Direction/Alignment/Commitment

When comparing these three words to possible leaders I instantly thought of three people; Mrs Lyon my upper school head and who I have decided to interview, Dianne Johnson my old dance director, and Christa Widjaja an old friend, drill team captain, and Miss Teen Dallas 2011.

Mrs. Lyon -  When it comes to Mrs. Lyon I feel like she has a clear direction of where she would like to lead the upper school at parish. Not only am I seeing her strive to make goals happen allow for students to have more responsibilities and over all better the upper school teachers, parents and other students see it as well. I don't think any one from Parish or outside of Parish could come in and say Mrs. Lyon is not committed to her job. She is constantly there for anyone whether is it a parent wanting to talk about their child, her staff needing assistance with their program or a kid who just needs to vent or talk to someone who will understand. Mrs. Lyon seems to have a good view and handle in her new position as upper school head, and fits nicely as a leader in our community.

Dianne Johnson- Mrs. Dianne has been a big part of my life as my dance teacher and director for many years. She owns her own studio which she takes great pride in running in the best manner possible. It seems to me that she has had a clear direction for her studio for many years and has continued to live out her dreams by moving and expanding her studio. Mrs. Dianne has continued to teach all of her students more the just dance moves but life lessons and skills to help them in the future. Anything from respect to eloquent speaking. If that isn't commitment I don't know what is.

Christa Widjaja- Christa has become a big leader in the community especially in her high school years. She has stepped up at school leading her drill team and learning when it's time to be a leader and when to fallow in line. I feel as a soon to be graduated senior Christa is now at the point of defining her direction in life. For years now she has been aligned with either her parents or dance studios rules and reputation and it's at this point like many other seniors to change that alignment to what we plan for the future. As for commitment being in a public role as Miss Teen Dallas has allowed Christa to have a great presence in her community and to do a lot more work for it then she normally would be able. She has worked hard to becoming Miss Teen Dallas and to fulfill the role that goes with the title.

Questions for Leader Interview

Interview questions:

What are some characteristics or traits of effective leaders? 

How were you trained to lead?

How do you continue to grow as a leader?

What was your greatest success or failure?

Who influenced you as a leader?

How do you work with other leaders?

Possible leaders to interview:

Mrs. Lyon - She is the Head of Upper School at Parish, my past Biology teacher and someone who as really helped me out in all areas of school in the last two years. I choose her because she has just recently moved up to a higher position where she is having to reevaluate how to lead the same group of people she was once apart of.  

Christa Widjaja - She was Miss. Teen Dallas in 2011and Hebron High Drill Team Captain this year. Christa has been a leader on drill team for awhile but has moved up on the ladder all four years of being apart of the team. On top of being a school leader she has become a community leader this past year and has had to speak and educate others on important issues and stand up before others as a leader. 

Are Leaders Born or Made?

Leadership is an observable, learnable set of practices.  Leadership is not something mystical and ethereal that cannot be understood by ordinary people.  Given the opportunity for feedback and practice, those with the desire and persistence to lead – to make a difference – can substantially improve their abilities to do so.

   - Kouzes and Posner

Base on the first line of this quote we were given in class I would say being a leader could be a learned skill. However  base on the second line I would say being a leader is something your born with, something not everyone has. As Kouzes and Ponsner continue they seem to go back to their original argument, that a leader can be made. Based on this back and forth I have come to believe that a leader is both born and made. A natural leader is just that, born with the qualities to be a good leader; but a leader that must learn or continue to learn is a great leader. Based on what we have covered in class so far no all of the attributes a leader needs to posses can be known at birth. Being a good listener or knowing how to work well with others is something I believe is based on trial and error. A big difference between being a born leader vs. a made one would be the will to continue to learn and change from ones mistakes, something I really believe in.