Leadership - FINAL ASSIGNMENT

LEADERSHIP - FINAL ASSIGNMENT #9

Hi There:  Well, this is it - your last assignment for LEADERSHIP.  I hope that you have found some benefit to this course and these assignments.  I remember the first time I read the "7 Habits" book - I learned so much and it all made so much sense - that's why I based the course on them.  GOOD LUCK with it all - may the HABITS that you develop be EFFECTIVE and bring you much happiness, health and success both in your personal and work life!!!

ASSIGNMENT - Now that you have developed an understanding of the 7 Habits - it's time to reflect on where YOU are at with each of the 7 Habits.  Please complete the Reflection Assignment found at the link below.

LEADERSHIP - FINAL REFLECTION

Please remember - you are NOT being marked on where you are in the development of your Habits - just on your ability to REFLECT on them.

I'll post the assignment on teams as well.

Leadership - Assignment #8 - Sharpen the Saw

LESSON #8 - SHARPEN THE SAW 

This Habit, "Sharpen the Saw",  is all about taking care of yourself so that you can be the best "you".

1.  Read pages 206-241 in your "7 Habits" book. 

2.  Print off and complete the "Sharpen the Saw" note sheet as you read.

Sharpen the Saw note sheet
Let's use a few videos to learn more about each of the 4 dimensions of health.  I found this great group of videos by "Wellcast" - they're fairly short but have lots of good info in them. Please watch each of the ones posted here to better understand the different dimensions of health.

The Physical and Mental Dimension - The BODY and the BRAIN.

The Emotional Dimension - The HEART

The Spiritual Dimension

ASSIGNMENT -  There are two parts to this assignment.  You may use the assignment template found at the link below.

a)  Check out the full assortment of "Wellcast" videos (there's 147 to choose from) on YouTube.  Choose 3 (different from the ones I've chosen for the lesson) that interest you.  Provide me with the title of the video and a brief summary about what you learned from it.

b)  For EACH of the 4 dimensions of health - I want you to come up with 5 activities that YOU would/could take part in (at home, at school, in our community, in nature) to re-energize yourself in each of the different dimensions.

Sharpen the Saw Assignment

I will post the note sheet and the assignment on Teams.

Leadership - Reflection Activity

REFLECTION ACTIVITY 

To help you reflect on Habits #1, #2 and #3, and to show me that you understood the concepts found in the first three habits, I chose to show you the movie, "Rudy".  

Now, to show me that you understand the concepts found in Habits #4, #5 and #6, you will choose a movie that you believe demonstrates these concepts.   

The movie you choose should be about building relationships in order to achieve a common group goal that could not have been achieved alone.  

You are free to pick whatever movie you feel will "fit the bill" but if you are looking for some suggestions, I would recommend; "Remember the Titans", "Freedom Writers" or "October Sky".  Each of these movies can be streamed through our Leadership Teams General Channel (there's a tab up top called, "Videos").  

ASSIGNMENT #7

1.  Name of the movie.
2.  Brief summary of the movie.
3.  Three paragraphs (one for each habit) that describes how the movie related to the concepts found in a) Habit #4 - Think Win-Win, b) Habit #5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood and c) Habit #6 - Synergize.  Make sure in your explanations that it's evident that you understand the concept of each habit and how it is exemplified in the movie.

I've posted this assignment on Teams, under "Assignments" as well.

Leadership - Lesson #6

Lesson #6 - 2nd half of SYNERGIZE

BEFORE BEGINNING THIS LESSON, PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE "SURVIVAL IN THE WOODS" QUESTIONS FOUND UNDER "ASSIGNMENTS" ON TEAMS - THIS MUST BE DONE BEFORE OUR ACTIVITY ON THURSDAY - I ASK THAT EVERYONE HAS IT HANDED IN BY WEDNESDAY EVENING.

In our last lesson (#5), we discussed what "SYNERGY" was and we looked at ways in which individuals in a group must be willing to THINK in order to achieve synergy!  In this lesson we will look at 2 other key components to achieving SYNERGY!

The last lesson focussed on:

• Being OPEN-MINDED and 
• CELEBRATING DIVERSITY

In this lesson we will discuss;

Being a CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVER and

The importance of TEAMWORK

READ pages 193-201 of your "7 Habits" textbook and fill in the NOTE SHEET as you go along.  (You will have access to the note sheet through TEAMS - under the "Assignment" tab in your GENERAL channel)

1) Creative Problem Solving: 

"We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them." (Albert Einstein)

This starts with both defining the problem and then believing that a solution is possible.  It can take time and patience.  It's really important that everyone in the group listens to one another and each person has the chance to contribute.  *Brainstorming is an important part of creative problem solving.  Sometimes ideas that seem "crazy" at first, can morph into brilliant workable solutions.  Eventually the group must come to a decision about how to solve the problem.  Consensus, when possible, is an excellent way to agree on a solution.

