Practical Guide to Effective Leadership for School Managers Essay

Practical Guide to Effective Leadership for School Managers - Essay Example One of the benefits that such a practical guide has is with relation to its ability to highlight key issues and problem areas that will likely remain for the duration of time in which the practical guide itself will be utilized. In such a way, a level of self analysis is needed to be performed that that once a task or approach has been completed, a level of inference can be drawn with regards to those areas that could be improved upon as well as noting and further improving those areas that proved to be key successes within the process (Avant, 2010). As a means of this, the following analysis will seek to provide a level of discussion onto the key areas in which the skills that will be noted developed as a function of individual growth as well as teamwork. Furthermore, the mistakes and difficulties that are doubtless to be experienced will also be discussed as a means of seeking to find ways in which personal and professional development can be promoted to a higher degree within the individual school of the current time as well as the future. Although an exhaustive study of these personal and professional factors would require a dissertation length response, this brief analysis will seek to hone in on three unique skills which can be developed through the course of everyday activities and seek to utilize these as a starting point for related difficulties and weaknesses that proved to be key roadblocks, although not insurmountable, in the process (Wilson, 1992). A primary skill that must be developed and leveraged at each and every stage is with regards to ensuring that lines of communication remain upon and healthy. Without this fundamental aspect, it is impossible for the flow of information to allow for a type of self-correcting entity to form that is capable of responding to threats and opportunities (Beccera & Gupta, 2003). Like any other institution/organization, it is the requirement of the educational organization to ensure that effective forms of commun ication be maintained and leveraged at each and every stage so that the entity can continue to express a degree of growth and development that is befitting of the times and demands upon which the environment consists (Elida-Tomita, 2010). Similarly, another key strength that must be sought to be engaged in order for effective communication to take place on any level is the ability of leadership to be able to interact with and gauge the needs that the organization puts forward; almost invariably accomplished via the process of self analysis and introspective means of measurement.

Analysis of the Road Not Taken by Robert Frost Essay Example for Free

Analysis of the Road Not Taken by Robert Frost Essay The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost shows the narrator coming to a fork in the wood, which offers two paths to take. By use of symbolism and various verb tenses in different stanzas the author was able to convey the overall meaning of the poem. The narrator scrutinized the road but does not find a noticeable difference in the two paths and thus was stuck deciding whether which road is the better decision. However, in the fourth stanza, by the allegory â€Å"I took the one less traveled by† shows that the narrator wishes to take the path which leads to individualism. The narrator portrayed that in life there are decisions we must make that must be based on our own agenda. Symbols also play in defining the meaning of the poem. The symbol of the color yellow is use to show more than just the narrator’s cowardice, but also yellow represents autumn meaning the author is at the end of his life which indicates that he has wasted his whole life in indecision. Other symbols such as â€Å"two roads† and â€Å"one traveler† in the first stanza show the idea of free choice and individualism of the narrator. We can also tie in to the fact that because the roads lies in the woods, and that roads represents free choice, the overall idea would be comparable to free choice and fate. You are free to choose what choice to make but in the end the choices you make are still a part of your fate. In the first three stanzas the poem is written in past tense, but in the fourth stanza the poem is written in future tense. By repeating â€Å"two roads diverged in a wood† in the fourth stanza the narrator is implying that he is reflecting upon if the choice he had made was the better of the two choices. The first three stanzas of the poem being in past tense hints that he is looking back at his past, but the fourth stanza shows us the narrator is hoping â€Å"somewhere ages and ages hence† the decision he made will benefit him. In addition, because the narrator is still uncertain if the choice he made was the better of the two, we can concludes that he is still reflective on whether which road he should have took, hence the title â€Å"The Road Not Taken. † Partially, the poem tells us about the narrator’s fear of regrets which eventually leads to his indecisiveness in choice of what road to travel. The fear of making mistakes from either choice had excluded the narrator from taking any action. . Frost’s point is to acknowledge the fact that in life there are choices where uncertainty makes choosing difficult, and often we are paralyzed by the fact of making the â€Å"wrong choice. † Words such as â€Å"sorry,† â€Å"sigh,† and â€Å"doubted† shows the authors regrets and concern for making the wrong choice. The last stanza offered the author’s apprehension furthermore of whether which road he should take with the stuttered â€Å"I. † Although in the last two lines the narrator says he takes â€Å"the [road] less traveled by, and that has made all the difference,† the use of the word difference is ironic to what the poem has states in retrospective about the similarity of the roads. In the poem The Road Not Taken the narrator’s idea of non-conformity coupled with the fear of regrets from making the wrong choice apprehended him from making any decisions. The Road Not Taken shows us that the choices we make in life should be based on our individual values.

