When I was younger, I was a Pokémon Master. That’s no understatement. I had multiple versions of the game for Game Boy and Nintendo 64. I had figurines. I played in a Pokémon Trading Card Game League on Saturday mornings at Toys “R” Us. I even used to pretend to catch, train, and battle Pokémon in my backyard. My fascination with these creatures stemmed from each one having its own unique powers. No two Pokémon are alike. Each one brings something unique to the table and can be used in different situations. They also each have their own strengths and weaknesses. There is no one single Pokémon that can rule them all and be undefeatable. (Heck, even Mewtwo has a weakness.) In order to be a true Pokémon Master, you have to have a diverse team with each member bringing something distinctive to the battle. These distinct attributes are the Pokémon’s “bailiwick.”
So what is a bailiwick? It’s your interests. It’s what you’re good at and see as your personal strengths. Bailiwick is your sphere of influence. This year in the Leadership Office we are encouraging you as students to reflect and think about what it is that you do well. What skills and strengths do you bring to your organization, program, or community?
If you’re looking to take your leadership even further with bailiwick, work to understand what others consider to be their bailiwicks. Knowing where other people have strengths and influences can help you learn from one another to further develop your skills. You will also be able to create more dynamic teams for projects that are beyond your own skillset and sphere of influence.
So what is your bailiwick? You might be a great public speaker or sincerely empathetic. As you start your classes this year, take some time to reflect. The possibilities are endless, and luckily you’re not a Pokémon who gets limited to only four moves.
If you are looking to explore this topic more as an individual, I encourage you to check out our Leadership Certificate Series. If your group wants to work on their leadership skills as a cohesive unit, you can request a workshop from the Leadership Office staff.
Have a great start of the semester!
Pat
Graduate Assistant, Leadership Office