Mr. Harry A. Hill

I really enjoyed the last class with a specials guest:)
He was really an attractive person.
I felt his way of speaking English was easy for me to understand, his attitude for us were really gentle, and his lecture was valuable and exciting!
I think such a personality is important to lead the people.

In his lecture, I learned that the leader has to have VICES!
I was interested in one of them, "Vision."
The leader has a clear vision which is about creating a good culture.　
Then, the leader should create the environment to success.

And I think the most important thing is that moving into actions what I have ideas in my head.
He said that there are many intelligent people but few people with wisdom.
I really agree with his opinion that the people with wisdom who can learn and gain from the experiences faster have the ability to become the good leader.


Surprisingly, I noticed that he is a friend of my friend's mother after the class!
My friend already had met him in her house:D
I felt what a small world! haha

At the end, thank you for my teacher Ken and classmates.
I was lucky to choose Ken's class and meet you guysXD
Let's have a sophomorecon again!

Personal Narrative Essay

How to Achieve the Team Goal

I joined the baton twirling club for six years when I was in junior high and high school. The baton twirling club is one of the largest scale clubs in my school. Approximately there were more than 100 members in my school. When we were in junior high school, we were just able to have fun to participate in the club. However, high school is a competitive environment because we entry the contest. If we can win in the local contest, we are allowed to participate in the national competition. Our team participates in the national competition every year. Therefore, our goal is to receive the gold award and be ranked in upper level in the competition.

Sadly, we could not get the gold award when I was a sophomore in high school. It was the silver award. It was extremely regretful and I felt that all this effort for nothing! For a while, I lose my drive because everything seemed vanity and hopeless. However, I noticed that such a way of thinking is exactly wasting time because new one year for the next national competition has already started. Therefore, we decided new goal that was to devote everything for the team and to win the first prize in the national competition. We thought that setting the highest aim so we will be able to have strong motivation. Since then, our practice became quite hard like six or seven days a week. We were always in a lot of pressure because the regular members were often changed with supporting members if someone could not perform well or drop the baton. Therefore, we could get the mental strength overcoming the tension. Moreover, especially in my case, keeping the balance between my club and studying was really difficult because I decided to take ICU entrance exams. I sometimes almost lost my confidence to enter ICU. However, I did not want to give up because entering ICU was my dream since I was a freshman in high school. Overcoming various difficulties, we finally could receive the gold award and be ranked in third level in the competition. It was the best results in history of my club. We all satisfied with the result and it became the best memory in my high school life.

I think whether we could get the good result or not depends on the team work. The team when I was a sophomore was not closely bound together beyond the wall of grades. Therefore, we could not completely trust each other and it might be seemed in the performance. Based on this reflection, we try to communicate with everyone as much as possible to share the feeling when we became the third year student. Particularly, the comrades were really close. It is not too much to say that we spent much time than families. The strong bonds of friendships are important to achieve the same goal.

In addition, I learned that the confidence on the real stage is created by the practice. If I do my best in the usual practice, I can do the same thing in the real stage. I realized the importance of the attitude for the practice; the practice should be like the real stage and the real stage should be like the practice. Furthermore, having a good imagination and strongly believing myself are also important. I always did the image training of the perfect performance. And when I was dancing I kept reminding myself “I can do it, I can do it.” By doing those things, there was just confidence and no more anxiety in my mind.

Now, I join in the cheerleading club in ICU. Therefore, I would like to utilize the abilities acquired through this experience when I was in the high school.

12. Business Communication Systems (AT&T/Lucent Technologies)

                           

Pat Russo

She was selected as president of BCS in 1993. At that time, the organization had a crisis of being sold or dismantled. This was because of several reasons, such as the motivation of employees was quite bad and customers were not satisfied with the services.

She said “This was not practice. This was real! We were at The Edge-it was survival, and this was the last chance to get this business healthy.” Even though she was in the bad conditions, she was always having a strong will to success.

Strategy5 Reinforce the team message constantly: “We are one-we live or die together.”

Her whole philosophy was to leverage the team. It was crucial to make the strong teamwork. Therefore, she tried to develop the personal appeals and reflect to the team.

I was impressed with this sentence. “We’ve got a lot of talent and expertise in each and every one of you, and, collectively, we can do incredible things in this business. Individually, we’re all limited.” (p160)  I strongly agree with her opinion. Working together using each talent, everyone can be active to cooperate for one goal.

