View the movie with an eye on Nelson Mandella's style of leadership as
he works to bring his country together. Be prepared to discuss how
Mandella's used disruption As a catalyst for change.
I am surprised that this movie didn't gain more attention when it was released. Invictus is the story of Nelson Mandella's ability to lead a country that is divided between racial lines through the Rugby World Cup in 1995.
While I have many thoughts on Mandella's ability to forgive, and how that played a major role on his leadership style, the phrase that really struck me was towards the beginning of the movie when he is out for his walk during his first morning of his Presidency. The movie builds-up a possible assault or assassination attempt within his first hours, only to find that it is the newspaperman delivering the morning paper. The front page says, "He Won an Election, But Can He Lead a Country?" This quote struck me personally, as I attempt to become a Principal with the knowledge that my new job would bring about more questions than answers, and would be an example of the completion of a goal being the start of another set of goals. Mandella's statement about it being a fair question shows how he is leading in the moment, and how he stays reflective even in times of stress.
There are many moment sin the movie that highlight Mandella's leadership style and ability. Throughout his contacts with others, either individually or as a group, his sense of purpose and genuineness can be felt as he speaks. His meeting with Frances is one such meeting where Mandella's describes inspiration, and how a leader can use inspiration as the work of others. "We must exceed our own expectations."
"Forgiveness removes fear" was another quote I took away from this movie. Mandella's willingness to have the same bodyguards that were responsible for protecting his enemy is an example of his forethought regarding his public persona, but also an example of his courage.
I also enjoyed the part where Mandella's had the rugby team go into the community and teach children about rugby. This was a brilliant strategy of uniting the country through sport, and it was great to see that, by the end of the session, the South African children were jumping on the white players as much as they were enthralled with Chester at the beginning of the session.
Like many other resources throughout this program, the addition of this movie into my 'toolbox' will help as I work towards my goal of leading a school.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Leadership Reflections from 10-10-2012 class
Tonight was way I pay money to go to school. Learning about leadership in a historical context provides me a toolbox for situational leadership that will hopefully help me prevent history from repeating (in negative connotations). The ability to successfully lead a diverse population of people towards a common goal is the single most important skill in today's world.
Authentic leadership withstands the test of time. Mandela, Lincoln, and even Sun Tzu are all examples that show how the right way never goes out of style. Why are there similarities between Lincoln and Mandela? Because the similarities allowed them to be successful. While they may have had different styles, the principals of leadership were the same, and those principals continue to be the same today.
There are times during this doctoral process where we reach an internal angst. We discover a resource that genuinely speaks to us at a level that encompasses the leader in our professional lives and will benefit our professional and personal lives, but our academic life prohibits us from gaining depth with that resource. Team of Rivals and Long Walk to Freedom are two examples of books I would love to read, but do not have the time needed to truly absorb and devote to their essence. They will be purchased and sit next to other resources this program has led me to, and will have to wait until I complete this journey before I can appreciate what they have to offer. In the positive aspect, this program has ensured that I will be learning long after the funny hat and tassel are thrown into the air in May of 2014.
Authentic leadership withstands the test of time. Mandela, Lincoln, and even Sun Tzu are all examples that show how the right way never goes out of style. Why are there similarities between Lincoln and Mandela? Because the similarities allowed them to be successful. While they may have had different styles, the principals of leadership were the same, and those principals continue to be the same today.
There are times during this doctoral process where we reach an internal angst. We discover a resource that genuinely speaks to us at a level that encompasses the leader in our professional lives and will benefit our professional and personal lives, but our academic life prohibits us from gaining depth with that resource. Team of Rivals and Long Walk to Freedom are two examples of books I would love to read, but do not have the time needed to truly absorb and devote to their essence. They will be purchased and sit next to other resources this program has led me to, and will have to wait until I complete this journey before I can appreciate what they have to offer. In the positive aspect, this program has ensured that I will be learning long after the funny hat and tassel are thrown into the air in May of 2014.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Discussion Questions for Drive
Discussion Questions
from Drive/Blog
Due: Oct 10, 2012
Comment on your blog
regarding the two questions listed below. Feel free to comment on others
responses as you see fit.
Discuss a time when you’ve seen one of the seven deadly flaws of carrots and sticks in action. What lessons might you or others learn from the experience? Have you seen instances when carrots and sticks have been effective.
As you think about your own best work, what aspect of autonomy has been most important to you? Autonomy over what you do (task), when you do it (time), how you do it (technique), or with whom you do it (team)? Why? How much autonomy do you have at work right now? Is it enough?
Discuss a time when you’ve seen one of the seven deadly flaws of carrots and sticks in action. What lessons might you or others learn from the experience? Have you seen instances when carrots and sticks have been effective.
