Response to Jessica Isla-Week 4 Reading

I've summed up this week's reading in several ways. I think all of what the Zander's offered in chapters 9-12 can be summed up in these three simple ways: We are active participants in what happens in our lives, we are the creators of how we interrupt what shows up in our lives, and we must take full responsibility, for the choices we make, based on what "is." These are powerful lessons, that if taken to heart, can truly change a person's perspective on their lives, and the lives of others around them.  So often when students are in a conflictual situation, the blame lies everywhere, but on themselves. Many are not willing to view the choices that they made as flawed. This 'downward spiral" thinking is so prevalent throughout our country.  Beginning with politicians on down, this country could sure use some "possibility."

Week 4: Blog Post #1 - Readings on "The Art of Possibility" (Chapters 9-12)

 

Chapter 9: Lighting A Spark 
The message that "Certain things in life are better done in person" is a very power message.  It definitely makes a statement... a statement of responsibility... a statement of importance... a statement of respect.  This is the type of statement that can be passed down form generation to generation and the message will always be the same.  People will take you more seriously if they see you face-to-face.  The message is delivered with more passion and is communicated in a different way than over the phone or through words on a paper.  Plus, there is more desire to listen, or hear someone out, if there is a physical presence.  Overall, this practice is about enrollment, which is the art and practice of generating a spark of possibility for others to share.  You give yourself as a possibility to others and being ready, in turn, to catch their spark.

Chapter 10: Being the Board 
When nothing seems to be going your way and even when enrollment doesn't seem to work... just call yourself "the board."  You have now become life's playing board, where the game is being played on you.

The first part of the practice is to declare: "I am the framework for everything that happens in my life" OR "If I cannot be present without resistance to the way things are and act effectively, if I feel myself to be wronged, a loser, or a victim, I will tell myself that some assumption I have made is the source of my difficulty."  The second part of this practice is to ask yourself in regard to the unwanted circumstances: "Well, how did this get on the board that I am?

This practice helps us to remain on track.  When things happen to us, we are able to take a graceful journey through life.   Zander says that "being the board is not about turning the blame on yourself."  It is about making a difference and designing conversations to repair breakdowns in relationship.  Zander continues on to say "You name yourself as the instrument to make all your relationships into effective partnerships... You open the channel by removing the barriers to tenderness within you."  Lastly, the rewards for being the board are"self-respect, connection at the deepest and most vital kind, and a straight road to making a difference."

Chapter 11: Creating Frameworks for Possibility 
The practice of this chapter is to invent and sustain frameworks which bring forth possibility.

The steps to practicing framing the possibilities are:

1. Make a new distinction in the realm of possibility: One that is a powerful substitute for the current framework of meaning that is generating the downward spiral.
2. Enter the territory. Embody the new distinction in such a way that it becomes the framework for life around you.
3. Keep distinguishing what is "on the track" and what is "off the track" of your framework for possibility.

I can somewhat relate to this summary of Zander's story below in a small way.  As I enter my classroom wearing glasses, my students who are new to wearing glasses don't feel as shy, but A New Children's Storytook things to a whole new level.  It had such a powerful impact on me.

The little girl has had chemotherapy and comes back to school with no hair.   The kids make fun of her and won't play with her.   The next morning the teacher comes to school with her head shaved.  All the students went home and begged their parents to let them shave their heads.

The framework the students had functioned in changed when the teacher removed the downward spiral.  The vision we have becomes our framework for possibility when it meets certain criteria that distinguish it from the objectives of the downward spiral.

Zander breaks it down....

• A vision articulates a possibility.
  A vision fulfills a desire fundamental to humankind, a desire with which any human being can resonate.
• A vision makes no reference to morality or ethics, it is not about a right way of doing anything.
• A vision is stated as a picture for all time, using no numbers, measures, or comparatives. It contains no specifics of time, place, audience, or product. 
• A vision is free-standing .
• A vision is a long line of possibility radiating outward. It invites infinite expression, development, and proliferation within its definitional framework. 
• Speaking a vision transforms the speaker.

For that moment the "real world" becomes the universe of possibility and the barriers to the realization of the vision disappear.  This practice of framing possibility calls upon us to use our minds in a manner that is counter-intuitive.

