MAC – Week 3 – Reading Blog – CH 5-8 - BTFI
I am continuing to read Zander’s book, The Art of Possibility. As I read, I take notes on parts that stand out to me or analogies that I wish to reiterate. Here are my gems from chapters 5-8.
Chapter 5. Leading from Any Chair
I really enjoyed the piece on how Zander had changed his perception on his own leadership. His original motive was to convey his interpretation and possible be more successful at conducting. Instead, he began to focus on having each band member perform to their own potential. It is an excellent analogy of how a teacher can refocus on the students, instead of their own careers.
The leader may be any one of us.
Chapter 6. Rule Number 6
Lighten Up – And others will lighten up around you. Humor is the best way to get over ourselves.
Lessons I learned in this chapter were “Rule Number 6” and how to have the best sex ever. Wow, the curriculum scope &sequence of Full Sail is very far reaching. In reality, the key to The Best Sex Ever – Is learning to live life in the realm of possibility. – You can imagine there are three steps to reach all goals. – You can change the steps as often as you want to meet your goals. Play the - “Have the best ____ ever.” – Game. “Have IT” – Be fulfilled.
Chapter 7. The Way Things Are
ATTENTION makes things grow. You shine attention on something you get more of it. If you pay attention to problems, they grow. I have heard very similar advice before. It may have been from my Concious Discipline. As a teacher, I have used it and it really works. In the beginning I would focus on Katrina’s slow reading speed, poor math skills or obnoxious behavior. Remember, I was trying to help these problems, but in reality they grew. Instead I began to focus on what I wanted more of. I would focus on Katrina’s instances of good behavior, her skill at previous levels of math and reading. Just focusing on the positive attributes helps not only Katrina, but the whole class by example. When used, it seems almost as a miracle. However, it is very easy to slip into the old stand-by, “that is the third time this week you have not completed your homework.” It is more of a lifestyle shift than a simple rule change.
Chapter 8. Giving Way to Passion
Three key pieces of advice from chapter eight that I plan to incorporate in my life. All three seem to unlock potentials in exponential ways.
One buttock playing = One buttock teaching
BTFI – Beyond The “F” It – Just thinking about it, makes me feel “FREE”.
Participate!
Sources:
Book Link - Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Possibility-Transforming-Professional/dp/0142001104/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339628634&sr=1-1&keywords=art+of+possibility
Photo - Flickr Commons - http://www.flickr.com/photos/avpiedra/3815253020/
Cherylee,
You provided a well condensed version of our reading for this week. You outline the content and boil down the information to a simple rendition of the material. One of the key components that you picked up on is the evolution of leadership. Leaders that turn from good to great are those who constantly put themselves in check by looking past themselves and getting others to rise to their potential. Another aspect that you focused on is paying attention to problems and how they grow. Often, if you let some time go by, what we perceive as problems resolve themselves. You mentioned your focus on Katrina’s behavior. Punitive reactions to student behavior will always work against you. I have found with my daughter that if I explain or set the boundary that I want I will get the desired behavior and less of the undesired behavior. I guess we were taught from our parents the negative side of life and now we need to turn that frown upside down and focus of what we want, not what we do not want from our children and students in the classroom.
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