Shahina Gantiwala

EXPL 390 2/19/16

Leadership Reflection Assignment
I am a human that makes mistakes and am by no means a perfect leader, and am glad that
I can reassess my leadership skills to be an effective leader. I want to first discuss the shift in my
leadership style in the two different roles I have experienced at Misericordia. Thereafter, I will
discuss leadership styles I have seen to be effective. And finally, what leadership values or styles
I would like to see at the internship site and how that may look like for the organization. It is
interesting to assess key qualities of running a successful organization, especially when you have
experienced being in two different departments whose atmosphere seems worlds apart.
As a social service inter at Misericordia, effective leadership was not necessary. In other
words, I did not see humans, almost at all, so I did not have a chance to initiate contact,
communicate, critique, or correct any mistakes I could have created. I worked with countless
stacks of paper and a computer. The only times that I needed to show leadership was when a
social service coordinator would drop by to say hello, once a week, and I get told via email what
stacks of paperwork need to be completed. I am slightly exaggerating about the human
interaction, however, the responsibilities of the position mostly dealt with paperwork and did not
allow room to practice effective leadership skills. Human interaction is necessary in effectively
practicing leadership skills of communication, understanding, tolerance, flexibility, and
receptiveness, etc.
Thankfully, I was moved to Misericordias Moore Center for a position as a Fitness
intern. The position requires me to interact with all kinds of people, from residents to staff. The
position puts me in situations where I have to think critically on how to solve a conflict and how

to enable a resident to meet their fitness goal. Further, it puts me in a position outside of my
comfort zone and forces me to be creative in solving problems. For example, I have seen several
residents come into the fitness center upset for whatever reason, so they refuse to do their
allotted exercise. With a calm demeanor if they are about to cry or with a stern but gentle voice I
am able to make the resident feel comfortable so that they can accomplish their fitness goals.
This experience is a quality that I would not have been able to add onto my life skill set as a
social service intern. Along with being creative, soothing, and goal-oriented when working one
on one with a resident, working with other staff members in the Moore Center is fulfilling as a
leader as well. The interaction with other staff is the primary reason why I am able to exude
leadership qualities as being open-minded, adaptive, creative, receptive, and extremely
motivating.
In my leadership profile assignment, I chose a leader whose style of leadership is far
different than mine. Nevertheless, her style is direct and effective. I have seen her style of
leadership in action and effective as she embodied model behavior, patience, understanding,
tolerance, honesty, professionalism, and flexibility around residents and staff. However, she was
effective primarily because she was not warm and friendly, which is where I deem my leadership
style different. I come off as friendly, warm, and flexible, while she comes off as anti-social,
cold, and flexible. Key words in both of our demeanors: flexible. That is one key that we have in
common and that is to adapt in any circumstance we are in. For example, when a call comes in
that a certain resident is missing, we initiate communication with all staff to find the resident.
Once the resident is found or information regarding the individuals location is determined, we
relay the new information to the staff on the phone line and we continue our function in our
respective roles. The ability to adapt and communicate in a situation are two qualities I have seen

at Misericordia that is embodied by staff and residents. Those two traits are essential for effective
leadership because one must know how to assess, adapt, and absolve an issue so that the goal of
the organization can be met.
The biggest trait of effective leadership as a fitness intern at Misericordia is motivation. I
absolutely love motivating people and the fact that resident and staff join in on the motivation
during fitness programs is the highlight of my experience. Motivation in the form of
encouragement and changing routine enables individual to feel in control and positive. This in
turn enables individuals to go about accomplishing the said task, for example, completing a 30
minute Curves circuit. Motivating others motivates me and the fact that it is in a fitness center is
even better!
My experience so far at the Moore Center for Fitness & Aquatics at Misericordia has
been fulfilling in embodying effective leadership. However, communication and receptiveness
are two leadership qualities that I would like to see in action. For example, there is lack of
communication with one of the two bosses, within their co-boss positions and with the rest of the
Moore Center staff. This lack of communication creates tension when there is not a plan laid out
for certain residents on their assigned fitness charts or which residents will be coming in to
exercise that day. This uncertainty causes staff and resident alike harm in the sense that residents
need routine and staff need direction. We have been experiencing such situations for the past two
weeks, however, the staff is effective at communication with each other to accomplish the
residents whereabouts and fitness goals. I applaud the Misericordia Fitness & Aquatics staff at
their ability to accomplish goals in the face of uncertainty even when a person in power, who is
supposed to be a co-boss, does not know what to do. There are times when one of the bosses
cannot take constructive criticism regarding the placement of machines or an individuals

schedule and that makes it difficult for staff and residents during their fitness time. I would like
to see the co-boss be receptive and be able to communicate well because it would make the rest
of the staffs jobs easier. We, the staff, would not have to be running around and panicking about
residents whereabouts or residents safety when they use a machine in the fitness room.
I would like to slowly put in my input to the co-boss in the near future using a gentle
calm demeanor, and hopefully I am able to initiate permanent positive change. Effective
leadership depends on the role occupies, the rules they have to follow, and the situations they
experience. It is up to that individual to either work within the confines of those rules or outside
of them to effectively complete their desired, hopefully positive, goals. I have lacked leadership
skill in my position as a social service intern, but have been forced to grow in my position as a
fitness intern. From seeing my own behavior lacking effective leadership to seeing how a coboss leadership lacks, I realized that I needed to assess and incorporate a model leaders style of
leadership. From being meek to assertive was a welcomed change as I know that I am not
imposing harm upon any individual when I recommend a certain behavior change in the fitness
room. I admire the direct aspect of leadership that Kelli Labelle has shown, however, I
incorporate a sometimes friendly demeanor when I need residents to adapt a behavior for safety
purposes. However, sometimes, I have to be cold and direct to make sure that residents listen
immediately instead of me consistently coaxing them into changing their maladaptive behavior.
Working with other individuals, residents and staff, has caused me to come outside of my
comfort zone and be an effective leader. I observe, listen, analyze, ask, question, respond,
communicate, and adapt in the situations I am placed in because of necessity of the position I am
in. In the future, I hope that I am able to bring about a positive change by questioning authority

in a professional manner so as to bring about change in the documentation and training of the
resident for their better well-being.