Today in class we learned about the Abilene Paradox. This paradox was originally introduced by Jerry B. Harvey. He describes the phenomenon as a breakdown in group communication that occurs when individuals take on the "Don't Rock the Boat" mentality. Group members mistakenly think that other members of the group hold different beliefs then they do, so they go along with an idea instead of challenging the idea. Members of the group have a false sense of consensus.
While we discussed the implications of this paradox for educational leaders, I couldn't help but reflect on other examples in history: our country's history and my own.
How many stories have we read in history where the soldiers going into battle knew that they were walking in to a trap, and yet they followed orders without question... knowing all along it was a mistake, yet refusing to face the potential charge of insubordination.
How many businesses continue to implement the same ineffective practices over and over again? You have to think that SOMEONE must realize that they are making a mistake, and yet no one is willing to stand up and say "STOP."
Fear of repercussion, Fear of being ostracized, Fear that others will laugh at you... Fear!
These are major examples of the Abilene Paradox, but does it exist in our personal lives? As I watched the Abilene Video, which demonstrated the paradox in a family situation, I couldn't help but recall many situations in my own past that fit into this model. Restaurants nobody wanted to go to, trips no one wanted to take, and even a set of living room furniture that no one really liked!
Why is it that I have fallen into this conundrum? And more importantly, how do I insure that I don't continue this pattern when I become a leader? I believe the latter is a much easier question to answer than the former, so I will start there.
Education and Awareness. I had never even heard of this paradox before today, never mind, knowing how to avoid falling victim to it! However, after our discussions today, I feel I would have the tools to avoid this paradox as a leader.
As for the question as to why I have have taken way too many trips to Abilene, I think that one might very well take years to figure out. And it is definitely a couch conversation with someone with more letters behind their name then I have.
To learn more about the Abilene Paradox, check out this video.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
How do leaders find balance?
I was assigned the task to interview my mentor, a very talented administrator, in order to "pick his brain" on various topics related to the themes we are discussing in my course. Topics such as motivation, decision-making, problem solving, conflict resolution, and communication. The questions were designed to provide me with the BIG picture about the life of a leader. What I found most interesting was his answer to the question about balancing his professional life with his personal life. His response was that he doesn't. He told me that he has a difficult time finding a balance, that the job is all consuming.
Tonight at dinner with my best friend, also a leader in the education field, I ask her what she does to find balance. Her response was very similar. She explained that she hasn't figured out how to keep the different aspects of her life in balance, rather she alternates her focus depending on where the demands are the heaviest. Admitting that this is neither ideal nor what she would like to have, just the reality she has found herself in.
So tonight, as I try to both prepare for class tomorrow and finalize my plans for the trip I leave on Sunday- going to see my daughter for a few days- I can't help but wonder if this is a problem for all leaders. Does being a successful leader mean you have to sacrifice your private life? I've spent so much of my life focusing on the needs of others, but this journey I am on is for me. Will it land me in a place that will require me to sacrifice ME again?
Even now while I am in school, I am finding that I am consumed by the work. If I don't get in the habit now of making time for me, and making time to spend with those people that enrich my life, I fear that I will fail to have a balance too.
While this blog site was designed for a school project, it does provide me with a forum to do what I have always enjoyed doing... writing- not APA style though :0) So, perhaps for now, it is my way to help me find balance and to do something I enjoy doing... that and a dinner with a friend, a trip to see my daughter, and a planned get away with my man. Maybe I am doing OK with balance after all. Let's hope I can keep it up as I move towards becoming a leader.
Tonight at dinner with my best friend, also a leader in the education field, I ask her what she does to find balance. Her response was very similar. She explained that she hasn't figured out how to keep the different aspects of her life in balance, rather she alternates her focus depending on where the demands are the heaviest. Admitting that this is neither ideal nor what she would like to have, just the reality she has found herself in.
