Week#9: Final thought on LILTDY

Finally! Winter term is nearly ending!!! Woohooo!

I guess everyone including me still suffering from hell of reports and exams but wish all of you the best lucks on surviving this situation! Finger closed!

Well, I am really sad about this class ending…

The first reason why I choose this class was just because curiosity. However, this class gave me more discoveries and fun than I expected.
I would like to lock back what we have done so far along activities.
 

Class

We have gone through so much things. Starting from hand shaking, posture and negotiation skills etc…. One thing that was meaningful for me was having discussion with mates. That gave me new insights and was great opportunity to talk with new people with idea. The other thing that was good for me was practice of some kinds of skills. Taking action gave me greater impact than just reading. I could feel real difficulties of actually doing it through activities. I was always looking forward to this class. This class was not only enjoyable but also provided me a lot of things which can be applicable for our daily life.
 

Guest speaker

I want to say thank you to Rob and Brest to have lecture. I noticed how I am in the team under pressures through Marshmallow Challenge. On the other hand, I understood that my character are close to Integrator and Developer by analyzing Brent’s Charts. Both of lectures help to identify my tendency and elements of a leader.

Book
Although “Leading at the Edge” was thick and long contents, it was worth to read. I think I enjoyed to reading it because the story which is based on Shakleton’s real adventure was persuasive and there are many things that make me notice. Hopefully I would like to finish to reading all later.

Paper
Yes I did it! Because it have been long time since I took ELA class last time, I was worried about writhing a long essay at first time. Well I did struggle with writing it, but I could reconfirm how to make a paper. I noticed that I have been misunderstand and skipped important rules of essay. So it was a great opportunity to be able to check those. In class, I loved to listen all of presentation which based on each papers.

 

Lastly,I would like to say thank you KEN! I have leant a lot from you!! I am sure you are a role model of leader and one of the best admired teachers I have ever had!  And I still have people to thank. I was so lucky to be in same class as kind classmates! Thank you for making this class truly inspiring and enjoyable.

 

Thanks again! and wish you have a lovely spring break🌼

Week#8: Guest Lecture

 

Thank you for having great lecture today Brent!

According to his analysis sheet, my leadership type was best close to Integrator.

 

 

Mostly my expectation linked to the result so I wasn’t surprised so much. One quality of integrator is understanding and listening others. And yes, I tend to keep it in my mind. It sounds as a good thing, but in other words I can take my tendency have bad aspect because I used to too much care about what people say rather than what I think. To cover up the back draw, I need to make sure a purpose or vision of what I want to do or give a priority beforehand.

After the lecture, I asked Brent, what I can do cover up my week points because often it cause troubles. His answer was “cooperation”. He said “If you are good at baser side, do not think to cover up everything by yourself.  Find someone who is good at opposite things to you and cooperate with them. Since it takes a lot of time to overcome back draw, this strategy help you to more focus on developing what you are good at.” In Japanese way, either in education or work, everybody in team are required to have equally same standard skills in different area. Team means the group of people who has similar abilities. However, it seems for me that in western way, a team means the gathering of people who have different traits and characteristics each other. Each may have disadvantage but they become one community by covering up each back draws and using each strong advantages. I thought cooperation is one of important qualities of teamwork and leadership.

 

 

 

Week#7: Marshmallow Challenge

“ Don’ t play with food.”

This is what my mom told me since I was little. Sorry mom, but today’s task was interesting for me!

 

 

 

 

Mainly I leant two things through this task.

1. Just do it and have a fun!

2. Don’t make a limit by my self

 

1.    At the first time when I tried, checking the rule and thinking how to do was what I did. I exactly did the way Rob said as a “ Bad example”. Actually it made nothing creative and just wasted time. In that task, my role was making sure everybody have things to do. And… Enjoy it! I think doing task with fan is one of great motivations.