Strategy6 Minimize status differences and insist on courtesy and mutual respect.

           She was accessible to everyone because she wanted to get rid of “the level consciousness.” She tried to listen to the opinion of employees to break the barriers.

           “You told us that if we had a problem that we could not get resolved or that was not being addressed by our management that we could call you. So I’m calling you.” (p162)

Strategy3 Instill optimism and self-confidence, but stay grounded in reality.

           She believes that if you act and speak with confidence, you will project confidence. I think it is a king of mind control. However, we should not forget three “reality checks” (1.Progress 2.Accountability 3.Quality). In addition, the leader’s words important because everyone is hanging on the leader. What people want is to know where the leader stands. She tried to use words like “I hope” and “when.”

Chapter10

Never give up-there's always another move.

I think this last chapter was meaningful for me because I am lacking of this ability.

Rather than expecting things to go right, successful leaders under these conditions should be prepared for things to go wrong.(p148 l26-27)


I was impressed with this sentence.
When the problems which I did not expect, I sometimes become nervous.
However, there is surely a method to get by.
Therefore, I should be calm down and find another way to go.
I would like to get the ability to adopt to a new situation or environment.


"Take it easy!" is a keyword for me.

Chapter9

Be willing to take the Big Risk.

In this chapter, some examples of risks which Shackleton faced was written.
He had the confidence to take risks.

I really respect his this ability because I sometimes hesitate to face risks.
However, risks also have the chance to change.
Therefore, we have to be positive to take risks with confidence, I will overcome.

I think solving the risks is not only for the leader's role.
If the whole team member share the burdens of leaders and try to overcome,
it will be easier to break down the risks.

Chapter8

Find something to celebrate and something to laugh about.

Laughing is one of the most important things for us.
Laughing makes us happy and healthy.
It is particularly necessary when we depressed.

The guidelines of humor which introduced in the last paragraph were interesting.
Think funny.
Adopt a playful attitude.
Be first to laugh.
Laugh with, not at.
Laugh at yourself.

Especially, the last sentence "Laugh at yourself." is  a valuable message for me.
This is because I think I sometimes be too strict to myself.
I think I really need optimism at that moment.
It is just wasting time when I bother myself or a little thing.

There is an old saying "Laughter is the Best Medicine."
Let's laugh everyday and live in happiness and health!

Mr. Kakutaro Kitashiro

The lecture for leaderships was really interesting and valuable for me.
I could feel that his personality is so nice.

And some things were also stated by "Leading At The Edge."
For example, he often insisted to be optimistic!
And communication is important to listen and understand the feelings of followers..

I agree with him.
Even though we know that those are important for relationships in our minds, however, it is difficult to make actions.
So, I would like to carry out my mind since now!



And I also learn something new tips for a leader from his lecture.
・Modesty (Be honest and do right things while other people are not watching you)
・Take calculated risk (The impact is sometimes significant for our life.)
・Don't shoot the messenger. (Try to be open and kind with bad news.)
・Develop my own leadership style (Be myself!)


In addition, it is also needed to follow my guts feeling to make a decision.

”Fortune favours those who use their judgment." (運も実力のうち）

I like this saying and I think experiences and efforts are important factors to achieve the decision..

Asia International Open Championships

I would like to write about my experience in this weekend.
I joined "The 6th Cheerleading International Open Championships" as the staff for 3 days.
This competition was performed by many teams from across Asia.
My job was the international hospitality voluntary staff.
So I led the the national team from Philippine.

I sometimes used the negotiation strategies which I learned in Ken's class!
For example, the first impression lesson was useful when I talked with VIP guests from Philippine.
I reminded "Brief, Warm, Firm" when shaking hands.
And I tried to be "S O F T E N" when I talked with them.
Therefore, we could have good relationships!
When the conflicts or troubles happened between Philippine team and the Japan Cheerleading Association, I tried to get "Win-Win."

It was really hard and busy weekend both physically and mentally.
Now, I am so exhausted:(
However, I enjoyed and learned more and got many friends in Asian countries XD

Chapter7

Master conflict-deal with anger in small doses, engage dissidents, and avoid needless power struggles.


"Bring them into the tent."
"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."

This way of thinking was interesting for me because if there is a person who we do not like, it is more common to have an avoiding reaction to him/her.
However, it might be easier to watch out him/her behavior if we could do this idea.
Moreover, there will be a possibility to know good aspects of him/her.
It is a chance for us to kill two birds with one stone:D

We cannot avoid to contact with people who we do not like because we join some sort of groups.
We cannot completely have a peaceful relationships.
We sometimes have a conflict of opinions.
However, I became to think not just to avoid them but also try to know about them.

