"This is the end Beautiful friend This is the end My only friend, the end Of our elaborate plans..."

Feeling like a little Jim Morrison today and the lyrics were appropriate for the last blog of this class.

Anyway, reading the book and reflecting has not only reinforced my ideas of what a good leader is, but reassured me that I made the right choice.

I think I mentioned this before, but my first time at USA Summer camp, I had no idea what I was doing and I was really open and honest with my counselors.  That worked GREAT.  We had a great rapport, and if I didn't know something or wasn't sure of the best way to do something, I asked and it went awesome.  Best summer ever.

Unfortunately, what I thought I had learned my 1st year about being a director actually worked against me my 2nd year.  The next year, even though I was working with completely different couselors, I tried to manage them like the year before.  While it wasn't a disaster, it wasn't a smooth as the previous year.  I took what I thought I knew (which is the most dangerous) and tried to recreate my successes instead of being flexible with my previous year.

My third, and last year, at camp I did more like what I did my first year. The result was another amazing summer at camp.  


Reflecting on this, I learned that it's important to have a relationship with everyone working for you.  I made an extra effort to talk to all counselors equally so that their wouldn't be favorites that were too obvious.  Everyone has favorites, the trick is to limit the perception of that and make sure you have some rapport with everyone so when you want to try something new, it's easier.

I understand that if you're in a position of power, you can always say, "Because I'm the boss." or use means of intimidation, etc. to get your way.  Unfortunately, that poisons the well and does more harm than good.


I feel some of the best advice in the book, which I have used, is to be humble and go in asking questions and not with "this is the way we're going to do it" or a "my way or the high way" attitude.  I think by being open, connected with whomever you're supervising allows you to offer advice and create change.  Feelings of insincerity or lack of connection with whom you are supervising creates problems and mistrust.

I've begun to ramble, but if you play nice and build the relationship, the rest should follow. The simulation game addressed that, and if we think about relationships and smaller management tasks we done in the past, think how much easier it has gone when you've had a good relationship or rapport with the ones you were directing.

Whoops!

So.... what happens when you have a few weeks off in the middle of class.... you completely forget to show up.   Not cool.    Fortunately, there was a recording to watch.

Watching the recording allowed me an opportunity to see some kinda cool stuff that I wouldn't have had I been in class like I was supposed to.

I really enjoyed listening to everyone talk.  I wish I could've been in class.  I will agree that talking to people is key. Building that rapport is very, very important.

But as my group said, it's probably not likely that you would be able to talk to someone 6 times like we did.  However,  I definitely think that the talking aspect is very important.  We had a team building day at the high school I used to work at.  It was really memorable.

So using activities to promote trust and good feelings would be a great way to initiate change.  


Another thing I mentioned in our group work is that teachers are often motivated by Admin wielding data.      Data seems to be the "whip" of choice to motivate.  Data is great... but so many times we are inundated with data and we start to get cynical.   I think building relationships would be a much, much, much more effective.   There definitely needs to be changes in how leadership happens in schools.

Week 4 - Aftermath

Well.... our game did go MUCH better that last time.  IT is clear now that we are social creatures and really need to get our social on to create change.  So.... by that, Socialism should've worked better than it does.
Anyway.......

Since last class I have put some distance from classwork (NOT to be read as forgotten about) and starting doing some new things.     Currently I am in a promotions consultant type position which makes for some interesting leadership/follower situations.

While I am helping with the promotions aspects (setting up online services, promotional items and eventually booking of events), there is another person working on the design aspect.   So while two of us ultimately work for Renee, there is a lot of give and take.

We are both seen as experts in what we do, but we need to make sure that she is comfortable with the change.  We also need to make sure that she is comfortable with our suggestions and ideas.

In many respects, it is what I would like to see a school learning environment to look like.  There is plenty of talk and respect.  We ultimately do what she asks but we don't feel like we can't state our opinions and thoughts.    She is a natural healer / life guide to name a few of her talents and walks in different circles than I do.  So even though I have different ideas and points of view.... it's been a very comfortable working situation.

So chapter 4 Adaptive Leadership is really appropriate.  It's been a very fluid type of leadership and while I am thoughtful with my comments/suggestions, I don't feel the sword of Damocles hanging over my head.

As for Chapter 5, Motivational Leadership..... it's awesome.  She is a very easy person to connect with and very positive.  That has made this experience really enjoyable.   She can give feedback and state her position with out coming off with the attitude of "I'm the boss."

This yet another one of my life experiences that will help me with future roles in leadership.