Reflected Best-self Exercise and Values in Action Surveys Results - Report Example

Name Class Unit Introduction With an aim of promoting my self-reflection and mindfulness, I have conducted an assessment of my strengths using the Reflected Best-Self Exercise (RBS) as well as Values in Action (VIA) survey (Roberts et al., 2005). RBS is a powerful tool that has the capability to be used for enhancing future potential. According to Roberts et al., (2005), focusing on the positive aspects and attributes, it is possible to gain better bottom line returns. This assessment will involve the use of 360 degrees feedback survey. I will also present a literature review on positive psychology, emotions and their use in the workplace. The methodology used for this exercise to gain qualitative data and RBS is also presented. The finding from this exercise will be presented in the report and all common themes discussed. The findings have shown that at my bets, I focus on other people and come up with ways to help them better. I also have a close relationship with people who are of importance to me and my decisions are based on these relationships first. It is evident that people can count on me for comfort. The report has an in-depth reflection where a lot of attention is given to my main strengths which have been selected from RBS responses. There are also personal and situational barriers which have made it hard for me to be at my best. Lastly, there is a presentation of vision which shows who I am at my best. Literature review Research shows that positive emotions lead to a rise in creative information processing. This leads to better decisions (Spreitzer, 2006). Use of best self-activation has been associated with enhanced engagement with people, an increase in creativity, and ability to perform better under pressure (Quinn, Dutton, Spreitzer and Roberts, 2003). These behaviours have the ability to affect how others see you when negotiating and identity which is based on best self-concept. Positive psychology focuses on the attaining happiness through use of life activities, motivating activities and use of pleasure (Fredrickson, 2003). Based on the RBS, one can evaluate stories written by others about them about the times they are at their best (Burke, Page and Cooper, 2015). This includes examples of when the person is capable of creating the most value for the system. This feedback acts as an appreciation and induces positive emotions which can lead to psychological changes. It helps the recipient to gain their narrative through assisting them to see impacts which they can make on others (Spreitzer, 2006). Through RBS, it is possible to give the individuals input from their friends on who they are when they are at their best (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009). This has been proved to sharpen the individual best self-concept. When in pursuit of maximum happiness, individuals look for meaning and a sense of purpose in their life (Burke, Page and Cooper, 2015). This makes it possible for the individuals to see their professions as an expression of their personal identity. Personal feeling of wellbeing has the capability to increase productivity at work and reduce overall turnover. This is because when employees feel that their work has a purpose, they look deeper into enhancing satisfaction, commitment and level of engagement (Spreitzer, 2006). Through RBS, there have been several immediate adaptive outcomes of self-activation. The first immediate adaptive outcome is emotions. This includes reflecting on the new inputs gained from the social network evaluation on our positive impacts to which leads to the creation of positive emotions (Quinn et al., 2003). People can attain joy which is comparable to situations when one receives pleasant surprise based on appreciative stories from the social network. It is common for people to feel proud in instances where they are associated with socially valued outcomes (Roberts et al., 2005). These are outcomes highlighted in cases where they are making positive impacts on others (Cable, Lee, Gino and Staats, 2015). Through best self-activation, it becomes possible to process information on the person at his or her best which can theoretically lead to positive emotions such as pride, inspiration, and compassion (Fredrickson, 2003). The second outcome is physiology based. Through positive emotions, people feel good and are evolutionary functional since they are capable of building resources for survival. The positive emotions lead to a build-up on the resources for survival. This is where the positive emotions are used in broadening the awareness scope to include a larger array of thoughts which includes actions, and perceptions which are more than what is typical (Cable, Lee, Gino and Staats, 2015). Through a broadened mind-set, it becomes possible to eliminate and dismantle negative impacts of stress and emotions. Through positive emotions, it is possible for an individual to cope with stress which leads to them being more resilient. Stress reduces cognitive thinking which reduces the rate of processing information and survival (Achor, 2012). Baumgardner & Crothers (2009) implies that psychologically, it is possible to use best self-activation to undo any negative based level of arousal. This makes one to perform better under stress. Thus, having positive emotions has been very powerful in people’s health. Lastly, cognition is impacted by positive emotions (Burke, Page and Cooper, 2015). Best self-activation leads to an improvement in person’s creativity and problem-solving. Through joy, an urge to play and experiment is created. This leads to innovation and experimental learning. Through positive effect, it is possible to enhance creative problem solving which helps to organise ideas in a new way. Thus, positive emotions are associated with increased creativity and high level of innovation (Cooperrider and Whitney, 2001). It is vital to note that RBS only focuses on individual strengths instead of aspirational characteristics which one may possess (Ghaye, Lee, Shaw and Chesterfield, 2009). Methodology The RBS portrait started with qualitative collecting data aimed at identifying areas of personal strength. The exercise used 12 individuals who were contacted through emails and asked to describe the situations where I was at my best in performance. Those