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Describe your arts award project.  What will your leadership role be?

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Describe your arts award project.  What will your leadership role be?

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My arts award project will be where I lead a section in our termly showcase where the theme is the 'The Queen's Platinum Jubilee'. The showcase will focus on art, music, and drama in a carousel-like fashion. In this Summer Showcase, I will be leading talent management of all musical performances. In this section, I will be auditioning everyone to be in the showcase, and then reviewing their performances over a period of time. Therefore, I will be collaborating with my director (of creativity), Kabeer, and with all the performers. My ultimate goal is to ensure the Summer Showcase runs smoothly with all performances of a high standard.

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Summer Showcase roles and responsibilities

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What qualities do you think a good leader need to have?

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What qualities do you think a good leader need to have?

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-> Interpersonal communication
This, in my opinion, is critical since a strong leader should be able to boost teamwork and lead to improved team project collaboration through communication. It allows the leader to get their point across efficiently without raising any other concerns and the leader should be able to control the situation. However, a leader should also be able to listen to other members and use initiative on how they can improve the situation.
-> Resilience
Resilience is a key skill a leader should obtain because a leader will have people working for them; therefore, you must encourage them to keep working so it doesn't affect others too. This also links with perseverance because if the leader is not hardworking, the other members will not work as hard and will be unenthusiastic.
-> Organisation
This is crucial for a leader because the leader must be prepared at all times. If the leader was well-organised, it would reduce any chances of problems occurring, and everything operating smoothly.
-> Self-awareness
This is vital because by knowing your beliefs, personality, needs, habits, and emotions, as well as how they affect your behaviours and the actions of others, you'll be better able to manage stress, make better decisions, and ultimately show others how to do the same.

Overall, a good leader should demonstrate all of these skills because they should be able to effectively allow everyone to work together to meet the overarching goal, in this case, the Summer Showcase.

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What leadership skills would you like to develop in your project?

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What leadership skills would you like to develop in your project?

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Throughout this project, I hope to develop my self-awareness and organisational skills. My self-awareness needs to be improved because I believe I don't manage stress well because I don't acknowledge the needs and habits I exhibit, and as a result don't take proper care of them. So, taking on the role of one of the showcase leaders would come with great responsibility and consequently stress. Therefore, I would need to improve my self-awareness skills to then not only help myself but the others who surround me too. Another skill I want to develop is my organisational skills because to take care of all the musical performances in the showcase, they need to be arranged in an organised matter. And as an individual, I am not as organised as I'd like to be.

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What resources will you need? Are there any health and safety considerations?

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What resources will you need? Are there any health and safety considerations?

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The resources I need for the showcase would firstly be all the musical instruments the performers don't bring in. For example, the number of pianos or microphones there should be. As the performances are happening in 2 separate rooms, I would need to consider the amount of equipment for both rooms. For health and safety considerations, as Covid-19 is still going around, I would focus on the requirements for that such as a slight distance from the chair placements. And if a performer has been working too hard, to the point where their voice goes or a guitarist's fingers are shredded, I would also be alerted and advise them to stop practicing.

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How will this help your leadership skills?

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How will this help your leadership skills?

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This will help my leadership abilities because it would help build my confidence in overseeing individuals and leading a group. For that to work well, my organisational skills are needed so I can be succinct and clear to performers, to ensure we perform to the required standards. It will also teach me to take initiative so that I may be better prepared for potential future challenges. It will help me learn to be more resilient and that there is always a solution when things get difficult. Since I typically work with my friends, this will help me improve my teamwork skills because it would allow me to work with people who I wouldn't usually.

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Will you be working with other people? What will they be doing? How does your role relate to others?

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Will you be working with other people? What will they be doing? How does your role relate to others?

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Mainly I will work with the director of creativity, Kabeer, and Mr. Lau while occasionally working with my other team leaders. Kabeer will be watching over me and the decisions I make, for example, we will be working together for the auditions. In addition, I will be working with the musical performers, by listening to their performances over time and collaborating with them on the day to make sure they deliver their performances perfectly. Finally, I will be performing Bohemian Rhapsody on the piano with my friends (Aayan, Rohan, and Pranavi) so I will be working with them too.

