In the race of life your awareness of your Bailiwick is as important as making sure you tie your shoelaces before a run. But what if you forgot the double knot and you trip on your way to the finish line? How do you bounce back from a moment when you thought you would thrive but instead faltered?

Back in 2012, three years after graduating college, I decided it was time to apply for graduate schools. I did my research, spoke with friends who had gone for their Master’s in the same field, and sent out applications to three schools. I had my heart set on Graduate School #1. I could tell you forwards and backwards what my graduate career was going to be like, including the job I would land in the department I aspired to work in upon graduation. After receiving my acceptance letter, I applied to seven graduate assistantships. I passed the phone interview round for many and made it into the top two in three of those departments. I spent a day on campus interviewing with each department, feeling confident that I would at least receive one offer and perhaps even have a choice where I would end up. I felt that my bailiwick was evident in my interviews. I was confident, well-spoken, enthusiastic, and eager to learn. I had background knowledge on each of the positions. My sneakers were on and I was ready to run.

Within a week, what I thought would have been job offers turned into rejections, each of them stinging a little more than the last. I was crushed. How could I have been so wrong? I blamed myself by picking out my flaws. I let my self-esteem dip. I tripped over my shoelaces and fell hard. I was unsure of how to move on when I received another graduate school acceptance letter. I took this as a sign. Get up from the ground with your skinned knees and bruised ego and find yourself a new trail. That’s what I did. That’s how I ended up at Graduate School #2.

Here’s what I learned through the process of rejection. My sneakers were tied tight that day I interviewed for the positions at Graduate School #1. What I first blamed on untied laces ended up being a crack in the sidewalk. I tripped and fell because my bailiwick wasn’t the best fit for the positions. This decision was outside of my control, made by someone else’s sphere of influence. The important thing was that I picked myself up and moved on. Someone else embraced me and my bailiwick and I’m a better person because of it.

So how does this apply to you? When you go for a run, make sure your shoelaces are tied tight. Know what you’re good at, what you’re not so good at, and what you’re just so-so at. You can avoid the cracks in the sidewalk as best you can but you’ll be blindsided by some. You may fall down. Sometimes it will be because of the cracks (someone else’s sphere of influence) and other times your shoelaces (your own doing). Be confident and humble in your abilities. Don’t stop running. You’ll find the best trail and set a new personal best time.

 

Michela DeLuca

Graduate Intern

We all decided as staff that in order to introduce our “Bailiwick” theme, we should share our own thoughts on the concept and perhaps reveal our own Bailiwicks. I was on board from the get-go. Heck, I’m pretty sure I was the one who suggested it. But saying and doing are two different things, and I’ve been staring at this same word document for two weeks.

In my struggle to put pen to paper (or fingers to keys, as the phrase evolves), I spent a significant time thinking about all of the things beyond my bailiwick. I harped on it, I cursed it, I made snarky comments to coworkers about it. And then I just decided to embrace it. So here it is folks, my “Non-Bailiwick”:

• Time Management… I’ve procrastinated for two weeks on this blog. I’m only writing it now because we have a staff meeting tomorrow and I don’t want to be the only one to have not done a post. Sure, I’m better than I was in college, and there are real skills I’ve learned here, but I just can’t shake the almost compulsive need to have the pressure of a deadline.
• Editing… not just grammar (certainly that), but I mean the editing of thoughts and concepts that make tons of sense in my brain but sound small when I put them into words. I have so many things floating in my head that I wanted to talk about in this post: hedgehog concepts and finding your purpose, StrengthsQuest and leveraging your skills, humility and the awkwardness of owning and telling your stories. Every time I sit to write them, they don’t seem as profound as when I first had the thought.
• Written Communication… I never feel as confident in my ability to write my thoughts as I do to say them out loud. There is only so much I can convey to you without my tone of voice, your verbal and non-verbal reactions, and the connection of an in-person conversation. I would much rather sit down with you, or a group of you, and have a thought-provoking discussion on the topics above, and not just tell you what I think.
• Cooking a Whole Chicken… no joking here, I’ve never done this successfully. I’ve cooked a turkey with great results, but every time I try roasting a chicken, it’s still raw. The last time I tried and failed, I declared a truce; I haven’t made an attempt in 6 months.

