EDLD 5311 Fundamentals of Leadership

Week 4 Assignment Jaime Eggspuehler Overview

Your Week 4 lecture and assigned reading gave you an opportunity to examine some of the theories that have shaped the way we view leadership, as well as some of the leadership models currently being applied in education and other fields. The leadership book you selected to review this week provided you with additional insight into the knowledge, skills, and strategies of effective leadership. For this weeks assignment, you will use this information to articulate your own philosophy and style of leadership. You will complete four writing assignments this week: your leadership book summary, a reflection on your leadership philosophy and style citing information from Leadership Eras paper, a campus purpose statement and guiding principles based on Dr. Peter Senges concept of systems thinking, and a personal belief paper based on Senges concept of mental models.

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Rubric
Use the following Rubric to guide your work on the Week 4 Assignment.

Tasks

Accomplished 24 The evidence suggests that this work is a Habit of Mind. The educator is ready to mentor others in this area.

Proficient 20 The evidence suggests that performance on this work matches that of a strong educator. Student completes the assignment, but does not demonstrate a thorough summary of the leadership book (e.g., does not meet minimum length requirements, does not provide quotes from the text supporting the summary, quotes are not in correct APA format). Student completes the assignment, but does not demonstrate thorough responses to each aspect of the assignment (e.g., fails to cite Leadership Eras or leadership books in correct APA style).

Needs Improvement 18 The evidence does not yet make the case for the educator being proficient at this task. Student fails to meet minimum requirements in all aspects of the assignment (e.g., paper is less than 300 words, no supporting quotes or proper citations).

Leadership Book Summary

Student completes all aspects of the assignment, including a thorough summary of the leadership book that contains appropriate quotes cited in correct APA style.

Personal Philosophy and Style

Student completes all aspects of the assignment, including a thorough development of leadership philosophy and styles with appropriate references to Leadership Eras and citation of leadership book summaries. Student composes a 10-15 word campus purpose statement that demonstrates

Student fails to meet minimum requirements in all aspects of the assignment (e.g., no references to Leadership Eras, failure to cite leadership book summaries).

Campus Purpose Statement and Guiding Principles

Student composes a 10-15 word campus purpose statement that reflects knowledge

Student fails to compose a 10-15 word campus purpose statement that reflects

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thorough knowledge of Senges systems thinking. Student prepares five guiding principles for a campus that demonstrate indepth knowledge of Senges systems thinking.

of Senges systems thinking. Student prepares 34 guiding principles for a campus that demonstrate adequate knowledge of Senges systems thinking.

Senges systems thinking. Student prepares fewer than three guiding principles, or principles do not reflect adequate knowledge of Senges systems thinking.

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Personal Beliefs

Student provides in-depth analysis of personal beliefs that reflects knowledge of leadership skills and strategies. Few errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Assignments are posted in group discussion forum as required.

Student lists and briefly describes rationale for selecting two personal beliefs.

Student fails to provide or explain two personal beliefs.

Assignment Mechanics

Numerous errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Responses lack clarity and depth and/or include multiple errors in grammar, spelling or punctuation, including APA errors. Assignments are not posted in group discussion forum.

Week 4 Assignment, Part 1: Leadership Book Summary

In the space below, post a summary of the leadership book you read. Note highlights, major themes, and concepts or information you deem relevant to educational leadership. When applicable, support your summary with appropriate quotes from your leadership book, using APA citation format. Along with submitting your summary as part of this weeks assignment, you will also post it in the discussion forum for other students to read. It is strongly recommended that each student review other leadership book summaries. Many students print other summaries and use them in future courses and for their own leadership toolbox for leadership professional development. Your book summary should be 300-600 words.

Week 4 Leadership Book Summary When youre a High School basketball coach, you pretty much kiss your social life goodbye in October with the hopes that youll re-emerge sometime in March. As a teacher, coach, and graduate student, Im insanely busy during basketball season and it takes an extreme amount of time, focus, and concentration to endure the added stress and responsibilities of the job. I cannot afford to take my eye-off-the-ballnot even for a second. However, during the last few weeks, I have not had my eye-on-the-ball. And, I blame it all on Joe Ehrmann. The leadership book that I chose to read was Inside Out Coaching: How Sports Can Transform Lives by Joe Ehrmann, as recommended by Amy Justice during one of

