Communication Strategies

1. My idea about leadership before is limited to learning that you cannot be a good leader without possessing the right wisdom and without knowing the necessary managerial skills. I learned from school and from the people around me that the best way to lead people is by example. You cannot preach what you do not know, in the same manner that you cannot ask your subordinates to be someone you are not. In this course, I have learned that all those I mentioned are not enough, in fact, they may not be really necessary. Henry Mintzberg, one of the worlds most influential mentors of business strategy (as cited in Reingold, 2000), said that one cannot create a leader in the classroom. This statement practically shook all faith in leadership as something learned. I am aware that there are born leaders, those who do not need any formal education to be able to lead well, but I also know and have come to believe that leadership skills can be learned. Even if you werent born with superb leadership capabilities, you can still be a great leader so long as you dedicate yourself to learning the right skills. But Mintzberg says otherwise. He suggests that successful leaders are those who interact, those who learn from experience. Then maybe its true that experience is the best teacher. And experience cant be encountered in just the four walls of the classroom. Mintzberg further shared that when he asked managerial groups what happened on the day they become managers, the dominant answer was Nothing Youre supposed to figure it out. Theres not really a secret. Management is, above all, practice, where art, science, and craft meet.

2. The idea of changing ones self before changing others is nothing new and its practically acceptable. You cannot give what you do not have. Having learned a new approach to leadership, I am very much excited to apply it on my work. There is a paradigm shift from knowledge to experience and I am positive about it. I believe its high time to transform the way we look at the corporate world. Its not all about academics. It is simply life. You grow and you become better as you experience things and interact with people.

3. This new approach gives encouragement to those who were not able to obtain a good degree from a reputable institution. It doesnt say that education isnt important it just says that even without a good education, one can still be an effective leader so long as he desires and works for it. Reingold said that cross-cultural interaction is as well important to be a good leader. You have to know how other cultures think and believe. I believe it is a great opportunity for people to mingle and get to know others as well. After all, were all humans, and it is beneficial for us to know about others. Theres nothing wrong with expanding ones horizons.

II.
Last weeks learning has made me realize a couple of things. One of which is the importance of taking a break for reflection. Cunliffe (2004) said that critical reflection is essential to developing not just more effective organizational citizens but critical thinkers and moral practitioners. It is in this statement that I would like to ponder more. Effective organizational citizens are critical thinkers and moral practitioners. Critical and moral (knowledge and values) these two I believe create balance and harmony. Its not enough that one is critical (highly-knowledgeable), it is important that he is morally upright. In todays busy and chaotic world, the challenge is to be both critical and moral. I take on the challenge. Fully aware that it is difficult especially in an environment and time like ours, I am full of positive vibes that it is possible to achieve, because it was already achieved by several people who dared.

I am looking forward to more learning as the course progresses. I know things will be clearer as we learn from the experiences of others and from our interactions as well.