# data[].attributes.body
Brown, B. (2010, June). The power of vulnerability [Video]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability/

Grinnell College. (n.d.). Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). https://www.grinnell.edu/

# data[].attributes.body
About me!

My name is Catherine Folukemi Ogunti also known as Cathy Guntz, and I am a Human Resource Generalist originally from Nigeria. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in English and Literature from Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria. I have a certification In Human Resource Management from Environ Fly UK. Over the past five years, I have worked in the Trading industry in the United Arab Emirates as a Human Resource Personnel dealing with Strategic HR planning, Recruitment and onboarding process, Talent management, and Employee Engagement and Retention. To be more professional in my field, I am currently pursuing my post-baccalaureate diploma in Human Resource Management at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) here in Canada.

My expertise lies in HR Information Systems (HRIS), compensation and benefits, performance management, and work-life balance. I am passionate about problem-solving and communication. I enjoy movies, music, and exploring fashion trends in my free time. This Padlet will showcase my learnings, and progress in the Human Resource Field and this course "Human relation and intercultural fluency" (HRMT5140).

Thank you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
what i learned about myself as a team member 

# data[].attributes.body
This term, I learned that I naturally take on an organizational role in teams, focusing on structure, timelines, and accountability. This reflects my ISTJ tendency to value order and reliability. I often find myself stepping in to ensure tasks are assigned, deadlines are met, and discussions stay on track.

I realized this during a group project. Our initial meetings were unstructured, and progress stalled. I took the initiative to create a detailed action plan and facilitated communication among members, which helped us regain momentum. While this approach ensured efficiency, I also learned the importance of balancing my focus on structure with allowing space for creativity and flexibility from others.

This experience taught me that while my organizational skills are a strength, I must remain open to diverse working styles and recognize the value of ideas that emerge from less structured approaches.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
These two values are clear drivers for me 

# data[].attributes.headline
Personal Values and Intercultural Values 

# data[].attributes.subject
Personal Values and Intercultural Values 

# data[].attributes.body
1. Integrity

Integrity is a core personal value that drives my actions and decisions. It shows up in my life as a commitment to honesty and consistency, whether in personal relationships or professional settings. At work, this value ensures that I approach tasks with accountability and maintain transparency in communication. For instance, when resolving conflicts or addressing workplace challenges, I prioritize fairness and ethical decision-making, even when it’s difficult. This builds trust with colleagues and sets a standard for moral behavior.

2. Respect for Diversity

Respect for diversity is a key intercultural value that influences how I interact with people from different backgrounds. It shows up in my life through a genuine curiosity about other cultures, traditions, and perspectives. At work, it translates into creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued and heard. For example, in my HR role, I’ve ensured that recruitment practices are free from bias and that company policies promote equity and inclusion. This value helps me bridge cultural gaps and fosters collaboration across diverse teams, contributing to a more harmonious and innovative workplace.

# data[].attributes.body
As a facilitator, one of the most important things I’ve learned is the value of active listening and creating psychological safety for participants. Active listening allows me to truly understand the perspectives, concerns, and motivations of the group, while creating psychological safety ensures that individuals feel comfortable sharing their thoughts without fear of judgment or reprisal.

This is important to me because it directly impacts the effectiveness of facilitation. When participants feel heard and safe, they are more likely to engage openly, collaborate effectively, and contribute innovative ideas. For example, if I sense hesitation or observe quieter members disengaging, my ability to adapt by encouraging their input through respectful prompts ensures everyone’s voice is valued.

It’s valuable to me because it aligns with my goal of fostering inclusive and productive environments where diverse perspectives lead to better decision-making. This approach not only drives results but also builds trust, a critical element for long-term success in any group or team setting.

# data[].attributes.body
The most important thing I’ve learned about myself in conflict is my tendency to prioritize logic and structure, which aligns with my ISTJ personality traits. This means I focus on resolving issues efficiently and staying grounded in facts and fairness. However, I sometimes overlook the emotional nuances of the situation, which can unintentionally lead to misunderstandings or feelings of disconnection.

This realization is valuable because it highlights the importance of balancing logical problem-solving with emotional intelligence. By consciously acknowledging and addressing others' emotions during conflict, I can foster stronger relationships, build trust, and ensure that resolutions are practical and considerate of everyone involved. This holistic approach is critical for maintaining harmony and productivity in personal and professional settings.

