What is the best method for learning?

Developing effective leadership skills and competencies are increasingly found in many books due to the desperate need for aspiring leaders, as well as, educational reform.  Reform inherently requires an effective  leader with strong leadership skills.  Our society is also calling upon great leaders to help in many crisis situations.  I think it is more than obvious to say that effective leadership is greatly needed in many systems in our society!  With that being said, I believe that learning to be an effective leader requires more than the research based knowledge found from reading a book; it requires intense reflection, practical application, and ultimately change.  In addition...

I have found myself being challenged greatly this semester and have questioned much of what I have endured.  In the end, I trust it is a purposeful lesson in which I will learn much more than anticipated.  In what I describe as a crazy cycle that I have been on, I have learned a great deal about being an effective leader.  One of the greatest gifts I have learned this semester is to be patient.  When there are things we have to face, what other choice do we have but to endure them for the long haul, even if it requires intense patience!  In addition, I have learned better time management.  And lastly, I feel that I have been more open to give of myself freely.  I have embraced living everyday to its fullest!  I did not learn these skills from my readings, but from being faced with difficulty.  I call these lessons "Lessons From God".  In thinking lately about my growth and change, I believe that some of it has been from our readings, how could that not impact me at some level.  However, my greatest learning and change has come from God.   

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33   

Six Secrets of Change

I have been reading Six Secrets of Change and found myself often thinking, when will things change???  I have read some of Michael Fullan’s other books.  I believe that Fullan has a strong understanding of leadership and the development of leadership capacity.  I do not consider myself an expert, however I do not feel that what Fullan teaches is state of the art theories or ideas.  To me, he describes practical and feasible strategies.  However, what is it that holds leaders back?  What is it that keeps leaders from connecting and relating to the people they lead when that is a critical element of effective leadership?  I am at this point where I feel as if the books or knowledge are not the key to change, it is the self-efficacy of the leaders themselves.  I think that people desire to be better, however I wonder if they feel they are capable or competent to change?

Last week I posted on change as well.  There were some valid and truthful responses posted.  What I want to know is what holds you back?  What is keeping you from making some change you know you should do as a leader?

Change...

I feel that I have learned so much lately by challenges I have been faced with both personally and professionally.   What amazes me even more is the amount of new learning I have had in just a short amount of time.  It’s a little weird to verbalize, but I have transformed my thinking and some of my behaviors.  I have changed!!!!  I am really interested in knowing how you feel about “change”…

I have heard so many times in so many different situations that it is hard for people to change.  While I find some truth to that, I am not sure it warrants the same impact it previously did.  When new knowledge comes into play, does it not prompt change to naturally take place?  I know that I learn from my mistakes.  It usually only takes me one time to mess something up and I will (change) never do it again!  Why is it then so hard for people to change?

I am on this topic because we have read 3 books now and I feel that they are all powerful tools.  I think these are things we should be doing at my school.  However, change rarely happens at my school.  As hard as I try…As much support as I give…nothing changes.  That is frustrating!

Leading...With The Right Heart, Mind, & Soul

How does a participant in a global society hold to the core principles of deeply held beliefs and simultaneously (1) seek to understand those whose beliefs differ with yours, (2) work collaboratively with others of differing world views, and (3) respect the intrinsic worth of all people?

I believe that one of my greatest challenges is to understand other people whose beliefs differ from mine.  At a simplistic level, it is not a difference of right or wrong, it is just “different”.  I know only what I know, so anything new or different is uncommon to me.  I believe that in most situations I am open-minded and non-judgmental, however I am quite aware that I am not perfect.  I have to consciously be aware of my words and actions and more importantly, my thought process.  It is very easy in today’s society to judge others.  Having faith and knowing the Word of God greatly helps me to be humble and have grace.

Because we were all unique in nature, it is evident we are going to differ.  Just think about the differences between how God created men and women.  It is unrealistic to think that people will all think the same way or believe the same things.  Therefore, I think that communication is a critical skill in learning about others.  Learning about others values, interests, and beliefs require listening with a nonjudgmental ear.   Through communication, we can learn a lot about others, and in the process learn more about ourselves.

Lastly, respecting others and their worth can be extremely difficult to do. One thing that I think a lot about, which may seem trivial is the Golden Rule.  Scripture states, "So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12), "And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them." (Luke 6:31).  While reflecting on the Golden Rule, all things therefore that you want people to do to you, do thus to them, it can be concluded that it is really about respect.  It is our responsibility to respect people, whose beliefs differ from our own, respecting people who think differently than we do.  Whose customs, traditions, or values differ from ours.  Respect at a core level is about looking past what people do, but rather at who they are, or who they are in the process of becoming. The Golden Rule is based on one basic principle: that all human beings have dignity and that the feelings of others should always be paramount.

This bible verse helps to keep these concepts in perspective for me.