Phew, that feels good to get it out there.

As I re-read my Non-Bailiwick, I’m struck by how these things that may be seen as weaknesses of mine also convey hidden truths about my talents, and perhaps about my actual Bailiwick. Sometimes it easier to find the things you’re good at by owning the things you’re not good at.

Sure, I struggle with time management, but I’ve also learned that my periods of ‘marinating’ on an idea leads to the ability to adapt to circumstances as they arise, to take in new information and ideas, and to connect seemingly disparate concepts. One of my Strengths is Input, and I can see that in my procrastination: I’m not lazy…I’m mulling things over. I like to think in the abstract, to see the big picture, to learn new things. I get excited with leadership theory, and I want to spark that excitement in someone else. I prefer conversations to the written word: My job is to facilitate workshops and discussions, and I’m naturally more comfortable surrounded by people than on my own. I’m a verbal processor, an interpersonal learner. It’s an ability that allows me to connect and relate to my participants and students; it’s why I love what I do.

If you’re anything like me, it may be easier for you to see your ‘weaknesses’, your areas of challenge, than it may be for you to see what you’re good at. Great. Start there, then flip the script. Try to uncover the hidden talents and strengths in your non-bailiwick. And if you need someone to talk it out with, find me, that’s what I do well.

Oh, and you’ll be happy to know that I’ve put chicken on the menu for this weekend. I’m trying this recipe.

 

Krista O’Brien

Coordinator of Leadership Programs

One of the key philosophies in Adventure Education is Challenge by Choice which is a concept of providing participants the option of choosing their level of involvement in “challenges” within an experience. At Four Arrows, which manages a Challenge Course here at UConn, we introduce this concept by talking about individual comfort levels. Every person has a set of routines or patterns in their life that brings a sense of comfort and security. For some that is getting out of bed and having a cup of coffee while for others that may be staying up late to finish a personal project (are you a morning person or a night owl). The issue with staying in the comfort zone is you lack the opportunity to truly learn from new experiences.

 <– Many of you may have probably seen this image before in some variation.

If not, there is that moment in which you step out of your comfort zone, which we call the stretch or growth zone, where you truly begin learning. This learning can be anything from gaining new skills or knowledge, managing unexpected change, how you function in groups, to much more. Typically there is an ideal peak of “stretching” your zones where you can find your optimal performance. Be wary though, since with too much of a push you may find yourself in an environment of worry overload, which we call the panic zone.

There is a great post written by Alan Henry called “The Science Behind Breaking Out of Your Comfort Zone” found on Lifehacker. that can shed some more light on the topic.

How are Bailiwicks like comfort zones?

• Everyone’s is Unique – If you gathered a room full of people and had them all participate in the same exact activity together and then asked them all to fall on a spectrum between comfort and panic zones, you will see each person land in a different spot. Every person comes in with unique set of skills & knowledge as well as limitations and this uniquely shapes their spheres of influence.
  
• There are limits to the boundaries – You can find yourself spread too thin if you push too hard. The same reactions of being in your panic zone would occur if you don’t understand your own limitations of your bailiwick.
• You have the choice of expanding – Just like the challenge by choice philosophy you have the option of expanding your “zones” or sphere. For the most part your bailiwick is limited to how much energy you put into developing yourself.
• Anything outside your circle/zone can be stressful – Knowing that negative reactions can occur outside of your sphere of influence should tell you to that you need to learn more about yourself or find someone who has the ability to help you.
  

Try to find your sweet spot when it comes to your bailiwick. Also know when you can help others expand their boundaries too as long as it doesn’t put them in that panic zone.

Mark Flynn
Coordinator of Outdoor Leadership Programs

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