March 2012 Archives

Blog #9 (3/22/12)

Last weeks definition:

Leadership is an innate quality which everyone posses but only a few bring to its fullest potential. It is a value based quality in which people are able to utilize their personal strengths in order to pull forth something from another person. They hold the ability to both see the larger picture as well as the smaller picture in a situation. Having leadership means you are able to effectively communicate with others despite differences in values, communication style, and goals. It is the ability to both recognize as well as overcome these barriers to produce change.

This weeks definition:

Leadership is an innate quality which everyone posses but only a few bring to its fullest potential. It is a value based quality in which people are able to utilize their personal strengths in order to pull forth something from another person. They hold the ability to both see the larger picture as well as the smaller picture in a situation. Having leadership means you are able to effectively communicate with others despite differences in values, communication style, and goals. It is the ability to both recognize as well as overcome these barriers to produce change. A leader is also one who is able to recognize the importance of their culture and how it effects their leadership. They understand that culture effects the way in which everyone behaves and learns to navigate through cultural barriers.

Analysis:

My definition was basically the same except in the end I added a bit about culture and how culture affects everyone. I think that it is important for a leader to recognize this, and find ways in which to work with and navigate through cultural barriers. It is also important for anyone to realize how their culture has personally shaped them. Each person is a unique compilation of their various cultures. To understand why someone is the way they are, one is better able to communicate and lead them. If I did not take the time to understand the person I was leading, I probably wouldn't know the right way to lead them and end up failing. In class we played a card game in which different rules were used representing a different culture. This is so similar to our everyday lives in which cultural norms are drastically different across borders and office cubicles.

Citation:
Cultural detectives packet and class activity

Blog #8 (3/8/12)

Last weeks definition:

Leadership is a value based, innate quality found in everyone, but is only brought to its fullest in a few. Those few have the ability to utilize personal strengths in order to pull forth something from another person. They are able to simultaneously be connected and apart from the situation. Leadership is the ability to effectively communicate with another person despite differences in values, communication styles, and goals.

This weeks definition:

Leadership is an innate quality which everyone posses but only a few bring to its fullest potential. It is a value based quality in which people are able to utilize their personal strengths in order to pull forth something from another person. They hold the ability to both see the larger picture as well as the smaller picture in a situation. Having leadership means you are able to effectively communicate with others despite differences in values, communication style, and goals. It is the ability to both recognize as well as overcome these barriers to produce change.

Analysis:

My definition was altered slightly based on this weeks class discussion on barriers to working in groups. In class we discussed several barriers, or obstacles a group may face and then discussed why these challenges arise. Differences in values, goals, communication style, work ethic, ect. Were all discussed. This activity made me realize that these barriers are always going to be there, but the difference between fighting through a project and overcoming is found in effective identification, communication, and leadership from the start. Ways we can overcome these are by establishing form the start that that these barriers exist, and then discussing how we can overcome them. From the reading I learned about change, and how deeply rooted, unconscious thoughts can be a problem when it comes to change. I read about how in order to change, one must identify the true cause of the problem, and work hard and intentionally to change it. As a leader, it is important to know when and how to go about change in a group. Simply telling people they need to change is not effective, and as a leader one must be able to recognize this.

Citation:

Kegan, R.,&Lahey,L.L.(2001).The Real reason people won't change. Harvard Business Review, 79(10),85--‐92.Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=keh&AN=18217059&site=ehost--‐live

Blog #7 (3/1/12)

Last weeks definition:

Leadership is an innate quality that anyone can possess but only some bring to its fullest potential. It is the ability to utilize ones personal strengths in order to pull forth something from another person while being both apart from the situation and connected to the situation. It is not necessarily leading an entire group, but can be working with a group in harmony to accomplish something. Leadership is value based.

This weeks definition:

Leadership is a value based, innate quality found in everyone, but is only brought to its fullest in a few. Those few have the ability to utilize personal strengths in order to pull forth something from another person. They are able to simultaneously be connected and apart from the situation. Leadership is the ability to effectively communicate with another person despite differences in values, communication styles, and goals.

Analysis:

My definition was altered slightly based on this weeks reading on the circus act and its metaphor for communication. The reading was interesting in the fact that it took such a complex idea like communication and created a metaphor for it. The reading also reminded me of the importance of effective communication as a leader. If a leader cannot communicate, then how will they lead? Its important to see that there are always barriers to communication, and that as a leader one will have to learn to overcome many of these barriers. Differences in values, communication style, location, goals, ect. Are all barriers to communication, which can lead to confusion and misinterpretations. As a leader it is important to navigate these issues and at the minimum recognize they exist. A really good leader, in my mind, is able to both recognize and overcome many of these barriers.

Citation:

Saphiere, D.H.,Mikk,B.K.,&Devries,B.I.(2005).Factors affecting communication style: Starring acts in the circus. Communication highwire (pp.47-82). Boston: Intercultural Press