Discussion question responses and academic engagement

¶ … Colleagues' Responses

Response

The first essay was very descriptive of the Juvenile System, and this was great. I was happy to see that children in these institutions are not neglected, that they are provided with role models, and with coaches who can teach them how to behave well, and what to learn and how to learn it in order to become better individuals. The directive leadership idea is interesting and well presented here, especially since it can affect these teens' behaviors. The fact that the author comments on social change, such as the fact that society must "address the need for a better quality of life for the juvenile delinquent" is vital as well, because it is only thorough these means that we can effectuate societal transformations.

Response

This essay is well written in its address of the type of behavior needed to accomplish a result. Differences in learning, as the author states, must be addressed so that a project continues to accomplish its goals. Furthermore, they must be addressed to keep a community cohesive and provide for flexibility in those schools that need flexible learning most. The question I would like to pose to the author here would be, how could we implement the same policies that the creative Learning Centers have to the other learning centers so that they will benefit from the same kinds of activities (school and field trips and such)? I think it would strengthen the writing to discuss this particular segment.

Response 3:

This essay makes it clear that it is important to utilize one's leadership experience to direct the follower in the center towards a necessary outcome. I know that this outcome varies for many individuals, so I agree with the author that one needs extremely well-honed skills and a clear way of communicating and understanding what a patient needs most in order to be successful. I think that one of the most important things that a leader can do, and I think the author of this essay will agree, is to form a cohesive group for these individuals so that they feel important within the organization during their stay.

Response 4:

The directive approach is the classic managerial style, with a leader at the top and followers who are able to accomplish their tasks for the day. This style requires supreme organization, and great instructional capabilities. Though all essays deal with this topic, this essay addresses it in an interesting way, namely by showing that this approach helps followers in a context experienced by the author firsthand. The author states that the followers must also agree with this approach. The workers must work well together and must also have "clear and concise roles and responsibilities and still work well within a group setting." Furthermore, as the author states, "the group dynamic [must be] pleasant" and people must come together when somebody is absent.

Response 5:

It is interesting that this person finds the supportive style of management so much more appealing than the 'autocratic' managerial style. When one thinks about leadership, the approach begins with the question of "how would I like to lead," which shows how a person can approach problem solving in general. Group cohesion and personal goals within the system are motivators for good leadership, and are abilities an individual will always keep with himself. This essay discusses a prior manager's support for independent goals as long as these are contributed positively to and the work being done is satisfactory, and therefore in such a case, one does not need an authoritarian type of manager in the first place.