Leadership Essay - 1659 Words

Today we would like to start this month’s newsletter with a couple of timely questions for all the leadership types. For example, when was the last time that your leadership level grew? In addition, what steps are being taken to fight back the tendency to manage instead of leading oneself and others? Finally, what resources are you using to provide a basis for leadership growth in your personal as well as professional life. In this newsletter, we would like to point out the fact that most leaders are actually operating in a role of a manager. In this, they are not taking on new responsibilities as a leader, but instead are attempting to have things remain the same for comfort sake. This is a mistake, which is done by many and†¦show more content†¦If you did use any type of professional outside source the chances are very great that no growth has nor will take place. The bottom line is that one must get on the ball when it comes to growth as a leader. Do not fool yourself that you have reached a stage of maturity where growth is no longer needed. Introduction In the upcoming white paper â€Å"Engendering Trust and Respect† which is soon to be released- we explore items which show leaders the way to build trust and respect among their followers. Leading the Leaders attempt to examine a little closer the theme of what it means to capture the hearts and minds of the leader’s followers. Ingrained in that process is the ability to create and maintain trust and respect. Additionally, one of the subject areas this white paper concentrates on is that of seeking the truth as a leader. It directly links into how perpetual development must become a leader’s desire. Some of the key components of discussion will be centered on why is trust and respect is vitally important to the leader that wants to be more than mildly successful. How using development, as a leader can improvement themselves, as well as, improve their subordinates professionally. However, one thing which is not often considered to be part of building trust and respect is also most important and that is understanding and seeking their trust throughShow MoreRelatedLeadership Essay1625 Words   |  7 PagesRunning head: LEADERSHIP ESSAY Leadership Essay Sharon Golston Grand Canyon University Theories of Leadership CHL-520 P Clifford Eason December 12, 2011 Leadership Essay Thousands of definitions have been written to identify characteristics that effective leaders should possess; however it is impossible for leaders to be effective if they are unable to understand that true leaders are called by Christ, are servants to Christ, and must seek the vision of Christ. Through Christ, leaders recognizeRead MoreLeadership Essay1476 Words   |  6 PagesLeadership is one of the main areas of study nowadays. A number of books, articles, and research papers are written on this discipline and we receive much information about this. Leadership is a relationship between leaders and followers, and building this relationship requires an appreciation for the personal values of those who would be willing to give their ener ¬gy and talents to accomplish shared objectives. Transformational leadership and leader-member exchange are popular theories in the leadershipRead MoreLeadership Essay1739 Words   |  7 PagesLeadership Essay Do I possess the traits and behaviors associated with leadership? If not, can I now learn how to be a leader at this stage of my life? What kind of leader am I? Is that the kind of leader I want to be? What do my superiors, co-workers, friends, and family think of my leadership style and ability? Why am I sometimes uncomfortable talking about myself as a leader? Working my way through the text, interviewing colleagues, and checking into other resources, I can form a personal pictureRead MoreLeadership Essay705 Words   |  3 PagesLeadership In the changing business environment, leaders of all organisations may face unprecedented uncertainty, especially the technology advancement and changes among the employees. To survive and succeed, leaders should have some necessary attributes. Meanwhile, some changes for leadership skills have to be made to confront the challenges. Two reports( Ladkin amp; Weber 2011; Cappelli et al. 2010) and a reflection (Useem 2010) discuss current business leadership issues in a global businessRead More Leadership Essay1072 Words   |  5 PagesLeadership New Aspects of Leadership A significant part of effective leadership is the close connection between the leader and the follower, which often determines the success of the leader’s mission. Unfortunately, this leader-follower relationship cannot be created according to some simple formula. Without inspiration, involvement, and encouragement from both participants, the relationship suffers. Leaders, in particular, must give an extra effort to reach out to followers in order to initiateRead More Leadership Essay1439 Words   |  6 Pages Leadership comes in many different forms but they all are heading toward the same goal; and that is to communicate with people. Some people are silent leaders and lead by example some are more vocal. Nevertheless, whatever type of leader you are, there are certain criteria that must be met. For example being a good role model, being dependable, being trust worthy, these are all things that a true leader must possess. However, all leaders have their strengths and weaknes s and these are a few areasRead MoreLeadership Essay1488 Words   |  6 PagesLeadership certainly isn’t gained by election or appointment. Having position, title, rank, or degrees doesn’t qualify anyone to lead other people. And the ability doesn’t come automatically from age or experience.† (Maxwell-Right, 7) The key to becoming a successful leader is not by focusing on making other people follow you, but by becoming a person that they desire to follow. â€Å"A leader is great not because of his or her power, but because of his or her ability to empower others.† (Maxwell-21)Read More Leadership Essay534 Words   |  3 Pages leadership Getting To Know Yourself What is encouraged in being a good leader? After doing the exercise in the context that dealt with the study of leadership traits and characteristics that was done by Kirkpatrick and Locke, I found some of the importance of leadership traits. Knowing the importance is only one step in getting to know yourself. Its also being able to use the leadership traits in ways that make you more able to lead. Finding what it really takes to be a successful leaderRead More Leadership Essay1136 Words   |  5 PagesLeadership I feel that the most important leadership trait in your business life is forming good relationships. You must form a good relationship with people in order to become a leader. If you build on a broken relationship then you will not gain that persons trust and they will not want to follow you. If you build a good relationship with someone then trust, respect, credibility and many other traits will also be part of your leadership style. A leader must be some one that can be trustedRead MoreEssay on Leadership1121 Words   |  5 PagesThere is a lot of debate on the differences between leadership and management. In the sports profession there are both leaders and managers. Which positions historically lead and which positions do more managing? With this thought in mind, add your comments to the questions listed below in the discussion section. Feel free to add to existing comments. Leadership and Management Which positions (jobs) in the sports profession do individuals do more leading than managing? Which individuals

Chinese Inventions and Their Great Contributions to Human...

