HDF 190:

FIRST YEAR LEADERS INSPIRED TO EXCELLENCE

LEADERSHIP PORTFOLIO
Joseph T. Oldham
SPRING 2015
joseph_Oldham@my.uri.edu

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Strengths
Opening Statement
Section 1: Self Leadership
Section 2: Leadership Theories
Section 3: Critical Thinking
Section 4: Self Leadership
Section 5: Interpersonal/Organizational Leadership

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*If you do not have one outcome from each area of the Inventory completed,
you may opt to choose 2 from one of the sections.

Signature Strengths
Includer
Self-Assurance
Strategic
Significance
Communication

Values in Action Strengths

Perspective
Curiosity
Hope
Perseverance
Teamwork

OPENING STATEMENT
In FLITE 190, I have been blessed to have the opportunity
to learn about my personal leadership style and strengths.
I also learned about a series of leadership models and how
they are utilized in the real world and I how connect with
them. This class has also provided me personal
development through the series of class and small group
activities.

SECTION 1
SELF LEADERSHIP
Student will demonstrate knowledge of stress management methods
During my URI 101 class, my business mentors provided me with a wealth of knowledge about life at
college. Personally the most important thing they taught me was how to manage stress here in college.
College students can get overwhelmed at times with their work. In order to manage or avoid stress is to
do bigger assignments or study in advance so you do not wait till last minute to accomplish everything
and underperform. Setting a timeline in advance can allow you to avoid unneeded stress and manage it
better when big tests and assignments arise. I also have learned taking a break from studying and
doing school work is a great way to manage stress. Getting involved in a club/organization or even just
going to the gym allows students to keep care of themselves physically and mentally since stress takes
a toll on the body. Being able to take care of yourself is huge. Another important stress management
method is having mentors people close to you that you can take to. Having close friends at college
gives you people to talk to and keep yourself sane and making rational decisions to deal with stress. I
have experienced this first hand in my fraternity with my older brothers. They have given me advice but
how to manage my life and manage stress. They provide great mentorship and someone I can vent and
figure out any daunting problems in my life. Managing stress requires being able to take care of yourself
and manage your life.

SECTION 2
Leadership Theory and Models
Students will describe personal application of the above theory (Greenleaf)
Mentorship is an important aspect of being an effective and successful leader. In HDF 190, I have
learned that the best mentors make sure to put those in front of them. Mentors make those underneath
them a priority and commit to them and their personal development. This is a key part of servant
leadership. Being able to serve those around you and mentor and lead them in the right direction as a
good influence is a prime example of serving others around you. I have seen mentorship specifically in
my HDF 190. My group leader, also my T.A., has made me and her other students her number one
priority during that class time and she also tries to make sure that she is a good influence for us. She
thus has made that commitment to us and our personal growth and is willing to listen for just about any
problem or inconvenience. I have also noticed exceptional mentoring in my fraternity. I have learned
from my older brothers that mentoring is a process. You need to develop a relationship with those you
are mentoring and break the ice a little and show them that you have their best interest in mind. You
also have to deal with conflicting agendas because people sometimes have no idea what is best for
themselves and need a little more persuasion. Lack of communication sometimes gets in the way and
creates breakdowns. Mentorship is not easiest thing to do and is a huge time commitment to make it
useful.

SECTION 3
Critical Thinking
Student will describe personal examples of preparing for and being interviewed
This past fall semester I interviewed at a fraternity I was interested in. I mentally prepared
myself by asking myself questions that a typical interview would ask. I also had some
previous knowledge from the leadership institute that I could give myself something talk
about during it. I also had some previous experience from several other interviews at
fraternities that I could apply to my most important one. I felt I was not as prepared as I
could have been because I did not have the knowledge and experiences that I gained in
HDF 190. In the end was able to think critically on the spot and produce some very
impressive and well thought out answers. Despite the fact I have been denied several
positions in organizations on campus recently, I have felt much more prepared to answer
questions more effectively and show a little more about my capabilities and talents. I feel
like I am also able to be less robotic and sound much more like myself. I was able to
successfully to display myself without being robotic during my SAA interview by answering
questions seamlessly and full heartedly. I am also able to think more about what I want to
say and answer some very unusual questions effectively. My previous interview
experience and the knowledge I have gained through HDF 190 has allowed to be better
prepared for interviews.

SECTION 4
SELF LEADERSHIP
Student will demonstrate personal, organizational, and academic examples of selfdiscipline
This past fall semester, I pledged The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta and ended up being
the pledge class president. As president I had to set an example for my pledge brothers
while maintaining a high-level of academic achievement, being involved in the URI
community, as well as maintaining outside friendships. In order to do all of this, I had to cut
out many different pleasures in my life such as video games, watching Netflix, playing
lacrosse, and doing nothing. I also had to create a schedule where I established
designated study times around my SAA and pledge meetings so I could get my
homework/studying done along with being an active general member and pledge. I
consider my successful since I produced promising results in all aspects of my life. I was
able to effectively lead myself and not fade away from the path I was currently following. I
definitely was able to achieve self-discipline through growing up and taking an initiative in
my life which reflects upon my high performance in the classroom and in the URI
community.

SECTION 5
(Interpersonal and Organizational Concepts and Skills )
Managing stress is vital for college students nowadays. For myself, campus involvement has been my
biggest stress management reliever because it allows me to get away from my academics and do
things I like to do and discover passions outside of my major. I have two different worlds in my life which
allowed me to relax while developing a study plan in order to get my work done and thrive at the
collegian level. My stress was immediately relieved when I left the world of homework and studying
when I had something to do for pledging for my fraternity or had an office hour/meeting for SAA. It gave
me mentors to go to whenever I had a scheduling problem or a school problem and they immediately
helped out and allowed me to make the right decision for success. Campus Involvement also allowed
me to realize I had to set up a schedule for all of my activities which helped me relax realizing if I follow
my hourly schedule I will be able to accomplish everything I need to do so I would not freak out if I were
to miss something and add onto my stress. I was able to get all of this information from my URI 101
class with the help of my mentors who provided me with the information to get involved and the ways to
manage my college life. Having different worlds, having mentors, and setting up a schedule were my
stress management methods. I also learned from my timer here at URI the best way to manage stress
is to be organized and willing to speak to others when you need a problem. Being able to keep a
balance in ones life and keeps everything in check allows people to feel less stressed and more
powerful in uncertain situations.