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Who are the participants or main audience for your project?

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Who are the participants or main audience for your project?

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The main audience for the project will be the parents, siblings, and teachers of the kids performing. The participants in our project are students who are involved in the Performing Arts department at our school (art, music, and drama), and they consist of performers, organisers, and volunteers. The performers will play an instrument, sing, act, or draw in the showcase for the audience. The sixth form will also help bring together the showcase, and fill in roles that need to be assigned. And we will also be having volunteers who offered to help us with the showcase.

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Is there anything specific you need to consider for this audience?

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Is there anything specific you need to consider for this audience?

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As the audience mainly consists of parents of the children, I would need to consider how the carousel works, to suit the parents as the audience. There will be 3 sections in the showcase,(art, music, and drama) and I have it planned for there to be performances in both art and music. This would mean, that for the parents to listen to their child, the performances would have to be repeated 3 times, so I would need to consider the structure of the carousel and its operation.

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I will be recruiting the musical performers for the showcase by auditioning their talent and listening to a section of their piece. This will be done by putting up a signup sheet for individuals who are interested and then contacting them. For volunteers, we will be putting a signup sheet, for all those who want to volunteer for all 3 sides of the showcase, not only music. Another leader will then contact them, to be put in a specific part to volunteer for, for example, food and drink.

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To promote the project we will be doing the following: creating multiple posters by the marketing and publicity team and then putting them around the school; I also will make an assembly with a few other students so that the whole school will be informed of the showcase; then we will be going around classes to remind them of the showcase taking place; and finally, there will be 2 sign up sheets outside Mr. Lau's classroom, so students can walk by and write their name down.

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Since I am leading talent management, I will deliver this project by mainly focusing on the quality assurance of the performances. This will mean checking regularly on the performances and doing some checks on rehearsals days, where I listen to all performances on 1 day. I would also make sure all instruments and equipment are accounted for the performance and finally check if program names and order are all correct. I will do this by communicating to my performers, my talent management team, and the co-director of creativity, ensuring everything is of an adequate standard.

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What practical things will you need to organise and how will you do this?

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What practical things will you need to organise and how will you do this?

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I would need to organise how much equipment there should be, for example, the number of keyboards, where we are going to place the drum kit, etc. As there is also going to be a dance performance taking place, I would need to consider how much space they need for their performance, and how they should adjust to their spacing with the instruments. Finally, I would have to consider where the performers and instruments would be placed, in the canteen despite there being tables and chairs.

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What support are you going to need from other people? Who is going to help you and why?

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What support are you going to need from other people? Who is going to help you and why?

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I would need help from the co-director of creativity, Kabeer, to oversee all the work I'm doing and make changes if needed. I would also need help from Mr. Khutan, to discuss with him, the equipment needed and his advice for it. I am also going to need help from my talent management team (Pranavi), so they can also help. I would need help from the Art leaders, so we can collaborate together, as there will also be musical performances held in their exhibition. Finally, Mr. Lau will be helping me and everyone else, by bringing the whole showcase together with the advice needed.

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How are you going to assess how your leadership skills are developing and collect feedback as you go along?

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How are you going to assess how your leadership skills are developing and collect feedback as you go along?

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I will assess my leadership skills by taking in feedback from the co-directors, especially Kabeer, so he can tell me how to improve whatever the work I am doing is, but also from my peers working on this showcase. I also will speak with Daniel, a former year 10 who worked on the previous showcase, so he can tell me what the strengths and weaknesses he worked on were. As Mr. Lau, is overseeing all my work, if my techniques need to be implemented, I will act on them. Finally, my skills will be changing throughout the project, and I decided that self-awareness (one of my leadership skills) needs to be developed meaning I would also become more aware of what I need to change by reviewing my own strengths and weaknesses.

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Beginning of project - reflection 1 - 05/05/22 

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Beginning of project - reflection 1 - 05/05/22 

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What has happened so far?
-> The assembly where I spoke about the auditions.
-> Going around classes to remind everyone.
-> We have made a timeline of everything we need to do.
-> Meetings have taken place.