Chapter 12: Telling the WE Story 
Zander explains that this practice points the way to a kind of leadership based on the courage to speak on behalf of all people and for the long line of human possibility.

1. Tell the WE story - the story of the unseen threads that connect us all, the story of possibility.
2. Listen and look for the emerging reality.
3. Ask: "what do WE want to have happen here?" What's best for US? What's OUR next step.

More often than not, history is about conflicts between an "us" and "them".  The WE Story defines a human being in a specific way.  It says we are central selves seeking to contribute, naturally engaged, forever in a dance with each other.  The WE appears when, for the moment, we set aside the story of fear, competition, and struggle and tell its story.  The goal of each of us is to remove those things that impede our progress forward as a great leader.

Week 4-Reading Entry Post 9-12

The idea of Enrollment sparks several viewpoints for me.  I often tell my daughter “Sometimes the answer is no,” when she is insistent about one thing or another. Children seem to naturally demonstrate Enrollment, from the time that they are able to talk. UCLA did a study a few years ago, which indicated that the average one-year old child hears the word “No” 400 times a day by their parents.  What may naturally begin as Enrollment, is drowned by the time we all hit adolescence. The rejected feeling of so many No’s can create the “dampened downward spiral “ feelings that are mentioned in the text. Unfortunately, we have to re-learn the idea of partnership and trust that exists in children.

Picture courtesy of torontoschoolofstrings.com

Developing a mind state of being present in the way things are, is a powerful lesson. I’ve often heard the phrase “Things are what they are.” Accepting that-things are what they are involves a different level of understanding and application. The author describes this “present” state of being, as a frame of mind that accepts what shows up willingly, and moves forward from that point. Thinking and reacting to life’s circumstances will surely help us avoid the “downward spiral” syndrome.

This week’s reading helped me to remember to focus on the larger beauty of life, and not the small stuff, that will interrupt an otherwise normal day.  My attention needs to be ever focused on what is happening now, and what I chose to happen next. Since I never know what will show up, I must remember that my attitude needs to remain one of gratitude, regardless of the circumstance. This mind-set, will ensure that I am “On Board.”

I am certain that we live in a world of illusions. It is written in the NIV Bible that “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”(1 Corinthians 13:12). Many of us navigate the world, not realizing that we have created the framework for our experiences. I found that Chapter 12’s emphasis on the “We” was very profound. This lesson helps to remind us that our individual strengths, contributions, opinions etc., are useless without other people.  When we develop the ability to see ourselves as part of the whole, as opposed to separate from the whole, we are able to live a more realistic life.

Week 4-Response to Cherylee Gruber-Leadership Post

Wow, the contribution of these two individuals cannot be measured. Windows changed our world. Microsoft was the beginning of the technology revolution, and is the go-to software for word processing. Steve Jobs changed the way we run our lives with technology. I think the two men had profound respect for one another, even though they were often pitted as rivals. When Microsoft software was made available for Macintosh computers in the early 2000's, another milestone was conquered. These two men are the pioneers of the technology age, and cannot help but be admired.
I am excited to hear that it is your desire to pay it forward after EMDT. Whatever is done out of kindness, helps to change the world. Your contribution does not need to be measured with anyone else's. The lives that you impact during your lifetime, may last generations. That is leadership!

MAC - Week 4 - Leadership Project: Leadership Role Model Reflection

MAC - Week 4 Leadership Project: Leadership Role Model Reflection

When the word “leadership” comes to mind, immediately I am taken back to my days of the electronics and home entertainment industry.  Leadership was primarily a synonym for manipulation.   We became professionals in the craft of sales.  I lead this life for ten years, before switching my life into a far less lucrative path, education.

In academia, leadership tends to take on a sour connotation.  After all, leadership is administration.  Who hasn’t head one horror story or another of “THEM” trying to “get you” or “make your life miserable”?  But really, who would want to make a profession out of making others miserable.  Not I. 

My ideal definition of leadership is one where one leads by example.  I think leaders are hard working, inventive, and above all giving to the community at large.  If giving provides the example to ignite others to give, we would truly transform the world.  My ideal leadership models come from two very different men, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.  If only they had combined forces…  Steve Jobs was the incredibly inventive and creative leader.  A leader that is able to connect with the masses with a personal ease and the well-crafted “Everyman” persona.  His company and products fit seamlessly into our lifestyles.  Jobs was a true renaissance man that will continue to inspire others to follow his methods. 

