What I Learned This Quarter in Class

I'll be honest....yea I did learn a lot, but I don't think I've learned anything new, that I can apply to leadership. I will still maintain, till the day I die, that the sport that really, really knows how to utilize leadership skills to the max, is on ice. I've played since I was two years old, so for 20 years I've lead my respective teams, and I'm about to lead a new team in Bearcast, that I will take on just like I would my hockey team. I plan to lead by example, inspire, and trust others to do their job, while I do mine.

As I said, of the books, I really liked the small Leadership book. I'm not a fan of Bennis, even though I thought some of what he said was great, and I think Mark Ramsey doesn't know what he's talking about, but Ricky Gervais gave great advice in that book.

I think one of the most interesting arguments we had all quarter was whether you are born, or learn to become a leader. I still firmly believe that leaders are born. They learn skills and learn from experiences that shape the way they lead, but they are born leaders.

Today in Baseball

There were two HUGE, HUMONGOUS, stories out of the MLB yesterday, and I want to talk about them.

First, an almost perfect game was thrown yesterday as Detroits' Armando Gallaraga, but was blown by umpire Jim Joyce. There are a few things that I'd like to mention. First, when the call was made, you can see Gallaraga's reaction....now I've never heard of the Venezuelan till yesterday, but I'm a fan, because where most baseball players would throw a hissy fit, he didn't, and actually after the game, didn't have any harsh words for the umpire that kept him out of baseball history books, to be remembered forever. Thats class.

Jim Joyce blew the call. He knew it after the game. So what does he do? He goes to the Tigers clubhouse, stares eye to eye with Gallaraga, and apologizes. He fessed up to his mistake, and confronted Gallaraga like a man should. That's Class.

What isn't class, is Bud FREAKING Selig. What a DOUCHE!!! This could easily be prevented if, oh I don't know, he IMPLEMENTS 21st CENTURY INSTANT REPLAY. He is worried of it slowing down the game....BULLS**T! How many batters adjust their batting gloves after every single pitch? Why not get rid of that crap to speed up the game, then instant replay isn't a big deal! Because Bud Selig is the worst commissioner of all time of any and all sports.

He is willing to ruin history, and ruin the chance of this young man's perfect game. It's not like Gallaraga was 10 outs away from the Perfect Game...THAT WAS the last out. Ridiculous.

On another sad note, my favourite ball player of all time retired yesterday. Junior is the man. I was sad to see him retire, but I think he was one of the VERY slim few who played in the 90's-00's the correct way. He was a good teammate, good community guy, and great player. (Oh what could have been.) His statement he released sums up Ken Griffey Jr. the person:

"I feel that without enough occasional starts to be sharper coming off the bench, my continued presence as a player would be an unfair distraction to my teammates and their success as a team is what the ultimate goal should be"

That is class, something great leaders have, and horrible leaders (like Bud Selig) lack. Maybe Selig should take a few pages out of the much younger Roger Goodell's book. He could learn how to run a league.

On Becoming a Leader Reaction Pages 185-End

The last two chapters I did not care for because I felt it was all about politics and less about leadership. Bennis revised this, for the first time, since 2002, and I can tell, he wasn't a Bush fan and is completely against the war. I'm not into politics, so I'm not going to lie, the last chapter was extremely boring for me.

All in all, I didn't care for Bennis's book, instead, I prefer the tiny book! My philosophy on leadership does not have political idols. I feel as if people shy away from politics because they feel they cannot trust politicians....I really don't either to be honest. What I do trust, and have faith in, is the sports idols that lead teams. I can wrap my head around ideas and challenges that they have I can relate to, and better understand.

In my opinion, there are people that are light hearted, and people who are heavy. Heavy people doesn't refer to their weight, but rather how they think, and what they think about. I don't like bad news, so I avoid it as best as I can. Thats why I'm a sports guy, and other light hearted subjects. When Bennis talks politics, it just doesn't interest me. Plus, one thing that I hate, is hidden agenda's and people pushing their beliefs on others, and I think Bennis has done that successfully in a few of these chapters.

