james' blog

Last Week's Definition:

A learning agenda aids in the betterment of effective leadership and perhaps, a better you. I believe whether short or long term changes, you must take the necessary step steps to achieving the goals for you and your organization. In this week's reading it is stated, "A learning agenda, however, focuses on the possibility of change that will eventually lead to better performance at work (and probably more contentment in life in general)" (Goleman, Boyatzis, and McKee, p.141).

This Week's Definition:

When you are in the learning process, it may be best to learn from others. In this week's reading, it talked about the online learning environment. According to Paloff and Pratt, "By learning together in a community, students have the opportunity to extend and deepen their learning experience, test out new ideas by sharing them with a supportive group, and receive critical and constructive feedback." This approach seems very fool prove and highly effective. This method goes well with creating a learning agenda as well. It helps to know what is working and what is not. Then, again, formulate a plan to get to where you need to be. So, my definition this week not only stay the same but it also changed a litte!

Analysis:

I have to say that I learn a lot from others-professors, co-workers, peers, etc. I have also learned on my own. Learning on your own you get to the same goals, however, the road is longer. I have found it to be extremely effective by taking bits and pieces of what I have learned from others, and make it my own. This was a fun read. The online learning community perspective is eye opening. My only concern is, I think there is a loss in credibility, as far as leadership goes, when most of your ideas and goals are not your own. So, for myself, I try to have a good balance of others ideas and my own.

Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2005). Learning together in community: Collaboration online. Paper presented at the 20th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning, Retrieved from http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference/Resource_library/proceedings/04_1127.pdf

Last Week's Definition:

Being able to look beyond your thoughts and Ideas are key. The balcony analogy was great. This allows you to step back and see what is going on, not only with others but with you as well. It enables you to see how effective you as a leader are actually being. Others' reaction to the decisions that you will make are key to what you may decide to do next. When you observe from the balcony you must see yourself as well as the other participants. This is the hardest task of all--to see yourself objectively (Heifietz & Linsky, p.54).

This Week's Definition:

A learning agenda aids in the betterment of effective leadership and perhaps, a better you. I believe whether short or long term changes, you must take the necessary step steps to achieving the goals for you and your organization. In this week's reading it is stated, "A learning agenda, however, focuses on the possibility of change that will eventually lead to better performance at work (and probably more contentment in life in general)" (Goleman, Boyatzis, and McKee, p.141).

Analysis:

Honestly, it makes a lot of sense to have a learning agenda. Everyone has their own idea of how things should be done. You won't be able to please everyone. But, what I have learned is, to take constructive criticism and reconstruct my agenda so that it works for everyone. So, the "learning agenda" concept resonated with me. It isn't as easy as it sounds, but I think that it can help you create a more effective environment.

Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R., & McKee, A. (2002). "Metamorphosis: Sustaining leadership change." Primal Leadership: Learning to lead with emotional intelligence (pp. 139 - 168). Boston: Harvard Business School Press.

Last week's Definition

Being able to look beyond your thoughts and Ideas are key. The balcony analogy was great. This allows you to step back and see what is going on, not only with others but with you as well. It enables you to see how effective you as a leader are actually being. Others' reaction to the decisions that you will make are key to what you may decide to do next. When you observe from the balcony you must see yourself as well as the other participants. This is the hardest task of all--to see yourself objectively (Heifietz & Linsky, p.54).

This week's Definition

Being able to look beyond your thoughts and Ideas are key. The balcony analogy was great. This allows you to step back and see what is going on, not only with others but with you as well. It enables you to see how effective you as a leader are actually being. Others' reaction to the decisions that you will make are key to what you may decide to do next. When you observe from the balcony you must see yourself as well as the other participants. This is the hardest task of all--to see yourself objectively (Heifietz & Linsky, p.54).

Analysis:

I wanted to keep the previous definition for this week. In the Barbuto and Wheeler reading, it talked about a servant leader working to make himself available to the needs and wants of others to benefit the group as a whole (Barbuto and Wheeler, p. 6). You cannot do this if you do not "look from the balcony". My assumption is, one must be able to know what the group needs. The only way to figure that out is to take a step back, view all members objectively, and form an analysis based on the goals for you as their leader and the group.

Last Week's Definition:

A good leader will face tough choices at some point in their career. A good leader will know the right choices to make, it may be tough. According to Kidder, even the people we consider good people face tough choices. Kidder also states, "Tough choices are never easy" (Kidder, p.13).

This week's Definition:

Being able to look beyond your thoughts and Ideas are key. The balcony analogy was great. This allows you to step back and see what is going on, not only with others but with you as well. It enables you to see how effective you as a leader are actually being. Others' reaction to the decisions that you will make are key to what you may decide to do next. When you observe from the balcony you must see yourself as well as the other participants. This is the hardest task of all--to see yourself objectively (Heifietz & Linsky, p.54).