selected to participate came from varying professional backgrounds and contexts. Despite this, all those participating had a close relationship with me. This is because close friends were the best positioned to give the quality responses to the survey (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009). The sample selected included two family members, seven close friends, and three work colleagues. For my close friends, we had known each other for a very long time. In the sample, 8 of the respondents gave the four examples while the rest of the sample gave two examples. All the participants were able to complete the survey and bring the results in time. This made it easier for all participants’ results to be included in the analysis. To analyse the given response, a table was drawn and all common themes listed. The table also consisted of specific examples given by the participants and my interpretation of the strength which has been identified. The following section has a summary of the table that I used. From the table, recurring values were compared with the Value in Action survey results. This involves measuring and ranking character strengths as well as virtues (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009). Despite this, it is understandable that the response from RBS exercise has acted as a limit to the reflection as well as in the value gained process. For some of the respondents, there were issues in remembering examples of me during my best. This may have limited some of the meaningful examples hence acting as a hindrance to RBS exercise. Findings The findings from the exercise are summarised in a table which shows the respondents answers to RBS. Through the use of common themes, all the best behaviours are grouped together, and my possible interpretation on the strength referenced is listed. Emergent theme Specific statement My interpretation Loving and caring When carrying out a community project, my focus had been on others and how I could best serve them. When relating with others, I take the relationships in the forefront and of importance. People know they can count on my compassion, encouragement and I have shown integrity and love. I am at my best when caring and helping others. I have passion on taking other people needs first. I am always open to others and take their needs first. Am caring and compassionate when it’s needed. Good listener During the team work last year, I was one of the keenest listeners and helped where I could. In a class group discussion, I was able to listen to everyone input as their leader. This created an atmosphere where everyone was heard and their input considered. I thrive through listening to others who are within my hearing space. Confident and true to myself During team work, I always stood for what I believed in even in cases where I faced no agreement. During a hike, we were lost and I was able to lead my friends safely based on my confidence. I chose to lead where others could not and encouraged the rest of the team. During technical situations, I am always able to look at the data confidently and in a calm manner. This has helped my teammates to enjoy my company. I am courageous and have high confidence. This gives me adventurous and courageous dimensions as well. I am always ready to stand for what I believe in. Good in communication When giving instructions, I am always capable of explaining and making sure others understands. I explain technical issues on a language which can be easily understood and I appreciate others. I like helping others and ensuring that they are not left behind. Good advisor When giving advice to my cousin on learning institution best for her career advancement, I was very supportive and provided her with all relevant information. Most of the family members view me as guide in issues where they have no adequate information. This has kept my bond with them strong. I am a good advisor who is keen on helping others make good choices. Creative When looking for ways in which my brother would solve a recurring problem on his IT project, I was able to come up with ideas and the issue was solved. I have been able to make several innovations which my friends have praised me for. I am at best when coming up with ways to solve issues and help others. The responses show that I am at my best when I am helping other people and looking for the best ways to serve them. My relationships with other people are at the forefront, and I make decisions based on my relationships with others. I am open to others and try my best to be authentic, loving and caring. It is clear that people can count on me for compassion, integrity and love. I am a good communicator, creative and can be counted on to give the best advice. Reflection RBS has been able to prove my feeling that I am at my best when caring and helping others. I am a loving person and care for other people and take their need first based on my relationship with them. This is a strength which is supported by being a good listener and advisor. I listen to others for who they are and within my space of listening. This has helped me in giving the best advice. The results from the VIA are accurate in reflecting the presentations from the RBS portrait. From the VIA survey, my strength was a sense of purpose, and I believe this is an accurate result on who I am at my best. When I am at my worst, I try to deny my sense of purpose. My second strength based on the survey is creativity. This is portrayed by my technical knowledge and ability to help others in solving technical issues. Most of my friends look up at me to help them in complex technical issues which they are unable to solve. These findings suggest that I can leverage on them through taking a project that involves helping the community and which requires solving issues affecting others. This is due to the fact that I can come up with innovative solutions. My ability to help others in through giving advice can be classified as a perspective based on VIA (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009). This is a finding that I always felt that I am a good advisor. I was impressed to discover that my friends think of me as an advisor. This is because I always want to do good for others. Despite this giving advice is tasking, I am happy that my friends see me as a valuable person whom they can rely on when facing