MSLD630_A511.1.3.RB - Two-Way Street

I have been in the Air Force for almost 13 years but it seems like yesterday that I started as a B-52 mechanic at Sheppard Air Force Base, La.  I remember going through tech school not knowing anything about the B-52.  In fact, at first, I thought it was the "stealth bomber".  Much to my surprise, it wasn't even close.  

My first day at my first duty station was intimidating.  It started with me in an office with two Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCO's) saying that I was the First and Only female the in the Repair and Reclamation (R/R) shop.  Throughout the day I had many interactions with others in the shop, but most laughed thinking I'd never cut it.  

Technical Sergeant Jake Dell was apparently among most that, before meeting me, doubted me.  He was the most knowledgeable R/R mechanic in the shop and didn't believe that females could handle the rough, tough job of repairing multi-million dollar bomber aircraft.  However, TSgt Dell realized soon after meeting me that I had grit and determination.  Looking back, I never really thought of TSgt Dell as a "leader" but he was one hell of a worker,  mechanic and always made the mission a success.  That first day, I told him I was there to stay and he gave me a chance to prove myself.  After several years of working with him, I believe I influenced him to not judge a book by its cover and that determination can trump mechanical ability.  

Day 1, I was 18 years old, straight out of high school, 5'3", 115 pounds, and absolutely no mechanical background.  How was I expected to survive in a shop of 35 male crew chiefs?  Much to their surprise, although not mechanically inclined, I love to learn and outsmart others.  I dug into the books and asked a million questions.  I learned more than the guys that were there before me.  Also, being a small female gave me an advantage.  I could fit into places in the plane that others couldn't.  Once TSgt Dell realized that I was eager to learn, he accepted me and put me to the test, teaching me everything he could.  

My experience with TSgt Dell taught me a lot about myself.  Although I think I've always had good work ethic, being "greeted" with ridicule allowed me to grow and become more determined than ever.  I'm not sure I would've been that headstrong otherwise.  His doubt made me more determined.  His acceptance, after time, made me realize my potential.  That realization has made me the leader I am today.  

As a Master Sergeant, I am now at a higher rank than he was when I met him.  I use the information I learned from him but also learn from his leadership mistakes.  His expectations were high but his patience was low.  I now set high expectations for my troops but also leave room for mistakes.  I believe you learn more from your mistakes and can grow from them.  Furthermore, although Jake was not a good trainer, I believe I influenced him to become better.  My thirst for knowledge required him to think outside the box for ways to train me.  To this day, I make it my mission to pass on as much knowledge and experience I can to others and to not make assumptions based on gender or other characteristics.  

A500.9.3.RB_AndersonShane

Before taking this course, I assumed it would be a pointless research course, simply a pointless prerequisite class.  However, I quickly realized this was much more than a research class.  Of course, it helped hone my research skills with various assignments and the literature review for the action research paper. But it did much more.  This course taught me the valuable talent of critical thinking.  I don't think I've mastered the skill yet, and I'm not sure I ever will.  Although, I will enjoy the journey of developing my critical thinking.  

The elements of reasoning, the standards of critical thinking and other lessons learned throughout this course are essential to thinking things through.  I also learned how to blog and that I very much enjoy this practice of reflection.  

I definitely benefitted from this course and it was a positive experience.  The timing was probably the biggest detractor as I was on 12-hr shifts and working weekends.  Other than that, there were no negative aspects or anything I could have done to improve my learning experience.  The instructor was very knowledgeable and eager to help.  Although I was frustrated at the lack of guidance on some assignments, I now realize that was intentional.  


This was a great first course in my Master's degree program and has kept me motivated to continue learning.  I hope that my future courses are as relevant and enjoyable as Leadership Foundations.  

A500.5.1.RB_Anderson Shane

Reflections

When I started this course, I didn't know what it meant to think critically and I was overwhelmed at the thought of critical thinking.  The book Learning to Think Things Through was very easy to understand and provided good, relatable examples to explain the concepts and processes.  So far, I have begun to think more critically about my options and decisions which have led me to make more informed choices.  I ask more questions, collect more information and reason through situations as much as possible. This has shown me the full potential of choices, the power of choice and I have learned how to trust the process.  

 

I still struggle with devoting the time to the processes but with a full-time job, family, and life, in general, I'm not sure that will change much.  At work, I'm constantly bombarded with chaos which makes it difficult to spare the time to just... Think.  However, my office mate has great perspective and I've shared my thoughts with him and received his insight.  Being able to trust his judgment allows me to get his point of view on decisions and bounce my ideas off him.  I find myself more willing to think through ideas with him which has helped broaden and improve my critical thinking practices.  I've also reflected on past decisions that I realize and regret not thinking through thoroughly.  This has helped me slow down before making decisions in order to "go around the circle" as much as possible.  

In order to this a positive, lasting change I think I must practice critical thinking daily to the best of my ability.  Like the sayings go...practice makes perfect and if you don't use it, you'll lose it.  Truly what I need to do is schedule time out of my day to practice critical thinking along with my meditation.  I am appreciative of my new found life skill and intend to use and share it with others.