Chapter6

Minimize status differences and insist on courtesy and mutual respect.


This book stated that "Another important method for creating mutual respect comes from insisting on common courtesy."(p95 l19-20)


As a example of  the chapter which is "Insist on Mutual Respect and Courtesy",
I would like to introduce the Japanese saying, "親しき仲にも礼儀あり."
In English, "Good manners even between friends."
We should respect each other even though we are close friends.

Shackleton said " a little thanks will go a long way."
I agree with him.
Good manners cost nothing!
Let's keep in mind to say "please." and "thank you." to have good relationships with others.

Chapter 5

Reinforce the team message constantly: "We are one-we live or die together."

This chapter was really interesting for me too as other classmates posted.
This is because I commonly join the sport team.

For example, I joined the baton twirling club for 6 years when I was in junior high and high school.
Our goal was to win the first prize in the national competition.
Therefore, our practice was quite hard like six or seven days a week.
Because only half of the team could be the regulars of the competition member, the communication between them was really difficult.
(Our team member was 54 people. Therefore, 28 people were regulars and 26 people were supports.)
Finally, we got the third prize in the national competition.

I would like to share what we done to be the unified team.

Expedition Log 1.
What we tried to do to promote a sense of shared identity for our team was...

We tried to talk with everyone as much as possible in the practice.
We decided the monthly goals and the final goal as chapter1 stated.
We often had a meeting to confirm our goal.
We shared the anxious feeling, complaints, things that should be changed in the practice.
We tried to communicate not only in the practice but also out of practicing to know each other.

Chapter4

Take care of yourself: Maintain your stamina and let go of guilt.

As the chapter 2 said, the leader sometimes has to sacrifice himself for the team.
However, this chapter insists that taking care of yourself is also important for the leader.
This is because if the leader fail to maintain his own stamina, it means he will be unable to summon the energy needed to reach The Edge. (p57 12-13)

Though the leader has to get tough, he need not be completely stoic.
I agree with four approaches to dealing with fears.
Talk to friends.
Keep a journal.
Write letters home.
See a counselor or coach.


Especially, the first two approaches fit into me. (talk to friends, keep a journal)

I am often helped with my friends and myself.
Firstly, My friends tell me the proactive thinking in casual conversation.
Secondly, I am keeping the diary when I was in the high school.
Therefore, my past memory often cheers me up when I read it again.

I would like to value the relationship with friends, and keep the diary:)

My sentence

She was always keeping the preciousness of every moment in her mind.


This is my sentence.
I am trying to love every single day with utmost effort at all times.

Life is short.
There is no time to waste.
I want to meet different types of people and have a lot of experiences as much as possible.

She was always keeping the preciousness of every moment in her mind.


Life is short.
Enjoy it before it ends.

What is my sentence?

I was wondering my sentence after I took the last class.
However, I could not find the best sentence which suit to me.


I would like to introduce my favorite passage from Bible.

"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. " (Matthew 6:34)

Usually, I am always trying to live in the present.

And I value the relationship with people.
I love my family, friends, techears...all who are related with me.
My life is flourishing because of them.
I can realize that I am living now in relation with people.
I really appreciate them.

Chapter3

Instill optimism and self-confidence, but stay grounded in reality.

As I posted before, "optimism" is one key to success.

http://kachlynda.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/optimism/


However, this book said that optimism is an ability which is cultivated by talking to yourself.
I think "self-talk" is really difficult and sometimes cannot find who I am and what I want to do.
It takes much time and often makes me confuse.

"Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can't, you're right."(p43 l28-29)
I really agree with this idea.
Therefore, I would like to do my best to be positive when I faced with adversity or potential setback since now.


In addition, I really sympathized with this sentence.
  "Effective leaders are able to look at adversity and see opportunity, even if others see only the danger."(p54 l6-7)


It was interesting to know the meaning of "Crisis (危機）" in Chinese character.
It means "danger" and "opportunity".


When we look at the bad situation from a different angle, it can be the chance to erupt great success!
I like this view, ピンチはチャンス!

Chapter2

Set a personal example with visible, memorable symbols and behaviors.



The keys are "Right words" and "Tone" at the first section, "Give the Right Speech".
Shackleton had known how to give a speech to cheer the crews who were in a disappointing mood.

