As I reflect on the statement, "When we put people in boxes where they can only be one or another, we miss the opportunity to see people as diverse as they are" I can't help but think how many people like the MBTI, put people into categories-if they're one thing, they can't be another. And some days yes, I find myself making these same generalizations. If she's organized, she can't be messy or if he's punctual he'll always have things in on time. But sometimes life happens, and we are all a melting pot of different characteristics. I feel as though I fit into many different boxes, a lot of the time spilling out of some into others. I like to think of myself as a coloring book colored in by a three year old-not necessarily in the lines of what people say the picture SHOULD look like. My personality type is ENFJ, and it's scary to think how spot on it is...really scary.

I love people, I really do. Being around my friends brings a smile to my face and I feel renewed and hopeful after being around them. But lets be honest, everyone needs that quiet time to reflect and be alone, and I know since I've been to college I have really found I need that more often than I allow myself to have it. As for N and F, those couldn't be more true, in fact I scored 30s on both of those, man this test knows me better than myself! The J, though I may not like what it stands for is spot on. I am the girl who makes plans, who takes charge when something needs to be put together, and I'm proud of the fact I need to be punctual, not want to be, but it's almost a necessity.

I do think society sheds a more positive light on extroverts over introverts, mainly because of people's definitions of the words. When people think of introverts, they think of quiet, shy, reserved people who would rather keep to themselves, when in reality many of my friends are the most outgoing introverts I've ever met! I think there is a negative stigma if you aren't always doing something, hanging out with people, or adventuring somewhere. People want their lives to be the most exciting, the most fun, the most crazy, and feel like the only way to do so is being an extreme extrovert. Hey, if you want to climb a mountain, save a baby panda, and find the cure to cancer all in one day-be my guest, I just don't think you have to be an introvert to do so. I know plenty of people, including myself who fit into more than one category on the MBTI, and a personality test cannot define who you are and how you act. You know yourself better than anyone else, and going off that gut feeling is more accurate than a computer generated test any day!

The more I think about these different models and leadership theories, the more I realize the overlaps between them. I'm a charismatic leader I thought at first, or maybe the challenge model, but at last I decided I see myself relating to the servant leadership model. Going to a Jesuit high school helped me to see the power of a servant leader. I have gotten to know many of the Jesuit priests back in Portland, and consider them close friends. They way they led, as many jesuits do is so inspiring. And looking back on leadership positions I've had, I have relied on this servant model subconsciously.

Many people get to a top leadership position by climbing their way up the pyramid. Let me reference the show "How I Met Your Mother," when Barney explains the pyramid of screaming. At the top of the pyramid is the boss, below him a high up worker, and the chain goes down from their to the barista at a coffee shop. Many leadership positions will follow this order, boss at the top and it decreases from there. I have always believed in putting other's needs first when in a leadership position, helping them to develop their skills as well as themselves to do the best work possible. This really hits home for me, I have learned the best with leaders of this kind, and I strive to do the same when I lead.

As for the picture that describes the social change model, I think this pretty much captures it. I thinking believing in a cause or idea is vital to becoming a leader. The idea of collaboration with others also begs one to rely on people's abilities to follow through and be a team player. Trusting others to work together  sometimes takes believing without seeing. Personally, I think believing in a cause and the people ones works with is a very important aspect of leadership, and one I take very seriously. And besides relating to leadership, this picture is beautiful, and that stone is my favorite color!

The elevator speech. Classic example of me fumbling with the right words to describe myself in the little time it takes for an elevator to get from the first floor to the second floor. Yes, I'm not ashamed to admit I've done that before....several times. 

Well here's what you need to know! My FULL name is Madeline McCarthy Regan, but please by all means call me Maddie I would actually prefer it. I'm the oldest of three girls, and all our names start with M and have 6 letters: Maddie, Monica, and Mollie. I'm from Portland, Oregon and went to Jesuit High School. I love to play the piano and totally geek out over Planet Earth, or most any nature documentary for that matter... The last few years I've become very involved in homeless outreach, and plan to lead my third week-long immersion into homelessness this summer when school gets out. 

I picked Santa Clara because of the school foremost and the great education I could get here, but also I won't lie and say the weather is WAYYYY better here than in Portland. I came back from winter break to see blue sky, something that seemed foreign to me after my stay in Portland. I'm currently a biology major switching to Psychology. I would love to become a Psychologist and work in a hospital diagnosing and treating children. Besides that let's see, my favorite color is blue, I love spicy food, and am one of the most ticklish people you'll ever meet. I once involuntarily kicked the person giving me a pedicure because of it. So that's me in all my 5'3" glory!