Everywhere you trip is where the treasure lies. While looking for a book for my class assignment I bumped into tremendous amount of them talking about leadership. Why there are so many? Why has leadership received so much attention? Which one I have to pick? Why we study leadership at all? Isn’t it what coming with years of experience? Many people believe that a leader is an aggressive person who “inspires†others to work hard to accomplish important tasks. Then why those publications take a colossal part in the market of popular books? Is leadership a learned behavior? “On Becoming a Leader†by Warren Bennis is the book I picked, intrigued by the front cover announcement “The Leadership Classicâ€. Warren Bennis’s approach in this book can be described as a “leadership by looking aroundâ€. He discusses the essence of leadership and how individuals become leaders by examining numbers of successful leaders. Presence of these examples is very helpful, because we can integrate those leadership qualities into our own lives. In the very beginning of his book Bennis said “leadership is like beauty: it’s hard to define, but you know it when you see it†. This statement is reflective throughout the book in those examples. In the introductions – one written for the original publication and one a few years later – Bennis states his premises about leadership. He believes that everyone has the capacity for leadership . Why he wants us, his readers, to be so confident? He acknowledges that there are no rules and predictable patterns in leadership, but still encourages us to take risk, make mistakes, and express ourselves to become a successful leader. He firmly believes leaders are made, not born . Learning and developing abilities are more important that the ability one was born with. Those who took risk, made mistakes, and reflected to own failure – understood, thus, learned from the experience, and become leaders. “On Becoming a Leader†is based on the assumption that leaders know who they are, what their strengths and weaknesses. Bennis’s position is that “becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself†. The statement seems very simple, but it is difficult indeed. What he really means is that no one can teach how to become ourselves, how to take charges, how to fully-express ourselves. Leaders are those who were able to accomplish those tasks. In the first section of the book Bennis argues that a lack of leadership is one of the greatest dangers to society. He claims that America lost its way – “We forgot what we were here for.†Certainly, there are not enough leaders in organizations, but the world isn’t that bad. The world changes drastically. Most of the CEOs in America do not know how to use computers. Does it make them bad leaders? We always need competent leaders of any types and levels. Bennis’s leaders are those who adapt changes. Very critically Bennis claims that “after World War II, America was chiefly notable for its bureaucrats and managers, its organization men, its wheeler-dealers who remade, and in some cases unmade, the institutions and organizations of America, in both the public and private sectors . By this statement, Bennis encourages us to master the context , to take another look at what good leaders are. Bennis sets three reasons why he believes leaders are important. First, leaders are responsible for organizational effectiveness. Second, in the world of constant changes, leaders must provide stability to an organization. Finally, leaders are the only ones to build integrity and trust within an organization. Nevertheless leadership is a complex process and most people fail to master the context. Bennis gives very interesting example of a leadership failure – “Edâ€; he had fantastic management skills, but never really understood what it takes to be an effective leader. Unfortunately, most of us tend to function on Ed’s level. He failed because he was not able to make people willing to follow him. Leaders like him lack most important qualities such passion, integrity, trust, curiosity, daring and guiding vision. Often, these qualities are subjected in stress, hard work, and adversity. “Ed†is a perfect image of a good manager, but not a leader. Bennis very clear define this difference – “The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.†In the next section of “On Becoming a Leader†Bennis describes the necessity of self-knowledge for future leaders. Norman Lear, producer, screenwriter and director, is frequently referenced by Bennis. Using his character, Bennis contends that self-knowledge is best achieved by the four lessons. 1. you are your own best teacher 2. accept responsibility 3. you can learn anything you want to learn 4. true understanding comes from reflecting on your experience Explore these lessons to become a successful leader. Bennis also discusses the problem of diminishing cultural awareness and how it holds back the emergence of leadership. To become a true leader, one must know the world as well as know oneself. He explains the benefits of expanding the limits of our world by traveling to other countries and learning new cultures. We need to develop respect for diversity, and those who are inherently curious will become true leaders. Finally, Bennis talks about learning through adversity. What can be better than to be able to transform the experience into wisdom? Some of the best learning and creative, innovative ideas come from having to work