*A reminder of the RULES of BRAINSTORMING

• Quantity over Quality (more is better than less)
• The Wilder, the better!
• Piggyback on other's ideas
• NO JUDGEMENT!

2)  Teamwork:  

"Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.  (Vince Lombardi)

Teamwork means that everyone brings their own unique ideas, skills and characteristics to the group and uses them to work towards achieving a common goal.  It also means being a good team member - having a positive attitude, being reliable, focussed and cooperative.

In our last meeting we discussed what people within a group could do that would either work towards teamwork or work against teamwork.  Here's what we came up with.... so please keep these in mind when working in groups to achieve a common goal.

Working towards teamwork                                          Working against teamwork

Share your ideas                                                                 Keep your ideas to yourself

Listen to each other                                                            Don’t listen to others

Respect other’s opinions                                                    Be disrespectful

Positive feedback/lifting each other up                              Negative feedback/ attitude

Including everyone                                                             Excluding someone

Have an open minded                                                         Be  narrow-minded

Believe in your own abilities                                              Put yourself down

Be on task                                                                           Be off task

Do your part/ be reliable                                                     Be irresponsible /don’t do any work

ASSIGNMENT  - Create a team of 2-3 people to complete the "Parallel Proportions" Assignment found under Assignments" on the Leadership General channel on Teams.  This activity will take patience, an open-mind, teamwork and some creative problem solving skills.  Persevere! and Good luck!  

Leadership - Monday May 11

Alrighty - a few of you are caught up on all of you Leadership assignments, but many of you are not.  I'd like to give you this week to get caught up.... not to procrastinate!  😜  I will still post a "Question of the Day" all week long but no new assignment for this week.  Please let me know if you need any help.

We will still have our Tuesday meeting at 10am and our Thursday activity at 2pm.

Please contact me if you have any questions, concerns, suggestions or just want to chat.  We can email,  use the "discussion and your questions" channel on our Leadership Teams page or set up a video chat.

Leadership - Lesson #5

Welcome to Habit #6 - SYNERGIZE 

"None of us is as smart as all of us."  (Ken Blanchard)

Habits 4, 5 &6 are all about your relationship with others.  Habit #4 was about having the right attitude to make good connections.  Habit #5 discussed healthy ways of communicating to strengthen those connections.  Habit #6 is about using those connections to achieve more as a group than you ever could as an individual.  This habit is about achieving synergy.

SYNERGY:

• IS WHEN TWO OR MORE PEOPLE WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE A BETTER SOLUTION THAN EITHER COULD ALONE.  

Check out the synergy that is being achieved in the following videos.

In order for SYNERGY to occur, the individuals within the group need to:

1.  Have an Open Mind and Celebrate Differences
2.  Come up with Creative Ways to Solve Problems
3.  Practice Teamwork Skills

Let's start with #1! 

• Read p. 182-193 in your "7 Habits" textbook.
• Synergy Notes (1st half)

a)  Practicing Open Mindedness:  consider this quote:

"A mind is like a parachute.  It doesn't work if is not open." (Frank Zappa)

Being open minded means to truly open your mind and consider new information, ideas and ways of doing things WITHOUT judgement.  It DOES NOT mean agreeing with everything - but giving your brain a chance to stretch and consider a different perspective. 

b)  Celebrating Differences: consider this quote: 

"If two people were exactly alike, one of them would be unnecessary." (Larry Dixon)

Sometimes, it is only when we come up against differences that we are forced to question our way of thinking.  If we want to achieve more than we could on our own - we must appreciate different perspectives and opinions.  We must look beyond our own way of thinking and doing.

This video, (although a plug for a specific school), 

speaks to the importance of being open minded and celebrating differences. 

ASSIGNMENT: 

Challenge yourself to do something or think about something that is different from your "normal".  

Suggestions:  

• listen to a different genre of music than you normally do,  
• watch a movie/documentary that would not normally catch your interest,  
• try a recipe for something you’ve never eaten before,  
• go on an adventure and discover an area of Revelstoke that you’ve never seen before,  
• read an article on a topic you've never considered before,  
• learn about the opposite perspective (from what you agree with) on a controversial issue, 
• You could even look at "life in COVID times" and online schooling.... it’s certainly new and different! 

1.  Write about (or discuss on video) your experience.  What did you choose to do? Why is this different for you? What was your experience like? You need to tell me how this experience forced you to think more open-mindedly and/or appreciate something/someone different. 

I will post this Assignment in Teams as well.

Leadership - Lesson #4

...Then to be Understood - the other half of communication...... (2nd half of Habit #5) = SENDING MESSAGES

1.  Read pages 178-179 in your "7 Habits".

If we want others to understand us better, it is important that we keep the lines of communication OPEN.  There are common mistakes that people can make when they are trying to communicate during times of stress and/or emotion.  These mistakes can cause the lines of communication to CLOSE between people and create negative feelings that weaken relationships.

