Rose Averbeck
OAL 250 Blog 4
Walter Article
I feel that one moral of this article is to be well prepared. Also, as a leader you should make sure that the people you are leading are well prepared for the activities ahead. In this article; Walter, a 70 year old War Veteran is going mountaineering in the Alaska. Being a first timer to Alaskan mountaineering, Walter chose the wrong boots to wear. The Leaders of the trip advised him to look into a brand better suited for mountaineering. All of Walters gear was from Cabela’s. Walter ended up getting severe frost bite on this trip because he was not well prepared with good gear for mountaineering conditions. Not to say that Cabela’s does not have good gear. Walter needed higher quality gear for the severe weather of the Alaskan Alps.
Another implication that I found within this story; is that everyone deserves the chance to experience the greatness that wilderness has to offer. No matter their experience or level of skill/ability. If they are up to face the challenge; let them. They will grow and learn from it. In a quote I took from the article, the author explains how at first he thought to be superior to others who were not mountaineering at his skill level. “I used to be angry when people like Walter entered the mountains. They eclipsed my hardcore cross-fit nature. I became an elitist, thinking everyone on the mountain should be putting up new routes in alpine style.” Through watching Walter and his attitude on the trip; the author began to feel envious of Walter. This quote from the article shows it; “He may be slowly dying, but he also might be the only one of us who truly feels the power of the mountain….. I remember when I used to feel that power….. I yearn for that feeling again.” Walter, even though he had some struggles was able to enjoy the experience to its fullest. He not only grew and learned for himself, he taught his leaders something as well.
I feel that both of the messages I have found within this article, have proven to show on this trip. We have learned to be well prepared for our activities. Before each activity, our team leaders for the day go over with us what would be appropriate to pack and what would be unnecessary. Through communicating with one another we have learned to pack for all conditions and bring only what is truly needed.
Not everyone on this trip has the same experiences in all the activities we have done thus far and most certainly don’t have the same skill or ability levels. This does not stop any of us from participating. As adventure students, we are here to gain experience. To grow and learn together; no one is left out because there skill level is not as high as others. They just have the opportunity to learn more on this trip.
OAL 275
Select 3 new chapters of the Tao that reflect group facilitation (effective and in effective), and Decision making.
9. A good group
“A moderate ego demonstrates wisdom.” This chapter shows that good work is more than just good enough. It’s more effective than striving for greatness. When a leader strives for more than good they get carried away and become off centered. “Fame breeds Fame.” Meaning, the ones who do well know they do; and will try harder to do even better to gain more attention from people. These are acts of selfishness. Selfishness hinders the group’s ability to succeed together.
Striving to do better than the rest is an ineffective way of group facilitation. “When leaders become superstars, the teacher outshines the teaching.” If the leader gets caught up in themselves, the followers will not learn. They will not want to follow someone who is selfish or un-centered, and will be able to read when it is not just about the group’s success anymore, as it should be.
24. Take it easy
“Any form of egocentricity, of selfishness, obscures your deeper self and blinds you to how things happen.” A take it easy approach is an effective way of both group facilitation and decision making. The leader that knows how things happen is able to take it easy. They are able to step back from the situation without any insecurity. They are able to make a good decision based on knowing what is happening.
Trying to hard or trying to rush matters gets you nowhere. They are behaviors of insecurity. Insecurities do not help group work; they hinder the individual as well as the group. Good things take time, and will come to those who wait. I have had a chance to work on this during our trip. I often times feel like I need to keep the ball rolling when I am leader; but really what I need to do is chill back and rely on our group as a whole to figure things out together. Through the process everything will come together in the end. I have been working on improving my patience and trusting that things will work out. Trust the process!
29. The paradox of pushing
Being forceful is a very ineffective way of group facilitation and creates poor decision making within a group. The decision of a leader to use force and push members to do what they think is best will backfire. The leader who tries to control the group, does not understand group process and will lose respect from its members. Leaders who facilitate process by pushing, blocks the entire group process all together. They may think that they are building a good group field, when they are in fact diminishing the creativity and coherence of group members. “The wise leader stays centered and grounded and uses the least force required to act effectively.”
Within our group I feel that there are some more than others who like to take control over some situations. I also feel that we all are learning how to steer clear from these habits as we read more from the Tao, and study our own leadership styles.
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