Lauren M. Jaeger ’05 Director, Alumni Relations & Annual Giving Daemen College LEADS - October 27, 2010

“WHOO” am I? Student of Leadership Wife, daughter, friend, coworker Dog Mom Daemen Alumna EmployeeAND….

LEADS Leadership & Empowerment for the Active Development of Students …the program emphasizes life long learning and civic engagement through interdisciplinary programs that provide and encourage the development of consciousness of self, fosters inclusive collaborative relationships, social change, and civic responsibility.

So why study THIS? Shouldn’t people “Just do it?”

That would be like saying… We all should be visual learners! Awesome!

Or we all should be left-brain thinkers!

How did you do? Early Bird: Moderate: Night Owl: 8-20

If only it were this easy… Nanda Home (Creators). Vimeo (Poster) (2001, October 11) Get out of Bed (Commercial) Retreived from

Do we have a preoccupation with preferences? Why do you think scientists, Educators, Marketers and Leadership experts study personal preferences?

Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator

What if it was more than just waking up on time? People tend to favor mornings or nights based at least in part on how they react to a kind of competition between two forces in the brain: The first is hardwired: A master clock in the brain regulates a so-called circadian rhythm, which synchronizes activity patterns to the 24-hour day. Some people’s clocks tell them to go to bed at 9 p.m., others’ at 3 a.m The second factor–called sleep pressure–depends not on time of day but simply on how long someone has been awake already. Sleep pressure builds up as hours of wakefulness increase.

Who took STATS?

DSPS Delayed Sleep phase Syndrome Virginia Commonwealth University (Creators). Vculifesciences (Poster) (2008, June 25) Rhythm and Snooze-Circadian Genes (Video) Retrieved from

So What, Now What? So what if you can’t possibly remain a night owl (like me) because of work, family, school, etc. What can you do? What should you avoid? Don’t watch TV or use the computer! Try listening to music, or reading in dim but sufficient light. (book light)

What is one to do? Stick to a schedule! Sleep and wake the same time M-S - DVR your favorite shows. Yoga and/or Meditation before bed Herbal / Homeopathic remedies: Melatonin for instance You always have “Tocky”!

If nothing helps… Try making an appointment with a sleep specialist.

Significance to the Study of Leadership Better understanding our own preferences and/or predispositions. Understanding how circadian preferences may affect productivity, group dynamics, ways of thinking, etc Help night owls become better contributors to or function in, the early- bird world.

So what, Now What for Students of leadership? Kaufman, W. (2006) Best Buy Cuts Workers Loose from Clock, Desks. Retrieved October 19, 2011 from

Continued… Studies suggest there may be distinct differences in the personalities and styles of Night Owls and Early Birds. Proactive – Procrastinator Extrovert – Introvert Openness- Less So Verbally Inclined – Less so Conscientiousness - Less So Tsaousis, I. (2010) Circadian preferences and personality traits: a meta -analysis. European Journal of Personality, 24, OI: /per.75 Proactive – Procrastinator Extrovert – Introvert Openness- Less So Verbally Inclined – Less so Conscientiousness - Less So Tsaousis, I. (2010) Circadian preferences and personality traits: a meta -analysis. European Journal of Personality, 24, OI: /per.75

Points to take with you Night Owls aren’t lazy but may have challenges adapting to the 8-4pm, 9-5pm schedule While Circadian preferences may be genetically influenced MOST people can retrain their cycle. How the study of preferences can help shape our leadership approach. Leaders are increasingly adopting strategies and policy that appeal to a very diverse work force. As you expand your leadership roles how can you use this information to get the best out of yourself and others?

References Gerard, D., Jackson, A. (1996) Diurnal types, the “big five” personality factors, and other personal characteristics. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 11, (2) Kaufman, W. (2006) Best Buy Cuts Workers Loose from Clock, Desks. Retrieved October 19, 2011 from Nanda Home (Creators). Vimeo (Poster) (2001, October 11) Get out of Bed (Commercial) Retreived from Tsaousis, I. (2010) Circadian preferences and personality traits: a meta-analysis. European Journal of Personality, 24, OI: /per.75 Virginia Commonwealth University (Creators). Vculifesciences (Poster) (2008, June 25) Rhythm and Snooze-Circadian Genes (Video) Retrieved from

Comments, Dialogue, Questions… Thank you for your time today. Please take a moment to fill out the evaluation forms!