Personality Type: Main Character Energy

 

Edited to add**

*This week we explored the concept of the growth of educators. Having watched the videos provided by Dr. Trust ( Social Growth, Affective Growth, Cognitive Growth, Identity Growth) the most relatable concept was the Identity benefits as well as affective growth were the two areas that resonated with me the most. As we also discussed in our sidechat this week, the concept of community learning and engagement has been one of the biggest influences in how I've approached my work. Specifically in my last two years working as a library assistant at UCI. 

Having a community of support can be extremely empowering, and can be a confidence booster. Especially in academia, where it really is easy for teachers to feel isolated at times. Sometimes, when there are rigid standards to in the educational systems, leaving little room to be creative or even find resources in non-traditional methods of education. Not only is limiting, but it can also be the cause for different voices and narratives being eradicated in the academic community by extension the archives and history which can be an issue in the learning outcomes for students. Without being able to provide diversity in not only the information that we teach, but also the methods, the monotony and rigidity could become a cause for concern for educators. 

This could lead to teachers feeling less confident in their ability. Collaborating with others, and building a network, and community can be a method to open the doors to students for new approaches, new ideas and new points of views. There is so much expected of educators - and it is unrealistic to expect them, who are already stretched too thin to give more than what they have the capacity for. Being able to rely on the community, and get different expertise can be such an integral part of growth and learning for both the educator as well as the students/audiences. 

Having a well-rounded and communicated community, can be the thing that makes the difference in the type of influence and impactful education you will be able to provide. 

Of course this leads me to really evaluate how I can foster positive learning environments, and if I'm capable of providing the type of leadership, and guidance that's needed of me as an educator and a librarian. I'm pretty confidently aware in the type of person I am, especially as I've grown more and more in my position and established myself in my field. Though because I've never been able to concretely describe these, attributes, I've decided to take the personality tests that our professor has provided for us in the PLN Choice Board......

(Gif Credit: Disney on Giphy) 

Film: Oliver & Company (1988) 

"Perfect isn't easy but it's me

When one knows the world is watching

One does what one must

Some minor adjustments darling

Not for my vanity but for humanity

Each little step a pose

See, how the breeding shows

Sometimes, it's too much for even me

When all of the world says yes

Then, who am I to say no?"

- Georgette "Perfect Isn't Easy" 

Am I surprised? No, not even a little bit. The results of my personality tests are absolutely on brand. I have to admit though, the laugh that escaped me upon seeing the result was guttural. I'm rather in tune with myself (which is a modest way of saying that I am so self-aware that I probably put Narcissus to shame), so felt somewhat validated in the results that I got. However, I was not completely ready to see the descriptors that were used. To say I'm a little bit humbled (though I would be lying if I said that I'd ever change my ways). 


The first one is the 16 Personalities Test. 

(Image Credit: Me) 

Link to my results

Librarians and archivists tend to be a little more introverted than extroverted. I can safely say that I am the unhinged agent of chaos (in the most positive way possible I think) at my current place of employment. My department is rather small, and the energy felt in the environment shifted significantly with my arrival (totally not bragging - but kind of am). I've taken a lot of initiatives to ensure that everyone feels heard, and welcome and that we have a solid sense of comradery. Two years ago, when I first began, I could feel the vibes of everyone was a little off. My position was a newly implemented one, and my responsibilities included lessening the burden weighing most of my colleagues down. I think there was a lot of burnout post covid. It took a little while to establish my own sense of comfort, self-assurance, and confidence. Still, I've fostered an environment where we are much more communicative and are happy to intermingle with each other. 