2.    I realized that I have known a challenge just like this after I tried. It was “ Five-Dollar Challenge Tina Seeling who is professor of Stanford University and an author of “ What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20”. In that book, she gave the challenge to her business student. All the students got was envelope with five-dollars and 2 hours. The rule was that they can spent as much as time for planning but once they open the envelope, they get two hours to make as much profit as possible. Some people might think to run lemonade stand, set up a car wash or buy a lottery. However, interestingly the team which made money the most did not use the five dollar at all because they realized that focusing on money frame problem way too tightly. That team earn $600 by substituting line service at popular restaurant at Saturday night which is a common problem in a lot of college town. By understanding the problem and solving it, they unlimited their creativity.
Back to my marshmallow task, I did believe all I got was resources in front of me unconsciously and forget to reinterpret. I leant that innovation is came from identifying what casing problem. Moreover I thought viewing it from taking one backward is important to notice something new.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2V-lPmvSHs

I will put Youtube video which is interesting and my favorite from スタンフォード白熱教室.If you are interested in the Tina Seeling, please have a look;)

Week#7:Ch.9

Strategy 9 : "Be willing to take a Big Risk."

 

In this chapter, mainly risk taking is talked. According to author, leader should evaluate the risk weather it is necessary to take or not. If there is no need, a leader should not take it because his choice will involve a team. However, there is sometimes to take a risk. It is when the return overcomes the risks.

 

In my daily life, evaluating risks is what I am not good at. As irresolution is my weak point, I used to consider too much, cannot make decisions and miss chances. I think I can think both sides of things, but what I have to improve is judging and evaluating balance of risks and return.

When locking back my life, however, I made some big decisions such as going to abroad to study or going to ICU. In the process of decision making, I think I always compare the risk of doing and risk of not doing. And the motto “You’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did.” have pushed me so far. It often happen to me that before starting things I feared of big risks, but after I gone through things, the risk seemed to be nothing. Always things are high risk and high return. Higher risks are, more I can grow up, I think.

 

 

 

 

However, in my opinion just taking risks is enough for leader.I think the qualities that are required to a leader is also being able to risk managing. Risk managing is minimizing risks by conditioning or controlling situation. This skill is necessary for making things sure when try to accomplish.

Week#6: Essay Inrtro

Here is my essay introdoction. Alithough I staggle with order to put facts in Intro, my intro seems to be developped after I have been to Writing Support Desk at Library:) ♪

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Why Does Female Leaders Exist Few in Society?

 

Marissa Mayer of the Yahoo Inc, Virginia M, Rometty of IBM, Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook are some of executives of the world famous companies. In the United States, female leaders play active parts in the business world. Definition of leadership is action of leading group, organization and people or ability to do this (Oxford Dictionary) and the style and way of this varies from people. According to article by Alice H. Eagly who is sociology professor of Northwestern University, insists that there is gender difference between women and men style in leadership. Additionally, she mentioned traits of those two types. Although we have to note that this is just a tendency and is not which is better than debate, masculine style tends to be command and control and taking change whereas feminine leader used to be good at multi-task, inspirational, having empathy and concern about followers. Since male and female leadership is different, it is assumed that having both style is beneficial to society. To follow this situation, Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe states that Japan will aim to raise women’s labor participation as one of strategies for economic growth in 2013.  Besides, having female work force seems to be profitable in the wave of globalization.  According to JASSO, Japan Students Serves Organization, interestingly 68.2% is those who of women having been study abroad whereas 31.8% was men in 2010. Those educated women can contribute their foreign language fluency and international sense as “global human resource” which is highly demanded recently.

Despite this policy, the reality is not that way. The fact is that female workers are still not seen as equal to men in company, especially in their leadership positions. GMI Ratings have studied 5,977 companies in 45 countries to calculate the percentage of female CEOs. The results of the study shows that 11.8% is the average percentage of female CEOs in developed countries. In comparison to this average number, Japan’s female CEOs parentage is only 1.1 %, which is the lowest standard in that study (1). Why does the number of female leader not change so easily in Japan? Of course, one of possible reasons why this situation happen is because a social system is immature to welcome female workers. For instance, short maternity-leave period, expensive and small number of nursery and long period and overtime work.  However, the problem is more complicated. In addition to the systematic problems, internal and external factors prevent female from become leader. In order woman to be a leader, it is important to understand and deal with some paradoxes that female leader will face.