2.  Read through each of the "Communication Blockers" found at the link below. 

Communication Blockers

Can you relate?  Are you guilty of using any of these "blockers" in your interactions with others?  Do you recall a time when someone used one of these against you?  I'm sure you remember how it made you feel.  Often, your immediate reaction is to defend yourself by getting angry or withdrawing to avoid further discomfort.  If this happens what can you do to repair the relationship? ... especially if the relationship is really important to you?  Read on.

3.  Someone may have said or done something that offended you.  You want to keep the lines of communication open.  What can you do to stick up for yourself or share your concerns but be respectful of the other person at the same time?  Your best shot may be to use something called an"I" Statement.

An "I" Statement does three things:
     1. It allows you to take responsibility for your feelings WITHOUT blaming the other person. (Remember Habit #1 - Be proactive, rather than reactive?)
     2. It focusses on the problem WITHOUT attacking the person.  (Hopefully by doing this the other person won't react defensively and the lines of communication will remain OPEN).
     3. It provides the person you are speaking to with a lot of helpful information.  (A better understanding of how you feel and why.)

For practice, complete the "I" Statement worksheet at the following link.

"I" message worksheet

8.  ASSIGNMENT  - Watch the following clip from the movie, "The Break Up".  In this clip we see a conversation between two people escalate into a fight.  Let's use this example to reflect on what we've learned about communication.  Please complete the assignment by answering the 2 questions below.

1. Using the information you have learned in this lesson (and the previous one... "Listening"), explain, in some detail, three communication "mistakes" (for example: poor listening skills, communication blockers, etc.) that inflamed and/or escalated this situation.  Describe a) the mistake, b) who made it and c) what it resulted in.

2.  Once Gary and Brook have had a chance to cool down - what is an "I message" that each of them could say to the other that would explain a)  how he/she feels, b) what the other person did and c) why that was hurtful.  (Take some time to think about this - what was each of them really upset about? - dig passed the surface and try to see the real issues and emotions by using what you have learned about "genuine" listening).  Write one message that Gary could say to Brook and another that Brook could say to Gary.  (And, I get that "I messages" sound weird, fake...corny... but if practiced, they will sound genuine and can actually be very effective).

I'll also post the "I message" worksheet in Assignments on Teams (although you don't need to submit it to me - it's not part of the assignment - but if you would like some feedback - I can help.)  I'll also post the 2 assignment questions, that way you can answer them in Word and hand them in on Teams.  

Leadership - Lesson #3

Lesson #3 - Seek First to Understand (1st half of Habit #5) = BEING A GOOD LISTENER!

If we have made "Think Win-Win" a habit, then this next habit will be much easier to achieve. In order for the other person to "win" you will need to find out what they want/need, and in order for you to "win", you will have to share what you want/need.  Therefore, communication is necessary and important to good relationships.  Stress and dysfunction in relationships are often the result of poor communication.  Since the Public Victory is about building healthy relationships with others,  how can we become better communicators?

1.  Check out the video below.  How much simpler would this situation have been if each "person" had asked about the other's intentions and communicated their thoughts rather than making assumptions?

When you hear the word, "communication", do you imagine someone speaking or listening?  Most of us likely imagine speaking, but the KEY to communication is in understanding the other person.  When both people seek to understand - communication just works better. 

Seek First to Understand - We will start by examining the most important aspect of communication ... LISTENING.

2.  Read pages 164-178 of your "7 Habits" book.

3. Print off the Listening Note sheet and fill it in as you read.

Habit #5 - Listening NOTES*

4.  "the deepest need of the human heart is to be understood.  Everyone wants to be respected and valued for who they are..."  (7 Habits, p. 165)

So how do we achieve this?  Let's take a closer look at GENUINE LISTENING.  By practicing the following 3 things, we can improve our listening skills and therefore, our ability to understand others.  

a.  Listen with your eyes, heart and ears.  Since words only account for 7% of the message, we need to practice listening better with our eyes and heart - what is the person's body language telling us?  Simply being aware of the importance of body language is a step towards becoming a better listener.

Try the quiz found at the following link.  (Take note of your results - this will be part of your assignment).

READING FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

b.  Stand in their shoes.  This means to listen with EMPATHY.  Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else's situation and understand and share his/her feelings.  

Brene Brown is a prominent researcher in this area.  In this short video, she explains the difference between SYMPATHY and EMPATHY.

c.  Mirroring.  When we mirror, it's vey important to reflect back, not only the meaningof what has been said, but also the feelings of the person.  This lets the person know that we have heard and understood them correctly.

Look at the worksheet found at the following link.  What feelings do you think are being communicated in each of the examples?  Write an appropriate response that reflects back both meaning and feelings for TWO of the examples.