As you think about your own best work, what aspect of autonomy has been most important to you? Autonomy over what you do (task), when you do it (time), how you do it (technique), or with whom you do it (team)? Why? How much autonomy do you have at work right now? Is it enough?
Accelerated
Reader (AR) is an example where the carrot and stick do not work. For short-term gains, AR may show students
progressing through the on-line curriculum with the promise of ice cream
parties and ‘points’ for each student.
This math program rewards students for completing different levels and
numbers of books by assessing their knowledge with a series of low level
questions. The students read just to get
the rewards, and do not develop a love of learning because they do not get to
choose the books, and they relate reading with rewards. If there are no rewards, then why read?
Whether
at school with middle school students, or at home with my 8-year-old and
7-year-old boys, I don’t see too many instances where the carrot and sticks
philosophy work for long term gains. For
short term (an hour, maybe a day) carrots and sticks will help keep my two boys
in line. Usually the time duration of
effectiveness is the length of the show they get to watch for completing a
task.
Autonomy
in my job is best with task-oriented assignments. My principal hired me
to do a job, and for most of my duties as an assistant principal, I can get
those done without checking in with him after each one. Using my Inbox as
a checklist allows me to complete multiple tasks in the most efficient
way. When my principal is there to assist and offer suggestions when I
get stuck, he allows me autonomy to get the jobs done, and I appreciate the
lack of micromanaging. I have enough autonomy in my job right now, and
honestly, if I was micromanaged with 1660 students and three administrators, we
would be on campus until 8:00 pm every night as we step all over each
other. There is too much to get accomplished every day to have to check
in and debrief after every decision, and I would look for other work if that
were the case. I have been very fortunate to work for leaders who do not
micromanage in my career, and shutter when I hear horror stories about leaders
who can't seem to get out of their own way for the benefit of their organization.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Learning in a New Media Environment
What does this TED video mean to me as a person, a parent, an educator, and a leader?
A few of the quotes that stood out form this presentation were, "There is no opting out of new technologies," and, "Media are not just tools. They mediate relationships."
The first quote struck me as important as a parent, educator, leader, and life-long learner as a call to immerse myself in new forms of media and other technologies because they are going to be the single most important tool people (including my children) use for the foreseeable future. The transformation from books, lectures, and papers is occurring right now. Some can't see the change as they are not an active part in it, but in five years, people will look back and realize that this was the time. We need to set aside fears of what could happen and learn what is possible. I took a big personal step with this process this past week when I put the picture of my family as my identification with Twitter, Google, and Edmodo. While being a private person, I realized I needed to put myself out there in order to embrace the benefits social media can offer.
The second quote caught my attention because it connected with both of the Pink books that I recently read. As right-brained jobs move to the forefront, relationships are becoming more important because they carry more weight than certain skills that can be googled. What will be realized with the next generation is that relationships are a currency that must be constantly checked, similar to a savings account, and will be a large part of one's personal portfolio. When it is all said and done, will you be a 30 second media clip, an 'internet sensation' of the week, or will you leave an impact on people that made them happier and more driven to be better to others due to the example you set? And while this transformation can be strange to the people at the forefront, we have the dual responsibility to teach our children the right way, before they go and find the wrong way by themselves.
Gary
10-5-2012
A few of the quotes that stood out form this presentation were, "There is no opting out of new technologies," and, "Media are not just tools. They mediate relationships."
The first quote struck me as important as a parent, educator, leader, and life-long learner as a call to immerse myself in new forms of media and other technologies because they are going to be the single most important tool people (including my children) use for the foreseeable future. The transformation from books, lectures, and papers is occurring right now. Some can't see the change as they are not an active part in it, but in five years, people will look back and realize that this was the time. We need to set aside fears of what could happen and learn what is possible. I took a big personal step with this process this past week when I put the picture of my family as my identification with Twitter, Google, and Edmodo. While being a private person, I realized I needed to put myself out there in order to embrace the benefits social media can offer.
The second quote caught my attention because it connected with both of the Pink books that I recently read. As right-brained jobs move to the forefront, relationships are becoming more important because they carry more weight than certain skills that can be googled. What will be realized with the next generation is that relationships are a currency that must be constantly checked, similar to a savings account, and will be a large part of one's personal portfolio. When it is all said and done, will you be a 30 second media clip, an 'internet sensation' of the week, or will you leave an impact on people that made them happier and more driven to be better to others due to the example you set? And while this transformation can be strange to the people at the forefront, we have the dual responsibility to teach our children the right way, before they go and find the wrong way by themselves.
Gary
10-5-2012
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)