Week Three: Chapter 2

Hi. First of all, I’m so sorry that I am too late for posting it. I saved on draft, but I forgot to press “publish” button…:(

I’d like to write about summary of chapter two in Leading at the Edge and my. Reading this chapter gave me great awareness about leadership. It gave me opportunity to think about my leadership. I will summarize this chapter with my reaction. 

[Summary and Reaction]

“Symbolism and Personal Example”

You, as a leader, have a unique role and a special power. Chart your course and - with presence, symbolism, and personal example - use that power to lend your organization to The Edge(p. 38).

Great leader is required to be “visual” to attract members to led one’s organization success. This chapter has three parts to support author’s statement: Give the Right Speech, Use Vivid Symbols and Be Visible.

Give the Right Speech

Summary: First time when I read this title, I though “what is ‘right’ speech?” Dennis emphasized the importance of giving speech because the power of right words is striking. Especially, it gives great influence when organizations face hard challenge. The right speech needs to be authentic, and delivered with sincerely. Danish explained what is right speech with showing example of Feance Bernie, who was CEO of Eni, Italy’s large energy-focused industrial group. 

Reaction: I totally agree with this idea. I haven’t experienced The Edge like go missing in Antractica, but I had the time of challenging when I was the member of student organization. As I explained about my organizations in last post, we have the conference which invites Israelis and Palestinians in summer. This conference is held on August. 

Last year, I think most of you know there was horrible fight between Israel and Gaza, Palestine. It is said that over 700 Palestinians were dead by Isral's invasion. This fight started from July, a month before the conference. Because of this war, most of flight was cancelled and it seemed impossible to have the conference. However, as a leader, I though it’s important tp keep saying our mission to other members in such a situation. The mission is, giving opportunity to talk between two sides to establish trust relationship. Since it is a hard situation, I believed Israelis and Palestinians should talk. Peace won’t come without talking to enemy. I gave speech many times in order to gave hopes to others. We discovered the way to find  only one  company which didn’t cancel the fright(this was Israeli company) even though the other did. We decided to reserve it if booked flight was cancelled in participants’ departure day.

I was succeed to give right speech in this severe situation. But I think I can gave speech with more clear words after learning about “right speech” in this chapter.

Use Vivid Symbols

Summary: The author insisted on seeking goals with symbolic behavior. Dramatizing the challenge with visible, memorable symbols and behaviors are essential to manage organizations in The Edge. Again, Dennis explained it with showing Shackleton’s example of cutting down unnecessary goods. He struggled to find a balance between weight and speed because some personal goods which important for each other were not necessary for goals: succeeding expedition. But he assumed that these goods were essential in the case of harsh situation, so he didn’t throw it, Instead, he had no hesitate to throw away seemingly precious like gold lighter. He followed team’s mission with using visible symbols.

Reaction: I think visible images are more important than invisible things like words, especially in hand situation. Shackleton understood and used it effectively. I read the article which says human being depend on information inputted form eye, rather than ear. It is verified in the experiment. Therefore, appealing to visual is important than we think.

Be Visible: Let People See You Leading

Summary: Not only giving right words, but also great leader must demonstrate action. Dennis showed instances of Shackleton and Phil Caputo, Marine lieutenant in Vietnam.   Shackleton sacrificed himself in the hardest situation during expedition. His action moved members and created the way to success. 

Reaction: Again, when I was an executive director of organization, so many troubles were happened. One of the toughest one was that one of our members who had responsible for finance, missed the deadline to report to foundation which supported us with giving subsidy. We had responsibility to submit report, and if we missed it, it should be difficult to get subsidy again in the next conference. So, when I knew that she forgot to submit, I got so angry. However, I know it is the nature of thing for human to make mistake. So, I asked why she make mistake in order not to do that again. After that, I never said about her failure. Then, I called foundation by myself and apologized as a leader because I thought I have to take responsibility and show as behavior.