leadership

Building Trust, One Marble at a Time

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Trust, in the most basic sense, is placing confidence in another person, and in return, them placing confidence in you.

In Brené Brown’s novel Daring Greatly, she shares a story of her young daughter losing trust in her best friends and her subsequent decision to never trust anyone again. Brené uses the analogy of a marble jar to help her daughter understand how trust is built. As people share stories about themselves, marbles are added to their trust jar. The more stories they share, and the deeper those stories are, the more marbles you are able to add to their jar. It is easy to trust someone whose jar is overflowing.

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It is important to note the aspect of reciprocity, as oftentimes this isn’t necessarily the case in today’s society. Trust either is given very freely, or oftentimes, not at all. It would be simple to state that I can’t trust someone if they haven’t filled up their jar of marbles, but if someone were looking to share something meaningful and difficult with me and the marble jar they have for me is empty, it’s natural for there to be a lack of reciprocal trust.

Why is this important in leadership?

Trust in our culture is declining. Research shows that even in 2009 only 49% of employees trusted their senior management, and only 28% believed CEOs were a credible source of information. With financial difficulties in our economy and turmoil in the political world, people are putting less and less trust in those who hold positions of power. In discussing leadership, oftentimes our conversations ask whether or not it is necessary to have followers in order to be a leader. If your answer is that you do in fact need followers of some sort, then finding ways to develop trust with those individuals is critical, particularly in today’s society.

As a leader looking to build trust, here are a few tips to work towards adding marbles to others’ jars: hold yourself accountable and prove your reliability; be clear and honest in your communications, but make sure to hold in confidence that which should not be shared publicly; choose what’s right over what’s comfortable – practice your values, not just profess your values; and come at situations with a non-judgmental and open mind. As stated before, trust is about give and take over a period of time. Be comfortable with being patient. Give a little to get a little. If you are brave, generous, and honest in your actions, people will start to trust you in return. It’s the small steps that will get you there.

Trust is not some big, monumental, life-altering action. Trust is a jar of marbles. What are you doing to fill other people’s jars?

 

–Emily Pearson, Outdoor Leadership Programs Graduate Assistant, Higher Education and Student Affairs master’s program ’17

Opportunity for Growth Through a Job

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One of the amazing parts of going to college is the abundant amount of opportunities that you can grab hold of, and run with, while spending time on your campus. For some, that is joining a student organization, going on an alternative break, doing research, or taking part in a variety of programs open for you to attend. For many, that opportunity also comes in the form of a job. Paying for all of those text books, credits, dealing with housing, and feeding yourself, among other expenses, weighs heavily on your wallet. Alleviating that pressure with a bi-weekly pay check makes college life a bit more manageable.

Have you also considered the other potential gains from a job rather than the new money in your bank account?

Finding that Unique Job

At this very moment you will find that there are 523 job openings at UConn. Ranging from basic clerical work to assisting in research in the neurobiology lab. It can be somewhat daunting to find that unique job that not only brings in the money but provides an experience that truly allows you to grow as an individual with an abundant set of transferable skills ready for the real world after graduation. The best part is you can find some of the greatest jobs out there that not only help you accomplish that goal but can be a ton of fun.

Possible Solution

I may be personally biased but I believe Student Activities houses some of those best jobs that you will find on any college campus especially here at UConn.

Hiring_WebBannerFortunately enough for all of you there is currently a set of three openings that not only provide an amazing environment to work in but are all uniquely qualified to assist in you personal growth (plus don’t forget the pay check). You would be doing yourself a disservice for at least not checking out these fantastic opportunities.

 

For Example, why should you consider working for Four Arrows?

Do you like the outdoors? Have you ever been on a ropes course? Have you taken part in any of our programs here at UConn and thought how does another student have this job? Well you aren’t the first to think up those questions nor will you be the last.  We asked our current student staff a variety of questions to give insight to some of those interested in learning about working as a Four Arrows Facilitator.

Why did you apply for this job?

  • First I get to work outdoors, second I get to work outdoors, and third I get to work outdoors.
  • I completed a program with my learning community and for the first time I had fun with an outdoor experience. I immediately asked afterwards when they were hiring next.
  • It was just so different then all of the other available jobs.
  • I was drawn to the leadership opportunities in facilitation.

What is your favorite part of this job?