through crisis. The more obstacles and deterrents you come across, the more you learn and the better you evolve into a more effective leader. However, not all can survive from failure, and very often physical boundaries stifle leadership capabilities. Furthermore, Bennis compare leadership skills with the acquisition of good “people skillsâ€. He argues that outstanding leaders are able to express concern and respect for fellows. It is not necessary to be a charismatic leader to inspire trust and loyalty in his/her followers. But how make someone to trust you? How to convict someone that following is the best thing to do at the time? Bennis claims that all this can not be taught, but it can be learned. Human sensitivity, tact, compassion, and diplomacy would make one a good leader. More importantly, he supports it with examples of Barbara Corday and Herb Alpert , outstanding leaders exercise empathy when working with colleagues and other leaders. Regarding empathy, Bennis remarks – “I’ve known leaders who have had none of it and nevertheless were leaders, but those who have had that quality have moved and inspired me more†. Leaders are the ones who support those whom they lead whether through the use of empathy or through other means. According to Bennis, only leaders who have these qualities can be expected to be America’s future leaders. Finally, while Bennis stresses that all human beings have the ability to lead, his choice of “outstanding leaders†is quite selective. Rather than selecting leaders from various industries and even countries, Bennis choose high-ranking leaders in large corporate and governmental positions. Those are CEOs and presidents, lawyers, movie directors. It was hard to associate some fields such entertainment industry with traditional fields of leadership (i.e. military, sports). In his book, Bennis encourages us to travel, learn others cultures, but his list of “outstanding leaders†composed primarily of native born leaders from the United States . In addition, this endless list of characteristics and qualities presented throughout the book is absolutely overwhelming. Even though, I believe this book should be at the top of the reading list in any serious study of leadership. The book is of value to a wide spectrum of people. Those who are currently at a leadership position will be inspired to be better leaders. Those who are “followers†will gain a better understanding of how crucial is their own role, as well as better understanding of what their own leaders are facing. I personally started to think that I can be a better person, leader in my own life. It does motivate and help to evaluate ourselves. I also feel that I will come back to this book and read it again to discover entirely new insights. Perhaps the reason that this book is simple and so adaptable is author’s belief that anyone can be a leader. Think about that: “it’s much easier to express yourself than to deny yourself.†And of course, Bennis’s advice is well-taken: we can all be leaders in whatever we do.
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The instinctive need for humanity to belong is through acceptance of one through relationships and their social status in society. When an individual seeks acceptance in the wider world in order to belong, it is up to them as to whether or not they are accepting of others. This idea is challenged as society is the boundary preventing an individual from trying to belong. This notion is expressed throughout the play Rainbows End by Jane Harrison and the film The Sapphires directed by Wayne Blair. Whereby both composers use various techniques to explore the belief that one seeks to belong through relationships and culture. An individual may feel that to truly belong they must discard all differing thoughts. In a way finding a way to be accepted is the focal point of belonging. This idea is demonstrated in the play Rainbows End, in the “Waters rising†scene whereby the audience is under the impression that an individual seeks to belong through acceptance within a relationship. Further In the scene, we see Errol asking Dolly to move into the city with him, through the exchange of dialogue between Errol and Dolly. Errol says “I want you to come away with me†with dolly responding “Away?†and Errol “Yes to the cityâ€. Through the use of a demanding tone in Errol’s voice “I want you†indicates Errol is able to offer a better life for dolly. Symbolising the idea that acceptance in a relationship can make one feel as though they belong, to the point where they can live together as one. As a result, the viewers can understand that both Errol and Dolly are accepting of each other and the different worlds they come from. In a similar way, Wayne Blair explores the idea that a sense of belonging can emerge where there is a perception of acceptance without limitations. This is illustrated in the film The Sapphires whereby Dave is accepted into Gail’s family and asks her parents for her hand in marriage, the humorous dialogue between Gail and Dave and Gail’s father saying “Marriage eh? That’s fine I suppose but you’ll have to learn about ceremonial law…spears and duck under boondies…want to go shooting?