Module 9: Activity 1: Leadership in the digital age

ACTIVITY 1: Initial thoughts about leadership:

Before the activity:

What I think about leadership in general: 

• the ability to work amicably with others to achieve common goals
• it involves wise use of human and non-human resources to inprove the present situation
• the ability to use initiatives
• being able to use challenges as stepping stones towards achieving 
• commitment
• consistency of effort in carryout duties
• working with passion
• enpowering colleagues by distributing tasks to them
• coordinating the overall flow of things  

 What would I like to know about leadership:

• how to incoorporate ICT in my leadership role
• how to decide which leadership style is appropriate for a given situation

 After the activity:

 What I learnt about leadership in the digital age:

Five instructions given to leaders by R. Pellissier are

1. Manage the change or transition meaning to:- release old practices and adapt new ones; no micro management; involve all stakeholders in decision-making; tactfully sell the idea of change; allow period of mourning for old practices; give incentives for those who make positive efforts to aid with the smooth transition of change; identify the advantages that can be gained and state the ills that would be wrought without it.
2.  Build a resilient school meaning to:- sell the idea of ICT readiness; allow sometime for new knowledge/concepts to set in (not be hasty see change) and provide support teams that will make the transtition from traditional approach to technoloigical approach easier(heterogeneous groups). 
3. The old way of repeating and imitating just don't 'cut it', so get ready to be destablised, meaning:- rote learning and do as I say methods go against the grain of students' learning styles; it can't be business as usual because edcuation is consistently changing; since educators are responsible for ensuring that the environment is conducive to the development of the students' future, they should be willing to disturb the status quo of the school.
4. Managing the present and future eulogise the past where necessary means:- pay homage to past practices and use them as stepping stones for the change; a leader must find a balance between the two extremes
5. Create and maintain the school as a learning and knowledge-creating organization, that is to say:- never get flusteres or worried about conflicts that occur in your school. Instead use them as learning experiences for all stakeholders; never down-house an individual whos steps outside the box and stretches the walls of the institution. Remember that learning should cater for a wide range of styles and methods; flexibility is the key; allow time for educators to develop themselves. Be the encouraging factor towards the acquisition.

How do I feel about the module so far: At present, I feel anxious about this module and waiting to see what it contains for my development in leadership.

Closing Comments: Leadership plays a vital role in the success or failure of any organization. It is therefore left up to the indivual to decide whether he/she will help to build or breakdown the stadning of an organization.  If  a leader approaches leadership with an open mind lots of benefits can be gleaned.