Bridgett Kent-Lewis
June 25, 2020
BUS 4402- Organizational Behavior
Unit 1 Learning Journal
This week we discussed how communication is essential to a company’s culture and
stakeholders.
We also wrote about diversity and inclusion. I chose to use my own experience as
a leader for discussion and viewpoint.
One of things I have learned from various leadership
courses is that one half of the material is generalized. To be a well-rounded learner, it is
important to use subjective information. As a Buddhist, Buddhism teaches transparency with
self.
Self-truth unlocks the key to making not just better but the right decisions.
I am a spatial learner, even though I am more introverted, I need feedback to improve on my
knowledge and skillset, so the peer to peer interaction is important to and for me. This unit on
communication is not particularly challenging, however, it was very interesting to read how other
people experience and view communication. For instance, one student (Thomas Jumwa) wrote
about his community in Africa where people commonly snoop and are expected to dress
similarly and act similarly to others on one accord, a collectivist society rather than
individualistic.
While I read about these cultural styles, I had not experienced anyone who lived
it.
This is considered normal, and I asked myself, would I be able to communicate with him
without sounding judging or opinionated?
How does he as an individual learn from this
university on how to operate outside of his norms?
For me, more often than not, I go with my gut instinct which almost never fails me but when I
base my interactions on my opinion or belief is when I make the mistake(s). I communicate on
many different levels with a huge and diverse team, not just culturally but personalities and
ranks. The assignment posed no challenge, but it did recall some of the bad experiences I had in
my industry. It was not hard to find resource material that supports what has been a debatable
issue for over a decade (besides Harvard Business Review and Forbes are just two of my go to
resources because the give their resource/fact material to support their work). In the government
space, it is white male dominated, and being able to see outside of my own diversity as not just a
woman but an African American, has made me learn several methods to achieve this, especially
within my own team. I practice the Buddhism way of thought:
1.
Is it true?
2.
Is it necessary?
3.
Is it kind?
As a leader, kind means not being insensitive but more diplomatic when making and
communicating the decision. It helps me to articulate from a more rational place and not from
competitive but more collaborative. Leaders should be collaborative, responsible, and relatable.
No one connects to a know it all, it makes them feel intimidated and sometimes detached.
I still
have much to learn which makes me excited because it means I grow and improve, and I am not
a know it all.
The best leader and communicator should be the best me.