So tonight, as I try to both prepare for class tomorrow and finalize my plans for the trip I leave on Sunday- going to see my daughter for a few days- I can't help but wonder if this is a problem for all leaders. Does being a successful leader mean you have to sacrifice your private life? I've spent so much of my life focusing on the needs of others, but this journey I am on is for me. Will it land me in a place that will require me to sacrifice ME again?
Even now while I am in school, I am finding that I am consumed by the work. If I don't get in the habit now of making time for me, and making time to spend with those people that enrich my life, I fear that I will fail to have a balance too.
While this blog site was designed for a school project, it does provide me with a forum to do what I have always enjoyed doing... writing- not APA style though :0) So, perhaps for now, it is my way to help me find balance and to do something I enjoy doing... that and a dinner with a friend, a trip to see my daughter, and a planned get away with my man. Maybe I am doing OK with balance after all. Let's hope I can keep it up as I move towards becoming a leader.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Who You Are Makes A Difference...
What We do DOES make a difference...
As Leaders, whether you are a classroom leader, a school leader, a district leader, or a business leader, you're actions impact the lives of others on a daily basis. Often we do not fully recognize the scope of that impact. There is a wonderful video I want to share with you that demonstrates how profound it can be when we take the time to recognize others for the impact that they have on our lives.
This learning journey that I am on... Learning to be a Leader, is so much more then an exploration of theory, more than learning strategies, for me to grow into the kind of leader I want to become I need to reflect on who I am and how what I do affects others. Facing your own personal demons is never easy, but since I consider myself to be somewhat of a reflective person, I guess I need to face those demons...
Better yet, I'd like to quote my professor, whom is also the director of HRD for our district, "Sometimes you have to shine the light on the roaches."
So giving credit where credit is due...
To my family- My mom whom sacrificed her own ambitions so her kids could pursue theirs; My dad that has always taught me that our greatest purpose and mission on this earth is to make things better for others. To my brother who has gotten me into more trouble and out of more trouble than I care to admit and is still only a phone call away; to my little sister who demonstrates her strengths and talents on a daily basis- You have all made me who I am. I love you and YOU make a difference!
To my girls- I love you and I am so proud of the women you have become. If I think back to when you were babies and remember what I hoped you would be and the kind of women you would become... I never would have dreamed you would be this brilliant, this involved, and this passionate. You are the lights of my life. YOU BOTH make a difference.
To the man I love- Who would have thought that I could feel this way- You are my rock, my strength, you make me laugh when I feel like crying, you make me believe that I can do anything- YOU make a difference.
To my dear, true-blue friends- You really keep me sane- You are there to support me when I feel like I have no clue what I am doing, distract me when I need to be distracted and focus me when I need to be focused- YOU make a difference.
To the Cohort 2 Crew- If it wasn't for you and our "Group Me" life line- I don't think I would make it through this program. Your insight, wisdom, and professionalism is second to none... I know you will be great leaders and I would be honored to work with each you. You ALL make the difference!
To my mentor and teachers- What ever type of leader I turn out to be is because of your patience, your time, and your dedication. You make a difference.
To my coworkers- You are the most dedicated group of individuals that I have met, you love what you do and you all make a difference for each and every one of the students that pass through your doors.
To all of you that have touched my life- either through our involvement as parents, through work, as extended family or as friends- those I play scrabble with, cheer on the guard, those that made my home their home and vise-a-versa, those that have taught me lessons about life and about my self, and those that are still teaching me... You make a difference.
It is my hope and my intention, that as I become a leader I never forget to acknowledge the people around me and recognize how each of them makes a difference each and every day.
Please enjoy the video, and take time to tell those you care about that they make a difference.
As Leaders, whether you are a classroom leader, a school leader, a district leader, or a business leader, you're actions impact the lives of others on a daily basis. Often we do not fully recognize the scope of that impact. There is a wonderful video I want to share with you that demonstrates how profound it can be when we take the time to recognize others for the impact that they have on our lives.
This learning journey that I am on... Learning to be a Leader, is so much more then an exploration of theory, more than learning strategies, for me to grow into the kind of leader I want to become I need to reflect on who I am and how what I do affects others. Facing your own personal demons is never easy, but since I consider myself to be somewhat of a reflective person, I guess I need to face those demons...