MIRRORING WORKSHEET*

ASSIGNMENT

1. How did you score on the "Reading Facial Expressions" Quiz?  Explain where your "skill" level is presently at?

2.  Explain the difference between "Empathy" and "Sympathy".  

3.  Complete the Mirroring Worksheet.

*I will upload the Notes and Mirroring Worksheets to "Assignments" in Teams which may make it easier for you to complete online.  You can submit your assignment by sharing with me on Office 365 or completing it through Teams.

Online - PERSONAL LEADERSHIP

Hi All;

I hope you are all well and keen to resume our Leadership class. I am!

I've been scanning the internet to find us some activities that we can do as a class.... but at a distance.   And surprisingly, I've found some for us to try out.  I'm also in the process of learning how to use TEAMS - a platform that will allow us to connect as a class.  I hope to have something for you by Monday April 6.  Please check this blog again on Monday as well as TEAMS.

I look forward to chatting with you soon.

Love,
Hosh

Leadership - Tuesday April 14

LESSON #2 (9) - THINK WIN-WIN

OK - so we've established that relationships matter.  If the relationships in our life are healthy, we are likely to experience more success and happiness throughout our lives.  This lesson looks at the type of attitude needed to have strong relationships (and those attitudes that lead to unhealthy relationships).

Let's start off with a cute video that demonstrates a few of the attitudes we'll be looking at.



1.  Read pages 146-161 in "7 Habits".

2.  Fill out the "Notes" sheet as you read.

Think "Win-Win" Notes

3.  The attitude you have within your relationships can often show up during a conflict.

Conflict is a part of life. It exists as a reality of any relationship, and is not necessarily bad. In fact, a relationship with no apparent conflict may be unhealthier than one with frequent conflict. Conflicts are critical events that can weaken or strengthen a relationship.  They can be productive; creating deeper understanding, closeness and respect, or they can be destructive, causing resentment, hostility and divorce. How the conflicts get resolved, not how many occur, is the critical factor in determining whether a relationship will be healthy or unhealthy, mutually satisfying or unsatisfying, friendly or unfriendly, deep or shallow, intimate or cold. Conflicts run all the way from minor unimportant differences to critical fights. There are conflicts over needs, wants, preferences, interests, opinions, beliefs and values. (Taken from a website by; Larry Alan Nadig, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist)

This video is an advertisement but has some good information in it so I think it's worth checking out.

Everyone has numerous ways of dealing with conflict.  However, each of us has a preferred style.  In the best interest of your relationships, it is important to be aware of your conflict style.  

4.  The following “quiz” will help you to determine your most common style.  Take and score the quiz - it may be easiest to print it off first.

Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Style

5.  ASSIGNMENT (10 marks)

a) Which style did you score the highest on?

b) Briefly describe your style.

c) Of the 4 attitudes we looked at in your "7 Habits" book, which one is most closely related to your style?

d) If you were in a conflict with someone, which conflict style would cause you the most frustration?  Why?   

e) If you were in a conflict with someone, which style would you prefer to be in a conflict with?  Why? 

f) Consider this quote below and then answer the question:  Why is it important, to the health of a relationship, for people to be aware of their conflict styles?

“Solving conflict is easier when we don’t need to worry about winning or losing but only in meeting everybody’s needs.”  

Please submit your assignment by sharing it with me on Office 365.

Leadership - Monday April 6, 2020

LESSON #1 (8) - The Relationship Bank Account (RBA)

Winning the Private Victory (Habits #1, #2 and #3) was all about the relationship you have with yourself and building your self-confidence.  The Public Victory (Habits #4, #5 and #6) is about building your Relationship Bank Accounts (RBA).   It's all about developing healthy and positive relationships with others.  As you will learn, strong relationships lead to more success in your work life and significantly increase your level of personal happiness and health.

1.  Try this quick quiz.... just READ through it and try to come up with the answers.

Who Makes a Difference?

2.  Watch the following TED Talk.



3.  Read pages 131-143 of "7 Habits".

4.  Fill in the RBA Note sheet as you read to help you focus on the key points.

RBA Notes sheet

5.  Watch the following YouTube video.  This video reminds us, just like your "7 Habits" discussed, that we open relationships with everyone we meet.  When this connection with others is healthy, it can bring much happiness to our lives.  It also gives some awesome examples of deposits you can make into your RBAs.



6.  ASSIGNMENT - (10 marks) In order for us to begin to improve our "habits", we need to become aware of them.  This assignment is designed to help you become more "conscious" of the things that you are doing that either build or hinder your relationship with others.  Complete the "RBA Journal" sheet found at the following link.  Record a minimum of 10 RBA deposits and/or withdrawals that you make over the next few days with different people in your life. 

RBA Journal

Please submit your assignment by sharing it on Office 365.