I don't know about you, but the more I read about the my Myers-Briggs personality type it became almost creepy how accurate all of the descriptions were. Not only did the descriptions of the specific dichotomies reflect my tendencies extremely well, but the over all profile of an ISFJ also described me perfectly.  I am a true ISFJ, the protector.

I am one of those people who get really attached to random things which shows the feeling a sensing part of me. The pillowcase I slept with when I was 3 I brought to college with me. When I was in kindergarden I wanted to wear the same dress everyday. I am one of the people who is almost OCD about some things. My closet has to be in rainbow order, my desk draw has to have compartments for everything, certain colored binders go with specific subjects ect. I this is the Judging in me, as well. I can't handle disorder. I am early to everything, and stress out about being late to literally every thing from class, to dinner, to floor meetings. I can't handle people who are late because they make me stressed out for them. A lot of the time, I don't say anything and just freak out internally (an obvious introvert). Although, I love being around people and I can be obnoxious and out going, I need to study alone, do homework alone and I think a lot about what I am going to say before I say it.

I think the most helpful part of the exercises we did in class was being able to understand how other people work. As a "J", I alway have a low tolerance for procrastination and tardiness. I see it as rude and inconsiderate, but with learning about the "P"s and how they function I makes it easier to understand them and how to avoid conflict with them. I think this holds true for all of the different dichotomies. It is easy for them to conflict, but by learning how other people think it enables people to work together better. Instead of being annoyed with each others weaknesses, they can focus on their strengths.

For me at least, I don't see the 16 types as constraining. People function to each dichotomy differently and to different extremes. We can't expect every ISFJ or ENTP to be the same. Seeing the Myers-Briggs types as cookie cutter personalities, I think completely misses the point. It is a guideline to help people understand themselves and others, not to put people in boxes of what is expected of them.

Men and Women For Others

"Men and Women for Others".... a phrase that was repeated an infinite number of times in my years at Jesuit High School. As a freshman it didn't mean much to me, but over the last four years the slogan  has been permanently written on my heart. I am a product of a Jesuit education, so I doubt it is surprising to any of you that the model of leadership that resinates with me is Servant Leadership. Servant Leadership almost seems like leadership out of love for humanity. It is seeing what is best for the others and helping them achieve it. A servant leader puts other people ahead of themselves. I think that I lead most similarly to a Servant Leader. I love helping people. I love teaching to see the smiling faces when kids learn. I love serving food at soup kitchens and listening to their stories. I love seeing other people succeed. I love helping other people be happy. A Servant leader wants everyone to be the best person possible. A servant leader doesn't only set out to accomplish a goal, but also want to help everyone in the group succeed and grow through the experience. It seem challenging to help people grow while simultaneously leading. Anyone who can do that I have enormous respect for.

When I went to look for a picture that I felt fit with Servant Leadership I googled the word "empower". A Servant Leader does not simply lead, but he empowers the people around him. The picture above shows this though the linking of hands. If one person lets go the link will be broken and the people not connecting will stuggle to keep their hands up. Although the guy in the middle looks he instigated the raising and connecting of hands, it would not have been sucessful with out the work of each individual.

Introduction

My name is Leah Clare Bensching. I am from Portland, Oregon and went to Jesuit High School. I live in Graham on the first floor, room 136. Right now I am undeclared, but I am going to be a Civil Engineering major. Next year, I hope to be a Community Facilitator in Graham. I am a HUGE Gonzaga fan. As a bronco I know I should hate them, but I have been to a game every year since I was three. One of my passions is photography. My dream for a long time has been to be a photographer for National Geographic because it would incorporate two of my passions, photography and travel. I have been swimming for most of my life. I swam on the local team during the summers eight years, for my high school for three and joined a club team by junior year. Now I am on the club swim team at SCU. Just a warning for future blogs ….. I’m awful at spelling and grammar.

Random facts about me......

1. I don't like milk, mayo, katch-up, root beer or vanilla ice cream.
2. While keeping my hand connected i can move them from in front of me to behind me and
vis-versa because my shoulders are double jointed.
3. I hate the taste of red M & Ms.
4. I eat a lot of apples... but still get sick all the time.
5. I am obsessed with frozen yogurt shops.
6.  I love teaching math and spanish to people.
7. I own a lot of purple things because its my favorite color.
8.  I have wanted to go to Greece since I was in 6th grade.