LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 2013-2015

SEMINAR REFLECTIVE SUMMARY

SEMINAR TOPIC: Situational Leadership and Strategic Thinking
PARTICIPANTs NAME: Jo Ann Baker
1. What were the significant learning points for you in this seminar?
Dr. Hope Murray led this seminar and shared keys to working
smarter in a matrix organization. She posed the questions to us,
What would you do if you had one year to live? and What would I
do if I knew I was going to live forever? She noted that time is a
factor in how you think strategically. Factors that influence are
thinking verses acting. Further describing acting as doing tasks,
putting out fires, and going to meetings, and thinking is researching,
planning and strategizing.
Research shows the most effective leaders 20% acting/80% thinking
as role changes pyramid changes need to give up some roles
We need to know where we are now and where we want to be in the
future; change is coming. We have our own personal strategic
stage:
1. Operator: feeling robot same routine
2. Inventor: doing things different and better; innovative ways
dont need large scale start to ask questions to get in planning
mode
3. Planner: think strategic, look into future, giving self some
structurewe really build through planning
4.
Strategist: way we creatively shape tomorrows problems today:
thinking broad and long term & utilizing Strategic Thinking Skills.
New growth comes from thinking. Strategies to attain these goals
include:
1. Tame the Beast: Acquire the target: make rules, take time,
observe, learn, trust in decision
2. Gather intelligence
3. Analyze forces: looking for threats and opportunities. What
potentially is going to derail me?
4. Defining scenarios: blueprint or mental picture
5. Chart the course: strategic plan is a road map; course of
action is bridge (be creative, have contingency plan)
6. Mobilize and sustain

Characteristics of what the best bosses know and do are, take

control, act like you are in control even when you are not, dont
dither say yes or no, get and give credit, and its ok to blame
yourself.
The various leadership types were identified and described:
Autocratic
Coaching, Cross cultural, Emergent, Exchange, Laissez-fair, and
Situational.

2. In what ways is each learning point supportive of or relevant to

your ideas about leadership?
This was a great synopsis of characteristics that impact thinking
and strategic thinking. It identified the roles for change and
what barriers and supports that can be a potential opportunity.
3. Identify a way to apply each of these learning points to your
current role at the College.
I think it is essential that as a leader one must realize change is
inevitable and we must work with the resources and support
systems within the College to successfully assist with transition.
One must be aware of their leadership style and may need to
work with self-adaption or seek guidance to assure that
appropriate guidance and leadership is promoted to faculty and
staff. Knowing what our personal strategic stage is will assist
with approach to change.