Honestly to say, it was the most interesting ELA class I've ever taken since I entered ICU! It's because I'm interesting this field(leadership), and because our teacher was Ken:) In final post, I'd like to reflect what I learned through this class.
First of all, I really enjoyed every classes with many activities. Ken didn't take just giving lecture style, rather he gave us opportunities role-playing activity. It was interesting doing many negotiations with my section mates. I learned what is the best solutions(win-win solution) in negotiation and how to find it.
Before starting this class, I expected RW class will just focus on paper, so I was surprised and felt happy to do many activities. All of activities and lectures were connected to this class's theme: Leadership, so I could think it from various perspectives. Since I had the experience as the leader, I could compare my act as a leader with what I learned in the class. It gave me insight and gave a chance to consider myself. In another class, I felt it's interesting but cannot think as "real" because I don't have the experience. For example, I took psychology class this term, but it's difficult to put what I learned class into my own experience. However, this class was different. I could think with a reality.
Second, about my paper, I focused on new types of leadership: social entrepreneurs. This field was interesting for me so it's glad to dig my thoughts about it. First I was afraid if I can write 2,000 words essay, but once I started writing, the number of words wasn't matter. Rather, I was struggle how to make persuasive and logical sentences. After finishing my paper, I read it again and again in order to check my bodies are supporting thesis statement. This writing RW paper improved my vocabulary and english writing skills, so I want to keep writing in English even after finishing this class.
Third, about presentation in this class. It was glad to hear my section mate's presentation! Good chances to see what others did in RW paper, and it also gave me new insight about leadership. My most regret was I couldn't make presentation with my team mates... I had a fever and I was absent the class on presentation day. But preparing with them were enjoyable and we could see similarities and differences between each fields: teachers, scientists, women, products making and social entrepreneurs. As I said my posts before, what qualities required depends on what types of organization you are leading. This was new idea for me and it will help me in the future.
Finally, I will write about blogging. I couldn't post till the dead line Ken set because of my laziness. However, I liked writing what I learned and noticed in this blog. I usually try to write my thoughts in Japanese, because writing makes my thoughts clear than just thinking. Writing as words are so important, I think. But I never tried in English and didn't have much confidence to accomplish it till the end of this class. Once I started blogging I noticed it was effective to write my thoughts English, not Japanese. When I speak English after a long time, I cannot help translating from Japanese to English about what I want to say. But after blogging, I can writhe my thoughts without translating in my brain. It made me to think things in English in my brain! So, I'd like to continue.
Thank you so much Ken, and LILTDY members! See you soon:)
"Rather than expecting things to go right, successful leaders under these conditions(at The Edge) should be prepared for things to go wrong"
This is the most impressive phrase I read in Chapter 10. In this chapter, the author focused on how to find creative solutions in difficult situation.
In the situation at The Edge, small fails which we don't care usually gives great damage. People are exhausted, mentally and physically, and in such a hard situation, small mistakes annoy them. To daunting the problems, leaders should be prepared what happen. Acknowledge the problem and show the creative solution to members. After reading chapter 10, I felt it must be difficult to find "creative solutions". However, according to chapter 10, it says:
"When a strategy fails, acknowledge it and find another one. When the obvious moves are exhausted, keep looking for new ones. Do not dismiss any idea, no matter how farfetched without thoroughly considering it. Think the unthinkable, and encourage others to do so as well. The unshakable belief that there is always another move will give you the energy to search for solutions, and creativity will give you the ability to find them."
Seeking solutions even though it fails many times. Just trying is worth doing. Creative ideas will come up from the various ideas no matter some of them are "farfetched". I want to keep it in my mind.
As Ken said in his blog, it was also difficult for me to image the situation Shackleton faced. If he couldn't survive such a situation, all crews and he would be died. I couldn't relate such a difficult situation with my experience.
However, if I think it from smaller point of view, I can relate message from Shacleton's stary with my own experience. I like the phrase written in the end of the Chapter 10:
"Clearly, leaders at 'The Edge' need to be comfortable with the discomfort of risk. Unnecessary risks should be avoided, but there are times for bold moves. Understand the risks you face and evaluate them carefully. Then balance risk and return, and have the courage to step up to those calculated risks that are worth taking."
True leader is the person who can identify the difference between risk shouldn't be taken and should be taken. In addition, once you decide to take the risk, you will take it until it is accomplished.
However, there is no one who are perfect. It is the same with the great leader. They may sometimes make the mistakes to identify should-be-taken risk. If it happens, it is the role of the leader to take responsibility. Showing your attitude to your members. And it will connect to the "trust" from members. If you avoid taking responsibility, no one won't follow you. Identifying the "risks", accomplishing them, taking responsibility, these are elements should you have as a great leader.
It was really happy to hear Brent's lecture. I was inspired by his lecture, and it gave me the opportunity to rethink about my RW paper.
Brent said there are four types of leadership: Integration, Baser, Development and Results. My type was both baser and integration, and I think it's true, however, depending on situation, my type will be different.
I think what kinds of characteristic required is depending on what kinds of organization you are leading. For instance, teacher should be good at integrating students because without it, many problems will happen between students. Another example, if you are engineer, development skill is necessary.
My RW paper is about "social entrepreneurs", so after finishing Brent's lecture, I filled out the paper he gave us and checked what is the type of social entrepreneurs. The result showed they are "result" seeker. Social entrepreneurs always seek their mission in order to give great impact on the society. Since their organization seeks not only their profits, but also social profit, leaders leading social business company should adhere to produce result. Without results, social business can no more be "social business". Of course other characteristic it also important to them, however, result seeking style is essential factor to be social entrepreneur.
When I was the leader of student organization, I was the type of "integration" because there were different members who have different opinion and motivation. To lead them, integration skill was necessary. I tried to talk with my members if he/she seemed to loose motivation. Also, when the problem occurred between Israelis and Palestinians, I listened both opinions and calm down them.
So, to conclude, everyone can be every types of leaders because what is needed is different from what kinds of organization you are belonging. I think in-born ability and characteristic is nothing to do with what kind of leader you are. The situation makes your ability. In other words, the position forces you to adopt to the situation you are in.
Finally, I'd like to thank to Brent for having lecture, and thanks Ken for giving us such a good opportunity!
It was interesting experience I ever had in ELA, and gave me insight about leadership. Here, I'd like to analyse my role in the group and my group's action.
My role in the group
During the challenge, I was not leader, but follower. I thought I'm not good at such kinds of activity(architecture), so I decided to follow others. However, after finishing this class, I thought this way of thinking was not proper as a leader. Leader should lead others even though he/she is not familiar with it. Here, I gave up being a leader before starting challenge! True leader is the man who can ask others if he/she doesn't know about it, then give directions to the members. It's not necessary for leaders to know everything, but management skill which can integrate member's ideas is required for great leader.
My group's action
First, my group was afraid to make mistakes and worried about running out materials. However, after taking reflection from Rab, my team was totally changed. We no more hesitate to make mistakes and develop each seconds. We imitated the idea which was explained by Rab's video: using many marshmallow! I was so surprised how we can change after learning the idea of "Just Do It". Finally, thanks to Andy's brave action, we could build high marshmallow and pasta tower. It's so interesting and I learned the importance of taking action, rather be afraid of making mistakes.
