16A –What’s Your Secret Sauce?
1) Five ways in which I think I have human capital that is truly unique.
1. I'm a military child. Therefore, I've moved every 2-3 years since I was born. The unusual circumstance has enabled me to enhance my adaptability and flexibility skills - both personally and professionally.
2. I'm inclusive. Since I've lived around the world and moved every 2-3 years, I know what it's like to both be the insider and the outsider. Not everyone likes your or believes in your abilities everywhere you go. I believe this enables me to establish meaningful connections with individuals and understand what they value. This value of inclusivity has also been identified and proven within certain personality tests such as StrengthsQuest.
3. Due to being a military child, I've traveled and lived around the world thereby gaining exceptional cross-cultural awareness skills. For example, I lived overseas in Japan for several year - including when the tsunami and earthquake struck in March of 2011.
4. I'm passionate. I think it's an aspect of myself that many people see and recognize. I believe I'm always willing to go the extra mile for the jobs and organizations I'm in. And I believe that shows.
5. I'm innovative. No matter what role I'm in for an organization or what my title is for my jobs and internships - I go out of my way to leave it better than I found it. Everything in this world I believe requires innovation to some extent - but many do not want to leave what they have always known, but you cannot grow if you become stagnant.
2) Interview the five people who know me the best.
Due to COVID-19 and having a chronic illness, I was unable to have these interviews in person. Instead however, I utilized my phone to direct message some of my closest friends. These conversations continued for about 10-15 minutes.
My first interview, as shown on the far left was with Nikki who is my best friend, and a mentor I've looked up to since we met my first year at the University of Florida. We continued this conversation, and a key takeaway I had was that she recognized an ability I had that I hadn't recognized before of encouraging individuality.
With Sydney, the center image, I was surprised by the confidence she saw in me. I've tried to instill and demonstrate a confidence in myself for quite sometime. Many books that I have read constantly state that it's evident when a leader or individual isn't confident in themselves or abilities - which creates a bad chain reaction within the program or company. I'm glad that she recognizes this strength in me.
Regarding Connor's interview, the image to the right, he kept it short and sweet. We discussed further as well. All three of the interviews thus far discussed a genuinuity in my nature that I believe there is a fine line from being genuine and wanting to be perceived as genuine. I'm glad some of the closest people to me, perceive me on the right side of that line.
For Wes' interview, the farthest to the left, I was surprised - so much so that it brought me to tears. Oftentimes, you don't recognize the impact and influence you have on those around you, and in your close circle. I had no idea that he viewed me with having so much compassionate and commitment.
Regarding Drew's interview, my last interview as indicated in the image on the right, I felt similarly in comparison to Wes' interview. I didn't include any of these soft-skills within my list of my human capital. It made me realize that perhaps my soft-skills have been more impactful because they were genuine and unintentional.
Due to COVID-19 and having a chronic illness, I was unable to have these interviews in person. Instead however, I utilized my phone to direct message some of my closest friends. These conversations continued for about 10-15 minutes.
My first interview, as shown on the far left was with Nikki who is my best friend, and a mentor I've looked up to since we met my first year at the University of Florida. We continued this conversation, and a key takeaway I had was that she recognized an ability I had that I hadn't recognized before of encouraging individuality.
With Sydney, the center image, I was surprised by the confidence she saw in me. I've tried to instill and demonstrate a confidence in myself for quite sometime. Many books that I have read constantly state that it's evident when a leader or individual isn't confident in themselves or abilities - which creates a bad chain reaction within the program or company. I'm glad that she recognizes this strength in me.
Regarding Connor's interview, the image to the right, he kept it short and sweet. We discussed further as well. All three of the interviews thus far discussed a genuinuity in my nature that I believe there is a fine line from being genuine and wanting to be perceived as genuine. I'm glad some of the closest people to me, perceive me on the right side of that line.
For Wes' interview, the farthest to the left, I was surprised - so much so that it brought me to tears. Oftentimes, you don't recognize the impact and influence you have on those around you, and in your close circle. I had no idea that he viewed me with having so much compassionate and commitment.
Regarding Drew's interview, my last interview as indicated in the image on the right, I felt similarly in comparison to Wes' interview. I didn't include any of these soft-skills within my list of my human capital. It made me realize that perhaps my soft-skills have been more impactful because they were genuine and unintentional.
3) Reflecting on the differences - internal vs. external
I view myself as a cultured and innovative individual. I think mainly because these are aspects of my personal and professional career that I can prove. I have the data to prove it. I have the projects to prove it. However, those who are closest around me emphasized my personal attitude and attributes that make me different. Aspects of myself I cannot necessary prove with data besides personal sentiments. I think it's natural that we view ourselves as less than how others perceive us, especially those closest to us. We naturally belittle and second-guess our abilities, talents, and 'human capital'.
I believe I may be naive to think that all of the interviewees responses are correct about you. We're human, we have slip-ups. We don't always act and react how we intend to. We aren't always are best selves. However, I can now recognize many of the positive differences I have made as well as how my actions and words have influenced others - many of which I hadn't recognized before. Moreover, I don't believe I would make any corrections to the list.
I view myself as a cultured and innovative individual. I think mainly because these are aspects of my personal and professional career that I can prove. I have the data to prove it. I have the projects to prove it. However, those who are closest around me emphasized my personal attitude and attributes that make me different. Aspects of myself I cannot necessary prove with data besides personal sentiments. I think it's natural that we view ourselves as less than how others perceive us, especially those closest to us. We naturally belittle and second-guess our abilities, talents, and 'human capital'.
I believe I may be naive to think that all of the interviewees responses are correct about you. We're human, we have slip-ups. We don't always act and react how we intend to. We aren't always are best selves. However, I can now recognize many of the positive differences I have made as well as how my actions and words have influenced others - many of which I hadn't recognized before. Moreover, I don't believe I would make any corrections to the list.
Hi Caitlyn!
ReplyDeleteOver the past few months of following your blogs and this idea you've been pursuing, I have to say, great job! I think it is so cool that you are a military child and that you’ve been able to travel the world. I’m sure those experiences have opened your eyes to so many different perspectives. This is such a unique thing that is highly valuable.
Keep up the good work and stay safe during this time!
Caitlyn,
ReplyDeleteI think it was a great idea to conduct the interviews over text--this shows your creativity and flexibility in difficult situations. Good job recognizing your strengths and how they would benefit you in the entrepreneurial world!
Hi Caitlyn! I think it's really cool how the way you grew up has impacted you. I know that being a military child can be difficult but I also think that you takeaway from all of these different experiences is probably more valuable than you may even realize. I think understanding cross-cultural differences is extremely important, especially with the way society is growing. You can definitely use this to your advantage as a entrepreneur!
ReplyDeleteHi Caitlyn,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the diversity in your overview of what makes your human capital unique. Focusing on travel and exposure to various demographics and population groups can be a solid indicator of being able to communicate and work with a wide range of audiences. It's also very important you recognize the potential limits in the feedback you received by considering their mis-judgement or limited knowledge about you. I think it'd be helpful to consider what specifically about your passion or innovation is unique, instead of just the fact that you have it. Those can be very unique aspects of human capital, if they are developed into deeper and more tailored versions that fit your unique experiences or interests that are more memorable to team members and leaders. Thanks.