Ancient China was home to a number of great inventions. Among them are gunpowder, the compass, paper, ink, tea drinking, the seismograph, kites and chopsticks (About.com, 2012). Perhaps the first four are the most important of these inventions, for the impact that they had on the development of mankind. This paper will outline these inventions and the great role that the contributed to human development. I believe that gunpowder was particularly ingenious, in part because the objective was not to invent gunpowder at all. The invention of gunpowder was an accident, the result of alchemists trying to turn common minerals into gold (Bellis, 2012). Mixing different elements, the explosive gunpowder was devised. The Chinese did not just invent gunpowder, however, but they put it to great use. Gunpowder transformed two major human endeavors food and war. With guns and cannons, armies and navies were better equipped to win their conflicts, and this would eventually play a major impact on the shaping of human history. In particular, gunpowder eventually reached Europe, and gave the Spanish a decided edge when they entered South America and the Europeans an edge in North America. The invention of gunpowder still lingers in the culture and demographics of those two continents today. Of course, the idea of gunpowder has been expanded upon significantly over the years. Guns are common place, but the idea had been expanded to include most forms of modern weapons. In addition,Show MoreRelatedAchinese Contribution1133 Words   |  5 Pagesworld. Perhaps the Chinese has contributed more to the advancement of human kind than any other ancient culture. They have contributed to our world civilization’s achievements in the fields of agriculture, shipping, astronomy, printing, oil, martial arts, ammunition and mathematics. Ancient Chinese inventions such as gunpowder, silk, paper, printing, tea, wheel barrow, iron plows, deep drilling, porcelain, toilet paper and the compass were and still are important pieces of Chinese and global life.Read MoreAncient Chinese Contributions1144 Words   |  5 PagesAncient Chinese Contributions Kenneth Smith Professor Maxine Brown HUM 111-World Cultures I November 29, 2012 The Ancient Chinese culture has contributed in many ways to the way of life today as we know it. Upon completion of this paper, I will have identified eight to ten useful inventions or contributions that are used in the world today. Some of these inventions include the compass, gunpowder, row planting, deep drilling, and toilet paper and so on. Within those eight to ten inventions, I willRead MoreImpact Of Ancient China898 Words   |  4 Pages History ISU: Ancient China Ancient China brought forth a myriad of advancements and contributions to society, the impact of which can still be felt to this day. The inventions of paper and gunpowder, two widely used pieces of ancient technology, have been adapted in the modern day to better suit the needs of the contemporary man. On top of this, the aptly named Great Wall of China has helped to advance the fields of architecture and engineering, while also providing for China’sRead MoreThe Chinese Way of Life1238 Words   |  5 PagesWAY OF LIFE The Chinese way of life, in theory, advocates the togetherness and order to the individual, the family and society. The best way to understand how to accomplish this ideal is to cultivate one’s mind, manage a family well and efficiently govern a country of Chinese traditional ways. The Chinese family is the basic unit of society, while the people are only one part of the family. The bloodline between the father and son is the most important element of their lifestyle. The extended familiesRead MoreAncient Chinese Culture Essay example1092 Words   |  5 Pagesdo much to protect from outside invasion but exists today as one of the most well known Chinese attractions. It is listed in the Wonders of the World among the likes of Machu Picchu and Taj Mahal. The Chinese writing system is another illustration of their isolationism. Beginning in Shang times, texts inscribed on bones from tombs show us that writing was already a major element in Chinese culture. The Chinese language is unlike the languages of Eurasia, which were created by cross-fertilizationRead MoreEssay Qin Dynasty1070 Words   |  5 PagesDuring this time period, the Warring States Era, Chinese civilization was impacted tremendously in almost every aspect. These hallmarks in history vary from the spreading of Legalism to the birth of the Great Wall of China. Through these countless contributions, the Qin Dynasty was able to revolutionize the Chinese civilization in such a short period of time. After unifying the Chinese empire, Qin Shi Huangdi made several reforms that enhanced Chinese society. Unification of the empire was crucialRead MoreA Brief Note On The River Valley Civilizations1489 Words   |  6 Pagesto great civilizations that grew along river valleys. The four cultures referred to as river valley civilizations include the Indus river civilization, Yellow River civilization, Nile River civilization and Tigris-Euphrates civilization. The oldest of the civilizations is the Tigris-Euphrates civilization that dates back to 3500 to 2500BCE. Communities during this era tended to align in river valleys for particular reasons. The most crucial reason is the access to water for purposes of human consumptionRead MoreEssay Early Contributions of Ancient Empires830 Words   |  4 PagesEarly Contributions of Ancient Empires At various times between the fifth and seventeenth centuries, civilizations developed and produced significant contributions in the areas of political systems and leadership, economic and technological developments, social structures, and the intellectual life, specifically art, music, literature, science, philosophy, and religion. The Ottomans drew strength from their origins as ghazis. The ghazi principle fueled their urge for conquest and then helpedRead MoreThe Communication Of Information And The Printing Press1670 Words   |  7 Pagesscholarly to popular, has been important to the development of civilization. From hand writing the Bible, to being able to print it in less than a minute, the printing press has truly changed the world. We thank China for the first production of the printing press in the 6th century AD. The printing press has allowed for more ideas to be shared, more widespread knowledge, and entertainment to be expressed. This is definitely one of the greatest inventions of all time. In the ancient past, methodsRead MoreThe Economic Life Of Song China1136 Words   |  5 Pageswarlords and consolidated Song control throughout China (Pg. 219). It can also be compared to the economy in present day china. Song China improved in science with these several inventions: Gunpowder, Paper Money + Credit, Trade, Fast ripening rice, and how urban life in Song China shapes today’s economy in china. These inventions led to the growth in economy and prosperity in urban china. Agriculture is one of the major productions of every country in the world. Every country has specific crops that

Biography of Barack Obama, 44th U.S. President

Barack Obama (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States, the first African-American to do so. Prior to that, he was a civil rights lawyer, constitutional law professor, and U.S. senator from Illinois. As president, Obama oversaw the passage of several notable pieces of legislation, including the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Fast Facts: Barack Obama Known For: Obama was the 44th president of the United States.Born: August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, HawaiiParents: Barack Obama Sr. and Ann DunhamEducation: Occidental College, Columbia University (B.A.), Harvard University (J.D.)Awards and Honors: Nobel Peace PrizeSpouse: Michelle Robinson Obama (m. 1992)Children: Malia, Sasha Early Life Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to a white mother and a black father. His mother Ann Dunham was an anthropologist, and his father Barack Obama Sr. was an economist. They met while studying at the University of Hawaii. The couple divorced in 1964 and Obama Sr. returned to his native Kenya to work for the government. He rarely saw his son after this separation. In 1967, Barack Obama moved with his mother to Jakarta, where he lived for four years. At the age of 10, he returned to Hawaii to be raised by his maternal grandparents while his mother completed fieldwork in Indonesia. After finishing high school, Obama went on to study at Occidental College, where he gave his first public speech—a call for the school to divest from South Africa in protest of the countrys system of apartheid. In 1981, Obama transferred to Columbia University, where he graduated with a degree in political science and English literature. In 1988, Obama began studying at Harvard Law School. He became the first black president of the Harvard Law Review and spent his summers working at law firms in Chicago. He graduated magna cum laude in 1991. Marriage Obama married Michelle LaVaughn Robinson—a lawyer from Chicago he met while he was working in the city—on October 3, 1992. Together they have two children, Malia and Sasha. In her 2018 memoir Becoming, Michelle Obama described their marriage as a full-on merger, a reconfiguring of two lives into one, with the well-being of a family taking precedence over any one agenda or goal.