CLD 775 - The Five Stage Model

My favorite concept in CLD 775 was the stages of group development. Each stage represents a different level the groups go through. I had never seen this model before, but it is definitely an accurate representation of group development. In class, my group experienced each of these stages. Through the forming stage we were trying to get to know each other and fill out who would take on what roles. Through the storming stage we got to know each other by learning how we each deal with conflict. During the norming stage we settled down a little bit and became more of friends rather than teammates. In the performing stage is where we began to work on our group analysis paper. In the adjourning stage, the main concern of the group was getting through the presentation and satisfying course requirements. This model is very important and would be valuable to anyone involved in a group because it thoroughly outlines what one can expect.

CLD 775 - Flywheel Effect v. Doom Loop

When discussing the concept of good v. great in class, the organizations that had succeeded by becoming great compared to the organizations that had either remained mediocre or failed completely made me think about the organization our group had chosen. Saint Joseph Hospital has come along way from its establishment over 100 years ago, but just because it has been around that long does that necessarily mean it is a great organization? Sometimes I think there is confusion about what defines the good v. great companies.  

Many times there are organizations that have been passed down for generations, but they still manage to go bankrupt or close their doors just because they did not manage to cross over and become a great organization that knows how to survive no matter the circumstances. There are many pieces to the puzzle of greatness, but one of the main concepts the author highlighted in the book is the great companies do not expect to become great over night. By building up momentum allows the organization to establish all aspects and create a strong foundation that is capable of withstanding whatever problems they could face. I found this concept, the Flywheel Effect, very interesting because the author states the companies that did not become great skipped building up momentum and went straight for the prize. By doing this, nothing was accomplished but failure which led to the Doom Loop. Success never seems to happen over night so I do not understand why these companies think they are any different.

With that said, Saint Joseph Hospital clearly understands momentum must be built rather than acquired. They have merged with other hospitals, but still the name remains Saint Joseph Hospital all over the state of Kentucky. They did not become rich and famous over night it has taken over a century to be the organization they are today. They have found the thing they are the best in the industry at and went with it. When hospitals specialize in certain areas it makes them more desirable rather than trying to conquer everything because then they are decent, but never masters. In the health industry it is more important to be a master rather than average.

CLD 775 - The FFA Hierarchical System

This past week I attended the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN. Even though I have been to this convention several times over the course of my high school career I had never attended the convention as a professional. When I began to look around at the thousands of blue corduroy jackets I couldn’t help but notice where the students were from. All 50 states were represented along with Puerto Rico.

On the back of the students’ FFA jackets houses an FFA emblem and just above that emblem is embroidered the state where the person is from. Likewise, below the emblem is embroidered the chapter the student is from. However, if you are a regional officer it lists the region instead of the chapter and if you are a state officer it will simply say association. On the front of the jacket just under the person’s name lists the current office the student holds.

It was interesting to see how students reacted when they interacted with their regional and state officers. The higher level officers were respected and seemed to be the center of the group’s attention; especially, the state officers. The students paid attention if the state officers said something because they too hoped to someday wear the association jacket.

This sense of reverence made me think of the different aspects of leadership we have been discussing in class. Not too long ago an employee had to go through several different managers if they wanted to speak to the CEO of an organization, now the CEO’s or person in charge is much more attainable. In a sense the National FFA Organization is very similar to the old style of management. If a student wants to speak with a state officer they can always email the individual, but it will definitely be easier to get ahold of the regional officer first. Likewise, with the national officers being so busy they depend on the state officers to take care of their state’s students.

There are many advantages and disadvantages to this hierarchical system, but it works or at least it does within the FFA. So, like many other companies ask why change a system that works? Obviously, there are many answers to this question (most we’ve covered in class) including making managers more attainable to entry level employees. Still I ask why ultimately add more responsibility to higher level employees? If a company is successful and profitable it seems to be working pretty well to me.

CLD 780 - The Life of a Graduate Student

This past week I have been preparing to go to National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN. With that said it has been exhausting with all of the deadlines that I have had to meet in order to take off three days! I have been scrambling to get my homework done, make sure that my research responsibilities and duties are up to date, and try to find time to pack my suitcase! Even though I have a million things going on I feel like I am finally making progressive in graduate school. Technical writing seems to be getting easier, my research poster paper is almost complete, and classes are going extremely well. I am anxious to see midterm grades.

It definitely always feels good to be able to check a task off of the to-do list even if there are twenty other things below it and even though I have not completed everything that is on the massive to-do list when I leave for convention in the morning I am putting all thoughts of school and work out of my mind and I am going to enjoy the break for a few days! I am going to use this time as a much needed mental health vacation. It will be nice to spend some time with the other graduate students outside of work.

So, Adios, Kentucky, I will see you on Friday! J

CLD 780 - In Between

This week has been insane! It has been so busy because I have had a million things to do with class, work, and home! Sometimes, it is extremely difficult to manage all aspects of life when you have so many tasks that have to been completed and people that depend on you to complete them. I feel that my home life has been put on the back burner a lot lately, because I have always been the person that has to do well in school and at work. I have come to realize that isn’t fair to my husband or me to do this. So, I am trying to balance everything but it’s difficult; especially, when you’re just starting out. I keep telling myself it is going to get better with time, but I have to take action and utilize my time wisely.
 
