Reflection of Self - Leadership Steps Assessment

Leadership Steps Assessment

One of the first things we learn was to get to know ourselves. This was done using the Leadership Steps Assessment (LSA) developed by the University of Virginia. It measures 6 items which is mapped out in a web diagram as below. 

 

Strengths 

My strengths were in Clarifying What's Possible (CWP) with the highest score of 39. Relentless Assertion (R) and Support Others So They Can Contribute (SOCC) were close second with 37. 

I think my CWP score was high because I have travelled the world and seen how things can be done. I like immersing myself in new culture and experiences. When I travel (which I used to do a lot pre pandemic), I would make a point to avoid tourist traps and travel like the locals. I like meeting new people and am open to new experiences. 

I also love reading a lot and seeing how other people view the world. It's good to see the world from other people's perspectives. There is so much we can do in the world, so much that is possible. 

Room for improvement

Areas I need to work on include Clarify Your Center (CYC) and Clarify What Others Have To Contribute (CWOCC). 

By having to adapt a lot to new situation and surroundings I feel that this contributes to having low CYC scores. I notice that people who move into new surroundings will usually adapt in two very different opposite ways, they will either assimilate fully into the new culture (and partly lose their own identify) or the opposite happens in which they become more aware of who they are and that their core values are. 

My formative years were spent in the UK, first England then Scotland. We adapted quickly, even had the English accent by our third month there (I was 10 years old). When we later moved to Scotland, I vehemently refuse to use the Scottish accent.  

Me and my brothers before school. It was our winter uniform and my little brother was one of Santa's Elf for the school play that day. 

Me and my father outside our house before school.  

I notice that when I require a task to be completed, I would rather do it myself rather than assign it to someone else. It is too cumbersome for me to assign it to someone and have them do it incorrectly, then I would have to go back and redo the work myself. I have to improve and learn to delegate, see what other people can contribute and put my trust in them that they can carry out the task well. As a leader, it is important to know the teammates and subordinates strengths and weaknesses and assign them tasks and roles suited for them.

If a person loves being in the spotlight, let them be at the front and be the MC. Other people might like to be behind the scenes, writing the script and do the prep work before the event. Encourage development but also acknowledge their existing capabilities. I personally cannot tolerate being an MC for an event but I do not mind presenting and explaining ideas, I can perform well when presenting. 

I was presenting one of the weekly talks at the Hospital in Terengganu. Our department (Plastic Surgery) won the award for the best presentation.  

Me representing my department in the Headquarters (HQ), MoH presenting during the annual coordination retreat with our partner ministry, Public Works Department (JKR) with whom my department works closely with.  

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.  

 

Profile and Background

 

Hi! This is a bit about me

Profile  

Name: Fatimah Azzahra 

Birthday: 2nd of May 1984

Place of Birth: Sydney, Australia

Profession: Doctor

Place of Residence: Selangor, Malaysia

Place of Work: Putrajaya, Malaysia
Siblings: I'm the eldest of 5 siblings, 3 other brothers and the youngest sister.

Background

Both my parents are from Terengganu, it's where most of my extended family are. I've been a global nomad since I was born. I was born during when my parents were in their final year of their studies. They came back to Malaysia with two degrees and a baby. 

Ever since then, we have moved around a lot because of my dad's job in the Royal Malaysian Navy, so much so that all my siblings are born in different states; the boys are born in Kuala Lumpur, Perak and Terengganu. While the girls are born overseas, my sister was born in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom. My family was in the UK for 7 years, we lived in Surrey, England then later moved to Glasgow. 

My primary 6 class in St James' C of E School, with our teacher and Budgie the helicopter. I am sitting in the front row, 4 from right. I still keep in touch with most of my classmates.  

In total I have attended 10 schools, not including nursery and medical school. This is me and my batch when we found out we graduated a decade ago. We were so happy. Most of my friends are now clinical specialists in hospitals now. 

MBBS IIUM Class of 2009