The purpose of this paper is analyzing and consider cause of the situation and giving suggestion to fix it. Therefore, this essay begins with examining external and internal reasons why the number of female leaders do not increase. Then, it will be suggested what we can do to have more female leaders in society. Finally, it will summarize all the important points so far in conclusion



Week#6: Ch.8

Strategy 8: “ Find something to celebrate and something to laugh about”

 

 

 

In this chapter author suggest to find something to celebrate because atmosphere of celebrating help to create optimism in a team. Especially in the severe situation, celebration simply cheer people up. As it was in the book, even though it was hard time for Shakleton and the team after ship sinking, the team could keep being optimistic thanks to the atmosphere. Dog Derby and Midwinter’s day are example of something fun which Shakleton did every week. Some companies make use of the effect of celebration to motivate employee. Personally speaking, as I write in Week#3, what my uncle used to do in South Pole, for example having a lot of parties seemed to related to celebration. I think celebrating something together help to band people by sharing something grateful. 

 

Also, the author recommend to find something to laugh about. This is because joke have power of breaking the mood of board and can give fresh air to routine work.  In addition, laughter has effect of not only creating relaxed atmosphere but also stimulating creativity. I think laughter is important especially tense atmosphere or taught time. For example, doing something foolish or funny when ice breaking breaks tense and anxiety. Then help to talk each other easily. Also I used to watch something funny such as comedy when I really tired and feel do not want to do anything. Laughter often relax me and give me energy.

Lastly, I would like to share a video clip which recently I am into lol

She is so adoreble and makes me laugh

 

 

Week#5: Outline

Here is my outline. Since this is in progress, I will develop some of those. Any comments and advices are welcomed:)

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Formal outline

 　

Ⅰ.Intro

   A.    Back ground info

   B.    Thesis

   C.    Stricture of this Essay

 

Ⅱ.Reason behind why female leaders exist few
   A. External factor
     1.Stereotypes childcare + elderly people

     2.Second Generation Bias

            a. Lacking role model

            b. Network

            c. Gendered career
      

B. Internal factor

           1.Underestimate myself－ Self confidence

           2 .Assertiveness
       

Ⅲ. Factor of leadership that women can lead

             Emotional Intelligence

                Self-awareness/Self-regulation/Motivation/Empathy/social skill

 

Ⅳ．What can we do? (Sheryl Sandberg: Why we have too few women leaders | Ted Talk )

      A.    Make partner a real partner

      B.    Don’t leave before you leave

      C.    Educate men and women about second generation bias

Ⅴ.  Conclusion
       A. Summary

      B. Restatement of thesis



Week#5: Ch.7

Strategy 7: Master conflict –deal with anger in small doses, engage dissidents, and avoid needless power struggle.

 

This chapter mainly how to deal with conflict effectively. As it is in “Deal with Anger in Small Doses”  I strongly agree with idea that conflict or any problems could be solved as soon as possible otherwise it cause much bigger conflicts such as sabotage. As the conflict is left, it makes ditch between relationships.
 According to this book, there are two ways of dealing conflict. One is understanding problems itself and prevent it from becoming serious. Another is providing an environment which is opened to everyone to state their opinions and let them identify the problems.

In the “Engage Dissidents”, author suggest paying close attention to troublemakers rather than keep them apart from a leader. Often, as I do, people tend to avoid from the cause of trouble. However, in this session, author insists rather control it and there is no lead to let them do everything.

As it is mentioned in “Avoid Needless Power Struggle” a leaders should judge which conflict we face and not. Since a leader have responsibility to let people involve, we should be carefully think whether we will face the problem or not.

I personally believe and I would say this as massage to myself, avoiding is worst way to solving conflict! Do face while the problems are small otherwise it case more trouble.