†As a result of the choices taken upon by Dave and Gail it has led them to marriage. Emphasizing on the idea that there are no limitations as to how far Gail can go with her relationship with Dave. As a result being accepted without limitations brings about personal satisfaction that is both Dave and Gail feeling a sense of belonging to each other. In another manner, Jane Harrison challenges the idea that no matter how far one goes to be accepted in order to feel they belong. It does not always bring personal satisfaction. This is illustrated further on in the “Queens’s visit†scene where Gladys comes home disappointed as she didn’t get the chance to see the queen. This is highlighted in “if they’d given us proper houses… but hessian! Like a band aid over a soreâ€, through the use of an angry tone, the audience can depict the desperate measures Gladys has gone to that is the white gloves and dressing up to look presentable did not bring personal satisfaction due to her address, cultural background and socio-economic background. This is further exemplified in the connotations of an exclamation mark in “but hessian!†indicates Gladys’ furiousness. Furthermore, through the use of a simile in “Like a band aid over a sore†specifies the aboriginal community is the sore that needs covering up, which is done by the hessian. In a similar way ones social status can be challenged if they are from two worlds. This is evident in the scene whereby Gail and Cynthia interrupt Kay’s Tupperware party with her “white†friends. Through the use of costuming the audience can see Kay has adopted the fashion of the white community. This is evident in the use of a close-up shot on facial expressions of the four women, disgust verse embarrassment. Gail looking in disgust and Kay in embarrassment, highlights Kay’s social status is important to her as it makes her feel as though she belongs. In this case Kay belonging to the Australian society, which is predominantly “Whiteâ€. In conclusion, the instinctive need for humanity to belong through relationships and social status can affect the choices individuals make and direct their actions. This notion is challenged throughout the play Rainbows End and the film the sapphires whereby the need to belong is through acceptance of others in relationships and social status, although may not always bring about personal satisfaction to the individual trying to belong, it can also bring disappointment. 2. Into the World The French Prisoner by Janos Pilinszky and The survivor by Tadeusz Rozewicz Entering new worlds may be easy for one to do, although it is the memories held within the past that can have ripple effects on an individual’s future. It is the actions undertaken by the individual in the past that can affect them mentally and psychologically. This notion is presented in the poems The French Prisoner by Janos Pilinszky and The Survivor by Tadeusz Rozewicz. Whereby both composers have used various techniques to illustrate the idea that memories in the past can leave a feeling of guilt and remorse on an individual’s future, especially when trying to enter new phases in life. Past experiences depicts how one lives their life in the future, it is up to the individual as to whether or not they can move on. This view is illustrated in the poem The French Prisoner whereby the persona is reliving the memory he has of the French prisoner. In the use of Binary opposites “Joy and revulsion the same as happy and unhappyâ€. Emphasizes the personas loss of control of himself as a person due to a guilt-ridden memory he has of the French prisoner that is not helping him escape when he had the chance. This is further highlighted in the use of disturbing imagery in “the bare palm that crammed at his mouth, and clung there so that it ate, too†shows the viewers of the desperation of the dehumanised prisoner eating like an animal. As a result of this memory the persona, has become mentally unstable to the point where it’s almost as if he is the French prisoner reliving this guilt. In a similar manner, Tadeusz Rozewicz has explored in a similar way that recollections from previous events can impact one physically. As one tries to enter into a new journey of self-discovery it may be difficult to do so if there is a constant reminder of events that happened in the past, stopping them from doing so. This is evident in stanza one through the use of violent imagery in the connotations of “led to slaughter†illustrates the pain and suffering they had gone through, as a result of this not being able to move on into a new life in the future. This is further revealed in “I survived†meaning he physically made it out of such horrifying events. Furthermore, through the use of binary opposites “man and beast, love and hate, friend and foe†tells the audience how mentally disturbed he is that he cannot tell the difference between synonyms and antonyms. As a result of this, the trauma the persona had gone through personally within the past shape how they live they’re life in the future. This is illustrated in the distorted reality in “virtue and crime weigh the same†indicates the views of the world from his eyes are inaccurate due to witnessing the horrific events of war. In conclusion, an individual trying to move into a new journey of self-discovery may find it difficult to do so especially when they have horrific recalls of the past. This concept is carried throughout the poems The French Prisoner by J.P and The Survivor by T.R. Where both composers emphasize that moving into new phases is not easy and takes time to adjust to it, physically and mentally especially when the persona is carrying a sense of guilt and remorse.
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