Weekly Journal 11-21-00

Section 1:  Preparation for class

This weeks reading consisted of chapter 21 in The Jossey-Bass Reader onEducational Leadership intitled Good-Bye, Command and Control.  This chapter discussed sub-topics including Belief in the System, Strategies for Change, Moving to Action, No More Quick Fixes, The Leader's Journey, Sustainability, Not Employability, and The Real Criteria for Measuring Change.  

Section 2:  Reflections

Upon reading the chapter described above, I found that my attention was particularly focused on sections dealing with the "Quick Fix" and "The Leader's Journey".  I agree with the author who states that there are no quick fixes and meaningful change is at least a three to five year process.  He also believes we should involve the people of our organization.  In reading of the Leader's Journey I noticed that the author suggested that leaders must open new avenues for people in the organization.  Furthermore, the author indicates that leaders should be moving toward true team structures and calls this organizational change a dance rather than a forced march.  I agree that this must not be a forced march because individuals must believe in the process and participate willingly.

Section 3:  Applications

The best way that I see to apply this reading to my professional life is to not give in to the temptation to just let my ideas die.  In other words, I must cultivate my ideas rather than dismissing them.  I have begun to learn that they are often not valued under our new administration.  My first response was that I will just not put any effort into improving our organization.  However, I will attempt to continue to grow my ideas while awaiting the day when I will serve under an administration that will value my views and attempts at imporvement.

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