Comments for didaskei

Comment on Government and Servant Leadership by Stan

Stan — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 03:58:00 +0000

Perhaps “practical” is a poorly chosen term. To some extent all politics is practical because it involves getting things done (though its effectiveness at getting things done is often debatable).

You are correct that (good) leaders bring clarity and focus. That’s why the use of ambiguity as a political tactic might be good politics, but it is bad leadership.

Comment on Government and Servant Leadership by Ken

Ken — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 02:59:00 +0000

I guess the real question becomes how do we define “practical”? Does this mean we must all agree in some fashion that a platform of practical politics can exist? In so many ways all leaders serve — that is they serve the purpose to bring clarity and focus to a public that is often at the edge.

By the way, I enjoyed the blog. Take a second and check out http://www.generationforwardexperience.blogspot.com and post a thought or two. It would be great to have you share your voice. Peace, man.

Comment on How smart are you? by Stan

Stan — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 14:59:00 +0000

If you will allow me to equate character and virtue, then yes, there is a strong correlation between EI and character.

For example, temperance is one of the cardinal virtues. Also the Aristotle quote is, I believe, from _Nicomachean Ethics_, which also deals with virtue.

I am still in the preliminary reading stages with Goleman's book, but a love-filled environment seems necessary to develop EI in children or workers.

Considering love is generally considered a virtue (though not one of the cardinal virtues), that is additional evidence for your thesis.

Thanks for posting a great question!

Comment on How smart are you? by The Samples

The Samples — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 14:34:00 +0000

I wonder to what extent emotional intelligence (EI) and character might be correlated. Your statement on “power” reminded me of how dangerous power becomes when it exceeds character. Can character -or the lack thereof- predict EI in some way, or visa versa?
Good stuff!

Comment on Celebrate! by Stan

Stan — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:16:00 +0000

The nice thing about a “celebration” is that it does not have to be a big event (i.e. even a nickle will do).

Therefore it is possible to make celebration a regular part of your leadership activities without it depleting other resources.

Comment on Celebrate! by David C

David C — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:05:00 +0000

Hey Stan! I’ve gotta say this is oh so true. My wife amazes me at the way she gets our kids to eat a new food by means of a strategic lavishing of praise. To be sure, she uses coaxing or the threat of consequences to get ‘em started if it’s necessary, but when they take that bite — BIG celebration. Works every time.

Meanwhile, I’ve got students working on pretty involved design and site-management projects. Pretty much I expect them to “just do it.” Given that they’ve actually been doing good work, I think some celebration is soon in order …

Comment on You are what you read by Stan

Stan — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:24:00 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Connie. I would add that your argument also implies the benefits of a great books curriculum like what we have at Brook Hill.

Interacting with some of Western Civilization’s “great” ideas becomes a fertile seedbed for “great” ideas of one’s own.

Comment on You are what you read by connie

connie — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:22:00 +0000

Hey Stan, I agree completely about the energy derived from reading books on leadership. One of the greatest energy boosters I've had over the past 3 years has been the time spent in my grad studies.

When so much of the daily grind is consumed by solving one crisis after another or putting out fires, it is truly invigorating to focus my time- reading and writing - on something that gives me hope and a sense of purpose.

(This is my first visit to your blog. I hope to visit often. Keep up the good work!)

Comment on Servant leadership by Stan

Stan — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 19:59:00 +0000

David,

Though I never actually use the term “vision” in my post, you are correct to pick up on that. All the leadership material that I have read to this point that mentions the concept of vision gives it priority in leadership, and authors like Stephen Covey correctly urge readers to embrace a principle-centered vision.

Now to consider the term “vision” itself. It implies “seeing” doesn’t it? So perhaps one question to consider is what do we “see” while we are leading. What is in the forefront of our minds? That may help us determine what our vision is. After we know what our vision really is, then we can determine if our vision is principle-centered or not.

Comment on Servant leadership by David

David — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 19:18:00 +0000

Nice. I was expecting this to be about stooping, kneeling, or some similar posture. ...

But I take you as saying: Maybe, but it's first and foremost about looking up -- or at whatever larger vision it is that moves us.

If it IS the vision that drives the serving (or non-serving) ... then there's a lot packed in this hunch.

Might invite us to ask, for example, what kind of vision of transcendence enables us to pursue it while at the same time recognizing the value of "the little people" who so often seem to get in our way ...