problems or difficult choices. The ability to give advice shows that I am respected as my cousin said, “your advice helped me grow my career.” These findings are very important to me. This is because I now know what others thinks about me when am at my best. I can leverage on these findings to give me strength when am feeling low. This can help in dealing with stress through reminding me that other people value me (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009). This will help me to become one of the most reliable and a good team player. I was able to learn from RBS that others values my confidence and being true to myself. This is a strength that has been referenced when working in a team or as a group. This shows that I am ready to lead others and try what others are afraid to do. This show I am good at performing the leadership role in a team. This has helped me in changing my perspective since I am in most cases impatient and can give up when not having adequate support. I should overcome this and know that I am at my best when I can remain patient. I can develop this strength through participating in team training and believing more in my abilities. The reflection on RBS has been able to show several barriers in my current profession. Despite the fact that I am at my best when helping and caring for others, I face barriers. The biggest barrier is the fact that I easily get irritated. I also feel tired and overwhelmed when others over depend on me. This has made by the ability to help others highly affected. I sometimes feel as if others are asking for too much. I also feel that the current work environment lacks team work which makes it hard to practice my strength in a team setting. This demotivates me and makes feel less productive. Also, the work environment is not challenging and lacks complex problems which require solving. I will have to address these barriers to exercise my strengths. Through RBS, I have found my purpose in professional life and also made me feel worth. I have often felt worthless and less valued at my workplace. This has affected my career progression since I lacked a clear vision in my career. Despite this, the strengths identified through RBS portrait have helped me understand my worth. I now feel motivated, and I will use this to help me grow in my career and make career choices based on the self-best portrait. Best self-vision statement Based on my reflections on best self-analysis, I will use the strengths to be the best I can when helping and caring for others, listening to others, solving issues, giving advice and communicating. I believe that I will realise my potential through use of these strengths to help others and take care of them. I see myself as a great listener, advisor, and communicator working to help others in the community. In my profession, I will consider myself successful through finding my purpose and growth in my profession. To attain this, I will work hard to eliminate the feeling of being worthless and less valued. This is through seeking career satisfaction and leveraging on my strengths. I will make sure that I am well understood and through utilising my strengths, I will be able to continue helping others. To attain the standards that I seek in defining career success, I will employ my strengths and reinforce them. I will use positive psychology to become more resilient and help others without seeing them as over-dependent on me. Conclusion To sum up, I have carried out the assessment of my strengths through Reflected Best-Self exercise (RBS) which has been reinforced by Value in Action Survey. This has made it possible to have my best self-portrait. Through the use of relevant literature review on the importance of positive psychology and positive emotions, the importance of RBS and VIA survey has been discussed. From the analysis of the common themes that emerged from the participants responses on RBS, it was determined that I am at my best when helping to care and helping others. I thrive when helping others through giving them advice, ensuring they are not left behind and solving issues. I have also been able to identify the existing personal and situational barriers which make it hard for me to be at my best. I have to overcome the barriers to be at my best and also attain the best in my profession. Lastly, I have been able to come up with a vision statement which outlines the strengths which I can use to attain my full potential and gain full happiness. References Achor, S., 2012, ‘Positive intelligence’, Harvard business review, Vol.90, no.1, pp.100-102. Baumgardner, S. R & Crothers, M. K. 2009, Positive Psychology, Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Burke, R.J., Page, K.M. and Cooper, C.L., 2015, Flourishing in Life, Work and Careers: Individual Wellbeing and Career Experiences, Edward Elgar Publishing. Cable, D., Lee, J.J., Gino, F. and Staats, B.R., 2015, How Best-Self Activation Influences Emotions, Physiology and Employment Relationships, Harvard Business School NOM Unit Working Paper, (16-029). Cooperrider, D.L. and Whitney, D., 2001, ‘A positive revolution in change: Appreciative inquiry’, Public administration and public policy, Vol.87, pp.611-630. Fredrickson, B.L., 2003, ‘The value of positive emotions: The emerging science of positive psychology is coming to understand why it’s good to feel good’, American scientist, Vol.91, no.4, pp.330-335. Ghaye, T., Lee, S., Shaw, D.J. and Chesterfield, G., 2009, ‘When winning is not enough: learning through reflections on the ‘best‐self’’, Reflective Practice, Vol.10, no.3, pp.385- 401. Quinn, R.E., Dutton, J.E., Spreitzer, G.M. and Roberts, L.M., 2003, Reflected best self-exercise. Center for Positive Organizational Scholarship, University of Michigan. Roberts, L.M., Dutton, J.E., Spreitzer, G.M., Heaphy, E.D. and Quinn, R.E., 2005, ‘Composing the reflected best-self portrait: Building pathways for becoming extraordinary in work organizations,’ Academy of Management Review, Vol.30, no.4, pp.712-736. Roberts, L.M., Spreitzer, G., Dutton, J., Quinn, R., Heaphy, E. and Barker, B., 2005, ‘How to play to your strengths’, Harvard Business Review, Vol.83, no.1, pp.74-80. Spreitzer, G.M., 2006, ‘ Leading to grow and growing to lead:: Leadership development lessons from positive organizational studies’, Organizational Dynamics, Vol.35, no.4, pp.305- 315. Read More

