Occupy Sesame Street

I highly recommend google image
 searching Occupy Sesame street!

You know what this article really makes me want to do?! Get a bunch of people, get some signs and drums and megaphones, and go OCCUPY Wallst...oh wait...That's already happening isn't it? Well it seems that a lot of people have been intellectualizing themselves on Power and Leadership! 

Okay but seriously, this whole situation is highly applicable to the article that we read. And the 99% has decided that Leadership is everyone's business. (Or at least the salaries of the leaders) 

After getting past the blatant bias in this article, getting down to the message of the article, it definitely got me upset to read about all the greed and corruption going on in the world and America. This article made me remember LeaderShape for two completely reasons, one negative and one positive! 

First the negative, Star Power! For those of you who attended in 2010, you know what I am talking about. Drama! But in all honesty, although there was a lot of misunderstanding and finger pointing, there was a real applicable message sent to all of us. Although it is just a game, and people act differently in games, especially with competition and group think mentality, we learned about humility and self/interpersonal awareness. This showed how easy a little bit of power over the other 'lesser' groups can lead to utter chaos and corruption to an extent. 

     The other thing this reminded me of was my vision at LeaderShape. I had struggled to initially discover a vision, one thing that I had gone on was the idea of corporate greed and political greed and competition. I talked about the frustration I have when political parties fight to win instead of work together, and how corrupt and greedy politicians are, and I would love to see a world where people are ethical and do the right thing because they are truly invested in the betterment of their country and fellow citizens. 

Power

    As a Leadership Development course geared towards SLA, I like to address applications to our organization. I really liked when the article talked about the idea of a more linear and open form of an organization. Although some cultures, and typically most businesses are outlined with a hierarchy and positions of power, it is still possible to blend the lines between 'boss and subordinates'. I am lucky that my dad is such a great role model and example for how a leader can lead without arrogance and a sense of entitlement. My dad is the general manager of a distributing company, and is one the most humble people I know. I have worked for the company over the summers and I have attended meetings that he took charge of and he is super approachable and knows his salesman on a personal level. Compared to the other branches of the company where the bosses scream and yell when numbers are not met, my dad's cool and collective manner allows for a great rapport. Back to SLA, our organization set up in a horizontal fashion where there is no one in charge or sense of power. Everyone is working together equally to better student life at Ohio State! And now that I think about it, kind of correlates well with my vision from LeaderShape! I am working with a group of motivated individuals where there is no power struggle or competition.
     Quick insert about Luma. She was absolutely inspiring! I definitely saw a lot of parallels with all the different leadership models that we have been learning about! Even about Power and Leadership. With her bake stand that she created she was selfless and did not hold her social status above anyone! In return she got a lot more business and made more money as a result! She valued her 'employees' and rewarded them for their hard work.

                                                'No one man should have all that Power!'

Alright alright, so what does Leadership is everyone's business even mean? So basically my understanding is that leadership and the actions that leaders do should be everyone's business. Accountability and transparancey is something that is very important in being a successful leader. We hear again and again about leading with integrity and having good ethics. I believe that the sentence touches on all those points. It is important as a follower to at some level question the process and possibly even challenge if necessary. As a leader you need to set up clear checks and balances so that corruption does not spread. You need to be open and willing for feedback and allow others to be heard.


On a sidenote, I loved blogging with all of you! I would, at some point like to sit down and read everyone's blogs, or at least a good majority! 

Futbol is art. Futbol is culture. Futbol unites the world.

"A vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is nonsense. A vision with action can change the world"

This is the quote that is written on my bathroom mirror (The last line) when I wake up everyday. Credit to Ryan Lamb for noting it.

First off, what an amazing story! Totally better than that ‘Three cups of Fraud’ book we had to read Freshman year! #bitter…

                This story not only uplifting is extremely applicable to social change, student life, and being a student at The Ohio State University. With such a diverse campus, this is a great book to develop awareness of other’s backgrounds and to bridge the gap between understanding each other and remove prejudices.

                One of my favorite stories and a great example of social change is the story of the man with the failing store. He was able to turn a situation that was rapidly falling apart, and turned it into a great positive. He was willing to change for the needs of his community by offering ethnic food for the diverse population of Clarkston. He displayed citizenship by offering an easy way for residents to obtain their food supplies and to keep his business afloat. He collaborated with the community to supply the residents with their requests.

Wavin' Flag. Although the book is about uniting many nations together in America, this song represents the unity that comes from representing and taking pride in your country while uniting as a world over a global event of soccer!

Wilson! Castaway reference! Outcasts that went their separate ways

                Two of the values are Commitment and Change…Luma has shown strong commitment to everything that she has ever done. Her journey through life has been a tumultuous and trying experience that is inspirational in itself. She has committed to the soccer team, the families, and the community at large. She was able to create jobs for immigrant women. She never takes no for an answer and that is a true test of perseverance. She was able to and is still enacting change the entire community. The community now has a different outlook on the refugee population, although some may be stuck in their old ways, many have come around to support her cause.

                I believe this book, and the Warren St. John has done a great job of working toward Social Change. Due to his commitment and dedication, we are able to blog about the Social Change Model in relation to a ‘middle school’ soccer team. We are able to realize how applicable something as simple as youth soccer can change the world. He has made me more aware of myself and how I may react to someone who may not be able to speak English fluently. Although I see myself as someone who is culturally tolerant of others, there is always room for growth, and it never hurts to be reminded of something that although simple, can change the way people, and the community feel about others. And to allow anyone and everyone to feel more comfortable in this free world.We need to learn to Coexist!

                As a soccer player, reading about Luma’s coaching style, although rigorous, is inspiring. I kind of wish my coach (Dad) was tougher on us growing up! Her relentless leadership style was brash but bold and beneficial. These kids did not need to be coddled, as she said, most of these kids have had their childhood stolen from them. She set ground rules, she had expectations and if they were not met, then you knew where the ‘door’ was. For the most part, she didn’t really adapt too much of her values and expectations for anyone individually. She did sometimes get caught in the moment with how she felt about the family, or how good of a soccer player a kid might be, but ultimately she knew when to cut the crap and get down to business.

                As I said before, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I really am in the mood to start a soccer team! But really, this book was great and really made me reflect on many things.