I demonstrated my leadership skills by suggesting the idea of doing an assembly. This provided to be beneficial because as expected, everyone was talking about the auditions. It allowed the showcase to be broadcasted more clearer than it ever was before. However, we faced a few setbacks while recording the assembly, for example, we had to do many retakes because our environment to record was not optimal and when we created the final video, we spoke a lot quicker than we should have. So then we went around classes, in pairs, to remind everyone about the auditions and the showcase, to take part, and then answered questions.  This made me develop my teamwork skills because I quickly got used to who I was working with and allowed myself to answer the classes' questions in much detail and efficiently. I was not expecting to do the assembly as I thought Mr. Lau was doing it instead, but it was a good opportunity to promote the showcase. One problem I faced was when I prompted the idea to have round tables for the showcase. Mr. Lau advised me this was not the right idea. I understood this after because it would be impractical to have round tables and fit everyone in with the stands which therefore made me reconsider my self-awareness. In addition, Mr. Lau had always guided us to make the timeline for the showcase, but we didn't really understand why we should do that, since we knew the key dates ahead, but instead, it allowed us to be very organised (another leadership skill to improve) and made sure we could not forget an event coming up. Finally, weekly meetings were held by team leaders to give us an update on all the tasks that had been completed and what remained. At first, it was challenging to plan meetings that everyone could attend, and the ones that did happen were disjointed. We then decided to set up a WhatsApp group to address the matters. We planned the meeting's schedule and location in advance to allow for everyone's attendance. Each meeting also had a leader, who was usually Aayan, and an agenda. This provided us with a specific objective for every meeting. Sometimes, there weren't any urgent issues or duties, so we cancelled meetings. This prevented us from wasting time and let us concentrate on our responsibilities.

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Middle of project - Reflection 2 - 10/06/22

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Middle of project - Reflection 2 - 10/06/22

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What has happened?

-> The auditions on the 26th and 27th of May
-> Learning Bohemian Rhapsody
-> Compile everyone's backing tracks
-> Create the program order
-> Collaborating with Mr. Khutan to create an equipment list

The auditions were the main part of my responsibility, and while I did have a little help from Mr. Lau for his advice, the event was organised by me. For the auditions, I created a spreadsheet ordered by name, piece, instrument, score, and notes. And then called out the auditions systemically so. This helped because it would allow me to be neat and tidy with the work I was doing. The auditions were held on 2 consecutive days, for the first day, it was everyone we could fit in, and on the second, the remaining people who could not make the first day. I did, however, face a setback because I had a sports competition on the second day, so I could not be there on the second day. Therefore I delegated the task, to 2 directors, Kabeer who I have previously worked with and who was there the previous day, and Riya, the director of event management. They did face setbacks, but I tried to provide them with much information as I could. When I suggested having auditions held over 2 days, I believe it was an excellent idea because we found out quite a few people could not attend auditions on the first day, so it turned out to be useful.  Everyone performed their piece at the front while everyone prepared for their auditions. We did an open audition because we thought it would let the performers get rid of their stage fright. I developed a few strategies from the previous showcase, and even asked Daniel, the previous leader if he recommended anything to do. After days of contemplating, we decided on a program order. Mr. Lau, Kabeer, and I had to consider pieces for both the art section of the showcase and obviously the music section. I then wrote out an email to people who were accepted, and people who weren't. After doing the auditions, I certainly believe I have improved my leadership skills because I orchestrated the auditions. Everything ran smoothly, except for the difficulty on the second day of the auditions. After selecting certain performers, I had to ask if they wanted a backing track and had to consider which equipment they needed, eg. mics or a drum kit. After collecting this information, I had a meeting with Mr. Khutan, Sofia - the director for backstage, and Sheldon - the team leader for lighting and sound so we could create a list of equipment required. I then emailed Mr. Khutan the program order, with a table of the equipment needed. This also demonstrated my teamwork skills. However not many of the performers were helpful in terms of giving me the information needed, and it took a while, but once I showed how important the information was, they quickly discussed it with me. Finally, for the showcase, I will be performing Bohemian Rhapsody with my friends, Aayan, Rohan, and Pranavi. This is also the main part of my responsibility because for the showcase we will be performing Bohemian Rhapsody 3 times. Therefore, we need to be thoroughly practiced.

