This is the last post in my blog for ending of this class, so I'd like to share my reflection of the presentation and final thoughts.
First, I finished my presentation on this Wednesday!! I could enjoy it! Thank you for listening! In our group, it was covered the different fields of leadership, so we used Brent's chart and identified each kind of leadership. By doing so, it was effective to understand the demand for personality of each leadership.
As we showed in presentation, there are various styles of leadership depending on person and fields. Therefore, we can always learn the leadership from other's experiences even if it is from different field as good model. Then we can make our own leadership as well.
Through this LILTDY cource, I was really inspired with Ken and my classmates' ideas. Thank you so much! What I learned in this class is countless. Good leadership makes both individual and team to be HAPPY! I want to keep learning and improving my leadership.
On this Wednesday, Brent came to our class!! In his lecture, we could learn about self-leadership. We especially focused on our "personality". I impressed most the idea "Find great job based on your personality and make you more happier". For finding and getting good job, it is very important to know "who you are" and "what are you good at". After I heard it, I noticed that there is no only one correct guideline for leadership and there are many types fitting for diverse leaders. However, it tells at the same time, if you want to become more good leader, recognize your type and find your good and weak point.
During the lecture, Brent positioned himself as "Developer Leader" many times. When he said so, he seemed be sure that and be comfortable. Also, he looked really happy. By seeing such his self-confidence directly, I felt that he could before try to find himself, ask himself again and again, and finally understand himself. Therefore, keeping consider and look for inside of you are very important things to get self-awareness. I found that this idea is really similar to Shackleton's idea which is "inner dialog and self-talk" on Chapter 3. I would like to try to find myself too!
Brent also said that after doing self-awareness, see others who are different or similar to you. If you understand the existence of many types and traits, you could be flexible towards their ideas much more easily. Moreover, in the case of group work, diversity is important, because we need to have various perspectives for solving the problems and challenging new things. If we have good valance in the same group, we could control well and not burst over like Brent's example as we saw, making no results, thinking over optimistic, making strong frame work, and going one's way alone. Therefore, one-sided idea and personality are dangerous and limited, so we need to have various types of leadership as much as possible and cooperate others. Here, I found the idea which is similar to Shackleton's idea (Chapter 5 and 6) again. "Shackleton did not select a homogeneous group that could be expected to gel of its own accord and brought some trouble makers in especially when time was decision-making". We could learn from Shackleton a lot!!
Finally, I would like to remember some Brent's idea,
"How to shift our focus depending on needs of the situation or person." Brent is Developer, but he sometimes needs to be Integrator, Baser, and Result Leader.
"Kind of stress or pressure are part of life!" Problems are inevitable!(from L@E)
I would like to reflect Chapter 9 and 10 briefly. In Chapter 9, it said "Clearly, leaders at The Edge need to be comfortable with the discomfort of risk. Unnecessary risks you face and evaluate them carefully. Then balance risk and return, and have the courage to step up to those calculated risks that are worth taking". It means that we need to choose which risk should take or not. There is the Risk Assessment in the book which is very important to think the best- and worst-case outcomes, and to analyze this opportunity. This idea has similar point to Brent's self assessment that make own tendency clear. It is very important to recognize the possibility what kinds of outcomes are going to happen and expect. Of course, no body knows what things happen next exactly. That is why good leadership at The Edge is very difficult and unique. However, it is necessary to just analyze from current situation and imagine next situation. By doing so, we can prepare some solutions and next, it enables leaders and teams to move action and decision quickly.
In Chapter 10, it tells similar things "Rather than expecting things to go right, successful leaders under these conditions should be prepared for things to go wrong. In fact, when at The Edge, a realistic expectations is that things will go wrong with greater frequency and magnitude than ever before. Once this reality is acceptable, daunting problems become a normal part of the journey. Then the leadership challenge becomes one of mobilizing the collective creativity of the team to find a solution". In this case, to expect things that will go wrong is not negative thinking, because it is required at the same time to find better solutions for the next. It seems obviously positive thinking!!
I like this sentences "Optimism at The Edge means believing that somehow, some way, the team will succeed-in the long run. In the short run, however, problems are inevitable". Therefore, it is necessary to face problems and conflicts actively and positively for trying to solve them.
In Rab's lecture, we played interesting activity "The Marshmallow Challenge". After reading Ei and Mizuki's reaction in the same group, I would like to share some my ideas.
In my group, first time we got higher score than second one. Ei had really interesting point that we did not have much "stamina". Also, I think our team work and its communication related to that result as well. In this challenge, I am sure that I was follower, and I tried to support it. At the first, we could good communicate like praising each other's good work and divide some roles naturally. However, at the second time, our conversation seemed less than before. Also, we started to don't know how the work going on with clear image and Ei tried to make another tower from the begining on herself when the tower was not going well. However, I could not say to Hiromi and MIzuki "why don't you make new tower together with Ei" or say to Ei "please come back and fix and reinforce together" because I was not sure that which is better for the team and we do not have much time to choose this.
