week 8-14 Question #3

I really enjoyed learning about the three characteristics of a leader in Chapter 13. I think this is a very important concept to learn since we are always choosing leaders for different things on a daily basis. If we can train our selves to recognize the three characteristics we will be better at choosing more successful leaders in the future. The three characteristics are Vision, Credibility, and Communication Competence. Vision, as our book states, a leader must do more then simply conduct meetings and control agendas, they must have the ability to hold onto an overall vision while moving a group through the process necessary to achieve that vision. Keeping the goal in sight, while keeping the group on tack toward accomplishing it is a difficult task that the leader much be able to do. Credibility, effective leadership depends on the group’s willingness to follow, which is based on the group’s perception of the leader’s abilities and credibility. This shows that vision with out credibility may prevent the most insightful and creative leader from being effective. Finally Communication Competence, a leader must be able to translate their knowledge, skills, and situationally appropriate behavior to group members in ways they can understand and trust. All three of these characteristics are very important to look at when choosing a leader and help us to recognize leaders in people also. I really enjoyed this concept.

week 8-14 Question #2

I have learned a lot of things regarding how groups conduct themselves and the skills needed for different members are parts of the group. I really enjoyed participating in the discussions each week and reading other members posts. I also liked that I could get feed back from other group members on my own posts. I enjoyed learning about the different types of small group presentations formats along with the styles of conflicts management. I didn’t like that we had to wait 12 hours between each post. Because of this I missed some by just a few minutes since I didn’t let exactly 12hours but 11.50 hours or something. When I start writing I don’t stop and its easy for me to write all three posts at once and often times I can’t get to the computer to post my pre written postings in the allotted time. That was the biggest and most frustrating thing to be with the class, since I wasn’t sure why we had to wait in the first place. But other then that I enjoyed this class and don’t have any ideas for improvement.

May 8-14 Question #1

I enjoyed going to the meetings for my group observation project. I went to an engineering club’s meeting and learned a lot about engineers in general. I did feel a little like I was intruding on their space some times, but other then that I thought this was a great project to help us learn about other types of groups and organization we would have other wise never known. I learned that most groups follow the parliamentary procedures when conducting a meeting. I also learned that it is almost impossible for a group to conduct itself without establishing a leader. I think the best thing about the project was going to groups that you wouldn’t usually be a part of. I don’t think their needs to be any modifications since this project was a great way for us to go out into the community and apply the skills we have been discussing in this class and see how they are used in the community around us.