Exploring Leadership Part III

This section was all about groups, organizations, and communities. I found it to be interesting at times, but mostly overbearing. There was so much information! I don't think it was necessary to elaborate on these concepts as much as the book did. In fact, so far, this book reminds me of another text that I felt was very wordy and unneeded, the Trenholm text from NCC First Year. Oh the memories of that wonderful text. It wasn't that it was horrible, I just felt like most of it was common sense. But, I digress. Let's move on to some things I gleaned from these chapters.

Chapter 7 was entitled "Interacting in Teams and Groups" and was overflowing with lists, charts, and summaries. The beginning of the chapter I found to be pretty basic. I pretty much know how to function in a group, I've been a part of them for a long time. Then, group roles were discussed. I found this section to be a little too thorough as rarely are there any times in groups, at least in my experience, that the roles are announced officially or remain the same throughout the whole process. The one section I wish was bigger and more elaborate would be the one dealing with conflict. Every once and a while, I will be in a group where conflict arises, not THIS one, I can assure you, and I would like very much to know what to do in those situations.

Chapter 8 "Understanding Complex Organizations" was so hard for me to understand. The text felt so technical and business oriented; two areas that are not my strengths. I did understand that an organization should have a clear mission or goal to focus and work together on. Also, that the organization and all its members should share the same vision of what they wish to accomplish. Lastly, they should have similar, if not the same outlooks on things, beliefs, or values in order to succeed in any endeavor.

Chapter 9 "Being in Communities" was a bit easier to understand and I think the chapter is best summarized by a list of what a community consists of that I found in the text:

8 Elements of Effective Communities

1. Wholeness incorporating diversity
2. A shared culture
3. Good internal communication
4. Caring, trust, and teamwork
5. Group maintenance and governance
6. Participation and shared leadership tasks
7. Development of young people [or new members]
8. Links with the outside world

(p. 284-285)

Lastly, Chapter 10 "Renewing Groups, Organizations, and Communities" discussed two key concepts that I feel are important.

Generativity- "the concern in establishing and guiding the next generation"/ relates to the obligation that falls on the older, more experienced leaders and members of organizations/ responsibility to leave organization better than they found it (p. 303)

Transition- psychological process that accompanies change/ made up of three components: disengagement, disenchantment, and disorientation and followed by a neutral zone. (p. 303-304)