In this challenge, I could learn not only many important concepts of leadership and team work but also my classmate's interesting ideas. I felt especially in the team work, collaboration is very important through each members try to provide diverse ideas and just try to make them together. At the same time, both Leadership and Followership are necessary. Also, I think it is sometimes needed to try to think and make during limitted time. It needs to concentrate with stamina and decide quickly.
Thank you for your comment, Mizuki and Ken! I thought Ken's idea is pretty nice, but I have some ideas that I want to reflect, remember, and share in this section, and probably I could reflesh enough, so I have to move forward. Including this Ken's humorous idea has important point to explain this section, because Mizuki and Ken made me laugh and encouraged to do work so. It tells that "the ability to lighten up, celebrate, and laugh can make all the different" in this case, especially turn my motivation better. L@E said "Humor is one of the most effective leadership tools". I think Ken showed this leadership many times in our class too. He always tries to encourage us and reflesh from some routine tasks through the different way such as watching video, Shackleton's expedition and The Ridge or visiting guest speakers, Rab and Brent. I appreciate for that.
Good fortune and happiness will come to the home of those who smile.
I like this sentences from L@E, "A joke can break the monotony of routine work, some of which is inherent in any job. Laughter can create a relaxed atmosphere and stimulate creativity. Humor, even dark humor, can cut through tension, fear, and anxiety." Stimulating Creativity! As you know, it is said that good idea and inspiration come up when people can relax such as during bath time, not in office. In biology class, I heard that some scientists often communicate and share to others and get good ideas during the party (飲み会) and also get good information like cooperation research. While people need to do work hard, it is very important to enjoy something they like, release from stress, and rest thier brain.
"It is surprising, though, that many leaders fail to understand the importance of ceremony or conduct them so ineptly that spirit is diminished rather then enhanced". I think I might be part of one from my experience. When the time was day before the summer competition in the club, we did not practice for long hour that day which was my teacher's idea because our turn was so early in the next day morning. Therefore, we had to stay at school for the ready to practice and warm up in a short, next morning. My friend's mother came to school and gave us ice cream for encouragement. In the free time, we ate it, took shower and spent time freely. However I felt uncomfortable and affraid that most members seemed enjoy too much and kind of spree even next day was competition. I was a little nervous about the case that they could not go to concentrate for the next day, because it was first experience for our club and I knew that some members tend to forget time or things they have to do first after too much enjoying. However in this case, after reading the section "Lighten up", I thought that probably I could enjoy myself more. In L@E, there is very important message for me that "celebration and humor are neither superfluous nor luxuries. They are imperatives."
Finally, I would like to memorize some ideas and feedback watching and thinking the leadership of "The Ridge".
Kaori said that he did not give up and quit to try because of supporting by all members and staff.
Ei said that in the first video, we saw him as having confidence and no fear, but after watching making sciene, we could know his lots of big effort. However, no one can see such leader's effort in normal because he hides them, so he can attractive people and be respected.
Mikiya said that only many training and experiences can lead him to have confidence and can control the fear.
In Addition, I would like to introduce "The Ig Nobel Prizes honor". Its goal is that "make people LAUGH, and then THINK". The prizes are
intended to celebrate the unusual, honor the imaginative and spur people's interest in science, medicine, and technology.
What
can we learn from Shinya Yamamaka’s work and what are similarities between his
and Shacklton’s ideas.
“Today, I would like to talk about VW. I
will not talk about German automobiles. I will talk about my own motto”. This
is first introduction of Shinya Yamanaka’s speech at the 2013 U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference on October 4,
2013.I think it could tell his unique personality well. In 2012, Dr. Yamanaka was awarded the Nobel
Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery that adult somatic cells called
“iPS” can be reprogrammed into pluripotent cells. This great discovery amazed
all over the world, and he became one of famous successful scientist now. As I showed
at very beginning in his speech, we can see that he tried to make audience
laugh. Also, another time during his talking in some address or interview, he
often shows us his optimistic personality and sense of humor. Then, I started
to be interested in his life and how his way of thinking cultivated.
As
you know, historically, many scientists who were awarded the Nobel Prize in science
have been given new hope for future to many people around the world by
incredible discovery like Shinya Yamanaka. However, even if spending very long
time and dedicating for the research, a way of achievement toward amazing
successful discovery is rare. Therefore, for many scientists, it is important
to know as one of great model, how Yamanaka could lead to successful discovery
and what his way of thinking came up with his great idea. In this paper, I would like to analyze
what can we learn from Shinya Yamamaka’s work and what are similarities between
his and Shacklton’s ideas.
The purpose of this paper will give
some tips about not only success future’s research for young scientists but
also everyone who wants to succeed in any other fields. First, it will begin
with an introduction and Yamanaka’s background. It will then focus on finding
and analyzing similarities between Yamanaka and Shacklton’s tactics. Finally,
it will relate to expectation for future’s research and successful work in
other fields.