† Barack supported Michelle when she chose to leave private law for public service, and she supported him when he decided to enter politics. Career Before Politics Upon graduating from Columbia University, Barack Obama worked at Business International Corporation and then at the New York Public Interest Research Group, a non-partisan political organization. He then moved to Chicago and became director of the Developing Communities Project. After law school, Obama wrote his memoir, Dreams from My Father, which was widely acclaimed by critics and other writers, including Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison. Obama worked as a community organizer and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School for 12 years. He also worked as a lawyer during this same period. In 1996, Obama made his foray into political life as a member of the Illinois State Senate. He supported bipartisan efforts to improve healthcare and increase tax credits for childcare. Obama was reelected to the State Senate in 1998 and again in 2002. U.S. Senate In 2004, Obama launched a campaign for U.S. Senate. He positioned himself as a progressive and an opponent of the Iraq War. Obama won a decisive victory in November with 70% of the vote and was sworn in as a U.S. senator in January 2005. As a senator, Obama served on five committees and chaired the European Affairs subcommittee. He sponsored legislation to expand Pell grants, provide support for victims of Hurricane Katrina, improve the safety of consumer products, and reduce homelessness among veterans. By now, Obama was a national figure and a rising star in the Democratic Party, having delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. In 2006, Obama released his second book, The Audacity of Hope, which became a New York Times bestseller. 2008 Election Obama began his run for U.S. president in February 2007. He was nominated after a very close primary race against key opponent Hillary Clinton, the wife of former president Bill Clinton. Obama chose Delaware Sen. Joe Biden to be his running mate. The two campaigned on a platform of hope and change; Obama made ending the Iraq War and passing healthcare reform his primary issues. His campaign was notable for its digital strategy and fundraising efforts. With support from small donors and activists across the nation, the campaign raised a record $750 million. Obamas main opponent in the presidential race was Republican Sen. John McCain. In the end, Obama won 365 electoral votes and 52.9% of the popular vote. First Term Within the first 100 days of his presidency, Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a piece of legislation designed to address the worst effects of the Great Recession. The Recovery Act was a stimulus package that injected about $800 billion into the economy through tax incentives for individuals and businesses, infrastructure investment, aid for low-income workers, and scientific research. Leading economists broadly agreed that this stimulus spending helped reduce unemployment and avert further economic challenges. Obamas signature achievement—the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare)—was passed on March 23, 2010. The legislation was designed to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable health insurance by subsidizing those who meet certain income requirements. At the time of its passage, the bill was quite controversial. In fact, it was even taken before the Supreme Court, which ruled in 2012 that it was not unconstitutional. By the end of 2010, Obama had also added two new judges to the Supreme Court—Sonia Sotomayor, who was confirmed on August 6, 2009, and Elena Kagan, who was confirmed on August 5, 2010. Both are members of the courts liberal wing. On May 1, 2011, Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, was killed during a Navy SEAL raid in Pakistan. This was a major victory for Obama, winning him praise across party lines. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda, Obama said in a public address to the nation. Today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people. 2012 Reelection Obama launched his campaign for reelection in 2011. His main challenger  was Republican Mitt Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts. To make use of growing social networks like Facebook and Twitter, the Obama campaign hired a team of tech workers to build digital campaign tools. The election centered on domestic issues, including healthcare and Social Security, and in many ways was a referendum on the Obama administrations response to the Great Recession. In November 2012, Obama defeated Romney with 332 electoral votes and 51.1% of the popular vote. Obama called the victory a vote for action, not politics as usual, and promised to work on bipartisan proposals to improve the American economy. Second Term During his second term as president, Obama focused on new challenges facing the country. In 2013, he organized a group to begin negotiations with Iran. An agreement was reached in 2015 in which the United States would lift sanctions and steps would be taken to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012, Obama signed a series of executive orders designed to reduce gun violence. He also voiced support for more comprehensive background checks and a ban on assault weapons. In a press conference at the White House, Obama said, If there is even one thing we can do to reduce this violence, if there is even one life that can be saved, then weve got an obligation to try. In June 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex marriage was protected by the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This was a major milestone in the fight for LGBTQ rights. Obama called the ruling a victory for America. In July 2013, Obama announced that the United States had negotiated plans to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba. The following year, he became the first American president to visit the country since Calvin Coolidge did so in 1928. The shift in U.S.-Cuba relations—dubbed the Cuban thaw—was met with approval by many political leaders around the world. Legacy Obama is the first African-American to not only be nominated by a major political party but also to win the presidency of the United States. He ran as an agent of change. His true impact and the significance of his presidency will not be determined for many years to come. Sources Obama, Barack.  Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. Canongate, 2016.Obama, Michelle. Becoming. Crown Publishing Group, 2018.Remnick, David.  The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama. Vintage Books, 2011.

The Assassination of John F Kennedy Essays - 1761 Words

Imagine walking down the street on a sunny, fall afternoon. You watch all of the happy kids and their parents enjoying the day as a parade goes by. All of the happy people in the street are eagerly jumping up on their toes attempting to get a glimpse of the president. The weather is practically perfect, so when the president comes around the corner of the street, he has the top down on the convertible to experience the beautiful weather. All of the sudden you hear a loud bang, and see many people scattering and dropping to the ground to cover their heads. You slowly begin to understand that a gunshot has been fired and panic sinks in. About 100 different case scenarios race quickly through your mind. This was the scene November 22, 1963†¦show more content†¦With today’s technology, the spread of any media, true or false, is almost instant. Anything can show up on a news website or on any of today’s many social media sites, like Facebook, or Twitter in a matter of seconds. They can also just as easily be sent around and forwarded to large amounts of people by email. In Belsi’s article UFOs? Secret agents? On the Net, conspiracy theories abound,† he recalls that within minutes of Princess Diana’s tragic car accident, articles about the tragedy had already been posted online. Most of the articles revolved around the idea that supposedly the British Intelligence was to be held responsible for such a tragic event. People were making these claims before anyone had even had a chance to investigate the content of that day. Minutes are important! Belsi explains how â€Å"What the net (internet) allows, is an international articulated discussion.† This can be good and bad. It can be good in the sense that people can come up with reasonable explanations for such events. It is bad in the sense that the internet allows anyone with some sort of computer to become an author. This can cause incorrect information to be passed on extremely fast. Everyone, educated or not, can put forth their own ideas and attempt to make people believe whatever point that they may be trying to get across. (Belsi.) The author of the article could be a 10 year old child letting their imagination go wild. TheShow MoreRelatedThe Assassination Of John F. Kennedy982 Words   |  4 Pages O’Reilly and Dugard’s book, Killing Kennedy, is about the events leading to President John F. Kennedy being shot, as well as what happened after the assassination. This book also describes the rise and fall of John F. Kennedy. The authors also wrote about the Cold War, Kennedy dealing with communism, and threats of crime. January of 1961, the cold war was growing stronger and Kennedy was struggling with communism. During all of this happening, he was learning what it meant to be a president. HeRead MoreThe Assassination Of John F. Kennedy1620 Words   |  7 Pages Ever since the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, there has been controversy over whether the true gunman was held accountable. The United States Government claimed that it was an easy, open and closed case. They found Lee Harvey Oswald, close to ground zero, with a freshly fired riffle, immediately after JFK was shot. Contrary to the governments report, skeptics argue a vast scope of conspiracies to shed light on what they believe happened that day; ideas ranging from magic bullets, multipleRead MoreThe Kennedy Assassinations By John F. Kennedy Essay1486 Words   |  6 Pages Decades later, the Kennedy assassinations and surrounding mysteries continue holding public interest. Although their notoriety as charismatic leaders is a significant contribution, other factors regarding societal psychology deserve consideration whilst exploring this phenomenon. With these events occurring during a time that allows living witnesses, modern accessible evidence, various media covera ge, and visible modern impact, the mysterious Kennedy assassinations have the capacity to encourageRead MoreJohn F. Kennedy Assassination1618 Words   |  7 PagesJohn F. Kennedy Assassination Was John F. Kennedy’s assassination a single shooter or was it a conspiracy? Since November 22, 1963 people around the world have wondered who it was that shot President Kennedy, and what for. So many questions have formed around this event, not just about who the shooter was, but also questions like what might the world have been like today if the shooting didn’t happen? The Kennedy assassination has been a mystery for many years. A lot of people hear about the differentRead MoreAssassination Of John F. Kennedy1002 Words   |  5 PagesThe Assassination of John F. Kennedy â€Å"Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.† President Kennedy stated in his commencement speech at American University on June 10, 1963. John F. Kennedy was an American politician who served as the 35th President of the United States from January 1961 to his assassination in November 1963. There are numerous conspiracy theories involving Kennedy’s assassinationRead MoreAssassination of John F. Kennedy931 Words   |  4 PagesThe John F. Kennedy assassination is believed to be one of the most controversial and debated topics in American History. JFK was one of the most beloved presidents of our time. Other assassinations of presidents didn’t have as many Conspiracy theories compared to the JFK assassination on November 22nd, 1963. Some of the theories include a Government cover-up, Mafia influence, and Cuban President Fidel Castro (Stern). T he assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, raised many questions thatRead MoreThe Assassination Of John F. Kennedy1500 Words   |  6 PagesOn November 23, 1963, three shots were fired at President John F. Kennedy’s limousine in Dallas, Texas. The first shot went through the president’s neck, the second was the fatal shot that would ultimately end Kennedy’s life. There is a lot of speculation about what really took place in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Many people believe that Lee Harvey Oswald worked alone, but there are many people across the nation who think differently. Many theories can both support and disprove that LeeRead MoreThe Assassination Of John F. Kennedy Essay967 Words   |  4 PagesThe book I chose to read is The Assassination of John F. Kennedy by Lauren Spencer. It was published in 2002 by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. It contains 64 pages. This book not only provides information on the killing of President Kennedy, b ut also information on his life, the arrested murderer s life, and more interesting background information and details. This books main objective is to go deeper into the case of John F. Kennedy s assassination, to discuss personal information about suspectsRead MoreAssassination of John F Kennedy1119 Words   |  5 Pagessixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository Building. However, did Lee Harvey Oswald, a crazy lunatic act alone in the assassination of President Kennedy. Both first – hand knowledge and visual evidence allows people to re – examine the events of this day and prove that there were other gunmen involved in the bombardment of our youngest elected president. John F. Kennedy was depicted as a nationwide hero to many Catholics living in the U.S. during the early 1960’s. He was idolized by severalRead MoreThe Assassination Of John F. Kennedy1626 Words   |  7 PagesThe Assassination of John F. Kennedy John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was assassinated on November 22, 1963 at 12:30 p.m Central Standard Time in Dallas, Texas while riding in a motorcade in Dealey Plaza.[1] Kennedy was fatally shot by Lee Harvey Oswald while he was riding with his wife, Jacqueline, Texas Governor John Connally, and Connally s wife, Nellie, in a presidential motorcade. A ten-month investigation by the Warren Commission from November 1963 to September 1964

Charecteristics of Effective Team Free Essays

TEAMWORK in Cooperative Extension Programs Home Go To Page†¦ Acknowledgements This booklet has been prepared as part of a national project on â€Å"Teamwork in Cooperative Extension Programs. † The project was conducted by the Division of Program and Staff Development, University of Wisconsin-Extension, under a grant from the ECOP 4-H Subcommittee’s Standing Committee on Staff Development. As authors, we wish to express appreciation to those who have offered support and valuable insights by serving as consultants for the project-especially our colleagues in Wisconsin, Virginia and Iowa; graduate students-Deb Russler and Linda Parker; Dr. We will write a custom essay sample on Charecteristics of Effective Team or any similar topic only for you Order Now John Banning and Dr. Scott Soder. A special ‘thank you’ is extended to the many Extension agents across the country who attended the Regional Association Presidents’ Workshops, 1980. Their reactions to draft materials and suggestions for further project development were most encouraging and helpful. Terry L. Gibson Jeanne Moore E. J. Lueder September, 1980 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Gale L. VandeBerg, Director, in Cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture publishes this information to further the purpose of the May 8 and June 30, 1914 Acts of Congress and provides equal opportunity in employment and training. Home Home Go To Page†¦ Introduction This booklet is intended specifically for use by County Extension professionals including secretarial staff, but is appropriate for all individuals interested in strengthening their Extension teamwork relationships (4-H committees, home economics committees, Agricultural Extension councils, advisory groups, area/state or national staff, etc. ). Although many examples of positive teamwork relationships can be identified, there is always an opportunity for staff to improve their understanding of and support for a teamwork approach to programming. This booklet is designed to do just that. It is our hope that ideas and activity suggestions presented will promote and/or strengthen positive attitudes on your part toward team efforts in Extension programming. This booklet attempts to answer the following questions about teamwork, as well as suggest numerous activities that will help you begin to assess your attitudes and working relationships. This is however, just a beginning. Actual development of your teamwork skills will require additional time and effort, so we leave that up to you! Teamwork †¦ What Are Your Beliefs and Attitudes? Team Building Opinionaire — Provides the reader with an opportunity to become aware of his/her own attitudes and beliefs about teamwork Teamwork †¦ Why? Rationale for a Team Approach — Describes the importance of and need for teamwork in Extension Teamwork †¦ What Is It? Dimensions of Involvement — Defines teamwork as a continuum of alternative relationships among Extension professionals Home Home Go To Page†¦ Teamwork . . . What Influences It? Variables In the Current Extension Situation That Influence Teamwork EffortsIdentifies organizational and individual variables in brief outline form, as cited from interviews with selected Extension personnel Factors That Promote and Hinder Working Relationships — Lists factors which Extension personnel feel promote or hinder positive working relationships Teamwork †¦ Is It Effective? Attributes of Ideal Teamwork Relationships — Describes characteristics and skills necessary for effective team relationships Team Building and Working in Groups-Offers a series of questions to guide a group in organizing for teamwork Teamwork †¦ How Does It Develop? Stages of Team Development — Explains seven stages through which staff units pass as they become effectively functioning teams Teamwork †¦ How Does Your Team Rate? Team Assessment Too/ — Series of 35 statements to help a group assess its teamwork relationships in seven key areas Home Home Go To Page†¦ Teamwork †¦. What Are Your Beliefs and Attitudes? Let’s begin by considering the most important element of teamwork-how you feel about it! Teamwork depends not only on your skills, but on your attitudes as well. Completing the following Team Building Opinionaire should help you become more aware of your own thoughts before looking at other ideas presented in this booklet. Team Building Opinionaire Instructions: Read each statement once. Indicate whether you agree (+) or disagree (-) with it. It should take you no more than 5- 10 minutes to complete this exercise. There are no right or wrong answers. If you wish, share and compare your answers with other team members. Try to arrive at a consensus with them on each statement. You may change the wording to aid such agreement, if you desire. Such an activity may initiate a â€Å"lively† discussion and help your team become openly aware of individual members’ beliefs and attitudes. 1. Teamwork stifles creativity and individuality. 2. Members should be required to attend meetings to set team goals and discuss team problems. 3. Personal goals can be accomplished through teamwork. 4. It is sometimes necessary to ignore the feelings of others in order to reach a team decision. 5. In teamwork, conflict should always be avoided. 6. A silent member of the group is not interested in working as a team. 7. The person in the group with the highest status in the rganization should always take the leadership role. 8. In teamwork, it is important and necessary to allow time for discussion and agreement on operating procedures. 