1. Lisa Waller Spring2015
Reflected Best Self Portrait MANA 5338-001
When I am at my best, I am focused and diligent. I can be counted on to take charge of
tasks and lead my team in a positive and enthusiastic manner. My work is detailed and
organized, which gives away my analytical nature. The level of courage and determination that I
possess make it possible for me to take on new and challenging ventures and see them through
to an efficacious ending. My peers view my helpful and loyal characteristics as valuable assets.
They know they can count on me to take responsibility for my actions and to stand by them,
even in tough situations. Now, I would like to take the time to expand on each of these
strengths in greater details, and discuss how they help me in the workplace.
Of the RBS stories that I received back from co-workers, friends, and family, one
common theme I observed was courage and determination. I believe that these traits go hand-
in-hand, at least for me they do. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, determination is “a
quality that makes you continue trying to do or achieve something that is difficult”. In order for
me to take on difficult tasks, I do need a certain level of courage to proceed. There have been a
few times that I have exemplified these characteristics. I made the decision to leave my career
as a teacher, after 11 years, in order to join the business world and to take time out to pursue
my MBA. I have two children, and my husband works out of town the majority of the time. My
determination really shines in the fact that I am able to maintain my lifestyle and do so well
with my studies and on the job.
In the workplace my determination aids me in finding new and exciting ways of
completing tasks. I find my work most enjoyable when I am coming up with new procedures
and processes for those that are inefficient or outdated. I was able to do just that while
working in customer service for my current employer. I was quickly identified as someone who
could help restructure the outdated job descriptions and job progress measurements. I was
invited to be on a corporate team and I was ultimately responsible for the creation of all of the
final documents. The recognition I received from the senior level helped me move up in the
corporation and landed me a much desired spot working at our National Expo Event that was
held at Disneyland. Now that I am in the sales department, working as an administrative

2. Lisa Waller Spring2015
Reflected Best Self Portrait MANA 5338-001
assistant, I often find chances to update and improve processes and procedures, and I have
quickly made a name for myself among the other admin assistants as someone who can work
through problems and does not stop until a solution is found.
Apparently, others find me helpful and loyal as well. In my personal life, I would say that
these are both things I strive to be. However, I have never really thought about it in the context
the workplace. Of course I do want to be helpful on the job, but I think of loyalty being more of
a trait reserved for friends. Upon closer review of the stories I collected, I can see how this
translates to the workplace. I think back on my times with former co-workers and ex-bosses,
and I can see how my loyalty was portrayed toward them without me even being aware.
When I went from being a computer lab teacher back to a primary classroom teacher, I
was still considered the guru when it came to technology; which actually fits perfectly with my
Strong Interest Survey Results. Computer Hardware and Electronics rank as one of my top 5
interest areas. Often my peers would come to me for help with their computers or other
hardware used in their classrooms. Of course, I was always happy to help them, but where my
loyalty came in to play was with my grade level team members. I felt a sense of loyalty to them,
and was more inclined to offer them training and advice on new products before other staff
members. In the corporate setting, I have also been seen as a “techie” and my co-workers tend
to seek my help with new software or applications that are used on the job. I believe the fact
that I am perceived to be helpful and loyal puts many people at ease about asking for assistance
with issues they encounter. This theme will continue to give me advantages in the workplace by
letting others know that I am on their side and there to help them whenever I am capable.
I have been told more than once that I am very analytical. The chance to really step back
and self-analyze for this class has been very eye-opening. All the times I’ve been told that I was
analytical, I thought “Oh, they just don’t know me very well.” One of the top themes among my
collected stories was “Detail-oriented and organized.” Again, my Strong Interest Survey Results
concur with this fact. My top theme was Conventional: organization, data management,
accounting, investing, and information systems; values are- accuracy, stability, efficiency. In my
current position as an administrative assistant, I amin charge of managing and organizing all of

3. Lisa Waller Spring2015
Reflected Best Self Portrait MANA 5338-001
our regional and local meetings. I run reports for our whole team and create the slideshows for
our presentations. My current co-workers see me in this capacity almost exclusively. It is good
that they can recognize this as a characteristic that demonstrates my skills being utilized to the
max. I excel in this environment, but I do not feel like I am being pushed or asked to complete
tasks that challenge me. This is second nature to me, I can run reports and create spreadsheets
in my sleep. I want this to be a function of a bigger role for me.
That is where my top theme among the collected best-self stories comes in to play.
Leadership, is defined (www.dictionary.com) as the position or function of a leader, a person
who guides or directs a group. This also happens to be one of the top 3 themes on my Strong
Interest Survey; Enterprising- Business, politics, leadership, entrepreneurship. I have spent a
good portion of my time in the graduate program studying management. I never would have
imagined pursuing a degree with the thoughts of going into management. If not for the
suggestions and advice from my current and two previous bosses, it never would have occurred
to me that I might be management material, and I doubt that I would have realized I had an
interest in this career path. Most of the stories I collected from family, friends, and co-workers,
included some element of leadership skills. From training teachers on new technology, to
guiding peers during study sessions, and managing a group of sales folks to stay on track and
focused, I seem to have more of a natural knack for leading people than I was able to see
before.
People seldom refer to teachers as “leaders,” but that is exactly what they are, and that
was a title I held for 11 years. Transferring my skills used as a leader of 20 plus children (and
just as many teachers) at a time, to the business world will take some finesse, training, and
education, but I believe I will make a strong, compassionate, and effective leader in a corporate
setting. “What distinguishes great leaders from merely good ones? It isn’t IQ or technical skills,
says Daniel Goleman. It’s emotional intelligence.” (What Makes a Leader, HBR, 1998, p.1) My
self-awareness has increased tremendously with this given assignment. Which will, in turn,
increase my emotional intelligence and will assist me in making important decisions as a leader
for my team and the business we are charged to grow.