HPV Awareness!
Lynn's Reflection:
I have gained a new appreciation for educators after this project. Trying to educate others is a hard task, and sometimes you do not know if it will pay off. While doing this project I started to wonder whether we were really getting through to people. Were people really listening to us? Did everyone understand what we were talking about? Will they take our advice and take better care of their health?
Denise, Jessica, and I thought that along with educating students about HPV, we also needed to target low income people. It turned out that on the subject of HPV, many people no matter a health professional, a student, or a house wife all had questions about HPV and cervical cancer.
In the end, you cannot wonder if you are making a difference or not. I learned that if you have passion for the subject you want to voice, you just have to do your best and hope that you are atleast making one person look into getting more information about HPV and the vaccination. I also learned a lot about myself, and my abilities. I surprised myself when I had to talk to small groups of people, and was able to effectively communicate to people. One of my weaker traits as a leader is not communicating effectively to people, and I feel like I have overcome that obstacle. What I have learned from this project I hope to take with me in molding myself into a better leader, and also to continue to educate the public about HPV awareness.
Denise's Reflection:
After completing this leadership practicum, I feel as if I have really learned how to apply my skills as a strong member of the community towards a goal. I am more confident as a role leader and as a student. I am aware of flaws and strengths that I have as a person which allow me to be the leader that I have become. I know that it takes a strong leader to get things accomplished, but also an understanding one. I know that I have to respect the people that I work with and still be able to give them feedback. I have learned how to praise and support people in their choices, and how to express myself when I do not agree with people.
Leadership is an act, a process and a skill that an individual can possess. A good leader is educated, but not ignorant to his or her mistakes. A leader cares about the people who follow and support them. Successful leaders should be firm, but still approachable; strong, but not stubborn. My definition of leadership is not the only variable that determines my behavior as a leader. How successful I wish to become in life as a leader depends on how I measure success.
In my opinion, success is not measured with money. It depends on the happiness of the leader and the people that leader affects. My goals depend on the organization of my leadership methods and my commitment. Commitment is about loyalty to a goal. I know that commitment is achieved by following certain steps that allow me to remain organized. Being committed means that you are focused on the goal, that you don't allow the goal to become your life, and you are prepared to sacrifice things to achieve that goal.
My leadership style is a compromise of many characteristics. As a leader, I know that I am still accountable for peoples' actions and still respect them. I try to respect everyone, especially those who are under me. I know that I rely on the people that I lead just as much as they rely on me. I believe that I can keep them happy as long as I establish the appropriate feedback mechanism to asses how others view me.
Over the past few weeks I have developed new skills working with Lynn and Jessica. I have become aware of old flaws of which I was not conscious. However, I have come to realize new strengths that I did not know I had. I know now that a true leader must sometimes follow. That it takes a strong person to do what is right, but a stronger person to admit when they are wrong. I will enjoy my role as a leader because I will be helping the health profession of Radiology and the patient community.
Jessica's Reflection: