1. Alexis Lacayo
November 8, 2016
TLC Reflection Paper
The Idea of Leadership
My idea of leadership has greatly fluctuated and changed by experiencing this program.
From day one by even stepping foot on this campus, I knew that California State University San
Marcos was going to mold me and shape me into a better leader to help embrace change. It all
began at the Leadership Fast Track conference that I was so grateful to be able to attend. I
learned so many different skills through listening to the speakers and by doing activities within
my group. The activities we performed in my group taught me a plethora about myself and how I
react in leadership roles. One of the most important tools I learned at this workshop was how to
lead with mindfulness. I now use the term mindful quite often in my vocabulary and it also has
helped me in a job interview and land the job. I also learned that being a leader isn’t always
about leading and doing all of the talking, but it is about being a good listener and listening to the
people you lead. I find this very important because it is important to understand the perspectives
of others while in a leadership position.
As a result of the TLC, I have learned and taken away many useful resources that will
help me in future leadership positions. The seven workshops that I have attended all had
something useful to take away from them. In the workshop “Leadership is a Team Sport”, I
learned that leadership comes from what I value, which I thought was very interesting since I
never truly realized this before. I also learned disengagement techniques that will be beneficial in
negative situations. Another great workshop was attending “Leadership and the Value in

2. Building Multicultural Competency”. I explored the benefits that come with being multicultural
competent. Innovation, reducing prejudice and bias, and inclusive leadership are the perks that
come with competency. Most importantly, it is crucial to realize that we as individuals are all
different-we come from different backgrounds, values, and morals-hence, we have to find a way
to work together. This is what I value the most, personally from enjoying travel and learning
about different cultures. Multicultural competency is an important resource to have when being a
leader so that everyone can follow.
Specifically, two main events come to mind in terms of having the greatest impact-
M:Power projects and the second to last workshop I’ve attended called “Leadership is a Team
Sport”. Even though as my past occupation I was a caregiver for people that have Alzheimer’s,
dementia, and other memory related issues, I was not too sure as to what to expect at the first
mural project. This was my first time painting with disabled adults. It was a very humbling
experience. I never knew that some of the adults were able to paint without their hands but with a
paintbrush in their mouth instead. Not only did they use their mouth, but, they were also
extremely good painters. Many of the clients at Mountain Shadows had a huge heart and were so
intrigued with any connection that you made with them. Mountain Shadows has taught me
another way to be a leader to a population that is different. I took the initiative to help others and
create a memorable experience. Most importantly, it was very rewarding helping these clients
paint and perform an activity that they wouldn’t be able to do without some assistance.
The second greatest impact of the program was when Dr. Richard Robertson hosted the
workshop on how leadership is a team sport. Listening to Dr. Robertson’s own testimonies was
very thought provoking and powerful in terms of being a leader. He brought out some interesting
points that I never considered while being in a leadership role. Dr. Robertson first made clear

3. that good leaders look at both sides of the issue, not just one. He gave really great tips such as
don’t send angry emails, how guilt works in leadership, and how what I personally value causes
me to make the decisions I make. An important technique he taught us was the VABCD
technique on how to deliver a negative message in a non-attacking way. VABCD is validation,
affect, behavior, consequence, and disengagement which are the steps in initiating the message. I
took away from this so that I can use this technique whenever I am at work or in another
leadership role where I have to deliver a negative message to someone.
Overall, the TLC program has been a great experience. I am happy to have completed it
in one semester. I found the workshops to be very useful to take the different resources from
each one and apply it in my life. It is amazing how much I have learned in such a short amount
of time. I am excited for what the future holds for me!