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my leadership interviews. Joe Ehrmann is a graduate of Syracuse University, where he was an All-American football player. He went on to play professional football for 13 years, and has been featured on the cover of Parade Magazine, which called him The Most Important Coach in America because of his work to transform the culture of sports (Savant, 2004). Based on what I had heard about this book during the interview, I knew the message was going to be good, but I didnt realize it was going to grab my attention the way that it did. Thirsty minutes into the book, I had neck cramps from nodding my head in agreement so much. The lesson is simple: Leaders (coaches) have the power to transform lives. According to Ehrmann, to transition from a transactional coach to a transformational coach requires connecting the zigzagging dots of your own strugglefilled life into a connected, coherent story (Ehrmann, p. 22). In other words, you cannot become an effective leader until you connect your own dots and understand your own story. To this end, several studies discussed within the book focus on effective leadership. Ehrmann then uses this data to conclude, that a persons history, whether tumultuous or smooth, has little to do with their effectiveness as a leader. Its a leaders capacity to make sense of their history that determines their ability to drive success and connect well to others(Ehrmann, p. 82-83). This statement resonated with me for quite sometime. In fact, there were several times during the reading of this book that I had to put the book down and take some time to simply digest the information that was presented. The first few chapters discuss Ehrmanns revelation that transforming personal practices can lead to improved community values and public policies, that create a society where every person can reach his/her greatest human potential. The next couple chapters focus on Joes personal journey of enlightenment, and his ability to gain insight into his own struggles and past experiences. In the rest (majority) of the book, Ehrmann then turns his attention to the reader as he encourages us to become transformational leaders. I knew immediately that this insight as a coach translated to all leaders. No principal can lead his/her employees in the development of crucial life skills, until that person has learned those skills himself/herself. Likewise, no principal can lead their school through critical situations, without the knowledge gained from experiencing those situations themselves. I would recommend this book to all leaders, including those within the field of education. This book takes an apparently simply (common-sense) approach to understanding the complexities of effective leadership, and the importance of becoming a transformational leader.

Bibliography

EDLD 5311 Fundamentals of Leadership

Ehrmann, J. (2011). InSideOut Coaching : How sports can transform lives. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Savant, Marilyn. "He Turns Boys Into Men | Parade.com." PARADE Magazine. Web. 10 Dec. 2011. http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2004/edition_08-29-2004

Week 4 Assignment, Part 2: Personal Philosophy and Style

In the space below, post a 300-600 word reflection on your personal philosophy and style. Support your paper with citations from the Leadership Eras reading, your leadership book, and your colleagues leadership book summaries (using APA citation format), when applicable.

Leadership and motivation styles vary from person to person, that is why it is essential for me to know and understand my leadership style and how my particular leadership style will affect the workplace. Leadership is influenced by many things that is why it is so important to know how and why my leadership style is what it is. There are many contributors that come into play when a leadership style is developed within a person. My personal beliefs on educational leadership mainly stem from my philosophy on life. I believe that each day we are blessed to live, we experience life as both teachers and students. Life would be boring if we were not continuously learning. If we are keen observers and learn from our experiences, regardless of the role we play (either as a teacher or a student), then we are growing; as individuals and as a community, both intellectually and morally. It would be my obligation, as a leader, to be a passionate and patient purveyor of the learning process, and encourage the love and pursuit of wisdom. As principals, it is important to support our students/faculty as they explore their own personal beliefs, talents, knowledge, and goals. I strongly believe in any philosophy that is people-centered and allows each person the opportunity to discover their own hidden potential and dreams. I have complete faith in the power of an individuals imagination and their quest for understanding, awareness, and improvement. The most significant learning experiences occur when people are motivated and interested in what they are doing. These qualities can be attained by giving students/staff voice in the decision-making process. Once the information has been presented, it is the principals duty to hand over the keys and allow their staff/students a chance to drive their own success. This area of leadership, is very difficult for me and must be an area for improvement. At some point I must trust my staff/students, impart guidance when necessary, but be able to sit back and enjoy the ride. And oh, what a great ride it isA continuous journey that involves realization, achievement, victory, triumph, and of course failure. After all, life is one

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great ridesometimes our hands our on the wheel, and sometimes we are simply bystanders who applaud the journey. In the work-place as well as life, I have accepted the following rules and have implemented them with great conviction. All people deserve respect regardless of their age, race, sex, or beliefs. As leaders, we show respect to our employees by always being fair, firm, and consistent. A school environment that centers on respect, provides a safe environment for all members to be nurtured and grow. Our leadership and guidance can also afford others the chance to learn life-long lessons in character and in moral development. It is the job of every leader to foster the minds of others and facilitate their growth and development as they pursue their individual goals and dreams. By doing this one act, we can cultivate better, more equipped, and more knowledgeable leaders for the future.

