Development and Leadership

I’m taking a class of introduction to development studies. In the last class, we had a guest speaker who participated in Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (青年海外協力隊). She told us her activity in Panama. Her lecture was so exciting! I thought it was related to leadership lessons.

She explained 3 important things she has learned in Panama: communication skill, flexibility and planning skill. Especially, I was so influenced by the last one “planning skill”.

She said that it is important to involve others and motivate them as a leader. For example in Panama, she worked with a colleague who has no motivation. He was a driver, but clearly he was reluctant to work. He was often late for the time to pick her. To motivate him, she suggested painting pictures on his truck with children. At first, he was not willing. However as he saw children painting pictures happily, he got to be motivated. Her planning succeeded to motivate him.

She also said that the key to motivate others is making them fun! By the example, she showed that “fun is the motivation of motivation”.

I learned how important to motivate others and to make others fun from her. It was very pleasure to take her lecture.

Week 5 assignment

  I was so impressed the section “Minimize Status Differences and Special Privileges” in chapter 6. The section is picked up in class too.

When I was in a junior high school, I was a member of tennis club. The club had a typical old-fashioned “caste” system. For example, there was a rule that younger member should come to school much earlier and maintain the tennis court for seniors. In addition, youngest students are prohibited to come in tennis court, because we have only 3 courts although there are a lot of members. Therefore while seniors enjoy tennis, youngest students just run and picked up balls. They are so tough for us.

Moreover, youngest students sometimes called and scolded by seniors after school. The reasons are various. For example, we are often blamed of being late, small voices, and not saying hello to seniors when we meet them in a passage.

Now, I thank seniors for teaching me common sense. Being prohibited from playing tennis is hard for me, but all the more I still remember the delight that I felt when I play tennis in the court for the first time.

However, I think the system should be disused, because “free-caste” will minimize resentments and stress, and make all member together as explained in chapter 6. Actually, the “caste” was so stressful for me. I really agree with Shackleton’s idea that leaders should get no special privilege. When I became a leader, I would like to make a “free-caste” team.

(In consequence, I quitted the tennis club because the “caste” seemed not to be disused. However when we became seniors, my friend changed the club into “free-caste” one. I was so happy.)

Week 4 Assignment

Week 4 Assignment

In chapter 4, the author suggests the importance of avoiding “summit fever” and keeping our emotional well-being.

 I think I tend to get to the state of “summit fever”. For example, I went skiing with my family when I was 10 years ago. I was so absorbed in skiing, so I skied all day long without meals (actually, I forgot to eat something). In the night, I came back to the hotel and took a bath. Getting out of the bath, I felt dizzy and fell down. Fortunately, my mother helped me, so I was ok. However, I nearly struck my head against the desk, so dangerous. I should not let myself be too concerned about something, because it may lead the state of “summit fever”. I have to be cool-headed.

In addition, I completely agree with the way that the president of Nissan chose. Keeping our emotional well-being is the first priority even if there are lot of things to do. When I was preparing for an entrance exam, I found that. Whenever I was exhausted and came to a deadlock, I’ve never done well. On the contrary, when I was relaxed especially by chatting with my friends, I felt my mind worked well. Reducing my stress is much more important than I had expected.

Avoiding “summit fever” and keeping our emotional well-being: both need self control. I would like to be good at controlling myself well…

What did you think of it??

 The sentense in chapter 3 (p.46 the last paragraph) made me deep think.

 It is "I believe the role of the leader demands that personal fears are best controlled or dampened untill negative information is digested".

 I think the attitude of recent Japanese goverment is like this. I heard that when Fukushima nuclear accident happened, some information was kept reporting by goverment. The purpose is maybe to maintain our composure.

  I think it is important. However, the accurate information is also essential for us... In these cases, sould politics leaders tell us everything??

  It is a difficul argument. We had this discussion in bible class. It was so interesting for me.

 If you like, let me know your opinion! ^^

Week 3 Assignment

Chapter 3 was so useful for me. I realized that being optimistic is a key to success. I think I am a kind of optimist, but sometimes I get in a negative spiral…

One clear example was a musical concert on April (I said it in the first class!). The stage was special for me, because it was the first time to sing alone on the stage.

To make a stage, we have to have rehearsal many times. In the rehearsal, all casts and staffs see and check each performance. It was a nightmare for me! At the first rehearsal, I lost myself and forgot everything. Nevertheless the music was going, I could sing at all.

From then, I completely got in the bad spiral. I got to think worse and worse, and be afraid of singing. I felt more nervous and considered how I could quit my role many times.

However, my senpai(senior) changed my heart. She said “You look so depressed! Don’t worry. If you made mistakes, nobody blame you. Just enjoy! How good your singing is not a problem. The problem is whether you have fun!”. Her message made me optimistic.

When I got to be optimistic, I began to see reality: I consider ways to be a better singer. I found it is just a “practice”. I practiced twice times as before. It made me reduce my fear. Fortunately, all members help my practice till late every day.

In consequence, I enjoyed the stage so much (although I made a little mistake…) !! I really thank the senior and other members for cheering up me. Then, I also learned how important being optimistic is.

 “Being optimistic” is my motto whole my life!