Rose Averbeck
OAL 250
Reflect on Leadership behavior and styles.
Out of the three leadership styles presented on the worksheet; I feel Abdicratic is the most powerful form of leadership. It allows the group to be independent and make the decisions. The group contains the power to what will happen, versus the other two; Autocratic and Democratic. Autocratic leaves the leader in complete control to making group decisions. In Democratic leadership there is more of a balance, where there is shared decision making between the leader and participants. The reason why I feel Abdicratic Leadership style is most powerful is because from this trip and reading “The Tao of Leadership” throughout our trip and homework assignments; I have learned that the best way for the group members to learn the greatest and gain the most experience in leadership is if they are actually not being lead at all. They are their own leaders; they should have the power and responsibility of making their own choices and decisions. The Abdicratic leader understands how process unfolds itself without any need for making decisions for the group, or pressuring group members to make certain decisions.
There is a chapter in the Tao that reflects what I am saying above called Force and Conflict. “When force is used, conflict and argument will follow….The climate is hostile, neither open nor nourishing.” This is completely true, and on this trip we were able to see it shine through as being so unbelievably true. There are many visions in my mind where one tried to use force with another and everyone got grumpy with each other. One circumstance that sticks out farther than any other would be our trailer incident. Now, looking back on is hilarious and everyone learned from that experience. As our stay in Queenstown came to an end, we as a group needed to take the trailer by hand down to hook it to the van at the bottom of a steep hill. Some rebelled against helping moving the trailer, others snapped at them to help out. Snapping did not help at all it only made matters worse. The ones being snapped at rebelled even harder from helping out, and making smart ass remarks such as “Way to go team estrogen!” This was a situation where instead of snapping we should have just asked again politely for help. Though, some didn’t feel like asking for help was needed as we were a team and should do these group projects together. We all learned about our egos that day. My ego got in the way thinking they should stop being asses and help out. I was the one who snapped at them and they rebelled back to my comment because of their egos. “Group members will challenge the ego of one who leads egocentrically. But one who leads selflessly and harmoniously will grow and endure.” That is why I think having the Abdicratic leadership style is the best way of leading. It will let the group members learn about themselves, learn what works and what doesn’t because they hold all the cards for themselves. They have all the power, gaining those experiences.
Choose 3 new chapters from the Tao that reflect your own efficacy as a leader and a participant on activities done on the trip.
19. Self-Improvement
Everyone on this trip can say that they have improved in some way throughout our experiences. We have grown and learned about ourselves on this trip, probably more than we thought we would. I know I have. I have experienced self- improvement. “No teacher can make you be happy, prosperous, healthy, or powerful.” Only we can improve these qualities within us. If you wish to improve yourself, be silent, be still. Take in what is around you, accept what is going on as it is; live in the now and enjoy it all. Don’t worry about the past or the future, they don’t matter. This has been effective for me both as a leader and as a participant. From this trip, I have learned to not have expectations and I will not have disappointments. As a leader I have self-improved in ways to not have expectations of my followers. That would only set myself up to be disappointed if what I think should have happened does not happen. I now know that whatever happens is what needed to happen; there does not need to be a plan. As a participant I have learned to not have expectations of an activity. I should enjoy the mystery of what’s going to happen next, and accept everything that does happen as it is supposed to be happening. This makes activities much more fun, and a bigger learning experience as a student of adventure. As I feel self-improvement I feel my values and abilities improve as well.
59. The Source of Your Ability.
Consciousness and awareness is the source of our abilities. If we can be aware of what is happening, we can see how it’s happening; we can be conscious of it. This has proven to be important in all of the activities we have done on this trip. If you were unaware of your surroundings, of what was happening around you, your ability to work effectively with the group could dwindle. While rock climbing; as a climber and as a belayer, we must be conscious and aware during every moment, or things could go badly very quickly. Same goes for White Water Rafting, Mountain Biking, Hiking, Surfing, Scuba diving, and every outdoor activity we have done, calls for these qualities within a person. “If you are aware of what is happening and how things happen, you can act accordingly. You can steer clear of trouble, and be both vital and effective.” This is a powerful line from this chapter that has proven to me to be true. Being conscious and aware as either a leader or as participants, allows us to be aware of ourselves as well as understanding what is happening around us. By understanding this; our self-efficacy is improved.
73. Freedom and Responsibility
“No one can decide for you what to do in a given situation. That is up to you.” I feel that on this trip I have grown as an independent as well as gained responsibility for my actions, for my choices. This chapter enlightens individuals with the thoughts that no one can make decisions for us, no one can tell us what to do. It is our freedom, and our responsibility to make our own choices in life. It is our lives, and we are running them not anybody else. If I feel I need advice, I’ve learned from this trip to first think about the question, think about what is actually happening. Do I really need someone to tell me what they think I should do? Much of my life I have been a very indecisive person, whether it be what kind of ice cream to choose, what color shoes I want, or what classes I want to take. That I would often times ask what other people thought, sometimes doing what they said even if my first instinct wasn’t what they thought.
Go with your first instinct, only you can really know what you want, what you really need. So, instead of asking for advice of what other people think, become aware of what is happening and what you think the right decision is. What people do is their own responsibility. Don’t try and control things if you don’t agree with what other people are doing. They are responsible for their actions and the choices they make. I have had time on this trip to work on not trying to control situations when I think they should be done different. Not to say that it hasn’t slipped out occasionally. I’m only human. I have learned that, that is a selfish act that doesn’t allow the group the chance to work things out together as they want it to be. It’s not all about me and what I want. The goal is that the group makes it there together. Everyone has the freedom to do as they want to, and has the responsibility of making their own decisions. As a leader and as a participant this is useful to a group because everyone only has the responsibility of worrying about their own actions, and how they want to help the group. It gives them freedom of choice.
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