tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37107048.post116261949718925322..comments2007-04-05T05:14:51.914-07:00Paul Dickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15295420639929728178noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37107048.post-1171994191204066412007-02-20T09:56:00.000-08:002007-02-20T09:56:00.000-08:00Paul,<BR/><BR/>This is an excellent post to get us started thinking about your question, and a great insight into your passions! Thanks for bringing so much good information about leadership to one place for us!<BR/><BR/>I think you are definitely right: a Leadership program would bring a lot of added value and credibility to a university with the motto "Leadership begins here"!<BR/><BR/>-Cody<BR/>Staff, College of Business Administration<BR/>Sacramento StateCody McKibbenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17222179987185736029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37107048.post-1169155049358928052007-01-18T13:17:00.000-08:002007-01-18T13:17:00.000-08:00Paul,<BR/><BR/>I know you to be a visionary. I know you to be highly observant and intuitive when it comes to recommendations for positive change. Your concept of implementing leadership studies at Sac. State is one that, in my estimation, is well overdue. Frankly, when you told me that there is no focus, concentration, or seemingly attention to leadership studies, I was very surprised to say the least. I commend you on taking the lead to create the momentum to make this happen. Congratulations on your "first step" in the journey. <BR/><BR/>Let me share just a few initial comments on the importance of leadership and the relevance to preparing students for business success. For the modern day executive, technical skills and cognitive intelligence are necessary, but not sufficient. You must have these baseline competencies to even be considered being hired at most reputable firms. <BR/><BR/>The "star performers" in organizations today, and in the future will be those that have superior soft skill competencies, namely Emotional Intelligence competencies. I am the President of a training and development company, Grand Dynamics, which I have run for ten years now. I work with a multitude of organizations, CEOs, CFOs, HR Directors, you name it. Do you know what I consistently hear is the most essential quality for the successful business executive? You guessed it, leadership. And when I coach with my selected executive clients, do you know where their biggest impact leverage points and opportunities lie? Right again. The ability to inspire, motivate, and lead their people. And it's not like this is something we don't already intuitively know. <BR/><BR/>Consider this definition of leadership. Leadership is the art and science of inspiring others to want to achieve shared aspirations. Now, I could take the time to break this definition down for you, but maybe that would be a nice exercise for you to contemplate. And when you do break it down, you will find that leadership is about the "soft stuff" as Tom Peters refers to it, that delivers the "hard results." The mounting evidence, research and business case on the validity and importance of soft skill competencies, like EQ, is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. There is no doubt that the educational institutions that are equipping their students with these competencies will be providing a pathway to a successful future - in life and business. Lead On. <BR/><BR/>Tim Walther, M.S.<BR/><BR/>Tim Walther is the President of Grand Dynamics, Inc. an international training and development company specializing in corporate retreats, business consulting, and health and wellness programs. Tim has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Business Psychology from Ithaca College, and a Master of Science in Experiential Education, focused on leadership studies and organizational development, from Minnesota State University.Tim Waltherhttp://www.granddynamics.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37107048.post-1168382124951731392007-01-09T14:35:00.000-08:002007-01-09T14:35:00.000-08:00Paul, your message was enlightening and provided insight regarding leadership. I also feel that students would benefit from having leadership skills, since it is an important quality that employers will look for.<BR/><BR/>If a leadership program is implemented, then I hope it will become a General Education requirement because everyone can benefit from it. Area B5 lets you pick any class from B1-4, so maybe Leadership could replace B5 as a GE requirement.<BR/><BR/>Another option is to have a basic leadership class as a choice for one of the GE requirements and have a minor program available for those who want a more comprehensive knowledge about leadership. An internship class would be great as well, since leadership is something that needs to be applied and not just learned.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I'm an undergraduate student with a Business Administration major.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37107048.post-1168379998319627042007-01-09T13:59:00.000-08:002007-01-09T13:59:00.000-08:00Paul-<BR/>I think that you are absolutely right that Sac State should have a leadership program. My personal view is that not everyone is cut out to be a leader. Of course if they were properly trained this may not be true. I see several problems with starting up this curriculum. I tend to notice a lack of “effort” by a lot of students, be it not doing their reading, or simple slacking off in general. This would make a leadership class very hard and probably not worth taking (like a lot of other classes at sac state). Even with this being so, leadership classes would be very good to offer, and to solve (more of less) the “effort” problem the classes could be upper division, but not necessarily graduate. Leadership is absolutely hard to define and is definitely and evolving academia. I think that a lot of leadership experience and be learned outside the class room. Joining student activates or clubs and participating in their leadership is probably better real work experience then a class.<BR/><BR/>CameronCameronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37107048.post-1168029790197723232007-01-05T12:43:00.000-08:002007-01-05T12:43:00.000-08:00Hello Paul<BR/><BR/>The ASI President sent me your leadership blog to read. I found it interesting and would hope you will contact me to discus what is happening and is being proposed in leadership education/development.<BR/><BR/>Lou Camera<BR/>Director, Student Activities<BR/>Sac State - 278-6595Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37107048.post-1168025706955756722007-01-05T11:35:00.000-08:002007-01-05T11:35:00.000-08:00Hi Paul,<BR/><BR/>Recently I read the paper regarding leadership you gave me on Thanksgiving. It is ironic that on 29 November I was at a conference in San Francisco and the luncheon speaker was CSU Chancellor C. B. Reed and much of his talk was about ‘leadership’ and the problems related to finding leaders to help California stay on top of the curve.<BR/><BR/>The paper was well written and to the point - you may want to pass your paper on to his office.<BR/><BR/>Bryce<BR/><BR/>BA Math 1960 CSUS, MA School Administration 1970 CSUS, retired public educator/trusteeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37107048.post-1167677043362122612007-01-01T10:44:00.000-08:002007-01-01T10:44:00.000-08:00Well put together, I think this could truly help the undergraduate programs at CSUS aquire some much needed strength in the Leadership arena.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37107048.post-1164648741503365262006-11-27T09:32:00.000-08:002006-11-27T09:32:00.000-08:00Paul-<BR/>Goodmorning! I hope you had a wonderful Thanks Giving break with your family and friends. I read your entire article on why Sac State should pursue undergraduate courses for Leadership in order to build the students of today as the leaders of the future. I have to agree that many management positions does not imply a good leadership role in society. There are many differences to account for. One especially that hit home to me while reading your article, was the very essence of connecting with the core concept of Emotional Intelligence(EI). I believe it is the basic foundation for a functional environment when working with others and providing change for an appropriate time in the future(we need to see progress otherwise life is too repeatitive in making the same mistakes) . Being able to bring forth a new vision in the eyes of others, promoting diversity, allowing risks to be taken even if it is not the popular vote, and embracing the key component to living life to the fullest by understanding pychological and emotional connections between people is crucial for a positive leadership role in our society. I most definitely support the idea of creating a course that teaches "Leadership."<BR/>Thank you for allowing me to read an inspiring blog to help our future move forward. It is wonderful to experience connections where a person recognizes their true potential and the power within themselves to know they can make a difference. A voice is not heard if unspoken, a voice is powerful when words are heard. Take Care<BR/>NicoleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com