Through RBS, there have been several immediate adaptive outcomes of self-activation. The first immediate adaptive outcome is emotions. This includes reflecting on the new inputs gained from the social network evaluation on our positive impacts to which leads to the creation of positive emotions (Quinn et al., 2003). People can attain joy which is comparable to situations when one receives pleasant surprise based on appreciative stories from the social network. It is common for people to feel proud in instances where they are associated with socially valued outcomes (Roberts et al., 2005). These are outcomes highlighted in cases where they are making positive impacts on others (Cable, Lee, Gino and Staats, 2015).

Through best self-activation, it becomes possible to process information on the person at his or her best which can theoretically lead to positive emotions such as pride, inspiration, and compassion (Fredrickson, 2003). The second outcome is physiology based. Through positive emotions, people feel good and are evolutionary functional since they are capable of building resources for survival. The positive emotions lead to a build-up on the resources for survival. This is where the positive emotions are used in broadening the awareness scope to include a larger array of thoughts which includes actions, and perceptions which are more than what is typical (Cable, Lee, Gino and Staats, 2015).

Through a broadened mind-set, it becomes possible to eliminate and dismantle negative impacts of stress and emotions. Through positive emotions, it is possible for an individual to cope with stress which leads to them being more resilient. Stress reduces cognitive thinking which reduces the rate of processing information and survival (Achor, 2012). Baumgardner & Crothers (2009) implies that psychologically, it is possible to use best self-activation to undo any negative based level of arousal.

This makes one to perform better under stress. Thus, having positive emotions has been very powerful in people’s health. Lastly, cognition is impacted by positive emotions (Burke, Page and Cooper, 2015). Best self-activation leads to an improvement in person’s creativity and problem-solving. Through joy, an urge to play and experiment is created. This leads to innovation and experimental learning. Through positive effect, it is possible to enhance creative problem solving which helps to organise ideas in a new way.

Thus, positive emotions are associated with increased creativity and high level of innovation (Cooperrider and Whitney, 2001). It is vital to note that RBS only focuses on individual strengths instead of aspirational characteristics which one may possess (Ghaye, Lee, Shaw and Chesterfield, 2009). Methodology The RBS portrait started with qualitative collecting data aimed at identifying areas of personal strength. The exercise used 12 individuals who were contacted through emails and asked to describe the situations where I was at my best in performance.

Those selected to participate came from varying professional backgrounds and contexts. Despite this, all those participating had a close relationship with me. This is because close friends were the best positioned to give the quality responses to the survey (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2009). The sample selected included two family members, seven close friends, and three work colleagues. For my close friends, we had known each other for a very long time. In the sample, 8 of the respondents gave the four examples while the rest of the sample gave two examples.

All the participants were able to complete the survey and bring the results in time. This made it easier for all participants’ results to be included in the analysis. To analyse the given response, a table was drawn and all common themes listed. The table also consisted of specific examples given by the participants and my interpretation of the strength which has been identified. The following section has a summary of the table that I used.

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