Reaction to On Becoming a Leader 135-184

Again, the very first line is "Leaders are by definition, innovators. They do things other people have not done or dare not do..." I know I'm still the acting Assistant Sports Director, but I can't help but shift focus to my GM position, which I consider, to start the day after school ends. I feel like Butch Jones during the Sugar Bowl. I feel like I'm scoping things out and preparing for the position now, but I still want the natural order (of Kole being the defacto leader, it was Ryann) for the remainder of this year, just like Jones had Jeff Quinn. There are a few things that I need to accomplish as incoming GM during the meeting tonight, and I'd like to address people at our banquet to give a "Rah, rah, rah" type of speech.

What does all that have to do with the first paragraph on page 135? Simple, I want to do something that has never been done at our station. Obviously you know my thoughts on the multimedia aspects which has not been done at Bearcast, but I want to revolutionize how the Directors lead.

As I said during the interview process, if it weren't for the General Body, we would not have a station, and no directors, and no faculty advisors. I want to challenge the General Body to become more involved by using incentives, and motivation for more participation. We are a team, and a family, and my job is to sort through the General Body to see who is willing to put more effort in to Bearcast.

One thing that I believe is very important that I'd like to change is our support system. I've been doing this now. I want our faces to be seen at events that people around Bearcast are having. I think it's important for me to go and support people like Matty Ray at his CD Release party this Friday. I thought it was important for people to go support Mr. Ben Miller during his talent show (unfortunately I couldn't be at that myself) but if the Directors, and your face are shown to support the General Body, and show that we really do care, I believe it will boost morale and ultimately lead to happier, and better quality DJ's on our station!

During the "Getting People on Your Side" Bennis talks about Integrity as the basis of trust. People have to believe you practice what you preach and that you aren't phony to be lead by you. I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve, and what you see is what you get.

All of this was grand until I flipped to the Organization chapter. Well F@*#! Organization has been my weakness since I was a young child in grade school. I've gotten better, especially using things like iCal and Stickies on my Macbook, but damn...I knew one of these books would say you have to be organized, something that I tend to struggle with. I can organize a show, but when it comes to organization skills as a whole, I know I need improvement.

The final section of the organization talks about Opportunity = Empowerment. We need to do a better job as Bearcast of finding other positions for people we think have the skill and a knack for more responsibility. I identified Steve Bohne as someone who I felt needed a bigger role, and now look what has happened, he called a bunch of our games this year, and now he's the Assistant Sports Director, and the Member of the Year. Scott can attest to this same identification skill because of things I've predicted on our show. Certainly I SUCK at saying who's going to win on any given night, at least this year, but I do know my goalies, and who I think will make it big, who I'm unsure about, and who is terrible and overrated. Ask him....I'm extremely good at it. I hope that the Steve pick wasn't just a one time deal, and I hope to do a lot of scouting next year.

One person I find interesting is that of Matthew Tyler Ray. Here is someone that I think has a great show, a great fanbase, people respect and like him, and he's a natural born leader; however, he never attends meetings, something that is integral for a Bearcast Leader to do. I want to start him by giving him a new role, something I've talked about, making him a Captain of Bearcast. Especially in Fall Quarter, I'd love to have him help out with Mike and Brett for Promotions, and also help acclimate Freshman to Bearcast, and to College Life in General. Matty certainly has priorities, and I just hope that he will include Bearcast as one of those in the near future. Fall quarter I plan on giving him some extra responsibility in Bearcast, and talk with Mike about having him as the Promotions Team Leader, then I can keep my eye on him to monitor his progress, and also Mike can tell me how he helps. My gut tells me Matty Ray would make a great Director, but I'm not a gambling man, I only bet on sure things.

Project Update

So I know I haven't given that much of an update as to project as to equipment. I've talked with Travis about what 1530/1360 uses, and they do use an ISDN line. I think it's very important for the department to get the quality that our studio provides.

I know we are better than those Marshall D-Bags, but we will never beat them in a competition until our audio quality improves immensely. I think the best methods available to us are to use something with an ISDN line, or broadcast over the internet. I think we could use something like UStream to send the signal to the studio, and continue to operate the way we do now, but just with better quality. Marshall doesn't want to answer my email because they are afraid. UC Athletics is so much better than Marshall, and they know our personnel are 20 times better than what they could get, and they have heard that Big Duane and Steve are taking over next year...they are frightened that their monopoly on sports awards is coming to an end. They should be!