# data[].attributes.body
This image reflects how I view myself when giving feedback—calm, approachable, and supportive. I focus on fostering an atmosphere of respect and collaboration where the recipient feels engaged and valued. The professional setting and positive expressions underscore the intent to provide clear, constructive input that encourages growth and understanding

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
DALL·E 2024-11-17 23.20.35 - A supportive individual giving constructive feedback in a professional setting. The person appears calm and approachable, leaning slightly forward whi

# data[].attributes.body
This image reflects how I see myself when receiving feedback—thoughtful, open-minded, and focused on learning. The warm environment and elements like the notebook and idea bubbles signify my readiness to embrace growth opportunities and improve. Feedback for me is a chance to refine and enhance my skills.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
DALL·E 2024-11-17 23.19.29 - A thoughtful individual sitting at a desk, receiving constructive feedback. The person looks attentive and reflective, with a calm demeanor and an ope

# data[].attributes.body
STEP 1: EI Strengths and Opportunities

Two Greatest EI Strengths:

1. Self-Management: ISTJs are known for their ability to stay organized, focused, and dependable, which translates into strong self-management.

For Example: In a work environment, I am likely to manage deadlines and projects efficiently without needing constant supervision.

2. Self-awareness: As an ISTJ, I tend to have a realistic and honest understanding of my strengths and limitations. You are often grounded in facts, which gives you clarity on what you can accomplish and where you need improvement.

For Example: When faced with a new task or project, such as developing a job advert for your HR course, I will likely assess whether I have the necessary skills or if I need further training.

Two Greatest EI Opportunities for Improvement:

1. Empathy: We ISTJs are naturally more focused on logic and practicality than emotional expression. While we excel at understanding systems and tasks, it can be challenging to pick up on the emotional cues of others, which can lead to misunderstandings or difficulties in team dynamics.

For Example: During a group discussion or HR team meeting, I might focus on the task at hand rather than the emotional undercurrents among team members.

2. Adaptability: ISTJs value order, routine, and predictability. When unexpected changes arise, especially in emotional or interpersonal situations, it may feel overwhelming or frustrating to adapt quickly.

Example: Imagine I am working on an HR project that requires a sudden change to a client’s new demands, the emotional stress from managing a frustrated client may cause me to struggle with remaining flexible and emotionally resilient.

STEP 2: How do others Experience me?

I have gathered honest and valuable feedback from two individuals whose opinions I trust which are my friend and my colleague at work. I however created an environment that encourages open communication.

the conversation goes thus

COLLEAGUE :
Question:

"I’m reaching out to you because I know you have seen how I handle things like [work/projects/social interactions], and I respect your perspective. This feedback will help me recognize where I can enhance my strengths and where I have opportunities to grow, especially in terms of my emotional intelligence."

Responses:

Strengths: "You're incredibly organized and always meet deadlines, even under pressure. You also have a logical way of approaching problems, which makes you reliable."

Opportunities: "I think sometimes you might come across as a bit rigid when plans change. It could also be helpful to focus on connecting more emotionally with the team, especially when they're stressed."

FRIEND :

Question:

"If you don’t mind, could you tell me what you see as my top two strengths and my top two opportunities for improvement or growth? Feel free to take your time, and don’t hesitate to give me constructive feedback."

Responses:

Strengths: "You’re very dependable, and I always know I can count on you to follow through. You also give great advice because you’re level-headed."

Opportunities: "Maybe you could work on being more spontaneous or open to trying new things, especially when you get stuck in routines. Also, sometimes you seem distant when people are sharing their feelings."

STEP 3: Comparison

As an ISTJ, I possess a strong sense of self-awareness, particularly when it comes to my capabilities, work habits, and personal characteristics. However, there might be a few surprises in the above feedback I receive from my friend and colleague, especially regarding emotional aspects or adaptability.

Surprises in Feedback:

1.⁠ ⁠Emotional Connection and Empathy

I come across as distant or less emotionally engaged with others, this might be a bit surprising. ISTJs typically focus on logic and task completion, sometimes overlooking the emotional needs of others. While I may not intend to seem detached, others could perceive it this way, especially in emotionally charged situations.

2.⁠ ⁠Flexibility and Adaptability

Another feedback about needing to be more flexible or open to change, especially in situations where plans shift unexpectedly. As an ISTJ, I naturally prefer structure and predictability, so I may not have realized that others perceive this as a challenge.

Areas Where Feedback is Likely to Align with My Self-Perception:

1.⁠ ⁠Dependability and Organization

I am likely to receive feedback that aligns with my natural strengths as an ISTJ — particularly around my reliability, strong work ethic, and organizational skills. People probably recognize and appreciate that I am always on time, meet deadlines, and maintain a structured approach to tasks.