  • Work with a fantastic staff which many if not all of us would call family.
  • I get to teach people about everyday skills by just guiding them through an experience.
  • Getting people out of their comfort zones and into their growth zones.
  • Seeing the journey participants go on from when they first arrive to the end of a course and how much growth has occurred for individuals and groups.
  • Building connections!

What is your favorite memory working at Four Arrows?

  • Jumping up the wall and grabbing hands with a fellow staff member was seriously epic.
  • First time completing the trust fall since I didn’t think I could do it but then learning I can overcome my fear.
  • When one of the participants in my group had an Ah Ha moment that I planted a seed for at the beginning of the course.
  • That time I received a hand written thank you card for giving others “the best experience ever”!
Some additional insights from our staff can be found on the Four Arrows Instagram AccountInstagram

 

Learn,

Have Fun,

and Get Paid

TL;DR :
Gain leadership skills  and provide opportunities of growth for your fellow students while getting paid. Find out how here – leadership.uconn.edu 

Recognition: More than Just Gold Stars and Platitudes

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The University’s Student Life Awards, which take place in April, recognize outstanding leadership and service by individuals, student organizations, and faculty/staff. Those who are recognized as recipients of the awards and those who are finalists all represent the outstanding values and characteristics of our institution, and more importantly our UConn community:

Scholarship. Advocacy. Innovation. Service. Pride. Community. Leadership.

From personal and academic integrity to the spirit of inquiry, outreach and service, to the celebration of diversity and respect for all individuals, these values have been personified by the actions of students, student organizations, and staff across campus.

Recognition only works when it is authentic, meaningful, and earned. Honors and Awards must be honest expressions of appreciation for a commitment to values, to hard work and effort, or to the dedication of a group to cause. Public celebrations allow the community to recommit to shared values, to highlight the best of us, and to inspire the rest to meet that bar.

Taking the time to recognize outstanding contributions to the University Community is a central responsibility of leadership; one of the five practices of Exemplary Leadership (Kouzes & Posner) is to Encourage the Heart by celebrating our values and victories. We all must take on this practice and celebrate the contributions of our fellow Huskies.

Think about a significant accomplishment that your student organization achieved. What impact did your group have on the community? What cause did you champion? What program was a resounding success? Who led that effort? Who supported that cause? Who worked hard even when no one was watching?

Reflect on your learning community experience. Who impacted your time there? Who challenged you to grow and to develop?

Think about the mentors and role models you have here at UConn. Have you recognized them for the impact they’ve had on you? Have you thanked your advisor lately? Your Teaching Assistant? Your supervisor?

The nomination process for the Student Life Awards is open until February 26th. Encourage Someone’s Heart and nominate them today. The form can be found here.

Leadership is BAE*

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BAE: Before Anyone Else; short for baby or babe; a nickname for music’s queen, Beyoncé; #BAEcation; the noise a sheep makes; Bacon And Eggs …

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BAE is a worldwide phenomenon, yet no one truthfully knows where the word comes from. There are claims all over the Internet behind the meaning, providing a plethora of explanations, and even TIME wrote an article on the three little letters. Linguists can’t track down where or when BAE came into our language. Nevertheless, it’s booming now more than ever.  Pharrell and Miley Cyrus would agree (cue their attempted summer hit song).

Just like our approach to leadership, the staff in UConn’s Leadership Office proposed that BAE stand for something much more than cutesy relationship jargon or punny Instagram #hashtags:

 

Boundless.

Thinking outside of the box. Having courage to face fears. Feeling unlimited, unrestrained.

 

Authentic.

Being genuine, one’s true self. Living with integrity. One-of-a-kind.

 

Empowering.

Enabling others. Growing strength and confidence. Taking control of one’s life.

 

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To us, Leadership is *Boundless, Authentic, and Empowering.

 

BAE is what you make it. And we’d like to say the same thing about your college experience. Whether or not joining an organization, participating in sports, working 3 jobs, or majoring in naps is “your thing,” the beauty of being a college student is: it is YOUR CHOICE.

 

We’ll be here if you want to discover your leadership potential, challenge yourself to do more, or learn how to work better with others. Our job is to support you.

 

–Emily Pearson, Outdoor Leadership Programs Graduate Assistant, Higher Education and Student Affairs master’s program ’17