I think I can addopt this to relationshis in daily life.

Week#4: Ch.5

 Strategy5: "Reinforce the team massage constantly: We are one –we live or die together”

After reading this chapter, this remaindered me story by my clam school teacher when I was 3^rd year of junior high school. He told class how ideal team should be by explaining the habits of wild gooses. ①The story was like this: group of wild gooses can fly longer than one because flying together in V-formation can reduce the air resistance. ②Since the head will get the air resistance the most, others change place and let the head have rest by sending back line. ③Moreover, if one is about to drop out, two come to and protect the dropper occasionally until death. And if it is possible they help the drop-out to back to the formation. What my teacher wanted to said class divide and make we students as a team regardless of you wishing for. Therefore, we students have to study hard in not order to let down other’s motivation so as to survive the entrance exam.


I think this story can be explained by using the L@G. For example, ①can be explained by “Establish a Shred Identity” . If the identity and goal are shared, that makes propulsive force and greater progress than one. ②means hard work and responsibility should be shared in team. It may be not completely same contents as “Keep Everyone Informed, Involved, and Thinking About Solutions” but in terms of shearing responsibility or action and be involved, it share some points. ③ is similar to “Leverage Everyone’s Talents- And Deal with Performance Problems Constructively”.　It shows that if anyone in a trouble or poor performance, other team member should not abandon the member.

 

I agree with and was convinced by this chapter. I think working in a team is sometimes harsh but can creates greatpower which are impossible by myself .

Week#4: Research Proposal

Here is my reseach proposal. I was broadly thinking my topic of Line company, succsessful USJ strategy or Female leadership. Finaly, my theme will probably related to socail problems of female leader ship due to amont of English recource.
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My Proposal

In this essay, I am going to write about Leadership of Women. According to data, the percentage of female CEO in Japan is about less than 1 percent which is the worst level in the world. Even though Prime Minister of Japan, Abe Shinzo pushes women to workplace recently, it is fact that female leaders are seen still less. This is not because women are inferior to men. Interestingly, there are data which shows that women did higher score than men. Since now is the time of globalization, company want people who have international sense. One research shows that about 66.5 percent of those who have been to studying abroad is women. It seems to be that women can contribute society using their experience. One of reasons that lead this fact is that stereotypes. That stereotypes give us image of women who engaging in housekeeping and nursarying. However, there are other reasons that women have. Women will face some paradox when they try to be a leader. The purpose of this paper is analyzing what prevent women from being a leader internally and externally. In addition, what female should do to overcome   this will be thought. The research done so far shows several key elements and background of women in society. These include the reason why the female leaders exsist few ( Sheryl Sandberg 2010) and some paradox that women will have (Jill Flynn, Kathryn Heath, and Mary Davis Holt, 2013) (Hywel Roberts, 2014) and how should we think female currier (Daniel Goleman,2004) (Herminia Ibarra and Robin Ely and Deborah Kolb, 2013)

Week#3:My Boastful Talk

Hi there! It is sudden but let me boast my respectable and admire uncle lol

 

The reason why I want to write about my uncle is… because he have been to South Pole as Japanese explore like Ken! His name is Shigehito and he was in explore member as a doctor twice; in 1997 and 2000 and now he lives with wife in Hokkaido. I think he cannot help loving incredibly cold and harsh weather…When I talk to him about this lecture by phone, he also knew the story of Shackleton. According to him, this book is famous and bible for leaders.

I used to listen his story of his adventure in South Pole since I was little. At that time I only remember interesting and hilarious parts rather than academic parts like what he did there for study. Some of pictures that he showed me and I strongly remember was those of members wearing funny costume in a party, drinking his hand-made bear and standing in outside with T-shirts and half pants. (Of course he did his research as well…) At that time, I thought he have been to South Pole to play and do crazy staff because all of pictures looks fan and all members seems to be close friends like high school boys.