Analysis:

This week, I actually thought a lot about the readings. I have to admit, I did get a little overwhelmed. This was the first time that I felt, it was all too much to think about. I found myself wondering, if I had all of these qualities and am I able to see the things that the author was talking about. I'm not even close to having a conclusion to either of those questions. There are so many scenarios that play out in my head of what I want to be. How do I become that? Will someone give me that opportunity? If I get the opportunity, what will I do with it? I think I will just take this being a "good leader" thing one day at a time. But, my hope is that I step on that balcony and see good things!

Last Week's Definition:

Effective Leadership requires high moral and ethic values. There are moments were personal opinions or beliefs may cloud one's judgement to do what is right. It is important to stay the course ethically if you want your followers to trust your leading. According to Paul and Elder, ethical reasoning requires doing what is right when personal desires and motives are powerful enough to you (Paul and Elder, p.6).

This Week's Definition:

A good leader will face tough choices at some point in their career. A good leader will know the right choices to make, it may be tough. According to Kidder, even the people we consider good people face tough choices. Kidder also states, "Tough choices are never easy" (Kidder, p.13).

Analysis:

I have to be honest, I waited to the last possible minute to do this posting. However, I can identify with the readings. There are times when it is difficult to make the right choices. It is almost as if you are damned if you do and damned if you don't . I typically, during these times go with my gut feeling.

Last Week's Definition:

Based on my recent experiences within the course, I feel that in order to have great leadership you must learn how to positively affect the one's that you are leading. You are more likely to have positive responses from others. According to D.T. Kyle, How a leader blends the positional power with their own charisma, his/her personal power, will determine how favorably or unfavorably followers respond to the power of his position (Kyle, p.161)

This Week's Definition:

Effective Leadership requires high moral and ethic values. There are moments were personal opinions or beliefs may cloud one's judgement to do what is right. It is important to stay the course ethically if you want your followers to trust your leading. According to Paul and Elder, ethical reasoning requires doing what is right when personal desires and motives are powerful enough to you (Paul and Elder, p.6).

Analysis:

I have encountered unethical moments in my career that I had to make the right choices for, in which I did. I have witnessed unethical behavior with previous employers. The one thing that I can say is, when reading "The Functions of Ethics", it made me re-connect with the feeling of wanting to make the right decisions. There were times I wanted to think selfishly. Personal desires can be a very powerful thing. Reputation is one of the only things that you will carry for a lifetime. The ethical component to leadership is imperative. I did enjoy this week's readings. I found them to really remind me of the role that ethics play in leadership.

Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2006). "The Function of Ethics -- and Its Main Impediement." Understanding the Foundations of Ethical Reasoning (pp. 4 - 36). Dillon Beach, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking.

Last week's definition:

The exertion of individualism that enables others to follow the example of. Individualism that possesses qualities such as taking action, command, intiative, positivity, persistence, and success. A person with leadership will acquire or learn most if not all of these.

This week's Definition:

Based on my recent experiences within the course, I feel that in order to have great leadership you must learn how to positively affect the one's that you are leading. You are more likely to have positive responses from others. According to D.T. Kyle, How a leader blends the positional power with their own charisma, his/her personal power, will determine how favorably or unfavorably followers respond to the power of his position (Kyle, p.161)

Analysis:

My definition of leadership changed this week because when reading, "the sovereign: power of presence", I learned a lot about leading in a way that garners respect from your peers. This week was a little trying due to lack of leadership and communication in our group. In fact, it seemed as though there were too many leaders! I had to figure out a way to positively take the lead without the others feeling less important. It worked and the outcome is great. We reached our goal with our assignment and I think that will positively effect our grade. I do support and like this week's readings. I learned about the numerous characteristics that a good leader will possess.

Kyle, D. T. (1998). "The sovereign: The power of presence." The Four Powers of Leadership: Presence, intention, wisdom, compassion (pp. 159 - 191). Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications Inc.

I went with the same definition as last week. The reason being is that I feel that it emcompasses almost every aspect of leadership for me. While the readings offer all the big words and savvy phrases, this definition sums it up in a way that makes perfect sense to me. As a junior, I lead a team of 6 individuals for a major marketing project. I showed leadership by creating the foundation. We were the ONLY group to get an A! So, if there is anything new to say, it would be that you must create a respectable foundation of knowledge in that area. This will creat the foundation for respect.

Definition: The exertion of individualism that enables others to follow the example of. Individualism that possesses qualities such as taking action, command, intiative, positivity, persistence, and success. A person with leadership will acquire or learn most if not all of these...

The exertion of individualism that enables others to follow the example of. Individualism that possesses qualities such as taking action, command, intiative, positivity, persistence, and success. A person with leadership will acquire or learn most if not all of these qualities.