9. Every team member has a contribution to make toward the group task. 5 Home Home Go To Page†¦ 10. In teamwork, â€Å"majority rule† applies. 11. Teamwork always involves working toward a common goal. 12. A good team member provides emotional support to all other members. 13. Every team needs a leader/coordinator. 14. Teamwork accomplishes a task more effectively and efficiently than individual efforts. 15. Every team member should contribute equally toward accomplishing the task. 16. If a team fails to accomplish a task, it is the fault of the leader/coordinator. 17. A primary concern of all team members should be to establish an atmosphere where all feel free to express their opinions. 18. Final power in teamwork always rests with the leader/ coordinator. 19. There are often occasions when an individual who is part of the team should do what he/she thinks is right, regardless of what the team has decided to do. 20. All members must be committed to the team approach to accomplish the task. Teamwork †¦. Why? Rationale for a Team Approach Teams are a part of everyone’s life. You’re a member of a family team, an Extension staff team, church, school, and community teams. So it’s appropriate that you understand how to function effectively as a team member. In Extension especially, there is a need for teamwork. Extension clientele are confronted with increasingly complex problems with many dimensions. For example, the energy problem has implications for Extension programming in agriculture, family living, community development and youth development programs for both rural and urban people. Home Home Go To Page†¦ The multi-dimensional and thus multi-discipline nature of many problems requires a team approach. This approach encourages you as staff with complementary skills and competencies, to coordinate your efforts. By establishing priorities, concentrating financial resources, and combining knowledge and expertise, you can have greater impact on serious problems through your program efforts. Such efforts can serve to 1) lighten your work load, 2) reduce duplication of efforts, and 3) produce a result greater than all of your separate efforts. Teamwork †¦. What Is It? In Extension programming, a variety of working relationships exist among staff. You might view these relationships as dimensions (levels) of involvement or as a continuum of relationships among agents. As you move along the continuum, the degree of communication, integration and commitment seems to increase. Greater interpersonal skills are necessary if you are to work together effectively at more complex levels. As your skills develop, more options become available to you regarding the dimension of involvement which you might select for any particular program effort. There is no intent to place a value judgment upon this continuum, but merely to suggest that alternative working relationships exist. Not all programs should be planned and conducted by the total county staff. Other options are available. Some programs may be more effective if planned by individuals, some may require the resources of several staff members, including state specialists and volunteers, and still others may be most effective if planned and conducted by the entire staff. These dimensions of involvement should be considered a part of our definition for teamwork. Too often we think Home Home Go To Page†¦ Home Home Go To Page†¦ of a team as a group (a collection of people) who interact to achieve a common goal, but an effective, well-functioning team is much more than this. Participants in an effective team care about the group’s well-being. They skillfully combine appropriate individual talents with a positive team spirit to achieve results. Regardless of whether the program effort is that of an individual, several individuals or the entire county office unit, a climate of teamwork can exist. Viewing teamwork in this way encourages a broader nderstanding of the concept. It not only suggests that there are alternative working relationships for agents in their programming efforts, but that regardless of the approach selected, a climate of teamwork can be created. Can you identify dimensions of the continuum that you have used in your programming efforts? Are there some you have never considered? Are there some you might try? Te amwork †¦. What Influences It? As a part of this national project on teamwork, extensive interviews were conducted with selected Extension personnel to determine what influences their teamwork efforts. People nterviewed included district directors, state program leaders, state 4-H youth specialists, and county staff from both rural and urban situations in Iowa, North Dakota, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin, Virginia, and Canada. As a result of these interviews, the following variables were identified as elements that affect teamwork efforts. Although they have been separated into two general categories -organizational and individual –there are interrelationships among all the variables described. How do some of these variables affect your working relationships? Do they influence them positively or negatively? Home Home Go To Page†¦ Variables In the Current Extension Situation That Influence Teamwork Efforts A. Organizational 1. Approaches to programming-vary among program areas 2. Continuing professional development-philosophy of organization 3. Administrative support 4. Staff turnover 5. New staff orientation 6. Number of staff within working unit (team) B. Individual 1. Understanding of and commitment to a teamwork philosophy 2. Personalities and attitudes of agents 3. Climate of openness and communication 4. Procedural guidelines for staff functioning 5. Leadership and management skills within county off ice . Degree of familiarity with alternative approaches for effectively working and programming together 7. Perceptions of roles/responsibilities/functions among team members 8. Time available as a resource Home Home Go To Page†¦ Factors That Promote or Hinder Working Relationships Other factors also promote or hinder teamwork relation ships among Extension personnel. Perhaps they will help you begin to think more critically about your team. Factors that promote good working relationships †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Staff meetings-with agenda and sufficient time to discuss Job descriptions with annual review Knowledge of others’ job descriptions and responsibilities Common criteria for personnel evaluation Openness and willingness to communicate-listening Trust Loyalty Respect for others in spite of professional differences Courtesy Respect for professionalism regardless of person’s sex, age, race Recognizing talents of the others Giving credit Recognizing a job well done Pride in work of total staff Understanding and supporting others’ programs. Agreed upon priorities Coffee-making shared by everyone Shared coffee breaks Circulation of pertinent information Willingness to talk over problems Adequate facilities and supplies Cooperation Sincere caring for others with a respect for privacy Constructive criticism Home Home Go To Page†¦ Factors that hinder good working relationships †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Lack of understanding of others’ jobs and responsibilities Lack of concern about total staff efforts Disregard for feelings of others Unwillingness to compromise Poor communication Competition among staff for individual prestige and recognition Negative and destructive criticism No involvement in administrative decisions Lack of leadership Over- sensitivity Lack of privacy Disregard for talents of others No job descriptions No opportunities for staff meetings Gossip, rumors Putting off decision making Inequities in facilities and supplies Lack of trust Negative and sarcastic remarks Lack of common goals and philosophy Disloyalty to staff and organization No evaluation and/or feedback from supervisors Limited understanding of total program Holding a grudge Poor job attitudes Uneven work loads Lack of confidence in fellow workers Prejudice, racism, sexism Home Home Go To Page†¦ Teamwork †¦. Is It Effective? In the literature on teamwork, the following factors are dentified as contributing to an effective teamwork approach. They provide the means for a team to begin to analyze its working relationship. Attributes of Ideal Teamwork Relationships †¢Participants believe in and are committed to the value of working together in a spirit of cooperation. †¢Team size is appropriate for effective communication (2-5 members are i deal, a group of 5-10 is workable, a group of 10-15 is difficult, and more than 15 may be impossible unless divided into subunits). †¢Participants understand the overall objectives of the organization and of the phase of the program each represents. Participants understand individual roles and responsibilities, as well as relationships to other staff members and to the total Extension program. †¢Participants take the time to establish and clarify guidelines and procedures for a working relationship; they are committed to making plans and achieving them. †¢Participants define and agree upon meaningful and measurable objectives that meet both group and personal needs; individuality and creativity are not stifled. †¢Someone within the group assumes leadership to coordinate each task or program effort. †¢Participants function well in a variety of roles (initiating, informing, ummarizing, mediating, encouraging) and know when appropriate roles are needed. †¢ Participants know each other-are aware of each others’ resources, skills and areas of expertise; they know what each can contribute to the group. †¢The group allows sufficient time for the teamwork effort. †¢The group places work orientation first, but allows social interaction, too. Home Home Go To Page†¦ †¢ Participants communicate openly and non-defensively; they listen attentively. †¢ Participants respect and trust each other, have confidence in each others’ abilities, and are supportive of one another. †¢ Participants allow and encourage equal participation and sharing of ideas, including expression of dissenting views. †¢ Participants confront conflicts and problems; they use disagreement and conflict productively. †¢ Participants are skillful in decision- making, problem solving; decisions are understood and supported by all members of the team. These attributes are important regardless of the ‘dimension of involvement’ described in our definition of teamwork. How many of these attributes describe your team? Are there some areas which need improvement? Extension structures and processes vary from state to state nd from county to county. There is no single definition for teamwork, nor is there one model or one best way for staff units to operate. Rather, it is the responsibility of each team to develop procedures and approaches, based on the personalities, skills, and attitudes of individual members, as well as on the nature of the task to be accomplished. Perh aps the following questions will provide some beginning guidelines for establishing your team’s working procedures: Home Home Go To Page†¦ Team Building and Working in Groups A. Belief in Teamwork Approach †¢ Do you believe in the value of working together in a eam effort? Do you believe that a team decision or product can be superior to the work of a single individual? Have you made a personal commitment to work with your colleagues in a team effort? Has the collection of individuals made a commitment to work together in a team? B. Size of Team †¢ Is your team small enough to make effective communication possible? A team of 2-5 is ideal, a group of 5-10 is workable, a group of 10-15 is difficult and more than 15 may be impossible. C. Resources Available †¢ Do you know every member of the group and what they can offer to the group? Are your expectations ccurate or have they been blinded by past experiences? Do you perceive certain individuals as playing on ly certain roles, having certain skills, and limited knowledge? †¢ Is the group a collection of individuals assembled because each member of the group has a different area of expertise? Is that expertise accepted by all members of the group? What are the areas of overlap and thus potential conflict in the areas of expertise? D. Organization for Task Accomplishment †¢ Does the team take time to establish ground rules for the operation of the team, or is the team anxious to get on with the task? Has the group agreed upon: – goals and objectives – individual and team timetable – procedures for establishing an agenda – priority of efforts – individual and team – methods of conflict resolution – length of meetings – location of meetings – allocation of resources – leadership requirements Home Home Go To Page†¦ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Does the group understand that any team usually goes through se veral stages of development before a team spirit emerges? Do you have enough time – realistic deadlines – to enable you to operate as a team? It takes time for a collection of individuals to become a team. Has the group designated a team leader? A group of peers can still benefit from a leader. The group can make more progress if they will let someone guide the efforts of the team. A group lacking a formal leader will usually waste much time in a struggle for power among group members. Does the group take minutes for the meeting? Are accurate notes kept to avoid losing group decisions? Do you proceed on the basis of specific conclusions and delegation of responsibilities rather than on the basis of general understandings? E. Maintaining the Team Effort †¢ †¢ †¢ Does the team have an open climate of trust and espect for all group members and their ideas? Has the group achieved an appropriate balance between the requirement for group productivity (task) and the satisfaction of individual needs? Do people in the group avoid breaking into subgroups of trusted friends to share rumors, complain, or form alliances that will affect the productivity of the team? Home Home Go To P age†¦ †¢ †¢ Does the group concentrate on the mission of the team rather than spend all the time socializing? As a member of the team, do you assume a variety of roles? – Task Roles Initiating activity, seeking information, eeking opinion, giving information, giving opinion, elaborating, coordinating, and summarizing. – Team Building Roles Encouraging, standard setting, following and expressing group feelings. – Task and Team Building Roles Evaluating, diagnosing, testing for consensus, mediating, and relieving tension F. Decision-Making and Conflict Resolution †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Do all members of the group have an equal opportunity for participation or do dominant personalities and people with status and power control the participation? Have you identified your vested interests and the vested interests of other group members that may ause conflict in reaching a group decision? Are dissenting or minority viewpoints tre ated with respect? Is there an effort by the group to understand the reasons behind a dissenting opinion? Can the group work through differences of opinion rather than ignoring them? Can team members separate criticism of an idea from criticism of the person who had the idea? Are group members willing to discuss areas of conflict or do they try to ignore the conflict or pass it off as being of only minor significance? Does the group avoid a â€Å"wait until next meeting† attitude toward decision making and conflict resolution? Home Home Go To Page†¦ †¢ Does the team make an effort to understand the problem before finding solutions? Is the team cautious about proceeding on the basis of premature conclusions? Have problem-solving procedures been identified? †¢ Are group members good listeners or are they busy preparing a rebuttal to ideas being presented? †¢ Is the group willing to accept a dissenting opinion and reduced level of commitment as a natural consequence of a group effort? Are individual members of the team willing to compromise their personal objectives for the sake of team objectives that are universally accepted by all group members? Are all members of the team required to adhere to the group decision? Can individual members â€Å"opt out† of the group decision? †¢ What criteria will you use in determining your personal level of acceptance of the team product? Do other members of the team know, understand, and accept the criteria that you are using? Are you really honest a bout the criteria you are using? Are other group members aware that a threat to your competence and self-esteem will reduce your level of commitment? †¢ Is the team willing to take the time to reach a totally acceptable decision? Is it possible to reach a decision with a uniform level of acceptance and consequent commitment? Is it better to have several members with a high level of acceptance-commitment and several members with a low level of acceptance-commitment than to have all members with only a medium level of acceptance-commitment? What is the trade-off? Assume five persons with a possible level of 100% acceptance-commitment–Which results yield the best investment of time and energy? 1. 2. 3. 5 persons at 95% requiring 10 hours of extra meetings? 5 persons at 75% requiring 3 hours of extra meetings? 2 persons at 90% – 2 at 60% – 1 at 25% = Average of 650, Are conflicts handled openly in meetings or negotiated privately in a â€Å"me and you† against â€Å"them† manner? †¢ Are conflicts handled on the basis of logic and agreed upon criteria or are they determined by loyalty to individuals? †¢ Does the team use voting as a means of resolving conflicts only whe n they are dealing with simple operational concerns? Conflict that is resolved by voting tens to encourage an argumentative atmosphere in which members commit themselves too quickly and may not examine the possibility of finding a settlement agreeable to all. Home Home Go To Page†¦ Teamwork †¦. How Does It Develop? It’s important to realize that the development of effective working relationships among staff is a gradual process which requires considerable time and skill. This is not meant to discourage you, but to help you realize that teams aren’t created overnight. A certain amount of frustration and conflict are normal. Team development is often viewed as a series of stages, described below. Although all the attributes and skills needed for an ideal working relationship (as listed in the preceding section) are important at every stage, some become more crucial as the team develops and staff members increase their level of involvement. At a minimum, it’s important for individual staff members to realize the benefits of teamwork and to have a commitment toward working together. Without such elements, further team development will be less likely to occur. Conflict, a natural part of the development process, will overpower or dominate the situation, preventing the team from ever reaching its full potential. With a positive attitude toward team efforts, and with increased opportunity and time to practice teamwork skills, staff members can develop as an effective working team, and consequently have greater impact upon clientele problems. Stages of Team Development Stage 1: Hello, I Am†¦ Getting acquainted is of most concern at this initial stage of team development. It usually includes polite dialogue of a superficial, information-sharing nature. Based on first impressions or past experiences, group members develop stereotypes in an attempt to categorize each other and anticipate future responses. Ideas are simple; emotions and feelings are kept in tight control, and controversy is avoided. There is an unspoken agreement not to disagree-a feeling that all members think and