Theory and Practice 
Notes and Outlines

The ensuing Academic and Informational Blogs are designed to assist in Personal Development and Proactive Parenting. The content is based on knowledge acquired over 50 years of Frontline Experience and Private Study in Education and Counseling. THIS IS NOT A BUSINESS. THERE IS NO COST TO THE READER. The information stands alone and no discussion is needed for understanding. Please feel free to use the site to your benefit.

Initial blogs provide an introduction to Leading Educators whose work creates a Philosophical Framework for future Tips and Techniques. Dr. Warren Bennis leads the way with the Seminal Research he conducted with dozens of Public and Private Sector Leaders at the University of Southern California. Dr. Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People provides an “Inside-Out” framework for Psychological Health with Insights and Techniques that Insure Consistent Personal Development. See Website Bibliography for list of TOP TEN contributors to 2025 content.

INITIAL BLOG POST CONTAINS OUTLINES AND NOTES FROM:

LEADERS: THE STRATEGIES FOR TAKING CHARGE. WARREN BENNIS/U.S.C. LEADERSHIP RESEARCH STUDY

NOTES ON ROBERT SLAVIN’S AWARD-WINNING RESEARCH ON TEAMBUILDING AND COOPERATIVE RELATIONS.

A SELF-CREATED “PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP” Outline. Contributors include STEPHEN COVEY and the work on NEUROPLASTICITY AND THE POWER OF MENTAL FORCE/Written by Dr. Jeffrey M.Schwartz.

LEADERS: THE STRATEGIES FOR TAKING CHARGE/WARREN BENNIS….U.S.C. LEADERSHIP RESEARCH STUDY

EXTENSIVE STUDY & ANALYSIS OF LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Observation & Interview/90 Leaders Corporate…Public…Arts 60 C.E.O/50% Fortune Top 200 List

DEFINED…Leadership is the ability to turn a dream, a vision of a desired future state, into reality with and through the cooperation of others.

MOST IMPORTANT TRUTH…..Leadership can be learned…the principles behind Leadership are accessible…trainable…and can be acted upon

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THE CONTEXT OF LEADERSHIP   (Managerial Mayhem)

  1. Commitment Gap
  2. Credibility Problems
  3. Complexity…Paradigm Shifts & Spastic Change

THE MYTHOLOGY OF LEADERSHIP

  1. Leadership is a rare skill
  2. Leaders are born and not made
  3. Leaders are created by extraordinary circumstances
  4. Leaders exist only at the top of an organization
  5. Leaders must be charismatic
  6. Leaders must control, direct, prod and manipulate to maintain productivity.

FOUR MAJOR STRATEGIES/SIMILARITIES of Transformative Leaders

  1. Leadership Through Self-Management
  2. Attention Through Vision
  3. Meaning Through Communication
  4. Trust Through Positioning

SELF-MANAGEMENT

  1. Positive Self-Regard
    • a) Self-Knowledge
    • b) Nurturing Skills with Discipline
    • c) Positive Sensory Orientation
    • d) Inner Direction
  2. Positive Other-Regard
    • a) Accept People as they are
    • b) Centered in the Present
    • c) Don’t rely on Rewards/Punishments
    • d) Confidence and High Expectations
    • e) Respect and Trust

VISION

  1. Focus Point……Mission Statement
  2. Motivational Dynamics
  3. Coordination of Individual Behavior

COMMUNICATION

  1. Personal Example
  2. Verbal Messages
  3. Metaphor
  4. Symbols

POSITIONING

  1. Accountability
  2. Predictability
  3. Reliability

TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP

  1. Acknowledge and Share Uncertainty
  2. Embrace Errors
  3. Competence in Interpersonal Relationships
  4. Respond to the Future
  5. Life-Long Learning

THE LEARNING ORGANIZATION

  1. Open
  2. Future Orientated
  3. Anticipatory
  4. Continued Development
  5. Participatory

INNOVATIVE LEARNING

  1. Reinterpretation of History
  2. Experimentation
  3. Analogous Organizations
  4. Analytical Processes
  5. Training and Education
  6. Unlearning

EMPOWERMENT/MOTIVATION BY IDENTIFICATION

  1. Significance/Community
  2. Competence
  3. Excitement….”Hoopla”

COOPERATIVE TEAMBUILDING & TRAINING. (Dr. Robert Slavin)

TEAM SKILLS ESSENTIAL/NEED ABILITY TO;

  1. Brainstorm
  2. Develop Higher Level Thinking Skills
  3. Confront Mistakes Easily
  4. Rebound from Setbacks
  5. Learn from Success and Failure
  6. Take and Give Up Leadership when necessary

TO PROMOTE COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIPS LEADERS WILL: 

  1. Structure cooperative situations in which participants work with each other to achieve a common goal.
  2. Give participants meaningful responsibility for the well-being and success of their peers.
  3. Encourage the feelings of support, acceptance, concern and commitment that are part of collaborative situations. 
  4. Hold participants accountable for fulfilling their responsibilities to their teammates and give them mutual authority over each other.
  5. Ensure that participants experience success in the GROUP
  6. Directly teach the interpersonal skills needed to build and maintain collaborative relationships.

COOPERATIVE SKILLS

  1. FORMING: Initial development of group.
  2. FUNCTIONING: Manage activities, time, task & effective working relationships.
  3. FORMULATING: Use of quality reasoning skills.
  4. FERMENTING: Stimulate reconceptualization, cognitive conflict, search for more information, communication of rationale. 

THE PROCESS OF ACCEPTANCE

  1. Positive Goal Interdependance
  2. Promotive Interaction
  3. Accurate Perspective Taking
  4. Differentiated, Dynamic Viewpoints
  5. Expectation for Rewarding Future Interaction

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

  1. Mission Statement
    • a) Defined Purpose
    • b) Principle-Centered Paradigm
  2. Kaizen/Continuous Small Step Development of “Four Natures”
    • a) Physical (Health and Fitness)
    • b) Mental (Knowledge/Education & Career)
    • c) Social (Self & Relationships)
    • d) Spiritual (Connection with Principles/Service/Nature)
    • e) 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
    • f) Quadrant 2. “Sharpen the Saw”
    • g) Written Goal Statements (SMART)
      • 1) Specific
      • 2) Measurable
      • 3) Action Plan
      • 4) Realistic with a Reach
      • 5) Timed with Positive Consequences Statement
      • 6) 2-6 Written Goals within the 4 Natures (Pareto Principle)
  3. Action Plan
    • a) Proactivity (Habit #1)
    • b) Begin with the end in mind (Habit #2)
    • c) Prioritize, put first things first (Habit #3)
    • d) Disciplined Achiever Model (Mentors & WISE Working)
      • 1) Willpower
      • 2) Integrity
      • 3) Stamina
      • 4) Enthusiasm
    • e) Orienting Questions/Weekly Planning/Personal Bank Account
  4. Neuropsychology of Achievement
    • a) Neuroplasticity “The Power Of Mental Force”
    • b) Educating the Subconscious.  (Affirmations & Visualization) 
    • c) Creation of “Growth Mindset”
    • d) Development of “Wise Advocate”
    • e) “Free Will/Free Won’t”