Leadership Dimensions
Well, things seem to be looking somewhat promising thus far. So far, with my group, I've been able to unearth a lot of the motivations and conditions into why this factionalism has been happening. I have a long history of informal back-channel communications and I think it is serving well thus far. When you pull people aside to talk, people tend to put away a lot of superficial fronts and are more likely to tell you what's really on their mind. I really do appreciate it when people tell me the straight dope and nothing else. I also find that such people are more appreciative of this directness, even when what I say is less than favorable to them. Sure, I take a risk each time in bearing some vulnerability on my part. But in the end, I find that this is a necessary thing in genuine communication at that level.

This is consistent with what my file says thus far. It says that my strongest dimension is "Interpersonal Skills." Its been my experience that this is the best way to come to understand subordinates, peers, and superiors. In fact, I like to think that I get a little better each time. This is not to say that I don't have weaknesses. If you would like to read more about that, just read my previous entry below. However, in these times, I find that it is opportune to play my strongest card.

In the meantime, we're not exactly out of the woods yet. I still have a few others to talk to and get things squared away. Plus, I also feel the need to defend 14 other people very soon or else a policy change will have to be enforced. I need to keep trying. I need to keep praying. Whatever it takes.