As for the things that are going well I am almost finished with transcribing for Dr. Vincent! So, that makes me very happy! J For those of you that have transcribed before you know what I’m talking about. Also, Randy and I are almost finished with our poster paper. We are both hoping that it gets approved and we have the opportunity to present it in Birmingham in February.

Graduate school has been very different from what I was anticipating. It is something that you have to get used to but it’s just like anything else there are good times, bad times, and the in between. This week has been one of the in between times because it has been so busy and stressful that the good and bad don’t really matter it is just getting to the finish line that is satisfying.

CLD 775 - Employee Importance in an Organization

In class we have been discussing a lot about the basics of organizations such as different types of people (ethinicity, age, gender, and even personality types), cultures, values, perceptions, and motivation. Within each of these subgroups it always seems to tie back to the employees. When I evaluate an organization now, I always ask myself these questions to determine if the organization is successful:

• How are the employees treated within the workplace?
• What is the perception of the organization? Is it positive, so that it will attract new employees? Or is it negative, so the organization has a high turnover rate?
• Does the organization have values? If so, do they hire employees with the same values?
• Is the organization's dynamics open to all types of people? If so, is it shown in employee diversity?
• Do the employees take pride in their job? If so, what motivates them?

When it comes down to it the employees can make or break an organization. If employees are happy in their work the output will be high and vice versa. In my job, when I have to complete a task that I see significance in I definitely put more thought into it compared to a meaningless task. So, when employees are valued and shown the meaning in what they are completing they will take value in their job and be motivated to complete it at a higher standard. I believe that if you have satisfied employees you will have a successful organization and that is definitely shown in many organizations in how they have succeed or how they have failed.

CLD 780 - Transitioning into Graduate School

When I first transitioned from undergraduate to graduate school I was nervous because it was uncharted territory. I had heard rumors of the demanding expectations and was afraid that I would not be able to meet them. Going into my fifth week of graduate school I can say that those fears are gone. However, I have been extremely overwhelmed by graduate school and my assistantship. Two things that I had never experienced before I decided to jump in head first.

There are several things that I love about graduate school compared to undergrad and the packet that we were provided with highlights those points. First, I honestly never noticed how much graduate students were respected and put on a higher level than undergrads. I have gotten to know my professors in a way that I never expected to and it has made me want to work and learn. I think it’s awesome how the student/teacher relationship changes once you’ve crossed over.

Another key point was time management which ties in with organization. I have a billion things to do and I’m the kind of person that wants them done all at once. I have a list of things that need to be completed daily, weekly, and a few projects on a longer time frame. This has helped me not go crazy! I also have a color coded filing system that I go by for the different projects that I am involved in. Without successful organization skills I honestly don’t know how anyone ever gets anything done.

           
The last article in our packet discussed effective reading tips. This has been the biggest change for me. Being a newlywed and my husband being on 3^rd shift the only thing I want to do when I get home (if he’s there) is relax and spend time with him because our time together definitely limited! Learning how to scan articles and get the key information has saved my life! At first I tried reading every article and text book word for word, but then when it came time for discussion none of the information was being retained which was definitely a waste of my time. So, now I look for key words and information that I think will be important. I think that this is one of the most important skills a graduate student can learn.

           
Overall, graduate school has been an amazing experience thus far. I have gotten really close with all of my colleagues in the office and have gotten to know my professors on a more personal basis. When I came in I was counting down until the two years were over so I could get back into the classroom, but now I’m actually enjoying my time way more than undergrad and more than I had ever expected!

CLD 775 - Effective Leadership

Effective leadership can be defined in many different ways and can mean different things to people as well. From my perspective, as an agricultural educator, effective leadership is essential for success. When working with students one must be a positive role model. By positive role model I mean one must be conscious of their actions at all times, because you never know who is watching you when you do not know about it. An ag teacher has many followers, basically whoever is in their ag program and the agricultural community which they teach in. The key that I go by is being the leader that you want your students to be. As an ag teacher you are also an FFA advisor. When the chapter goes to a competition or any public place they are a representative of not only the school, but their teacher as well. So, if you are being the leader that you want your students to be than you do not have anything to worry about.

With that said this is the reason I decided to enroll in CLD 775. I want to be able to teacher leadership in an effective manner, because it is essential for my student's success. I also have the unique opportunity to use the FFA to help promote leadership. With different offices, committees, and even members that take on a leadership role it can be trial and error for what works, because not everyone is the same type of leader, but that does not mean they are not as effective. Some people lead by doing and don't say too much, while others are very boisterous and opinionated and lead by word. Whatever one's leadership style is can be used to their advantaged by playing on their strengths and using it to be as effective as possible.

I am looking forward to learning about leadership this semester and how to make it relevant to my situation!