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How have I worked with other people during the project?
So far, I have worked with my sectional team leaders, the directors of the showcase - Kabeer, Sofia, and Riya, and Mr. Lau (my music teacher).
Why was I communicating with them?
I had to collaborate with my sectional team leaders to create an assembly so everyone in the school could be informed about the auditions, I also went around classes with them to create a reminder for the showcase. Furthermore, I worked with Kabeer, Sofia, and Riya to create a timeline of everything needing to be done, and finally every week, I met with my sectional team leaders and Mr. Lau for an agenda for the following week.
What did I want to achieve?

Our main goal was to advertise for the showcase because despite there being a poster, I wanted everyone to be informed about the showcase, even the teachers. We wanted to improve our teamwork skills by meeting every week to discuss what to do next. And our organisation skills were maintained as the first thing we did was create a timeline.

Did I resolve any unexpected issues?
There was an unexpected issue because, for the assembly, one individual was not in on the day as they had Covid 19, so I had to quickly learn their part too, and say it during the assembly. This made me more alert for any future problems because I was thinking quickly at that moment in time.

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Singing with sixth formers on day of showcase for fun

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How have I worked with other people during the project?
This reflection is after the showcase, so I worked with many individuals. I worked with the sectional team leaders, the leaders for art and drama, the teachers Mr. Khutan and Mr. Lau and the directors for the showcase, Kabeer, Sofia, and Riya, and the performers and helpers for the showcase. Also for my Bohemian Rhapsody Performance I performed with my peers, Aayan, Rohan and Pranavi.
Why was I communicating with them?
I was communicating with Mr. Khutan and the sectional lead for lighting and sound because they needed my help to form a list of all equipment needed due to the auditions that occurred. I also worked with Kabeer for the auditions so they could run smoothly. I co-operated with the leaders in the art section of the showcase, so I could include performers in the art interlude. And finally, I worked with my Bohemian Rhapsody peers, so we could perform perfectly.
What did I want to achieve?
I wanted to make sure the showcase could be the best despite any setbacks along the way. For this to happen, I had to collaborate with many people of different sections, familiar and unfamiliar, which therefore did increase my persuasion skills. I do believe I did my work efficiently and at a great standard.
Did I resolve any unexpected issues?
There were quite a few unexpected problems, for example, I was planning to let all the performers know where they were sitting and extra information during the technical rehearsal we had planned, but this could not take place due to a miscommunication. I then had to plan everything during our lunches and breaks, however, they might have been practicing in the choir or orchestra during their lunches and breaks. I had many issues like these, but I did solve them before the showcase occurred.
How am I developing my leadership skills and handling situations appropriately?
For the auditions, I feel I demonstrated my leadership skills effectively as I took charge of the event. I then ordered the performers according to their performance and made an unbiased judgment for the people who should have been accepted and rejected. I even merged a performance together which I believe I should take credit for.

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Collecting feedback on my leadership skills

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Collecting feedback on my leadership skills

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I made a survey on my leadership skills so all the people involved in the showcase could submit the survey, and I could understand which areas I have improved, and which areas I need to develop. This allowed me to understand what I could do better for next time.

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This is me answering the majority of the evaluation questions.

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What do you think about the survey feedback?
With the feedback from the survey, I realized I definitely improved my organizational skills and I believe I am a suitable leader for any task at hand. I do however for next time, want to improve on the way I handle errors. Mr. Lau had also told me that I was quite impulsive, and needed a moment to consider my actions, and I do believe I have improved on those skills.