A500.4.3.RB_Anderson Shane

I found Sheena Iyengar’s TED video very interesting.  She explained her research on choices and how American beliefs rest on three assumptions; Make your own choices, More choices = better choices, you must never say no to choice.  Throughout the world there are fundamental differences in our ideas about choice. Where Americans strive on limitless choices, other countries and cultures struggle when faced with too many choices. For example, her interview with participants of formerly communist countries (Russia) she was surprised on their perception that seven different choices of soda was just one choice...soda.  

I agree that our American culture believes these assumptions, without critically thinking about their choices in the sense of implications and consequences. However, I don’t believe our American-way is always beneficial.  These assumptions can greatly affect leadership decisions.  For example, I had an Airman fail a quality assurance inspection.  In this case the first assumption “If a choice affects you, you should make the choice” impacted my decision of how to discipline the subordinate.  Rather than getting all the information and relying on colleagues for the best course of action, I made the choice alone that the Airman would receive a Letter of Counseling and brief our upper supervision on his lack of awareness.  Fortunately, another subordinate, gathered all the information and seen the situation from the Airman’s point of view.  Also, he pointed out some implications that I did not think of.  He presented this information to me, and I realized I had made a wrong choice.  I am believer in open and honest feedback and was surprised yet thankful that he presented his critique of my decision.

Alternatively, I had a similar situation where a subordinate failed to perform his tasks effectively.  Rather than taking action to correct the situation and provide feedback, I ignored the situation and the 3^rd assumption of “never say no to choice”.  You see, it has always been difficult for me to make decisions.  I often am afraid to make the wrong choice or make a choice of what I think someone wants.  I do not like conflict so rather than make a choice of corrective action, I chose not to make one.  I now regret not correcting or addressing the situation.  

Since taking this course, I have begun to think more critically about my options and decisions.  This had already led me to making more informed choices.  I ask more questions, collect more information and reason through situations as much as possible. This has showed me the full potential of choices, the power of choice and I have learned how to trust the process.  Furthermore, while studying action research I realize evaluating my my actions and realigning my choices with my values is important to developing myself and my work.  

A500.3.3.RB_AndersonShane

Organizational Leadership as a System

     If I were to think of organizational leadership as a body of information, I would research a few definitions, keywords,  and ideas and leave it at that.  However, that would be an injustice to myself and the discipline of organizational leadership.  According to Nosich, " Fields embody a distinctive way, or set of ways, of looking at the world" (2012)  The key differences between a body of information and a discipline are perspective and depth.  

In my opinion, knowing the information is a having a shallow understanding whereas viewing the discipline allows us to know how to think about and synthesize the information.  Rather than just remembering the information in order to regurgitate it for a test, I can critically think about the information in order to gain a deeper understanding of the discipline.  

This will definitely change the way I approach my coursework as I will be more invested in the underlying purpose and concepts.  Instead of simply accepting the information at factual, I will question it in order to form my own ideas and conclusions.  Furthermore, I will understand the logic of Organizational Leadership and be able to analyze it to recognize how each class, book or bit of information relates to each other and the whole of the field.  

For example, learning a body of information is having an 8-piece jigsaw puzzle.  You can look at the picture on the box and easily see how the pieces should be put together or solve it from memory.  

However, viewing the discipline and learning the logic of a field is like figuring out a 1000-piece puzzle.   You have all the information (pieces, and picture on the box) but putting it all together takes time and an understanding of how they can fit together.  

Below is a bit of information I wrote out as I was reading this week's material which has helped me view Leadership as a discipline rather than just a body of information.   

LOGIC OF A LEADERSHIP COURSE:

Purpose: 

            To think the way a leader thinks about his or her followers and team

Question at Issue: 

            How can I learn to be a more effective leader?

Assumptions:  

            That I can learn to lead by studying books or the results of other leaders

Implications and Consequences:  

            That my understanding of leaders will become deeper during the course

            That I will become a more effective leader through these courses

Concepts:  

             Leadership; Followership; Teamwork

Information:  

            Stories and books written about “great leaders”

Conclusions/Interpretations:  

            Conclusions I will draw about my life

            Interpreting items in a different way

            Conclusions of the idea of a good/effective leader

Point of View:  

            The point of view of other leaders

            Also, point of view of followers

  Context: I am learning this as someone of a certain age, of a certain gender, with a personal history, in a society, in a culture – and all of these shape the information I learn and the way I interpret it.

   Alternatives:  I have choices – alternatives – about which leaders I will let influence me.  

Nosich, G. M. (2012). Learning to think things through: a guide to critical thinking across the curriculum. Boston: Pearson.

A500.2.3.RB_AndersonShane

A standard, to me, is a measurement of quality.  Before this assignment, I hadn’t thought much about the standards that are most important in my life.  However, I believe my personal standards would be organization, reliability, and effectiveness.