Some of the concerns I've been able to resolve included really listening and protecting my colleagues from over-expectations, ensuring that everyone is getting their time to be heard, and raising concerns. Additionally, I've encouraged my team to support each other, communicate transparently, and work more collaboratively so that big responsibilities aren't weighing all on one person's shoulder. One of my proudest achievements has been to get one of our more reserved colleagues to open up, feel supported, and advocate to the point that he's expressing more emotions and even joins us in on our Love is Blind (and other Reality TV) Watch parties. I organize a lot of our department functions to celebrate my team - from birthday celebrations, to welcome as well as farewell parties - I love showing everyone that I care about them and that they are valued (I make everyone individual cards for each occasion and make sure everyone signs it). The morale has gone up significantly in our department and my colleagues have credited me with bringing the fun vibes to the forefront. 

With all of these things in mind, the second and third tests I took, How Good Is Your Leadership Skills and My Personality Test respectively, both reflected similar results. 

(Image Credit: Me) 

How Good Is Your Leadership Skills especially support my experience in my place of employment. I am a supervisor to student assistants, and while I do have room to grow in my career and my place in this field, my high score in Leadership skills is demonstrated in the initiative that I've taken to improve the working environment.  

In addition to promoting a different approach to ensure less burnout with my team, I have truly taken an active role in sustaining the integrity of our department during our time of upheaval in staff transitions over the past year. I've joked many times that I've kept the department afloat while battling short staff and limited capacities. I've empowered my colleagues to establish boundaries and manage everyone's expectations so as not to overwhelm ourselves and fall back to the habits that were present during a more disorganized time where we functioned more by the seat of our pants than with structure. Work smarter, not harder, I like to say! 

As mentioned previously, I've advocated for more organization and streamlined procedures as well as enough buffer time in between requests for instruction, consultation for materials, as well as exhibit support. Implementing new policies to ensure that our student assistants have enough time to page materials for patrons, and it doesn't all just fall on one person. This overall has helped us reestablish our department as a whole and has helped us operate more smoothly. 

In the one-year time frame since the beginning of the mass staff exodus (we have had 5 out of 10 staff members leave, one prospectively leaving at the beginning of April, as well as 2 maternity leaves. We've found replacements for 2 of those positions, and those on maternity leave have returned, there's still three positions that are to be filled and that's been a major setback in our capacity - when I tell you that we're all running on fumes....) I have successfully resolved all of the issues that the public service librarian proposed at the time of their exit on top of establishing more manageable workflows and procedures to eliminate a lot of the conflicts that were prevalent in the department. 

There is a huge sense of fulfillment knowing that my colleagues are in a better place and that I was able to make those necessary changes to support everyone. These qualities of assertiveness, intuitiveness feeling and judging have all truly helped in my career. I've definitely learned that communications and initiative goes a long way in group settings - which I have also applied in my education environment with group projects. 

My Personality Test corroborated what the first test indicated. 

(Image Credit: Me) 

There is a slight difference in the results - the first test finds me more spirited and the latter, more rigidly scheduled and disciplined. There are differences between the personality types as seen in this infographic 

(Image Credit: Personality Central from "Distinguishing ENFP and ENFJ"

I find myself to be a happy medium between the two. Typically I do like to know what is on my schedule and my calendar. I can sometimes be a micromanager - more regarding myself than with other people. Because I have so many things going on, my calendar is lit up like a Christmas Tree (see below), and on top of that, I have a daily "TO DO" List that I physically keep on my desk and check items off as I go along. 

(Image Credit: Me)

Yes, I'm so anal-retentive that I put in my lunch hour so I don't get booked. 

However, I do think I'm receptive to other people's opinions, emotions, and experiences, and am more of a "go with the flow" type of person. Sprinkling in, of course, my perpetual one-woman comedy act because I do fancy myself a comedian, and everything HAS to be a joke. 

All of this is to say, as my husband perfectly summarized, that I am completely insufferable. I am absolutely delusional enough to fully believe that I am actually the main character, and as pointed out in my test results I am the "champion" and "protagonist" of this world. 

(Gif Credit: Alex Anderson on Giphy)
Show: RuPaul's Drag Race - All Stars 6 (Season 14) 
Scarlet Envy "Am I the Villain"