Refer back to your original plan. Did anything happen differently from what you originally planned? If so, what and how?
Yes, the technical rehearsal failure was quite unexpected since the majority of my plans were focused on that rehearsal. But as mentioned before, I quickly took action to listen to the pieces during the breaks, lunchtimes, and after school instead, so I solved the problem at hand. Another example was the seating arrangements where I impulsively suggested the idea of having round tables. But now I understand why this couldn't have worked because for one, not everyone would've fit at the tales so it would've been impractical and the round tables were being used for the art presentation instead.

Is there anything you would do differently in the future if you were to run the project again?
In the future, generally, I believe I would've planned everything quite a while before any key events of the showcase so we could be fully prepared. And I would have liked it if the performers came with themed outfits to the Platinum Jubilee because it would've been more suitable with the queen's throne and coronation performance at the start. Finally, if I was in charge of talent management again, I would set up more regular meetings to hear the performances, just so I could critique them on everything small, and make them fully prepared.

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I emailed this to Mr. Khutan so he could be fully prepared in terms of technical equipment.

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This kept me on time for any upcoming tasks that needed doing, and I would fill in when I had finished them.

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I created this programme order for the musical elements of the showcase, respective of art and drama.

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End of project - Reflection 3 - 15/07/22

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End of project - Reflection 3 - 15/07/22

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What has happened?
-> The showcase :)
-> Ticket distribution
-> Technical rehearsal failure

3 days before the showcase, we were supposed to have a technical rehearsal. However, there was a miscommunication and we could not get the technical rehearsal. this is where I was relying on listening to all the pieces and trying to improve them. As I was not expecting this, I did have to amend the plan and requested to hear them during their breaks and lunches following that day, as that was the best I could do.

The day before the showcase, Tiffany and I had to give out all the tickets, while Ria and Pratyush were writing the names on the tickets. Unfortunately, there was a difficulty because when the spreadsheet was made, some people claimed they paid for the ticket but did not receive it. We tried to solve the problem on the day of the showcase, by rushing to give their tickets, and this is where I worked with Zahra Awan - the Sixth Former who managed tickets previously.

On the day of the showcase, it was very hectic. We could not practice in the morning because there was an assembly taking place. However, everyone knew what they were doing as we had an after-school rehearsal too. They were prepared for the long day ahead, and so was I. I first made sure everyone was present and then talked with each performer to discuss when they were going to go and when their performances were. They were very cooperative, however, unfortunately, there was a little confusion with one performance. I had told them earlier they were performing in the canteen, and because the carousel was so confounding, they thought they were performing in the hall. I had to quickly state the details, and I do believe I made it clearer to them. There were also some difficulties in ordering the performers to play their performance and also sing in the choir but I tried to discuss with them how it was going to work. And finally, on that day, I practiced Bohemian Rhapsody many times so I could be fully prepared because we were performing 3 times.

After the showcase, I believe the showcase was astounding especially for being there the whole way. All the performances went smoothly, especially the final mystery performance. However, there were some technical difficulties. This could have definitely been solved with the technical rehearsal. In Bohemian Rhapsody, there were many problems. For example, in the first performance, Sheldon and Mr. Khutan could not play the backing track to our song, which was definitely not what we were used to, as we were practicing with the backing track. However, we still tried to keep in time, using the drums from Aayan, and the singers Rohan and Pranavi. In the second performance, the backing track played at the wrong time, so we were confused about whether to follow it or ourselves. We also tried to solve the problem, by following the beat we made. I do believe our third and final performance was the best because the audience did help us to keep the beat by clapping, and the backing track was almost perfect. It was a definitely challenging experience, but nonetheless, the most exciting especially since the showcase was so mesmerizing, especially the lights changing and the final band performance. Despite the difficulties we confronted, I believe it was definitely worth it.

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I distributed the tickets using this spreadsheet using the help of Ria and Tiffany (both helpers in the showcase).

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I created this Eisenhower Matrix because Mr. Lau recommended to do so, and this was very helpful because it made us more organised.

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In the survey, this was the only question where there was not a defined answer. This therefore clearly shows me how people were confused about if I tried to correct my mistakes, so, now I know my area for improvement for any future leadership roles. Other than this question, people thought I was definitely suited for this leadership position and the skills and attributes that came along with it.