In other words, my work tends to be well-organized and thought out.  I like to plan and make lists in order to work more efficiently and feel that it makes me more reliable and effective.  These three standards seem to go hand-in-hand with each other. For example, making to-do lists keeps me on track throughout the work-week.  Without them, I tend to forget tasks and details.  Prioritizing the items also is another way I stay organized.  I also keep binders or articles, information, and how-to's that I've found helpful throughout my career.  These binders are organized by topics such as bullet writing and professional development. By staying organized and accomplishing tasks in a timely manner, I am reliable and remain an effective member of the team.  

I supervise over 30 members and constantly have people in and out of my office for various reasons.  It becomes hectic dealing with personnel issues on top of normal day to day tasks.  One thing I pride myself on is mentoring my troops.  I like to share knowledge and useful information with them, often mentioning articles, books or websites where I’ve received good helpful information.  I often refer to my binders of gee-whiz information as well.  During the conversations, I’ll take notes to send them the information later or bring in the books.  Without the reminder, I will most likely forget to send, print out or bring in whatever I told them about.  I show my troops that they can rely on me by following through on providing the information or data that we discussed.  

I believe I acquired the standards of being well-organized, reliable and effective while in middle school.  My childhood was rough.  I had two alcoholic parents that argued constantly.  So, I grounded myself in school work.  Focusing on assignments allowed me to forget about life’s problems.  I learned to take thorough notes and make lists to stay on track and keep organized.  Sometimes, I would copy the textbooks, word for word or retake my notes at home.  The art of writing seemed to calm me.  This practice made me a better learner and more effective student, eventually allowing me to graduate with honors.  

I’ve used those skills to this day which has helped me succeed throughout my career and professional development.  For example, I have a notebook at work which I carry around for any meetings and write down upcoming events, useful information and even phrases or sayings that I find interesting or moving.  Every few weeks or so I go through the notebook and transcribe the notes, scratching out any tasks I’ve completed or past events.  Instead of ripping out the old pages, I fold them and keep them for possible future reference.  This system is effective in keeping me organized.  Furthermore, the notes which I often refer back to keep me reliable as my memory is not so. 

Although I'm sure I've had other standards for my life throughout the years, I honestly believe that these three have endured.  However, I think the organization may have begun as a way to "feel good" and bring stability to my chaotic life.  I also think as I've aged, I been more committed to being organized, reliable and effective. For example, I now strive to be successful in all areas of my life; motherhood, career, marriage.  I want to be the best me I can be.  

In order to be effective, I must be reliable.  In order to reliable, I must be effective. 

A500.1.5.RB_AndersonShane

     Welcome to my blog!  I am pursuing my Masters of Science degree in Leadership and am taking my first course Leadership Foundations in Research.  Throughout this course and degree program I aim to grow as a leader and strengthen my critical thinking skills.  A good leader can be defined many different ways and includes several great attributes.  In my opinion, a good leader must be strong, honest, approachable, and must have dedication and a positive attitude.  They must reflect, have standards and reasonably hold themselves and others accountable. 

   Critical thinking relates to leaders as it involves being reflective, reasonable, having standards.  I believe as I improve my critical thinking skills, I will become a better leader and vice versa.  One valuable trait of critical thinking is intellectual perseverance.  According to The Critical Thinking Community, Intellectual Perseverance is defined as "having a consciousness of the need to use intellectual insights and truths in spite of difficulties, obstacles, and frustrations; firm adherence to rational principles despite the irrational opposition of others; a sense of the need to struggle with confusion and unsettled questions over an extended period of time to achieve deeper understanding or insight." (Valuable Intellectual Traits, n.d.)

In my opinion, intellectual perseverance is like climbing a mountain.  It will be difficult, there will be obstacles.  However, the climber must not dwell on how much more remains but rather remember how far they've already come.  Others may think you are crazy and may not understand your thought process.  You must struggle through the uncertainties but once you reach the top your mind will be free of the questions and confusion. 
  

  Some obstacles to critical thinking, for me, would be confidence and commitment.  I don't feel very confident in my critical thinking skills and struggle to commit the time and energy to reflect on my thinking.  I also inherently find it difficult to make a decision and stick to it.  In order to overcome these frustrations, I must be reasonable, ask questions, try to answer those questions and believe the results of my reasoning.  In other words, I must firmly adhere to rational principles and strive for intellectual autonomy.  I must also be aware of any fallacious reasoning in myself, especially appeal to emotions and avoiding the question.  These fallacies I've fallen prey to in the past and must overcome them.  I've also seen my mentors and leaders have errors in their reasoning which has lessened their impact and clouded their judgement.  I do not want to make that same mistake.  A leader must have clarity and think open-mindedly. 

   I've recently started meditating to quiet my mind and have enjoyed the practice.  Now, with my devotion to critical thinking, I find myself reflecting more but struggle to find a balance between reasonable thinking and useless thinking.  Intellectual perseverance is my motivation to develop the skills needed to find the right balance and obtain clarity. I will continue to use meditation and critical thinking throughout my leadership journey. 

Disclaimer: This is my first blog and I've really enjoyed the process and hope whoever reads this enjoys and understands my ramblings.  Leave me some feedback on what I can improve upon. 

-Shane

  
Valuable Intellectual Traits. (n.d.). Retrieved January 13, 2017, from http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/valuable-intellectual-traits/528