2.⁠ ⁠Logical Problem-Solving

Another area where feedback will probably align with my self-awareness is in logical problem-solving. As an ISTJ, I am likely to approach problems analytically and prefer clear, practical solutions.

Step 4: Emotional Intelligence Model

EMPATHY

Goal:

I want to improve my empathy and emotional connection with others, particularly in recognizing and responding to their emotional cues more effectively.

Rationale:

Improving empathy is crucial to my growth, both personally and professionally. As an HR professional, being concerned about the emotions of others is essential for fostering a supportive work environment, managing conflicts, and understanding employee needs. Personally, it will help strengthen my relationships and enhance my overall emotional intelligence.

Resource to Support Development:

I will watch Brené Brown’s TED Talk on "The Power of Vulnerability".

https://youtu.be/iCvmsMzlF7o?si=UOmPgeHGd3jb6Y6q/

This talk focuses on empathy, connection, and understanding human emotions, which will provide insights into how I can better connect with others emotionally.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The power of vulnerability | Brené Brown | TED

# data[].attributes.body
Step 1:

My personality type is Logistician

My full personality type code is ISTJ-A

Logisticians are practical and fact-minded individuals, whose reliability cannot be doubted.

ISTJ - The Inspector: Practical, fact-minded, and responsible.

ISTJ – The Inspector (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)

Step 2:

After working with this tool, my most important learning about my personality is as follows:

1. I am 92% Introverted and 8% Extroverted

Introverted individuals, however, tend to prefer fewer, yet deep and meaningful, social interactions and often feel drawn to calmer environments.

2. I am 53% Observant and 47% Intuitive

Observant individuals are pragmatic and down-to-earth. They tend to have a strong focus on what is happening or very likely to happen.

3. I am 57% Thinking and 43% Feeling

Thinking individuals focus on objectivity and rationality, often dismissing emotions in favor of logic. They tend to see effectiveness as more important than social harmony.

4. I am 99% Judging and 1% Prospecting

Judging individuals are decisive, thorough, and highly organized. They value clarity, predictability, and closure, preferring structure and planning to spontaneity.

5. I am 51% Assertive and 49% Turbulent

Assertive individuals are self-assured, even-tempered, and resistant to stress. They refuse to worry too much and tend to be self-confident when striving to achieve goals.

The above are valuable for my self-awareness, how to improve my personal growth, how to contribute to teamwork and collaboration, my career development, how to improve my decision-making, how to communicate better, and how to foster good relationships.

Step 3:

The most important thing I learned about working with other personality types:

As an ISTJ, I'm detail-oriented, responsible, and methodical. When working with other personality types, an important thing to learn is that not everyone approaches work the same way.

People with different preferences (such as intuitive, feeling, or perceiving types) may bring diverse but equally valuable perspectives to the table.

I learned that Different personality types have varying strengths. For example, more extroverted or intuitive types may focus on big-picture ideas and enjoy brainstorming, while ISTJs like myself tend to focus on practical, tangible details. Similarly, feeling types may prioritize harmony and emotions, while thinking types prefer logic and consistency

How this might change how I work with teams:

Adapt communication styles: I should focus on facts and details, but others might respond better to broader visions or emotional connections.

Embrace flexibility: As an ISTJ, I prefer structure and clear plans, while other types, such as perceivers, may thrive in more flexible environments. Being open to last-minute changes or brainstorming sessions can help build a more adaptable team dynamic.

Leverage strengths: My organizational skills and reliability can provide structure for the team, while other personality types might bring creativity or diplomacy. Recognizing and valuing these differences helps create a more balanced and effective team.

# data[].attributes.body
The 16 Personality Types come from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a popular psychological framework based on Carl Jung's theory of personality types. MBTI divides personality into four key dimensions, each having two opposite preferences. The combination of these preferences creates 16 distinct personality types.

The four dimensions are:

1. Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I):

Extraversion: Focus on the external world; energized by social interactions.

Introversion: Focus on the internal world; energized by solitary activities.

2. Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N):

Sensing: Focus on facts and details; prefers practical, concrete information.

Intuition: Focus on ideas and possibilities; prefers abstract, theoretical information.

3. Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F):

Thinking: Makes decisions based on logic and objective analysis.

Feeling: Makes decisions based on personal values and the impact on others.

4. Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P):

Judging: Prefers structure, planning, and decisiveness.

Perceiving: Prefers flexibility, spontaneity, and adaptability.