Theme Self Portrait/Possible Interpretation

1 1 Holmes IV Reflected Best self Theme self Portrait/Possible Interpretation Inclusive/Networker: Examples: we were at MMRC and there was a student there by herself, you took her under your wing and made sure she met people and did not feel alone. When we were at the PhD Project meeting in Chicago, it seemed like almost everyone there knew you! Yet you found the time to talk to everyone, include them in group conversations, and introduce people to one another. Despite the limited time you had, the conversations with you were meaningful and not at all superficial. I have always admired the vast network of relationships that you acquire, and more importantly, maintain.

2 Even when people are not necessarily nice , you still maintain an appropriate relationship if this person is in a role or position that may be strategically beneficial or necessary later. Objectivity with relationships is a plus for you as well. You do not use people, but you do understand their role and how those roles are necessary to achieve goals and ends. I also believe that you are very strong at looking at inequities in power in disenfranchised groups. Emotive/Expressive/Friendly: Examples: You are high PA - you walk around with a smile on face. It is infectious. One of your strengths that I admire the most is your charisma.

3 You have this awesome charisma that makes you light up a room! You benefit from having an out-going personality that allows you to meet lots of people. So many come to know and love I am at my best self I feel that people feel and believe that they are welcomed. I like to be around people and feel that everyone has something to offer others. I celebrate the uniqueness of others and like to connect people when I can. I understand the reality, but believe that we all have power to make changes to that reality. I am at my best self I m allowed to be myself. I do not prefer up tight environments nor do I take well to negativity.

4 I understand that conflict is normal and when it occurs, I like to deal with it effectively to regain harmony. 2 you, in times when you are not in need. Thus, when and if a need arises, those same folk are eager to stand-in-the-gap for you. Helpful to Others: Examples: You made sure doctoral students at AOM who were on the market were introduced to the UA faculty to give them a leg up on the market. You look out for others. XX said that you told him who to work with and help him collect articles and answer his questions. You taught my class and XX s class on your dissertation topic. Unfortunately you were unable to use your dissertation study and had to redo everything for our classes.

5 That was a lot of work in the middle of your dissertation data collection. You accepted the challenge and did it with a smile on your face. Your greatest strengths that I have witnessed are your availability and precise feedback. You present yourself as someone who is willing to help, but also working hard towards your own goals and therefore your time should be respected. In addition, you always provide feedback that encourages thought and/ or action when I have asked you for advice. Resilient/Fighter/Determined: Examples: When you experienced the (in my view) unfair and call) discriminatory behavior at VCU, instead of being crushed and defeated, you developed a plan of action to help you find a better match.

6 You fought the unfair grade to get it changed, and still moved on to a much better place. I expect your resilience and resourcefulness are exemplified in other, less critical things, such as when your car died and you were on a tight budget (early in our relationship I remember I am at my best self When I am able to maximize the resources that I have to help others move forward. I like to see other people succeed and reject the concept of self -made people. I think we all receive tremendous help along our journeys and being one who have benefitted greatly from the wonderful help of others, I feel it is my duty to pay it forward.)

7 I am at my best self I am able to maintain clarity and objectivity in spite of unfavorable situations occurring around me. I am a resourceful and strong person who is able to maneuver through complex and delicate situations to reach my goals. 3 this), and in finding renters for your house when you moved suddenly from Richmond. In changing PhD programs, you worked tirelessly to make sure that you championed your goals. And you did not rest on what you had done in the past, but continued to push forward and achieve. Your determination, courage, and perseverance are qualities that you display easily.

8 You bring these qualities to everything you do, whether the task is big or small. If your experiences disturbed you, you did not show it to me. I do know that the experiences did not cause you to stumble to the point where you took your eyes off your original goal! You remained focused and on-task. When you initially started out, you were not sure of how to go about things. You found out about the Project and also took the necessary mathematics score on the quantitative section of the GRE when you did not get the score you wanted and needed the first time to get to where you wanted to be. In terms of overcoming obstacles, you did not let the office politics of VCU bog you down from obtaining your Strategic Leader/Manager/Evaluator: Examples: You accept information and evaluation.

9 However you do not stop there. You filter the evaluations to determine whether or not they are accurate. Then once you determine what needs to be accomplished, you set your mind to it and get busy. You took on many assignments (projects) to make sure you had a full pipeline by the time you graduated. You are developing a track record that will make others ponder what VCU missed in their evaluation. You however, have not mentioned VCU at all. You have no need to! You have continued developing the resources you need for the path forward. You have been excellent at positioning and functioning at highly powerful and strategic positions in organizations.

10 I do I am at my best self I am able to put my executive skills to work. I am a big-picture and quick thinker who has the ability to engage in quality multi-tasking. I enjoy being in positions of power that allow me to effectuate positive changes that are important to my values. I do not believe in just completing things, but rather I believe in completing things to the best 4 not feel you pursue them for power in and of themselves (although I do believe you like to be in influential positions), but rather to make them work efficiently and maximize the organization s ability and benefit.