Here's this week's question...
We're now into February, which means that there are about 6 weeks left in your co-op.
What's your biggest/proudest accomplishment to date?
What one thing do you want to make sure you do before your last day?
As always, your answers by Friday please :-> Alex - hopefully you'll have some thoughts on the question this week, in addition to your musings?
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Communication Breakdown
I'm afraid I don't have a particularly insightful answer to this one. Like my fellow MAs, I can't think of a noteworthy time that a leader failed me. I'm on the same page as Dettmer in that when I see a leader is struggling, I don't decide to immediately seize control. Helping someone that is struggling in a leadership position can often provide mutual gains. Provided the person struggling is open to help, they will be empowered and more able to handle leadership situations in the future. The person providing the help has the opportunity to learn by teaching, which I tend to find is very effective. Leadership is important, but having a team that recognizes a leaders shortcomings (and vice versa) and is willing to work through them with the goal of improvement in mind, is equally if not more important.
Friday, January 23, 2009
"In today’s society (and economy) we keep hearing over and over again about fraud and scandal but mostly it can all be linked to failed leadership. What is one time when a group leader, whether it be company management, a boss, coach, etc. failed to manage or lead and how did you as and individual deal with it and also as part of the group?"
I can not think of a specific event right now in which this has happened to me, however I do know that I have been in situation similar to this before. One thing that I have often tried to do when confronted with such a situation, is not just take over as the new leader or try to make the person who failed feel bad but rather try to lead by example and help the "leader" with advice so they can grow and continue to contribute. Something that I feel is very important is that the failed leader remain in some sort of leadership roll or continue to be given the opportunity to be active. I believe this is important because if the person was the leader it is probably because they have a great deal of knowledge on the topic or they have a large amount of enthusiasm for the project.
I can not think of a specific event right now in which this has happened to me, however I do know that I have been in situation similar to this before. One thing that I have often tried to do when confronted with such a situation, is not just take over as the new leader or try to make the person who failed feel bad but rather try to lead by example and help the "leader" with advice so they can grow and continue to contribute. Something that I feel is very important is that the failed leader remain in some sort of leadership roll or continue to be given the opportunity to be active. I believe this is important because if the person was the leader it is probably because they have a great deal of knowledge on the topic or they have a large amount of enthusiasm for the project.
I've got soul but I'm not a soldier
"In today’s society (and economy) we keep hearing over and over again about fraud and scandal but mostly it can all be linked to failed leadership. What is one time when a group leader, whether it be company management, a boss, coach, etc. failed to manage or lead and how did you as and individual deal with it and also as part of the group?" -JP
It's taken me so long to respond to this question because I find it difficult to think of a time to where a leader has failed to do their job. I'm still sitting here staring into space trying to remember experiences from college and high school that I could pull a good example from...
I don't have the best of memories so I honestly cannot think of a circumstance where I experienced this, although I'm sure it has occurred because things like that happen all of the time.
Since I can't think of a specific circumstance or time in my life, I will talk about how I would deal with it if it should happen in the future:
When a person fails as a leader, there is usually a reason behind it. Not everybody can make a good leader, some people make better followers. If that is the case, I think I would give the person a chance to own up to where they went wrong and give them the chance to switch roles and let someone else take over the leadership position (if circumstances allow). I would definitely talk to the person playing the role as a leader and let them know how I felt and if everyone in the group felt the same way I would speak for them as well. It is important to have a successful leader and if the person who is trying to lead is failing, it is even more important to call it out and correct it.
It's taken me so long to respond to this question because I find it difficult to think of a time to where a leader has failed to do their job. I'm still sitting here staring into space trying to remember experiences from college and high school that I could pull a good example from...
I don't have the best of memories so I honestly cannot think of a circumstance where I experienced this, although I'm sure it has occurred because things like that happen all of the time.
Since I can't think of a specific circumstance or time in my life, I will talk about how I would deal with it if it should happen in the future:
When a person fails as a leader, there is usually a reason behind it. Not everybody can make a good leader, some people make better followers. If that is the case, I think I would give the person a chance to own up to where they went wrong and give them the chance to switch roles and let someone else take over the leadership position (if circumstances allow). I would definitely talk to the person playing the role as a leader and let them know how I felt and if everyone in the group felt the same way I would speak for them as well. It is important to have a successful leader and if the person who is trying to lead is failing, it is even more important to call it out and correct it.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Untitled
This has nothing to do with Jill''s question, it's just something I thought of while watching Obama's speech.
Will you remember when "Yes, We Can" became "Yes, We Will"?
Will you remember when "Yes, We Will" became "Yes, We Are"?
And will you envision a day when you will remember when "Yes, We Are" became "Yes, We Did"?
Friday, January 16, 2009
Leadership
This question is a bit different from Meredith's but a little alike:
In today’s society (and economy) we keep hearing over and over again about fraud and scandal but mostly it can all be linked to failed leadership. What is one time when a group leader, whether it be company management, a boss, coach, etc. failed to manage or lead and how did you as and individual deal with it and also as part of the group?
Group Think
"This past week we have been working on implementing our department's Core Values. We've all worked together to come up with solutions, ideas, etc. What are some challenges you faced in working with a group of 6 towards a common goal as opposed to working with one other person, or even alone?"
Similar to what Jill said, I have always found group projects or working with a group to be different experience every time. Sometimes I get to the group ready to lead to find out that someone has already taken the reigns and is doing well, other times I have shown up expecting someone else to be running the show only to realize that I was going to have to.
I can't say which one I like more but I can say that I really do enjoy working in a group. I have found that for me it is often one of the best ways for me to work and that I am able to be more creative and make contributions that make a noticeable difference. Also I have found that by being in a group I am able to see the big picture clearly and often I can see potential pitfalls well before they happen.
I must say however that sometimes working in a group is not beneficial if the situation does not call for it. I have been in situations where a large group are working together to accomplish something that 3 people could have done. Consequently because so many people are taking part, more people have pieces of the project they want to change, however the changes are often small and do not have a noticeable effect on the outcome.
Thats all folks...
Similar to what Jill said, I have always found group projects or working with a group to be different experience every time. Sometimes I get to the group ready to lead to find out that someone has already taken the reigns and is doing well, other times I have shown up expecting someone else to be running the show only to realize that I was going to have to.
I can't say which one I like more but I can say that I really do enjoy working in a group. I have found that for me it is often one of the best ways for me to work and that I am able to be more creative and make contributions that make a noticeable difference. Also I have found that by being in a group I am able to see the big picture clearly and often I can see potential pitfalls well before they happen.
I must say however that sometimes working in a group is not beneficial if the situation does not call for it. I have been in situations where a large group are working together to accomplish something that 3 people could have done. Consequently because so many people are taking part, more people have pieces of the project they want to change, however the changes are often small and do not have a noticeable effect on the outcome.
Thats all folks...
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