feel alike. Items on the hidden agenda stay hidden, and there is a shared ambiguity about the specific task to be undertaken by the team. Home Home Go To Page†¦ Stage 2: What’s Our Destination? Members begin to question the team’s goals and objectives. They want to discuss reasons for the group effort. If external forces have specified the destination of the team, members may want to discuss why each was placed on the team, and the purpose of the specific group task. As members begin to express divergent opinions, hidden agendas are sensed and poor listening develops. Team members may be quick to agree in an effort to avoid confrontation. A desire to move ahead without â€Å"real† understanding and commitment results. A tentative timetable may be developed that probably overestimates the contribution of each team member and underestimates the amount of time for each phase of the project/task. Stage 3: What Are the Costs/Benefits as Perceived by the Individual/Team? With first notions of a team effort emerging, members perceive that there are costs/benefits of their involvement in the team effort. Members may ask themselves such questions as: Will the team effort have value for me? Can I use the team to help me achieve individual goals? Will my individual contribution be large and the benefits small? Will I do all the work and have the team receive the recognition? Will nonproductive members get some of the rewards I deserve? OR: Will others on the team make comparable contributions? Will individuals share the workload? Can the team benefit from such an effort? As individual agendas are identified and expressed, members with similar needs and viewpoints begin to form private alliances. Stage 4: What Skills Do We Need? In the struggle to determine the costs/benefits of team efforts, the resources of team members are explored. Home Home Go To Page†¦ Attention is given to the talents and skills which each member might contribute to the effort. Hidden talents may go undiscovered as the group is still dealing at a superficial level and still blinded by stereotypes and labels, If talents overlap, if there are too many experts on the same subject, or if additional skills are necessary, decisions are made about whether to add or drop members or develop the skills of existing members. When members are added or subtracted from the team, the team development cycle begins again. Stage 5: What Is the Best Route? With the â€Å"end† goals agreed upon, team members begin negotiating the â€Å"means. † There is a strong need for structure, which includes a bid for power and struggle for leadership. As a result, competition develops. Individual agendas are made public. Emotion and alliances to each other, rather than logic, influence judgments of team members; members listen poorly and are close-minded about others’ opinions/ideas. The team may prematurely resort to voting as a means of making decisions, which causes some individuals to feel they have not been given adequate opportunity to express their viewpoints. There is a lack of team spirit in this stage. Many members feel uncomfortable with the group struggles. Some are silent and others tend to dominate the group. Commitment to this team effort will vary significantly. Individual priorities seem to block the work of the team as some members place personal commitments â€Å"first. † The team may be difficult to assemble as members are unwilling to change their schedules to accommodate the work of the team. Extreme frustration with indecision may impede progress such that the team will never get beyond this stage. It may still fulfill its task, but not to the satisfaction of all members. Home Home Go To Page†¦ However, if the team persists in its task and at least a few members are willing to sacrifice individual agendas for the benefit of the team, a compromise approach may begin to emerge. Stage 6: How Can We Compromise and Work Together? Team members’ attitudes change as they realize that working together can produce a product greater than the sum of their individual efforts. Individual agendas are adjusted to accommodate the needs of the group. Members begin to share leadership responsibilities. Individuals continue to disagree but their ideas are heard; members listen actively and differences are dealt with honestly and openly. Understanding results. Alliances remain, but they are built on ideas rather than personalities and loyalties. Logic rather than emotion guides the decision-making process. Competition gives way to compromise, for conflict is now viewed as a mutual problem. As team members begin to relax in an atmosphere of trust and openness, creative ideas emerge, and the team feels that progress is being made. Stage 7: We Are †¦ High group morale and loyalty, empathy, and an open climate of trust and acceptance characterize this final stage of team development. Even though one member may be identified as the â€Å"coordinator† for a particular group task, leadership roles are shared among all members. There is freedom to select from the variety of working relationships outlined by the earlier description of the dimensions of involvement. Group members agree to disagree; they agree to settle conflicts, to make decisions, and to proceed to work together on the basis of criteria identified by the group. The team is both effective and efficient in meeting deadlines and accomplishing its objectives. Productive results are most evident. Home Home Go To Page†¦ Because of an intense feeling of â€Å"group spirit,† new members are reluctantly accepted. If new members join, the group must regress to an earlier stage and grow again to this final phase, together. Home Home Go To Page†¦ Teamwork †¦. How Does Your Team Rate? A continual process of assessment is necessary for effective team development. Hopefully, the ideas and activities presented in this booklet have helped you begin such a process. The following tool can be used to provoke further thought and discussion among team members. As you read the statements under each of the specific areas, think about the working relationships among staff members within your immediate county office setting including secretarial staff. Record your responses on the answer sheet provided. Team Assessment Tool Work Orientation / Work Methods: 1. We accomplish much in our team meetings. 2. Team meetings are unorganized and chaotic. 3. At team meetings, we spend more time socializing than accomplishing the task at hand. 4. As a team, we spend time reviewing our working procedure, how it works, and how to improve it. 5. All members of the team are involved in decisions when appropriate; participation is real, not tokenism. Communication / Active Listening / Interaction: 6. People on our team communicate openly and frankly with each other. 7. In group discussion, team members are guarded and cautious. 8. We listen to each other in an effort to really hear and understand what is being said. 9. Communication among team members is poor (â€Å"catch-ascatch can†). 10. Disagreements between team members are worked through horoughly; individual viewpoints are fully heard. Home Go To Page†¦ Leadership: 11. The county chairperson makes decisions for the team without asking members’ opinions when appropriate. 12. The county chairperson adapts his/her leadership style to changing circumstances. 13. The county chairperson ignores the different needs of team members. 14. Leadership for group tasks is passed around and shared by various team members depending on the situation. 15. Levels of authority and responsibility for the county chairperson and team members are clearly defined and understood. Resource Utilization: 16. Team members are unable to handle the current requirements of their work. 17. The mix of expertise and skills among our team members is appropriate for the work we are doing. 18. Members adapt well to the needs of the team. 19. We know the skills and resources that each team member can contribute to our county program. 20. We involve volunteers/state specialists/other resource persons when appropriate to our program needs and if they are available. Objectives/Goals: 21. We have an adequate way to establish our team’s objectives and work strategies. 22. Objectives for team efforts are imposed by one staff member or by administration. 23. We lack understanding about our individual responsibilities in relation to each other and to the organization. 24. Our objectives for team efforts are vague and unclear to all team members. 25. Members seem to understand how personal needs/goals can be met through group work. 26 Home Home Go To Page†¦ Group Commitment: 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. Members feel that teamwork is worthwhile. As an individual, I feet a strong sense of belonging to the team. Team members are reluctant to commit themselves to team efforts. I feel very motivated to work as a team. If a team member gets into difficulty, she/he is supported by other team members. Group Climate / Environment: 31. Our team respects the individual, as well as the innovative, creative ideas of members. 32. Individuals in our team get to know each other as people. 33. 1 feel uncomfortable expressing my thoughts and opinions with team members. 34. We compliment each other on our work when appropriate. 35. The climate of our relationships within the team is one of mutual trust rather than hostility, suspicion, fear or anxiety. Home Home Go To Page†¦ Indicate your response to each Team Assessment statement by selecting from among those presented. Place an X in the blank under the appropriate column. Note that the statements are divided into two columns (for analysis purposes). Do check the statement number carefully before marking your response. (instruction for analysis and coding follow. ) Home Home Go To Page†¦ Analysis and Team Coding Instructions Analysis The statements have been divided into two columns. Note the reason: some statements on the tool are positive and some are negative. Thus, adjustments must be made when interpreting the results. As you look over the entire coded sheet, â€Å"never† and â€Å"occasionally† responses to statements in the left column suggest a need for improvement in those areas (Nos. 