REFLECTIONS
Reflections on the leadership retreat and the subjects learned about in the semester
RETREAT REFLECTION
Ethical Leadership is defined as “leadership that is directed by respect for ethical beliefs and values and for the dignity and rights of others.” (Watts, 2008) My definition is the same as a leader we have to recognize that everyone is human despite our differences. The activities in class have opened my eyes to complex situations which aren’t black and white. As leaders we have to use our morals to guide us while living within the confines of set rules. I feel like I will have slight trouble in filling out the outcomes. I never really viewed leadership from a classroom perspective and I feel as I am slightly lacking in the skill of self reflection. The last retreat group exercise was completely frustrating in every way possible. When Professor Jackson - Frazier asked for a volunteer I immediately raised my hand without thinking. I found myself blindfolded and guided into a room with no instructions whatsoever. My group members were tasked with giving me instructions to build a structure out of blocks and sticks that fit into each other. The hard part was each person could only say three consecutive words. Me being the commander I was got spooked out and immediately started making decisions on my own before caving in to the terrifying frustrated voices around me. After about 30 frustrating minutes we were finally cut off from building the structure. I pulled the blindfold off and my sight was restored. We were close to complete the structure but not quiet. The exercise displayed how leaders are only as good as there team. Despite the fact that I was the only one in the class with the ability to build the structure i was 100% dependent on the people around me.
Theresa Watts (2008). Business leaders' values and beliefs regarding decision making ethics. Morrisville, NC: LuLu.com. ISBN 9781435747685.
SMALL BUSINESS
I thought the unit of running a small business and having a positive effect on the community was probably over all my favorite. I got to interview one of my favorite people on how he runs his business. Schuder has competed at the highest level for several years in the 60’s and 70’s but still retained a very humble attitude. He ran his company more like a charity than a business providing food for his athletes and a safe place to train. Coach Schuder ran his coaching business using a true servant leadership model. I learned that a business that is service based should work it's hardest to improve the quality of life of the people they serve. Just simply giving athletes healthy food can go a long way because not only does it show that you care as a coach and mentor but you know they are at least eating something. Using the skills of command, individualization, woo and Kindness I can really see how my skills could correlate with a service first coaching model that coach Schuder presented. You must be stern in giving orders and taking control of practice, athletes are here for a reason after all. With individualization you can find people's strength and build a nurturing community. With woo and kindness you can win people over and let them realize their full potential whether it is being an olympian or a conference champion
EDUCATION
The education section of the class was for me the most boring. The highlight of the section was the four person panel that was put together. I loved how the educational leaders said point blank, if you're reasoning for becoming a teacher is for money don’t do it. I respect the fact that people, despite knowing they won't make money, pursue a career because they know that it is important. I also enjoyed how they all juggled religion and science win a way that aligned with the doctrine of the school. I had gone to a school that did not really teach science in a manor which was worth 8,000 dollars. The assignment was pretty generic and boring to do. It was one of those project that the typically student has done several times in there life. Two skills I have in my arsenal are my appreciation of beauty and excellence as well as individualization which would serve me well in an educational environment. I have an appreciation for the arts and sciences and I enjoy making individualized learning programs to really get the best out of people.
FAMILY
The modern family issues was probably the most interesting subject we went over for the whole curriculum. The diverse pannel of families ranging from mixed race to homosexual was amazing to look at and mirrored what a diversifying america should look like. I also enjoyed the case study paper which put me as a family consultant tasked with fixing a disjointed and gender neutral family without passing any type of personal judgement. Not only did it help me in other classes by giving me a format to follow for other case studies but it made me get out of my comfort zone of thinking. Not being able to make any blanket statements within the essay was a challenge that helped me find solid citations to prove a point. My VIA skill of kindness definitely helped me the most in writing the case study. This was because the family had put themselves in such a bad situation the work I put in to help would have to come from a kind place rather than a place of judgement.
INCLUSION
The inclusion in the workplace section of the semester was definitely the most polarized starting off with an extremely divisive senario on rather someone should be able to keep their long hair for a noble cause despite it being against company policy. My VIA skill of bravery mad me stick to my morals and say he should be fired for breaking the rules regardless of strong opposition from my peers. This subject really helped me learn a lot about affirmative action and how to properly integrate it. The panelist, someone who worked to diversify the University of Rhode Island, told us how to go out and find people of color that are qualified instead of simply setting illegal quotas and expecting them to come to you. The Inclusion project wasn’t as shocking as the previous one with a slightly boring scenario of white people having a hissy fit because they can’t be racist when a new owner wants to diversify there hilariously named place of employment “Piggly Wiggly”. It was a little bit of a pain trying to say that diversification doesn’t happen overnight because racist people are racist.