He said that I had no doubt that, provided they continue to work their utmost and to trust me, we will all reach safety in the end. (p31 l13-l15)
What he said to them was simple, but he chose the right tone, calm, confident, and reassuring.

I sometimes become nervous to talk in front of many people.
Therefore, I would like to lean the speech skill from him.



Furthermore, I thought that "Sacrifice" is important to inspire success in the section of "Use Vivid Symbols" and "Be Vivid Symbols".

We must jettison anything that will not directly enable us to accomplish our goal. (p34 l31-32)
This sentence made the biggest impression for me.
At the edge, we have to focus on the real desire, which will be the goal to success.
We should forget about any other greed.

In the case of Shackleton, he threw away his gold watch, gold cigarette case, and several golden sovereigns before anyone else.

"Self-sacrifice" (p36 l28) is really difficult for all.
By doing so, however, everyone will understand that you are a leader.

Chapter1

Never lose sight of the ultimate goal, and focus energy on short-term objectives.

To become a good leader, I have to define a long-term vision and short-term vision.

I agree with this strategy because making a short-term vision makes me easier to understand what should I do now.

Therefore, by keeping the balance of them, I will be able to accomplish the goal of this course "Lessons in Leadership and The Dynamic You".

<Long-term goal>

・Creating a highly-motivated class by cooperating one another and each of classmates will be able to have a confidence to get the leadership.

・Getting the skill of observation and judgement on which I am lacking as a leader.

<Short-Term goal>

・Posting a blog at least twice a week no matter how I am busy.

・Participating the class actively and positively. 

Thank you for reading my post.

Be optimistic!

What do you feel when you see this glass?

This was an example to examine whether you are optimistic or not.

If you thought that there is only half of water, you may be a pessimist.

If you thought that there is still half of water, you may be a optimist.

I think "Optimism" is one key to success.

Shackleton could success because he was also a optimistic person.

By the way, Geek who is a ultimate optimistic person think like this...

"There is full of water!"

I was really surprised at this way of thinking:D

I felt that I want to look at the world like this!

How was you?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/mugs/eabe/?cpg=wnrss

How important the first impression is!

What I learned in the last class was really interesting for me.

"If you make a negative first impression, it takes nine subsequent positive impressions to make up for it."

How important the first impression is!

I sometimes become nervous when I meet someone for the first time.

So, I might have forgotten about SOFTEN.

To be sure, the first impressions of my friends mostly remain in my memory.

Especially, negative first impressions are more clear and strong than positive one.

After the class, I called to my big sister who is going about getting a job and said "Please, be careful about your first impression on your interview!"

Self-introduction

I would like to introduce about myself.

My name is Rikako Ichikawa.

I'm from Aichi. Now, I live in Oak House in ICU.

I join in ICU Cheerleading Club ANGELS, Worship Night(Christian Community) and Bible Bible.

I work at rice ball shop at Mitaka because I love rice:P

The reason why I took this course...

I wanted to practice the skill of leadership as a upperclassman.

I like Ken's NP lecture.

My senpai who lived in my dorm recommended me to take this course.

I really hope this section to get friendly!!

Nice to meet you.

Qualities as a leader

For my first post, I would like to respond the question of the last section "Expedition Log" through my experience as a leader when I was in high school.

What were the qualities that enabled you to get though the situation in which you were stretched to your own limits of performance or endurance?

I was head of a class in the third grade for a year. I had many s to bring the whole class together such as school events, friendships and so on. It has not been an easy for me at first. However, I gradually knew the good way to lead the class. Through my experience, I think mainly three things, which are "set the goal", "communicate with classmates" and "stay positive" are needed as a head.

At first, setting the goal helps the classmates to know what should we do. For example, I tried to make sure the small goal every week. By doing this, classmates did not lose the eventual big goal such as events. To make the goal, I think the leader should have good judgement.

Secondly, it is also important to communicate with classmates. The leader has to understand each classmates' opinions and complaints. If the leader uses his power to push his opinion, every one will feel less and less like listening his order and following him. Therefore, I engaged in talking with many classmates to know their voice as much as possible every day.

Finally, staying positive is needed to create a highly-motivated class. Even though we are in really bad situation, the leader should not show the weakness. The leader should not give up till the last. Having the confidence to achieve the goal will produce good results.

I think those three qualities helped me to get by my job as a leader.