goals instead of on long-term success. This is something I can actually agree with, but I think it is easily changeable. Usually I tend to not think things through. However, after learning so much from my two scholars classes, I think the REFLECT test would say otherwise if I tried again. Following the beginning of the semester I have since been conditioned to think more creatively and in a step-by-step manner.

I can also agree with REFLECT saying I set high standards for myself which fuels team success. I definitely work well in a team environment because I can feed off the energy and knowledge of others. I have always set high standards for myself and I have never found it to be a bad thing. It gives me something to work for and guides my motivation in a positive direction.

When approaching day-to-day tasks at work, the test says that I’m self-confident and don’t let the perceptions of others hold me back. I may not recognize my limitations or when to ask for help. I disagreed with this part of the report right away. If anything I feel like I ask for help too much and am incredibly un-confident. I also disagreed with REFLECT on the idea that my direct communication style may unintentionally hurt someone else’s feelings if I don’t watch my tone of voice. I know for a fact that I am one of the most sensitive people out there, and thus I am sensitive of other people’s feelings as well. Sometimes I feel like I run into situations where I actually tiptoe around others’ feelings more than I should. I can’t imagine why this test says that I have a harsh direct communication style, but I suppose I should try to consider the impact of my actions on others more often. Below is a screenshot of the full REFLECT report.

One of the many REFLECT skills I need to improve on is operational thinking. I relish change and don’t mind learning through trial and error, but others get frustrated when I overlook details. Although I like to make things happen, I disregard the potential impact my actions have on organization or project success. A good operational thinker takes into account project priorities and available resources to reach goals in the most efficient, timely, and cost effective way possible.

I decided that I was going to improve this skill by approaching my school assignments in an organized and calculated fashion. To do this I set up my very own Google Calendar and downloaded its complimentary app on my iPhone. My intention for using Google Calendar was to become more process oriented and plan things more in advance. I first color-coded each of the events that would be going into my calendar. Periwinkle events were for homework, turquoise was social events, sea foam was meetings and study sessions, blue was necessities (showering and eating), and all the other colors represented my different classes. I started out by planning my weeks very loosely, then I adjusted my method to being more strict. Thank god I got into this practice because it ended up saving my life on more than one occasion. When I actually took the time to focus on the details of my assignments, I no longer rushed through the things I had to do. I had a lot more time and less stress because I made sure I had enough time in my week to get all my work done, adequately study for upcoming tests, as well as have a social life. And the best part about the online calendar was that I had the option for it to send me text message alerts when an event was coming up. From now on I think I will be able to think more conductively instead of relying on the first thing that comes to mind.