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Mahda Sumayyah [Back Bay Cohort]

Professor Matthias Mokros Professor of Leadership Skills I, II, III
Learning History
4 June 2016

How far did I come in the development in my leadership skills and why?
Leadership skills introduced me to the concept of Growth Mindset as the
first and the most important attitude that every student at Hult IBS must
have. Growth mindset is translated as the way of thinking in which the
person set themselves to continuously open the space to develop specifically
in 3 competencies and skills: adaptive thinking, interpersonal influence, and
team collaboration.
It wasnt too difficult for me to infuse the Growth Mindset within myself as I
was basically coming to this school with the intention to stretch myself to go
beyond my current capacity and excel. Moreover, I stated it on my LinkedIn
summary and every cover letters that I sent, just to keep me on the track to
grow.
However, the challenges that came along with this correspond positive to it.
The more I aim to excel my capacity, the intense the challenges I get. I was
taught about performing by listening through over 5 (five) different teams I
had throughout 3 modules. The team members were coming from mix
nationalities. Yet, we had to stand on our one goal despite all the differences
we had. Nothing has made you learn the world other than meeting and
working with people with different culture, different thinking and working
style, and different preference. Again, active listening works well with those
differences that translated more in team dynamics rather than team conflict.
You may repeat what you listen just to confirm as well as to clarify parts you
dont clear. I applied this skills most in the last module team assignment and
simulation. Those confirming repetitions and clarifying questions were also
aimed to present my opinion or ideas in the end. Thus, the discussion was
created without having the team member feeling that someone pushed their
own opinion. At best, teams were become more positive, made physical

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achievement by having an excellent grades or winning the competition, at
the same time, I improved my confidence and also gained the influence and
credibility.
Thank you to my triad that had continuously partnering me in this active
listening practice. Doing a serial GROW coaching session had made me
come naturally in articulating all the confirming repetitions and clarifying
questions. I have this skill shaped in very well manner and this is not just me
who had the thought but is also specified in the peer evaluation on
qualtrics360:
-

Mahda is a good team player. She is willing to take on any role that will
move the team forward. She initiates discussion within the team.

She is a very efficient worker.

Mahda has amazing team collaboration and interpersonal skills. She
can leverage these skills by coupling them with enhanced adaptive

thinking by digging deep by using techniques such as 5 whys.

Mahda is an extraordinary team collaborator with excellent

interpersonal skills.
Mahda initiated out of the box ideas in group discussions. She
also made sure everyone was aligned and encouraged others to
speak. If she didn't understand their idea, she would seek for
understanding.

However, this is just a start as I still see a massive space to develop. I

was, most of the time, discouraged by the thought that my opinion was
not numerically proven or theoretically correct. I was also lacking of
confidence especially in the hard-skill. To be honest, only small amount of
team task assignment that I can be firm as experience speaks here. The
rest, I was basing on the knowledge I just got from the courses and a little
bit of research here and there, to present my opinion or ideas. And it was
shown, please find the below of my area to improve based on peer
evaluation on qualtrics360:

An area of development for Mahda would be to express herself

more, especially during times of conflict within the team.
Mahda needs to develop the opportunity in the area of her
willingness to explore extensive scope when having open

discussion.
I think she would have more technical analysis to solve an issue

then she will improve herself.

Sometimes in the meeting, it would seem like Mahda was disengaged
or distracted. I would like to see Mahda more engaged in group
discussions. Also, sometimes when Mahda proposed an idea, she
What more do I have to do and how would I get there
wouldn't follow through to implement it or have someone else do it. I
would like to see Mahda follow through with her creative ideas
more.

Looking at the evaluation on the area of improvement. I see options that

able to assist me with these. At this moment, I made decision to postpone
my study but it doesnt discourage me to continue growing and firming my
leadership skills. Although the decision created the loss of opportunity to
work in team at school but again, team doesnt necessarily within the school
setting.
My feasible options are:
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New team at new committed work at Hydronav Pte Ltd.

Back active in Women Organization (GARNITA), wings organization of

Indonesian National Democrat Party

Back active in Indonesian National Democrat Party (NasDem)
Look up and engage Jakarta TED-Talk community

My action plan (will) within 4 weeks to the above open options:

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Meeting new team on Tuesday, 7 June 2016

Exercise new team expectation and target, June 2016, week II
Start communication with GARNITA head and friends on Monday, 6
June 2016

Start communication with NasDem friends on Monday, 6 June 2016

Start looking up TED-Talk Jakarta that close to my home area, Sunday,
5 June 2016

In the meantime, I would re-exercise the case in which I can practice my

knowledge I got during the courses. It would help me to be more confident in
meeting new team at work. At the same time, to make myself aware of latest
economy and political news just to prepare for a pleasant conversation with
old friends in mentioned groups. Doing lots of reading at any topics to enrich
every conversation I will make. To prepare ears to listen to the partner of the
conversation and to practice active listening.