Now, I grown up and notice the meaning of that picture by talking with him. Those crazy and fun staff is necessary to make survive such harsh condition. According to him, he joined the exploration twice thanks to captain. The team with that captain was only one in good mood even after the mission. It is quite rare to happen because often a team member come apart after the stay they feel strong stress with being together under hard and completely isolated condition. It seems for me that one character of my uncle is enjoying every situation and having optimistic. For example, his favorite phrase is “ What shall we do? Exciting story will start from here.” at critical states. But he said he leant a lot of those from his captain.

The explore takes 13 months once in total, including 6 moths to move and 9 moths of stay. I think my uncle had courage and challenging spirit enough, but what is more my aunt who let him go and wait for 26 moths totally is also or more great and strong.

 

As he leant from his captain, I think I have a lot of things to lean from both uncle and aunt so need to meet him again indeed!

 

Thanks you for reading until the endJ

Week#3:Ch2

Strategy 2:“Set a personal example with visible, memorable symbols and behaviors.”

Before I read this chapter, symbolic of leadership seems a tip to do make things exaggerate or faint without an evidence. So symbolism were used make people believe in something without reasoning I thought. However, though reading this book I realize that symbolic sometimes has a great impact on people more than just explaining things tightly. And if there are strong evidence or actions with symbolism, it can be a medium to convince people more. For example Shackleton’s story, he threw golden sovereign and a gold cigaratte case into snow when he tell that dispensable items should be abandon for a succesful process by sledge.Though this action he could send his strong massage to followers.

I personally think since power of symbolism is great, a leader who wants to use this tactic need to be aware of not only his/herself but also all conditions around. In addition, they should not use this tactics in order to instantly get though the situation because if the vivid symbolic are dynamic, expectation by people will be enhanced and the leader have to response to that. They need to figure out what the outcome is after taking action.

 

I also did not have good image of “Be Visible: Let People See You Leading” somehow because it sounds showing off their effort to people. However, this book suggest to be visible because a presence of leader can give courage and inspiration to people especially in dangerous and stressful situation.

I leant using symbolism is effective although that require sensibility and strong awareness of situation.

Nelson Mandela used to say "Amandla" which means power to the people with punching the air.
I think it is kind symbolising his belief and empowering people.

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Week#2:Trust

 

From My Leadership Model
 

In my dance circle (or should I say club?), fortunately I have met admired role models of leader ship. They are two choreographers of my genre whose grade is 15. I respect them as dancers and leaders so much.  Since they are so great that I cannot say every point why I admire, today I would like to share one quality of leadership that I found through dancing with and learning from them.  It is trust.

 

Before mentioning to the trust, let me explain about system of circle briefly first. In my circle, we make dance team for upcoming events every time. Therefore, the members change all the time. In addition to this, dance skills of constituent members is not stable as people whose grades range from freshman to senior often gather to dance. So, it is quite tough to lead and band all different members to make good performance. The trust is key factor that make those mobile members work together smoothly. From my analysis, I think there are two ways of trust: trust from follower to leader and from leader to follower.

Since leader cannot be a leader without follower, it is easily recognized that former: followers to leaders trust is important. My leader builds this kind of trust by their skills and characteristic. In terms of their skills, they are very charismatic. But, at the same time, we knew they put far more effort than any others to acquire high skills and are so strict to their selves when they practice. When it comes to character, they are so kind and patient if I have uncertain things. Since I trusted them, I think I wanted to follow and do something for them.

About the latter one: trust from leader to followers, Rob Lebow who is the chairman of LCI (Lebow Company, Inc.) and also amongst the Top 100 "Thought Leaders" in 2005, stated that "When people feel trusted, they'll do almost anything under the sun not to disappoint the person who gave them the gift of trust." My leader are used to giving important position or solo part to even beginner. I thought this kind of trust arise responsibility as a member. As a result, the person put his/ her effort to response to expectation from leader. Sometimes that can be motivation.

In conclusion, interaction of this two ways of trust is always needed and my leaders are good at building booth trust.