Week 4 Assignment, Part 3: Campus Purpose Statement and Guiding Principles

In the space below, write a purpose statement for you campus based on Senges concept of systems thinking. Your purpose statement should not be more than ten to fifteen words. In addition, use Senges systems thinking concept to prepare five guiding principles for you campus. These are things your staff will always do (or never do) with an explanation of your rationale for each principle. Post your work in the discussion forum, and compare your posting to those of other students.

Campus purpose: Recognizing that the quality of life, both today and in the future, depends upon the quality of education provided, therefore we are dedicated and committed to meeting the needs of every individual. Guiding Principles: 1. We will provide a safe and healthy environment for our students/staff, and more importantly, acknowledge and accommodate the needs and requirements of each individual student. Every student learns and grows at a different pace and in different ways. Its our duty to recognize and discover what works best for each individual student so they can pursue their own individual dreams and goals. 2.We will always work together as a team to help each other grow as educators and individuals through advice and personal experience, helpingweaknesses convert to strengths. No one is perfect, but everbody is different and carries a different perspective, so exchanging opinions with each other allows team to become stronger and more effective, and efficient. 3.We will always communicate effectively. By allowing every stakeholder the chance to be acknowledged and have their voice and opinion heard, and then

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integrating that information with current data and experience. 4.We will never function in an unprofessional or unethical manner, and will support diversity. We will embrace diversity among our students and staff, and will be committed to creating an inclusive community regardless of our differences. 5.We believe in Standards, Expectations, and Assessments. We believe there should be a challenging curriculum for all students that reflects: a clear vision, high academic standards that clearly state what a student is to know and be able to do, and meaningful assessments that are tied to course objectives, and overall life skills.

Week 4 Assignment, Part 4: Personal Beliefs

Review the portion of your Week 4 lecture covering Senges concept of mental models. Then, in the space below, identify a personal belief that has served you well in your career, and identify a personal belief that you may want to re-examine. Explain your reasoning for selecting each of these beliefs. Post your work in the discussion forum, and compare your posting to those of other students.

We each steer our lives around a set of beliefs we have on ourselves, on others and on the world around us. These beliefs shape our decisions, thoughts and ultimately our actions, whether we know it or not. It is beliefs that also shape us into the individuals we are, and it is these very beliefs that limit or allow us to change and grow in our lives as well. We all have them, we all have a unique set of beliefs even if many overlap, and we often dont examine our beliefs enough to truly understand ourselves. Personal development is highly related to these beliefs and without taking time to understand them, we can never achieve the maximum personal growth we desire. Core values and principles are often looked at to define things or a person, but they are unfounded without also looking at the beliefs that shape them. Values and principles are really just the actions or results we show because of what we believe. For example, one belief that has served me well throughout the years was a saying used by Henry Ford, whether you think that you can or whether you think that you cant, you are usually correct. My father used to tell me this before any big test or basketball game. At first, I didnt quite understand the meaning of it, but as I became older the meaning became more clear; if you think something is not possible or is out of your reach, youre probably not going to commit much energy and resources to accomplishing that goal. Therefore, if you want to achieve your goals, create a mindset that supports that with which you wish to attain. I find myself using this quote on almost a daily basis within my

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classroom, and I hope it has the same impact on my students that it had on me. You get what you deserve has always been a belief that has stuck to me everywhere I go. This belief to me is simplyjust another way of saying in order to get something; youll have to earn it. This has become such an important belief in my life, and it is has inspired me to work hard to get what I want. However, I have also found myself re-examining this belief. In light of the recent economic hardships that have faced many Americans. I have seen friends of mine who are hard workers, and that have PhDs be laid-off under no fault of their own, and not be able to find new employment. Its hard for me to follow this belief when I see that people are not be treated fairly or being valued by their community. Every individual has beliefs and values that are significant to themselves. Having beliefs and values that people personally follow are important, because your behavior really depends on the beliefs and values you pursue and set for yourself. Everything a person does links back to what they believe.