milan music :: essays research papers

Objective description: The music is so abstract, it’s almost as if some people just got together randomly and decided to make some noise. It’s sometimes calming and sometimes stressful. It’s like a call and response music, one section makes a noise and the other sections respond accordingly with a similar sounding rhythm, very interesting to listen to. Steel drums, chimes, drums, drones, flutes, and some other instruments, not even sure what the names are. I have heard them before but do not know the name. There are different types of steel drums giving out different pitches and resonations. This music is just so abstract and unlike music today. No music I listen to can compare to this type of abstract material. The most prominent thing to me in this music is the rhythm. It’s not a mono rhythm; it’s more of an ever-changing rhythm which makes me try to pick up a new one every change of the call and response. I hear a very polyphony texture with man y different instruments playing at once or responding to each others calls. The piece does not use repetition as songs do today but the way they come back to the main rhythm is somewhat of a repeat. They just call out a rhythm and then someone tries to repeat it. This music is awkward to listen to at first but the second or third song I got really used to the abstract interactions the different instruments had with each other. Functional description: Gamelan music is a way of making social groups. Gamelan music is performed as a group effort, and so there is no place for an individual showoff. Traditionally, gamelan is only played at certain occasions such as ritual ceremonies, special community celebrations, shadow puppet shows, and for the royal family. Gamelan is also used to accompany dances in court, temple, and village rituals. Besides providing music for social functional ceremonies, gamelan also provides a livelihood for many professional musicians, and for specialized craftsmen who manufacture gamelan. I took a class at Sonoma and was somewhat familiar with this type or music but before that I had no prior experience with the music. The music grew on me over time and became less awkward. Its not something I would choose to listen to but it’s a good sense of what music around the world has to offer those of us in the United states that are not open-minded to other cultures music.

Ludwig van Beethoven and Robert Schumann

Ludwig van Beethoven faced hearing problems which he noticed at about age 26. He accepted at age 32 that he would possibly become completely deaf. He tried to suppress the problem by using headphones though by age 50, he could hardly hear any sound. This however did not deter him from writing his 9th and final symphony (Hosler, 2009).His career was badly affected as he surged into depression and became embarrassed that he would lose his auditory sense though he was a composer. Both the music of the romantic period and other art forms of the period focused on bringing out the expression of intense feelings and emotions.Both aspects were ruled by the depiction of beauty, strangeness and sublimity. Both music types are nourished by and closely linked to other forms of art such as poetry and drama. Classical music is dominated by the aspect of sound building and universality whereas romantic music is predominated by sound feeling and individualism. Ideals of order, control and equilibriu m are associated with classical music while romanticism is deep in passion, movement, fantasy and imagination. Question 2 (Robert Schumann)Robert Schumann intensified his composition after marrying Clara who led him into orchestral music and chamber works in an effort to expand his style. As a result, his love for the piano facilitated a good combination with symphonic orchestration which enabled him to produce the â€Å"Piano Concerto in A Minor†. Robert had seven children with Clara and this created a new dimension of composition in that they started composing songs for children and those about children such as â€Å"Child Falling Asleep† (Schneider, 2002).Johannes Brahms is the composer of the famous Intermezzo and Cantata Rinaldo in addition to his first published work on sonata in C major. Fredric Chopin is the composer of the famous Revolutionary Etude and Opus in addition to writing about lovers who part in his popular Les Adieux (library. thinkquest. org, n. d) . Richard Wagner wrote about ten operas which are today regularly performed in opera houses. He also invented the leitmotiv which is a form of signature tune for events, persons, physical objects and emotions.The orchestra pit and orchestration invented by Richard brought new aspects in the sound properties of the theatre. Composers and other music professionals have gained a lot of knowledge and have been inspired by the harmony, melodic structure and the great orchestration present in Wagner’s inventions. The inventions have been a source of dynamism in the world of music (Roy, n. d). References Hosler, H. (2009). Medical Mystery Behind Beethoven. Retrieved July 13, 2010, from http://lifebridgeblogs.blogspot. com/2009/11/medical-mystery-behind-beethoven. html library. thinkquest. org. (n. d). The Romantic Era Composers. Retrieved July 13, 2010, from http://library. thinkquest. org/15413/history/history-rom-comp. htm Roy, E. (n. d). Wagner the Innovator. Retrieved July 13, 2 010, from http://www. bikwil. com/Vintage10/Wagner-Innovator. html Schneider, E. (2002). Robert and Clara Schumann – a biography. Retrieved July 13, 2010, from http://www. essortment. com/all/robertclarasch_rjya. htm