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, etc. ). Whereas, â€Å"never† and â€Å"occasionally† responses to statements in the right column suggest favorable working relationships, and less need for improvement as perceived by you, the respondent (Nos. 2, 3, 7, 9, etc. ) Team Coding Coding the responses of all team members onto a single answer sheet allows you to further analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your team’s working relationships. For each statement, tally (on a clean answer sheet) all team members’ responses by making a mark under the column which corresponds to each member’s response. (Example: For question No. 1, three members responded â€Å"never† and two members responded â€Å"occasionally. â€Å") Never 1. 3 Occasion- Some- Most of ally times the time Always 2 Continue in a similar manner for all statements. Each team member may want to do this so as to have a copy, or one such coded sheet per team may be sufficient. If there is a wide variation in response on a statement by eam members, it may be especially beneficial to discuss such a statement and attempt to clarify reasons for the varied perceptions. This analysis should help team members identify particular areas of concern. Additional time/activities could be planned for team members to further explore and develop their attitudes and skills in working together. Home Home Go To Page†¦ Conclusion Keep in mind that the de velopment of an effective team requires a positive attitude and commitment toward teamwork, coupled with an understanding of what teamwork involves. Secondly, it requires practicing teamwork skills. This booklet of ideas has attempted to promote the former; it is up to you to pursue the latter. Home Home Go To Page†¦ Annotated Bibliography 1. Dyer, William G. , Team Building: Issues and Alternatives, Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1977, 139 pp. This book is highly recommended for its practical focus upon how to design and conduct a program in team development. A range of design alternatives are suggested for both improving a unit’s effectiveness, as well as for developing a new team. Dyer emphasizes the need for individual team diagnosis with the creation of a program suited to a team’s particular needs. Instrumental checklists, an index of characteristics essential for team effectiveness, and need assessment tools are included. Problems such as role clarification, suppression of disagreement, revitalizing the complacent team, and reducing team-conflict are discussed. 2. Filley, Alan C. , Interpersonal Conflict Resolution, Glenview, Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1975, 175 pp. A manual for people who are working in groups, this book speaks of changing conflict situations into problem solving challenges. It presents an analysis of the conflict process, how it develops, and methods of resolution. It relates the various effects of language, personal behavior, attitudes, and situational conditions upon problem-solving. Also included for groups are a series of exercises demonstrating issues and behaviors discussed. Home Home Go To Page†¦ 3. Francis, Dave and Don Young, Improving Work Groups: A Practical Manual for Team Building, La Jolla, California: University Associates, 1979, 261 pp. This book is a practical, easy-to-read guide to building an effective team. Teambuilding is explained in depth; the book includes a questionnaire for use in identifying team strengths and weaknesses. It explores many learnable skills for team members to develop in working through their problems; suggested structured experiences are described in detail. 4. Lawson, John D. , Leslie J. Griffen, and Franklyn D. Donant, Leadership Is Everybody’s Business (A Practical Guide for Volunteer Membership Groups). San Luis Obispo, California: Impact Publishers, 1976, University Associates, 1979, 261 pp. This book combines group dynamics theory, philosophy, activity suggestions, and resources for task-oriented groups or organizations of volunteer memberships. Part I focuses on individual values and motivations for joining groups. Part II describes organizational ski[ Is and competencies necessary for leaders. Part III discusses in more depth such leadership concepts as the cycle of organization involvement, leadership styles, role conflicts and suggestions for overcoming them, improving individual motivation and interpersonal communications. 5. Robinson, Jerry W. and Roy A. Clifford, Process Skills in Organization Development, University of Illinois: Board of Trustees, 1972, 212 pp. This text was created for use with Extension professionals and local leaders. It emphasizes personal behavior and process skills within an organization. Five concepts important to organizational development are developed and discussed-organizational styles, leadership styles, team skills, conflict management, and change implementation. Team activities and additional references are included. Home Home Go To Page†¦ Dr. Terry L. Gibson, Project Director and Co-Author, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication, and Chairperson of the Personnel and Professional Development Unit of the Division of Program and Staff Development, University of Wisconsin-Extension. Jeanne Moore, Associate Project Director, Co-Author, and Editor, is a former Extension 4-1-1 and Youth Leader from Iowa, and graduate student in Continuing Education, University of Wisconsin, Madison. Dr. E. J, Lueder, Project Consultant and â€Å"Reality Tester,† is a Professor in the Department of Youth Development, and a Youth Development Specialist in the 4-H Youth Development Program Unit, University of Wisconsin, Madison. Published by: Division of Program and Staff Development University of Wisconsin-Extension 432 N. Lake St. Madison, Wisconsin 53706 T ypist: Julie Harper Artist: Dale Mann Editorial Consultants: Sheila Mulcahy Rick Crowley Home Home Go To Page†¦ How to cite Charecteristics of Effective Team, Essay examples

Barn Burning Essay Research Paper Barn Burning 2 free essay sample

Barn Burning Essay, Research Paper ? Barn Burning? by William Faulkner was written in the wane of the 1930? s in a decennary of societal, economic, and cultural diminution. This narrative offers insight into the past old ages for pupils to larn of the state and the South. This narrative shows the racial segregation that took topographic point in these times between the white landholders and white renter husbandmans, the inkinesss and the Whites, and the hapless white rubbish category and the inkinesss. The Snopes? s household was in the societal category of the hapless, white renter husbandmans. The male parent, Abner Snopes, had to fight to supply for his household. In the household at that place were the female parent and her sister, two girls, and two boies. The older boy, Flem, worked with Abner, and the younger boy, Sarty, helped with the jobs. Sarty, along with others, had problem understanding his male parent? s manner of life and his attitude towards society. Abner was a rough adult male. His campaign as a sharecrop farmer exploited his interior feelings of bitterness towards the landholders. Having small or no forbearance with each new state of affairs, he resorted to the lone thing that he was diligently, efficaciously good at, firing barns. His insensitiveness to his household, landholders, their households, and particularly the inkinesss depicted him as a threat to society. Pictured as? hapless, white rubbish? , Abner? s battle to be better than the? nigga? race was a never- stoping conflict, ever stoping in licking. He constantly resorted to recovering some kind of satisfaction by destructing affluent landholders belongings, barns. Abner? s inability to lift above the label of? hapless, white rubbish? led to his death as a functional portion of society. He us ed the barn combustions as a manner of acquiring back at society for stamp downing him. He felt that people owed him and when he did non have, he resorted to destructive steps. He felt that the tactics he employed were the lone existent manner to trade with the job at manus. Another side of Abner tends to travel deeper than what appears on the surface. Although we are non told in the narrative exactly why he burns barns, the existent ground may be deeper, or should we state internal. This ground neer foretold likely came out of his early childhood. His parents? and other sharecrop farmers? places may have been destroyed by fire, hence, go forthing a psychopathologic desire to acquire even with society. Through this deep-seated psychopathologic behaviour, Abner incorporates barn firing into every state of affairs that he has trouble apprehension. The reader is intended to see Abner as merely a surface character, but internally, he is instead complex. You neer cognize what small things other than the obvious will put him away. He has many struggles traveling on at the same clip. His physical struggles, those with landholders, and household members, are really unfastened to the reader. His internal struggles are intimated through actions and workss performed by him. He is true to his character because the terminal consequence is ever the same, even at the terminal when it costs him his life. Abner felt he was justified in firing barns, non merely to alleviate the internal force per unit area, but besides to acquire even for all the things that had gone incorrect in his life. He felt he was giving back to society what society had dealt to him. Prentice Hall Inc. Literature. Upper Saddle River: New Jersey, 1998.