Better yet, I'd like to quote my professor, whom is also the director of HRD for our district, "Sometimes you have to shine the light on the roaches."
So giving credit where credit is due...
To my family- My mom whom sacrificed her own ambitions so her kids could pursue theirs; My dad that has always taught me that our greatest purpose and mission on this earth is to make things better for others. To my brother who has gotten me into more trouble and out of more trouble than I care to admit and is still only a phone call away; to my little sister who demonstrates her strengths and talents on a daily basis- You have all made me who I am. I love you and YOU make a difference!
To my girls- I love you and I am so proud of the women you have become. If I think back to when you were babies and remember what I hoped you would be and the kind of women you would become... I never would have dreamed you would be this brilliant, this involved, and this passionate. You are the lights of my life. YOU BOTH make a difference.
To the man I love- Who would have thought that I could feel this way- You are my rock, my strength, you make me laugh when I feel like crying, you make me believe that I can do anything- YOU make a difference.
To my dear, true-blue friends- You really keep me sane- You are there to support me when I feel like I have no clue what I am doing, distract me when I need to be distracted and focus me when I need to be focused- YOU make a difference.
To the Cohort 2 Crew- If it wasn't for you and our "Group Me" life line- I don't think I would make it through this program. Your insight, wisdom, and professionalism is second to none... I know you will be great leaders and I would be honored to work with each you. You ALL make the difference!
To my mentor and teachers- What ever type of leader I turn out to be is because of your patience, your time, and your dedication. You make a difference.
To my coworkers- You are the most dedicated group of individuals that I have met, you love what you do and you all make a difference for each and every one of the students that pass through your doors.
To all of you that have touched my life- either through our involvement as parents, through work, as extended family or as friends- those I play scrabble with, cheer on the guard, those that made my home their home and vise-a-versa, those that have taught me lessons about life and about my self, and those that are still teaching me... You make a difference.
It is my hope and my intention, that as I become a leader I never forget to acknowledge the people around me and recognize how each of them makes a difference each and every day.
Please enjoy the video, and take time to tell those you care about that they make a difference.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I'm in APA Hell
APA... Must stand for Always Pretty Annoying, because it is! The worst thing about this GRAD program is not going to class every Saturday, all day (I actually enjoy seeing all my PROPEL peeps there), it's not the never ending reading (a lot of that is pretty interesting), it is not the on-line discussions, the projects or even the papers (because as crazy as it is, I really don't mind the work).
What I hate the most about GRAD school, is having to format everything in APA style. UGH!! Don't get me wrong, I get the whole double-spaced and 1 inch margins. I get the standard 12pt New Times Roman font. I certainly understand the need to clearly articulate your ideas.
BUT....REALLY... when in the future will we ever need to use a RUNNING HEAD! Come on... it sounds like something from a bad Sci-Fi movie! Between trying to remember what gets capitalized and what doesn't... what gets italicized and what doesn't... what gets centered... what is indented... and what is left justified... I may very well lose my mind!
Yup, I am in definitely in APA Hell!!
But don't worry you won't have to listen to me yelling about it, because I have a PASSIVE VOICE!
Anyone interested in becoming my APA proof-reader?
What I hate the most about GRAD school, is having to format everything in APA style. UGH!! Don't get me wrong, I get the whole double-spaced and 1 inch margins. I get the standard 12pt New Times Roman font. I certainly understand the need to clearly articulate your ideas.
BUT....REALLY... when in the future will we ever need to use a RUNNING HEAD! Come on... it sounds like something from a bad Sci-Fi movie! Between trying to remember what gets capitalized and what doesn't... what gets italicized and what doesn't... what gets centered... what is indented... and what is left justified... I may very well lose my mind!
Yup, I am in definitely in APA Hell!!
But don't worry you won't have to listen to me yelling about it, because I have a PASSIVE VOICE!
