The Power of Reflection GSLT Leadership Summit 2016 Presented by Dr. Ginger O’Neal

Presenting the Story of The Ugly Duckling

What do you see when you look in the mirror? What character is inside the image in the mirror?

We do not learn from experience . . . We learn from reflecting on experience. John Dewey

Leading self-Reflection Take time to reflect as a team

Leading self-Reflection

Reflecting on past experience Think about the object you have chosen How does it remind you of a childhood experience that shaped your values? Share with a partner

Think of one word that describes you best . . . Character Think of one word that describes you best . . .

Either/Or -- exercises Which are you more like? Ask or Tell Think or Act Listener or Talker Teaching or Learning Which is more important in a friend? Openess or Loyalty Generosity or Intelligence Dependability or Humor Tolerance or Honesty Which are you more like? Problem solver or Worrier Cello or Trumpet Helping or Watching Willow or Oak Which is more important to you? Family or Friends Adventure or Recognition Future or Present Sports or Academics

Ranking Exercise What do you Consider to be the Most important Concerns Facing Society today? _______ Drugs _______ Poverty _______ Terrorism _______ Hunger _______ Racism _______ Population Control _______ Human Rights _______ (Other) ____________________ 1 – Most Important 8 – Least Important Add one more concern to the list and include it in the ranking order.

Continuum How do you prefer to spend your time? Alone With Friends Which describes you more? Pessimistic Optimistic Which describes you more? Win at all costs Winning is not important

Continuum How do you deal with a conflict? Avoid at all costs Confront and bring it out When you accomplish something what do you do? Tell everyone about it Tell no one about it To what extent should a person express feelings to others? Be open and honest Keep feelings to oneself

the Importance of Understanding Perception

Your Task On the back of your paper-- Draw a picture to show the actual size of the nest that was in the pictures you just viewed.

How big are hummingbird eggs? Hummingbird eggs are about the size of a navy bean. The clutch normally contains two eggs. There is usually a two-day interval between the laying of the first egg and the second one.

Questions to ponder Did your perspective change? When and why? What was your reaction? What changes our perspective?

Relationship Activity Draw a line down the middle of the back of your paper. On one column list the people who have been important in your life. In the other column list the reasons that person has been important. Pair off – Discuss your lists and determine if there are any common elements that tell something about why the relationships were meaningful. Complete this statement – My most meaningful relationships seem to be . . .

Through personal reflection, we can improve our character and hold true to our values. The rest of the story . . . What will your rest of the story be?