
Dr. Draft,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the questions. I heard a lot about the employment situations here in the states, but I did not what it means until I have started studying in the states, because where I came from we have not had the economy problems. I found lots of people without jobs even with their big experiences. I tried to read what is the best solution for this kind of situation until I have seen a great idea on TV; which is what David Siegel The CEO of Frontier Airlines has done. He did not fire his employees, but he decreased their salaries until the economic situations be fixed. I do not know if this a good idea or not, but that was from my humble reading and seeing.
Thank you again Dr. Draft..
Respectfully,
Abdul
Leading blogger, Daniel Newman asserts that to truly lead a team “we have to get on board with a little less recognition and a little more humility” (2013). I think that has a lot to do with why people who care and get along with others thrive as you put it. I have been blessed with good managers and yet I have seen my spouse struggle with poor bosses until just recently. One of the key factors which my supervisors and my spouse’s current boss have in common is also one addressed by Newman. That is the need to not just have an open door policy but “what is more important is your presence in the moment” (Newman, 2013). It can be challenging to get on my boss’s schedule, yet every time I truly need guidance she is able to stop and focus on the issue at hand. Likewise my spouse’s boss regularly drops in ostensibly for the candy dish, but in effect has established a relationship beyond just as the ‘boss’. This leads to better performance from both of us.
Thank you for your insights and your very well written and informative textbook.
Newman, D. (2013, January 28). Leadership: 5 ways to stand out by blending in. [Web Log Post]. Retrieved http://millennialceo.com/leadership/leadership-5-ways-stand-blending/
Dr. Daft,
Thank you for taking the time to share your insight. I have enjoyed your book this semester. I agree with what you say about key leadership traits. “What you do as a leader will depend on who you are. And regardless of your own perceptions of yourself, those around you in the workplace— colleagues and employees— can determine who you are only by observing what you do. They can’t see inside your head, they can’t know what you think or how you feel, they can’t subliminally detect your compassion or pain or joy or goodwill. In other words, the only way you can manifest your character, your personhood, and your spirit in the workplace is through your behavior” (Autry, 2004). A true leader is someone that people can get along with. If you would not want your manager as your friend then you are going to be unhappy in your job.
Autry, James A.. Servant Leader : How to Build a Creative Team, Develop Great Morale, and Improve Bottom Line Performance.
Westminster, MD, USA: Crown Publishing Group, 2004. p 1.
http://site.ebrary.com/lib/lmunet/Doc?id=10075469&ppg=23
Copyright © 2004. Crown Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
Dr. Daft,
Thank you for taking the time to respond to Dr. Green’s questions. I wanted to say that I appreciate your response to his question on leadership and the uncertain future. I think it is interesting (and slightly ironic) that the traits you pointed out are not necessarily ones that a student can learn in a class room. Perhaps they can glean an understanding of their strength and weaknesses and develop soft skills as part of their education experience, but these are things that are difficult to teach. Maybe one of the better ways to cultivate these skills is by learning from someone who emulates them currently. Michael Williams talk about this concept of “close-quarter leadership” in his book, “Leadership for Leaders”. He proposes coaching and designating role-models as a way of developing these skills in leaders. To me, this seems the most practical way to grow as a leader and become better equipped for the future.
Williams, M. (2005). Chapter TWO: Leadership theories, role models – and common sense. Leadership for Leaders (pp. 29-47). Thorogood Publishing Ltd.
Dr Daft,
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insight. I really enjoyed reading your post.
Dr. Daft,
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights.
Brad Pressley
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Dr. Daft,
Thanks for sharing! I work in the oil industry and from my vantage point as an accountant it is amazing to see how technology shapes my company’s administrative work force. As automated, ever more efficient, computer-driven systems continue to be implemented it will be interesting to see how the human element is affected.
Dr. Daft,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the questions. I, too, find the employment situation disturbing. One would think that the government would consider it as a higher priority issue. You had mentioned that companies are investing more in technology to replace human workers. I agree that technology seems to be taking many human jobs, particularly in the service industry. It appears that the economy cannot create new jobs fast enough to replace those jobs that are lost to automation. Technology is moving so quickly by creating faster, cheaper computers and remarkably clever software.
It will be very interesting to see where technology takes us in the next decade.
We appreciate the value that your Contemporary Management textbook has added to our class.