Reflection of Self - Personality and Character Traits

MBA

This blog is actually part of my Leading Talent Organization (LTO) module I am taking as part of my Masters in Business Administration (MBA). Doing my MBA was a choice my bosses did not agree with. In the Ministry of Health where I currently work, this course is not usually taken by medical doctors as there is no clear career progression. It not yet acknowledged by the Civil Service Department (JPA) as a specialty and hence when returning to my department there will be no increment in my salary of special allowance. I love doing my MBA as it broadens my horizons and exposed me to new things I did not learn in medical school. 

There has been several batches of MBA Healthcare Management graduates and we have recently formed MBA Healthcare Management  Society, an official club registered with ROS working towards forming our career pathway and progression in the Ministry of Health.  

LTO

I find that LTO is an interesting subject to learn. I was half expecting the course to be purely about Human Resources (HR) but found out that it also teaches us how to a leader and well as a good team player. I find that about 80% of the work in my MBA requires me to deal with, work with or work in a group with other people. Ideally, we shall be able to form our own teams, but as in the work place this might not be possible. So, we have to learn how to work with people who we did not "choose". To me that was the biggest challenge. The subject itself can be learnt, but dealing with nuances of interpersonal relationships, especially on a professional (in this case academic) level requires me to develop myself even further. 

Big 5 personality

This exercise to publish a website and write about my self was extremely challenging for me. I have recently discovered that I am a very conscientious person and needs everything to be right and in place. I put in a lot of effort in getting things right and this seem to others like I might be a difficult person to work with. My big 5 personality test showed that I scored low when tested on agreeableness. I tend value decisions which are critical and rational rather than solutions which make everyone happy.  

I am also outgoing and energetic (high score on Extraversion), I am always curious and inventive (high score on Openness to Experience. I love new going on new adventures. I like to be in the outdoors, to travel and see new sights and sounds. My score for Neuroticism was quite ambivalent as I can be both at times, either very nervous and over react to things. In other situations, I can even be very confident.   

Me tasting royal jelly on one of my numerous trips to Vietnam. 

Another place I usually frequnt is Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. On one of those trips, I finally sighted a Rafflesia which was in bloom!

Me muddy and happy. I later got a bloody cut across my forehead, my khakis were ripped coz the mud was so heavy, my friend kindly let me have his socks to keep my pant leg up. I was holding kimchi rolls which I made to eat for lunch at the peak during that trip.