On the other side of the personality coin, we have Bill Gates.  Mr. Gates is a more calculating and logical leader.  His methods of integration and global domination have successfully catapulted him in the leadership ranks.  He uses his name and success to run the largest private foundation in the world. As a leadership team, with his wife, the base their foundation on four key values:  Optimism, Collaboration, Rigor, and Innovation.  Every endeavor the foundation pursues fits into these core values. The provide assistance globally and in the United States they assist the field of education and fund the goal of providing access to technology for all students. 

Bill and Melinda Gates Community Project


It is this type of leader that is grounded in values of optimism, collaboration, rigor and innovation, which I aim to structure my goals after.  In my life after EMDT, I would like to follow their example and assist those without access to technology.  Although I may not have the same financial backing, I have expertise, time, and the desire to allow access to information to all.

Wk 4-Leadership Role Model

Image courtesy of eurweb.com

When asked to consider a leadership role model that I admire, Berry Gordy is my number one choice. I have loved and enjoyed Mr. Gordy's contribution to popular music, all of my life.  His book "To Be Loved," has been a staple in my life, as I have read it over 100 times.  I feel that Mr. Gordy is an excellent role model, because of his ability to develop and lead a group a gifted songwriters, producers, and artists in a way that changed popular music forever. Motown is the leading model today, for current music production companies.  The products created at Motown have never stopped playing on commercial radio. Motown music is also used in commercials, movies, and a host of other venues.  Moreover, many of the producers and artists who worked with Mr. Gordy, have become some of the key figures in the music industry, and leadership role models also. The most fascinating thing about Berry Gordy to me was his tenacity to create Motown in the first place. Mr. Gordy had marginal success as a songwriter for Jackie Wilson, however when he received his royalty checks, they were less than impressive. A young Smokey Robinson suggested that if this was all he was going to be paid, he may as well start his own record label. Mr. Gordy took that to heart and did just that. Motown Records was founded in Detroit, Michigan January 12, 1959. This great feat was done at the height of the Civil Rights movement. Motown was sold in March 1984, but Mr. Gordy has remained the face of a musical movement.  He is my role model.

After EMDT, I hope to use my new skills for further develop young people. Early in my life I was convinced that my contribution would be made in the music industry, This was the case for many years of my life.  However, I have now been in trusted with developing young minds, through education. I hope to continue to contribute to society in a positive way.

Week 3-Response to Tracy Anderson

Tracy, I really enjoyed your presentation about your Action Research Project for lifelong learners. I think that this is an essential project for members of the community who are foreign to the technological changes that are occurring daily. I personally know several people who could benefit from your work. We have spoken several times about your decision whether to present or publish, and I am convinced that you have made the correct choice in presenting this important work.  I look forward to staying in contact with you, as your project continues to develop.

Wk 3_Leadership Project Hub

Posted on June 11, 2012 

My Capstone Project: Technology Integration for Lifelong Learners is Action Research geared toward solving the dysfunctional technological habits of lifelong learners.   Emerging digital technology research has primarily focused on digitally fluent student populations.  Very limited research has been devoted to the lifelong learner with dysfunctional technology habits.  Recent studies have emerged which considers fostering digital literacy among lifelong learners.  The Technology Integration for Lifelong Learners (TILL) Capstone Project has been developed to address this digital literacy gap.  A Pre-Technology survey was used to determine technology usage and to develop individualized technology plans.  A Post-Technology survey was carried out to determine what technology integration strategies were effective to the lifelong learner.  Results revealed that dysfunctional technology habits are more pervasive than previously considered.  This indicates that no assumptions can be made about digital dysfunction and instructional strategies are practical for lifelong learners.

Link to Leadership Post Wk 1:

http://twintechblog.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/wk-1_leadership-post/

Link to Leadership Posts Wk2: http://twintechblog.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/wk-2_comment-2/

Leadership Keynote Presentation in Google Docs: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1X2sceOI9C2lcdAFxjjM3aIv-YV3weFc9fea6bioHqEU/edit#slide=id.gdfa0b7e_2_84