When I heard someone yell Stump was sighted, I rushed downstairs so very excited to look for her in the pond.
What I found however, was my husband looking over our pool and pointing at the deepest end. "She's down there," he said.
Walking to the diving board, I immediately saw the shadow on the bottom of the pool. Definitely frog shaped. Definitely Stump. Definitely Deep. Definitely Cold, Cold Water.
"Brandon!!!" I called.
My 14 year old had stayed home from school sick, but that didn't release him from having to dive into the ice cold water and retrieve my beloved Stump.
As he came up, both hands tightly around Stump I reflected back on summer’s past where retrieving Stump from the pool was a weekly ritual.
Now, four years later - boys older, Stump bigger - I celebrate that Spring is here and Stump has returned (with her very familiar ways). What a beautiful way to welcome Spring!
May your Spring bring you many, many unexpected gifts.
To see pictures of Stump and her return from hibernation, click the link below: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=28831&id=1565754697&l=641f4757a5
If you don't know who Stump is, click the link below: http://dayinalifeofstacy.blogspot.com/2009/06/what-i-have-learned-from-my-bullfrog.html
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Reflections on Bennis' On Becoming a Leader
Over the break, I had picked up and was rereading On Becoming a Leader by Warren Bennis for what felt like first time all over again in preparation for an upcoming Leadership Challenge seminar. Specifically, I was looking for the section where Bennis expands on the differences between leaders and managers.
Unique to this review of the book, I immediately felt a little taken aback by some of the words used to describe the two roles as well as the important relationship that exists between the two roles.
Much like the appreciation we felt when we went through identification of the animal characteristics, I began to evaluate the essential components in both roles and how they compliment—not compete– with each other.
I then went on a Google search to find someone who had read and potentially had a like epiphany. As I searched, I hoped I was not unique in my thinking and—guess what--I was not. In fact, several had the same revelation years before me.
One opinion stuck out in my reading. It was an article entitled “Lead:ology - Leaders Versus Managers: A False Dichotomy” by Michael McKinney and published on June 22, 2009 (see http://dayinalifeofstacy.blogspot.com/2010/04/leadology-leaders-versus-managers-false.html).
McKinney says, “The distinctions made by Bennis are important as they expose two very different and equally valuable mindsets. As each works best in the presence of the other, it is to our advantage that we possess and practice both.”
So, my question to you all is this...How do you see Leaders and Managers? Do you agree with the differences as pointed out by Bennis? Is one better than the other? Why or why not? Which role do you associate yourself to?
Would love to hear your thoughts regarding! Shoot me your thoughts via email or use the comments option on this post.
Thanks for letting me share,
~Stacy
Unique to this review of the book, I immediately felt a little taken aback by some of the words used to describe the two roles as well as the important relationship that exists between the two roles.
Much like the appreciation we felt when we went through identification of the animal characteristics, I began to evaluate the essential components in both roles and how they compliment—not compete– with each other.
I then went on a Google search to find someone who had read and potentially had a like epiphany. As I searched, I hoped I was not unique in my thinking and—guess what--I was not. In fact, several had the same revelation years before me.
One opinion stuck out in my reading. It was an article entitled “Lead:ology - Leaders Versus Managers: A False Dichotomy” by Michael McKinney and published on June 22, 2009 (see http://dayinalifeofstacy.blogspot.com/2010/04/leadology-leaders-versus-managers-false.html).
McKinney says, “The distinctions made by Bennis are important as they expose two very different and equally valuable mindsets. As each works best in the presence of the other, it is to our advantage that we possess and practice both.”
So, my question to you all is this...How do you see Leaders and Managers? Do you agree with the differences as pointed out by Bennis? Is one better than the other? Why or why not? Which role do you associate yourself to?
Would love to hear your thoughts regarding! Shoot me your thoughts via email or use the comments option on this post.
Thanks for letting me share,
~Stacy
Lead:ology - Leaders Versus Managers: A False Dichotomy
From Lead:ology - Leaders Versus Managers: A False Dichotomy
By Michael McKinney (June 22, 2009)
The 1989 leadership classic On Becoming a Leader by Warren Bennis contains what has become one of the most discussed and frequently misunderstood concepts in leadership literature. I'm referring to, of course, insightful list of twelve differences between leaders and managers:
The manager administers; the leader innovates.
The manager is a copy; the leader is an original.
The manager maintains; the leader develops.
The manager focuses on systems and structure; the leader focuses on people.
The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.
The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.
The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.
The manager has an eye always on the bottom line; the leader has an eye on the horizon.
The manager imitates; the leader originates.
The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.
The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his own person.
The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.
The distinctions made by Bennis are important as they expose two very different and equally valuable mindsets. As each works best in the presence of the other, it is to our advantage that we possess and practice both. It is through a developed sense of awareness and experience that we are able to determine which mindset we need to employ, relative to what and when.
By Michael McKinney (June 22, 2009)
The 1989 leadership classic On Becoming a Leader by Warren Bennis contains what has become one of the most discussed and frequently misunderstood concepts in leadership literature. I'm referring to, of course, insightful list of twelve differences between leaders and managers:
The manager administers; the leader innovates.
The manager is a copy; the leader is an original.
The manager maintains; the leader develops.
The manager focuses on systems and structure; the leader focuses on people.
The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.
The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.
The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.
The manager has an eye always on the bottom line; the leader has an eye on the horizon.
The manager imitates; the leader originates.
The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.
The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his own person.
The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.
The distinctions made by Bennis are important as they expose two very different and equally valuable mindsets. As each works best in the presence of the other, it is to our advantage that we possess and practice both. It is through a developed sense of awareness and experience that we are able to determine which mindset we need to employ, relative to what and when.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
are you one of the two?
The world will be saved by one or two people at a time. ~ Andre Gide [are you one of the two?] :)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Checklist Manifesto
READING - The Checklist Manifesto - How to Get Things Right Am reminded that often we overcomplicate things because we are human.
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