Anyone interested in becoming my APA proof-reader?
Start at the begining... PROPEL
Dr. Guerra stood in front of a group of teachers at the information meeting... his speech went something like this:
This program is designed to be rigorous, you will be giving up every Thursday and every Saturday for the next two years. If you can't devote the time, this program isn't for you. If you have a TV sell it because you wont have time to watch it. If ballet concerts, baseball games, weddings or Bar Mitzvahs are in your plans, this is not the program for you...
Those of us that were still left sitting in the room were about to hear outlined a program that was unlike anything else ever done in the district. PROPEL was a Race to the Top grant that created a partnership between FAU and Broward County Public Schools. If selected for the program, (which was an ordeal that involved being first nominated by a principal, included an application process, an on-line assessment, a writing assessment, and an interview- only 27 people were selected for Cohort 2) participants would participate in a two-year intensive, and accelerated Education Leadership program. This program would not only earn us our degree but also our Level 1 & Level 2 certifications and credentials that would qualify us to be hired as a principal in a Florida school. In addition to the fast-track program, the courses are taught by a team of professors that are all serving in leadership capacities in the district. The training is specially designed to prepare the participants to work in "turn-around schools."
WOW... a "free" education, AND we are working with leaders that are in a position to hire us when we are done with the program... WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY!
So I jumped! I mean, really jumped... with both feet!
And so it begins....
This blog site was actually started to fulfill the requirements of one of my assignments for LEAD 3. We need to do a book critique and present the information in a new media. So I decided to write a blog. (You can read the critique later.) In the meantime, I decided that since I was going to create the blog for the project, why not chronicle my experiences along the way.
I hope to have my fellow Cohort Members join in and add their thoughts and experiences during this adventure because we have already formed sort of a family identity, we are in fact a huge part of each others support system. I hope that over the next two years... and into the future we will all be there for each other- there is nothing like a common experience to bond people.
This blog will include reflections, experiences, recommendations for "good" leadership books, and insights into educational leadership. I hope you will find the information informative and entertaining, and that you will join me from time to time on this journey.
Arlene
This program is designed to be rigorous, you will be giving up every Thursday and every Saturday for the next two years. If you can't devote the time, this program isn't for you. If you have a TV sell it because you wont have time to watch it. If ballet concerts, baseball games, weddings or Bar Mitzvahs are in your plans, this is not the program for you...
Those of us that were still left sitting in the room were about to hear outlined a program that was unlike anything else ever done in the district. PROPEL was a Race to the Top grant that created a partnership between FAU and Broward County Public Schools. If selected for the program, (which was an ordeal that involved being first nominated by a principal, included an application process, an on-line assessment, a writing assessment, and an interview- only 27 people were selected for Cohort 2) participants would participate in a two-year intensive, and accelerated Education Leadership program. This program would not only earn us our degree but also our Level 1 & Level 2 certifications and credentials that would qualify us to be hired as a principal in a Florida school. In addition to the fast-track program, the courses are taught by a team of professors that are all serving in leadership capacities in the district. The training is specially designed to prepare the participants to work in "turn-around schools."
WOW... a "free" education, AND we are working with leaders that are in a position to hire us when we are done with the program... WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY!
So I jumped! I mean, really jumped... with both feet!
And so it begins....
This blog site was actually started to fulfill the requirements of one of my assignments for LEAD 3. We need to do a book critique and present the information in a new media. So I decided to write a blog. (You can read the critique later.) In the meantime, I decided that since I was going to create the blog for the project, why not chronicle my experiences along the way.
I hope to have my fellow Cohort Members join in and add their thoughts and experiences during this adventure because we have already formed sort of a family identity, we are in fact a huge part of each others support system. I hope that over the next two years... and into the future we will all be there for each other- there is nothing like a common experience to bond people.
This blog will include reflections, experiences, recommendations for "good" leadership books, and insights into educational leadership. I hope you will find the information informative and entertaining, and that you will join me from time to time on this journey.
Arlene
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