Public and Private Sector Collaborations Essay

Open research organizations and private firms work under very diverse situations and with poles a-part aims and objectives, which result in fairly different outcomes in the two types of organizations. Public researchers are mainly ambitious due to their willingness to expand knowledge and publish them in journals and magazines to help for the cause of bringing it to knowledge of the masses. On the other hand, private firms and ventures aim to achieve higher profits through commercially valid information that the firm builds up or obtain to be kept in the boundaries of the company and far away from opponents in the market or the industry. This usually results in the conflicts among the two forms of organizations and it is difficult to work in collaboration between the public and private organizations. But it has also been evident from the past that, private companies and firms which have worked in public collaborations, although not many succeeded, but those who did, have been able to achieve goals and have set trends for other organizations to work for the cause of social development and enhancement of public systems for noble cause. Current Situation (LoJack) and Strategy: LoJack Corporation markets and authorizes the LoJack System, a unique, proprietary system used entirely by law enforcement workforce to track, establish, and pick up stolen motor vehicles. The problem of vehicle theft has escalated to an epidemic level an estimated to result in an yearly loss of approximately $8 billion. The LoJack System has an established track evidence of falling damages, striking public protection, and solving grave crimes related to motor vehicle thievery, all accomplished within the realistic restrictions of overburdened law enforcement structure.   Currently, LoJack has unique system designed to assist law enforcement in locating and tracking stole vehicles. Competition is fierce if viewed with Telemetric and GPS tracking devices. However, if we look at vehicle recovery systems, LoJack is the global leader with a law enforcement network that cannot be easily duplicated.   This law enforcement network is challenging politically and requires a high degree of local political assistance.   Financially, sales are climbing, but year over year growth is declining.   The distribution system through auto retailers seems stuck to new car sales. The LoJack strategy at the present time consists of several discrete variables.   LoJack has elected to expand into new geographic areas and markets which is a logical growth strategy for the firm which has established an enviable reputation in terms of asset recovery systems.   This company has developed a new tracking unit that permits it to move into new segments such as trailers while simultaneously reducing costs for such units, therefore, establishing itself as a cost leader in the sector.  Ã‚  Ã‚   This combined with a strong differentiation of product through law enforcement networks gives LoJack a strong competitive advantage.   These are strengths that cannot be quickly or easily duplicated and because of the proprietary technical aspect of this product.   Competitors would have to try and find substitute products to compete directly with LoJack. Competitive Environment New Entrants Teletrec and other competitors were on the market prior to LoJack’s entrance and other competitors are entering the market through GPS based systems such as ‘OnStar’.   These systems are not a onetime purchase but incur monthly fees to maintain service and may require the use of a cell phone. Substitutes Just as with GPS, there is a threat of substitute products coming on-line through new technology, but this threat should be mitigated by LoJack’s network with local law enforcement agencies. Suppliers Suppliers are also a threat as the auto industry is developing its own telematics technology.   The automakers have started relying on standards to speed up the plan cycle. Their incapability to bring state-of-the-art activity, communication, routing, and other â€Å"telematics† (navigation, driver-warning, and communication systems) evidently emphasize the manufacturers’ unwillingness to relying on these standards. The automakers came into view to have understood their errors and restrictions and are participating in the development of new network standards for both critical mission and convenience or entertainment systems. LoJack must continue to market its law enforcement advantage to thwart off this threat. Buyers At this stage, buyers have relatively limited buying power due to the lack of alternative technology. However, the threat is the heavy reliance on car dealers to sell the product.   If there is no incentive to do so, then the buyer may lack the knowledge that would drive the purchase. Intensity of Rivalry Although the product is in its growing stages, and there is no clear competition, the increased activity in this sector could be conducive of a threat to achieve a large enough market share to make the implementation worthwhile. Perspective on network level strategy Both LoJack and Micro Logic embrace the embedded organizational structure.   While they both have proprietary technology, they rely on other organizations to leverage these technologies.   LoJack’s technology would not have been possible without the alliance with local law enforcement agencies, Motorola, and Micro Logic.   Micro Logic’s existence had been to partner with organizations to influence its technological resourcefulness to additionally expand the companies that it works for.   It would take an evenhandedness stand in these companies and take a long term approach. In order for Micro Logic to be successful in this venture, it would need to rely on LoJack’s distribution and marketing systems. Not only to sell its products but also to ensure its own financial stability. If LoJack is to review its long term strategy, it must understand that research and development are not at the core of its operation.   Motorola is a key component to both LoJack and Micro Logic and has been a strong partner providing vital assistance. They cannot be relied on to only provide this technology to LoJack.   They are a much larger company and will look to broaden their reach.   In the fall of 1999 Motorola was already working to become a driving force in the telematics industry and moved to position itself with the major car companies. Recommendations Short Term LoJack should look to form a free alliance with Micro Logic. This would allow for LoJack to expand into the new market of construction equipment where need exist and no clear provider exist. An alliance between these two organizations has a proven track record and a proven product that can be marketed globally. The alliance should tackle the construction equipment market. This is a market that has a strong need for a location and asset management technology there is no clear market leader and creativity and innovation in products play a vital role to become a leader. The combination of LoJack’s proven solution for tracking and the ability of Micro Logic to develop strong asset management software would allow for strong penetration in this market.   Both organizations should look to work in their core areas of expertise. LoJack recognizes how to market and allocate the products and Micro Logic should right away assume the Research &Development purpose. This will allow both companies to continue to drive down cost. LoJack presently has sufficient cash on hand to assist the need for cash with Micro Logic.   At this point, the cash infusion should be done as a low or no interest loan to Micro Logic. The partnership works well over time, Micro Logic can establish if this is their core business.   If not, they will be able to sell this product back to LoJack just as it did the first time and move in a different direction or become a secondary firm to LoJack.   Motorola is currently working on the 3rd generation LoJack and Micro Logic sho uld work directly with Motorola on this function. Medium Term Once a clear hold on the construction market is protected, then the alliance will have the opportunity to move into the trailer market. A proven track record in auto recovery and construction equipment asset management will allow strong credibility and should allow LoJack and Micro Logic to become the market leaders. During this stage both firms will need to determine the structure of the company and if they are able to grow construction equipment sales to the same rate as existing auto sales then LoJack would be in a position to either absorb Metrologic into the existing organization or turn Micro Logic into a subsidiary. Long Term Emerging markets will be critical to the long term success of LoJack.   With a strong foothold on the construction market this area would be a logical first step into emerging markets as contraction equipment would usually surpass new car sales.   Immerging markets will provide the strongest revenue growths for the company and is possible this may need to be moved into the mid-term focus depending on the success for the technology.