In this section, I learned how we should deal with conflict. We can learn the strategies from Schackleton. "Shackleton used instances such as these to communicate what he found acceptable and unacceptable behavior. He was also able to be proactive and defuse problems that could distract the men or sap their much-needed energy. Furthermore, resolving a problem early on prevented it from becoming a larger issue". I drew a picture and understood on my own that why it is important to resolve the problem early from Shackleton idea. Here it is.
If you avoid each conflicts at that time, the problems cannot be solved and get bigger and bigger, then finally they blow out. Even more, it should bring bad effect for the team and it is more difficult to make it up. Therefore, Shackleton knew that the men needed to be able to release on a daily, because conflict not expressed and resolved can escalate out of control.
In the section of Engage Dissidents, it was written that "Be proactive and keep troublemakers close by" and "Make sure these people are engaged, in some way, in the decision-making process". This is very interesting and important idea. Also, there is same idea from Chapter 5 and 6 that having same identity and trying to mix with diversity characteristics.
In my experience, I have experienced many conflicts with my teacher in the brass band club. We were fight almost everyday after the club and we did not understand each other saying at first, because both had strong opinion and we were often obstinate. However, my teacher and I never avoid that conflict. I thought it was good, because we tried to find good solution. After that, my teacher idea became soft and changing gradually and he tried to action that I wanted to. Then, I also became to rely on him and appreciated his brave action. I think it was really stressful but now I can see that process was needed to the step up for my club. Moreover, after finishing all, we can talk that moment even as good memories.
Historically, many scientists have been
given new hope for future to many people around the world by incredible
discovery. However, even if spending very long time and dedicating for the
research, a way of achievement toward amazing successful discovery is rare.
Therefore, it can be gratification for many scientists. Of course it needs many
scientists’ effort and also ability to leading the team in the laboratory. My
goal of this writing is to look for successful leadership as scientists.
Especially, I focus on Shinya Yamanaka who is one of famous Japanese biology
scientist in the field of stem cells. I am going to write focusing his unique
experience. Also, I would like to relate his idea and way of thinking to 10
strategies from L@E.
I.Introduction
A.Opening
1.Hook
2.Topic identification
(Leadership in science)
3.Thesis
B.Writing Plan
1.Purpose of paper
2.Plan of development (I will use
the books especially written about his interview and analyze his personality.)
II.Yamanaka’s Background History
A.Twice Failure
1.First failure when he was a
clinician.
2.Second failure after he came
back to Japan from U.S. (Self-talking and engage himself)
B.Way for Success
1.He got a chance himself and
tried to attract his new students. (His great skill for presentation and
importance of sending a message)
2.Encounter with great partner
(Kazutoshi Takahasi who is his first student.)
III.His Tactics and Personality
A.Vision and Hard Work from Prof.
Gradstone Institutes
B.Optimism and Having humor
C.Team Work and Collaboration (His
active behavior)
In this section, I learned about importance of having shared identity, communication, and information and involvement in the team.
First, it was written about "Establish Shared Identity". At this point, I found an important thing that "gatherings served to promote spontaneous discussion and to build the social bonds". The gathering is very important, because it gives the team valuable time in which they can communicate, talk each other, and then realize their goal. Of course, the team leader can give messages to the members constantly at that time. Also, Shackloton did not select a homogeneous group and he tried to mix diverse temperaments. This wise decision brought them chance to have shared identity. When I read this section, one example came up in my mind. When I was leader of the brass band club in my high school, there were a few members who entered the club newly from other junior high school. I thought that they had many different ideas rather than other members who went up from the same club in my high school, because they experienced many different things. Therefore, I realized that they might tend to feel discomfort because of differences. Then, I discussed them spent more time and often tried to rely on their new idea that cannot be generated from the same club. Fortunately, they kept to being the club and always supported us.
Second is "Maintain the Bonds of Communication". It was written that the need for frequent communication is always important in maintaining a sense of team unity. In that time, eye contact and communication of face to face are very important. I think especially face to face is very important, because story be told from other people often triggers misunderstanding. It should be solved face to face and one to one.
Here is my research proposal. Why I choose this topic, leadership in science is that I want to relate to my academic interest. Also, I will be one of research members in laboratory at ICU, so I wonder how they contribute and cooperate in the team.
Having
a Vision and Work
Historically, many scientists have been
given new hope for future to many people around the world by incredible
discovery. However, even if spending very long time and dedicating for the
research, a way of achievement toward amazing successful discovery is rare.
Therefore, it can be gratification for many scientists. Of course it needs many
scientists’ effort and also ability to leading the team in the laboratory. My
goal of this writing is to look for successful leadership as scientists.
Especially, I focus on Shinya Yamanaka who is one of famous Japanese biology
scientist in the field of stem cells. There is an interesting episode of him in
speech at Japan Council Annual Conference on October 4, 2013. He said “Dr.
Robert Mahley taught us young scientists how to succeed as a scientist, and he
said, “It is simple, we have to follow VW.” Well, I had a Toyota, so I thought,
you know…but he said in this case, “VW” does not mean his Volkswagen and in
this case, it means Vision and Work hard”. Then, this simple message turned and
impressed his mind strongly. This simple message and sense of humor might be
his motive power to the research.