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2 New International Version

Diversity & Transnational Leadership

Dr. Kemp stated, "Now more than ever before, to be successful in our lives and our work as transnational leaders, we need to recognize the importance of diversity as a key factor for our success.  Each of us must develop an awareness of the paradoxes that thwart our best intentions in communicating and working effectively with others."

People are the most important part of any organization.  In order for that organization to be successful, a leader must be transnational and lead people in that organization perform to their fullest potential, this requires diversity at many levels - diversity in thinking, communicating, organizing, and in collaboration.  The complexity of developing an awareness of the paradoxes that thwart our best intentions is indescribable.  If transnational leaders need to be diverse in many levels, then there is a large margin for error.  I believe that we can only grow into transnational leaders through reflection, through struggle and conflict, and when someone else mentors us to be better.  Even when we are aware of our own actions, we never realize the impact they have on others.  I would say that I am a very loving and caring person and for the most part try very hard to be open-minded and approachable.  However, there have been times in which my actions were taken in a much different way.      

Furthermore, I am learning that communicating and working with others effectively is extremely difficult.  In the bible study I attend, we are reading Love & Respect and participating in small group discussions.  Listening to the many other married couples, I realize that communication and understanding people is so much more difficult than I had ever perceived. Being around a variety of different people and cultures, I see the different challenges they struggle with.  Had I not been a part of this bible study, I would have “assumed” that there communication struggles were similiar to mine.   If we struggle communicating with people in which we know at a very deep level and love, what does that say about the communication we have every day with a variety of people in which we work? 

In thinking about my own struggles, I think these are some barriers I need to continue to work on.

• Being a good listener
• Developing a better understanding of the differences and similarities of other cultures
• Appreciating difference and using that to gain the most from others
• Learning about people, how they work, how they think, and how they communicate

Right-Brained or Left-Brained

I have been reading A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink.  I bought this book used and guess what – it is autographed by the Author.  I thought that was pretty sweet!  This book offers an enlightening theory on the way thinking will “need to change” for the future.  I believe that spirituality and right-brain thinking are the central focus of this book, though I have not finished it in its entirety.  So far, I feel that this book offers an intelligent view of thinking about our future.  Left-brain thinking is no longer going to be enough – hmmmmm.

As I am reading this book, I am questioning who I am – right-brained or left-brained.  I decided to look into this and found an online test.  Interesting, I am split down the middle. These are my results: 

Your Brain Usage Profile:

Auditory : 56%
Visual : 43%
Left : 50%
Right : 50%

Amber, your hemispheric dominance is equally divided between left and right brain, while you show a moderate preference for auditory versus visual learning, signs of a balanced and flexible person.

Your balance gives you the enviable capacity to be verbal and literate while retaining a certain "flair" and individuality. You are logical and compliant but only to a degree. You are organized without being compulsive, goal-directed without being driven, and a "thinking" individual without being excessively so.

The one problem you might have is that your learning might not be as efficient as you would like. At times you will work from the specific to the general, while at other times you'll work from the general to the specific. Sometimes you will be logical in your approach while at other times random. Since you cannot always control the choice, you may experience frustrations not normally felt by persons with a more defined and directed learning style.

You may also minimally experience conflicts associated with auditory processing. You will be systematic and sequential in your processing of information, you will most often focus on a single dimension of the problem or material, and you will be more reflective, i.e., "taking the data in" as opposed to "devouring" it.

Overall, you should feel content with your life and yourself. You are, perhaps, a little too critical of yourself - and of others - while maintaining an "openness" which is redeeming. Indecisiveness is a problem and your creativity is not in keeping with your potential. Being a pragmatist, you downplay this aspect of yourself and focus on the more immediate, the more obvious and the more functional.

Interested in taking the brain test?  Here is the link:  http://www.squidoo.com/braintest

Five Minds For The Future - Howard Gardner

The Disciplined Mind

The first of the five minds Gardner discusses is the "disciplined" mind. He identifies four steps in the formation of this type of mind.

1) Identify truly important topics or concepts within the discipline.

2) Spend a significant amount of time on the topic.

3) Approach the topic in a number of ways.

4) Most important, set up 'performances of understanding' and give students ample opportunities to perform their understandings under a variety of conditions.

Gardner argues for more depth in our curriculum at the expense of breadth. There should be a greater emphases placed on practical application and less on memorization of facts.  Gardner narrows the pre-collegiate level of education down to "science, math, history, and one art form."

I remember teaching in Wyoming when a Standards Based Curriculum was not in place.  We spent a great amount of time planning our instruction that was application and performance based.  We did not have report cards, but utilized portfolio's.  It was a great experience for me to have.

Though I was a part of teaching in this type of a system, I find it hard to think what that would look like today?  Teachers have become so ingrained in C-scope and the TEKS, I don't see much innovation in today's classroom. :(