Drivers essays

Drivers essays On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and approved the document that set us as Americans free, thus changing the world forever. Purpose The Declaration of Independence was a political instrument designed to achieve some very distinct purposes. One was to sever the relationship between the colonies and England. To show that the time for reconciliation has ended and there is a time when it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another...(Roark A-1) Another, factor hastening official independence was the prospect of an alliance with France, Britains archrival. France was willing to provide military supplies as well as naval power, but not without firm assurance the Americans would separate from England.(Roark 189) Thirdly, the declaration was used as a form of propaganda to unite the colonies as one, to rally the people for their independence. One sees this by looking at what happened the following weeks after the declaration was finished. Americans gathered, read aloud, and celebrated the great piece to writing. Jefferson and the rest of the delegates put the blame precisely on the king. As said in the video, The Declaration portrayed the king as a merciless tyrant(Declaring Independence). It does just that because at the time, Americans thought that the kings evil ministers had been giving the king bad advice (Declaring Independence). The Declaration accused the king of more then thirty different injustices done to the American people; this made them see who the enemy was and why they needed to become free. The charges to the king are very accurate. They edited out the issues, for example, blaming King George III for slavery. The charges against the king do justify the revolution. When looking at all the charges in history against Eng ...

Personality theories;Type and Trait essays

Personality theories;Type and Trait essays Before describing the major modern trait and type theories of personality the following key terms must be defined; trait, type and personality. A personality trait represents a continuous dimension and can be defined as a broad, stable and enduring characteristic which is used to explain behaviour (Phares Pervin The major modern trait and type theories of Gordon Allport, Raymond Cattell, Hans Eysenck and the Big Five vary in their approach and methods in their attempts to understand personality, yet all share the belief that personality can be understood and individual's behaviour could be explained and described by the use of types and traits. The trait and type personality psychologists used three methods in identifying important traits and types; the lexical approach, meaning the more important a word is the more often it will appear in language, the theoretical approach which focuses on the most significant dispositions and the statistical approach where extensive data is mathamatically analysed {Liebert and Spiegler, 1990) to support their theories outlined in this essay. Allport is considered to be the founder of the modern type and trait school. Allport with Odbert, became the first researchers to conducted a lexical study of personality descriptors {cited in Ewen, 1940} and develop a system to classify traits. From the results of this study, Allport developed a theory which divided traits into three groups with varying degrees of influence; cardinal traits, central traits and secondary dispositions, which make up an individuals personali...