So back to equipment, Travis says they use the Telos Zephyr ISDN system at the station. That certainly would be a good piece of equipment to have. There are other options in the BSW catalog, but I can't make heads or tails as to which will improve quality. I can only imagine that anything using a telephone line, is not what we want.

I will of course have other ways to improve the department in my complete project write up next week.

Reaction to On Becoming a Leader 67-134

Innovative learning seems to be Bennis's idea of how leaders learn. He says the principal components of innovative learning are anticipation, listening to others, and participation. He goes on to say that trusting yourself that we be self directed in both life and work.

Look, I've always thought this. Leaders aren't taught to be leaders, but born. You either are or you aren't. Sure managers are made, and leaders always need to refine the way they lead, but you are either born with those skills or not. But wait, how do you explain a guy like Kobe Bryant?

Early in his career, he was considered a selfish brat. He ran Shaq and Phil out of town is what people would say about him. How can a leader run out two of the best performers in their respective positions (centre and coach) and want to be the focus of the team? Well I think he was immature. Kobe knew he wanted to win, but had a warped vision of himself. It took an awful rape allegation to change him. I think Kobe was born a leader, and it took a terrible event for him to realize that how he has been leading isn't acceptable. Look at young Kobe to today's Kobe. Young Kobe could ball, no doubt about that, but new Kobe is a better teammate. Just yesterday he had a career playoff high, 13 assists, and broke his streak of 6 straight games with at least (i think) 25 or 30 points. Kobe is okay with taking over a fourth if he has to, or step back and let Odom, Gasol, Bynum, Artest, Farmar, Fisher, etc... have the game of their lives. I do believe that leadership is an innate skill, and in some cases, just needs something to happen to make those qualities come out.

I did think a good point was about all good leaders need mentors and good close friends. I even think idols should be included in that list. Bennis says every good leader had a mentor. I think that's true, and I don't think it necessarily has to be just one person, but anyone who is close to you who helps guide you and advise you in life and career. For me, right now, Professor Oldfield is one of those people I'd consider a mentor. There is a lot that I have, and continue to learn from Steve about the industry, and even technical things. He gives me advice not only for a career perspective, but also, again, in a technical sense, how to interview, what questions to ask, how to film it, etc... I think that he wants to see me succeed just as much as my parents do! Someone like him can really help mentor leaders.

Apart from that though, I think idols really play a party in shaping a leader. One of my idols is my father, because of how great of a husband, father, and worker he is. Many of his views have shaped the way that I think. When I'm in a situation, I can think, what would my dad think if I did this...

I also think celebrity idols are important to have too. Why would people be so angry at Tiger Woods for cheating on his wife? Well, plain and simply, he's an idol to many young people. Whether it's a politician, athlete, author, painter, etc... it's important to have that person to mimic while growing up. For me, guys like Mike Modano, Pat LaFontaine, John Vanbiesbrouck, Joe Sakic, Stu Barnes, Rob Ray, Chris Drury, etc... really shaped the way I lead. Someone like Rob Ray was a more vocal leader than others, like Drury, who lead by being the first guy in, and the last to leave.

My favourite quote in the passage was made by Jim Burke of Johnson & Johnson when he said, "I decided that what we needed more than anything else was a climate that would encourage people to take risks..."

Maybe the radio industry could take a lesson from the wonderful shampoo and soap makers. We need to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from our adversities.

I also took a good look at the section on perspective. The questions he poses are very interesting.

1. When you consider a new project, do you think first of its cost or its benefits? Hmm...I think both, but leaning toward benefits. Take Munich for example. It has a large cost but will be a great experience and a great resume booster.

2. Do you rank profit or progress first? Progress for sure.

3. Would you rather be rich or famous? Famous

4. If offered a promotion that required you to move to another city would you discuss it with your family before accepting it? For sure. Their input is very important.

5. Would you rather be a small fish in a big pond, or a big fish in a small pond? I'd rather be a small fish in a big pond. I want to work in Toronto, and thats a pretty big pond!

BBC DJ Learns a Big Lesson...Maybe

Radio is an extremely powerful, and useful tool, but when used improperly, it can be dangerous. Everyone remembers here in the USA Orson Wells' War of the Worlds where radio incited panic and created genuine fear in listeners who did not hear the disclaimer that it was just a story. Even someone like Don Imus who slandered the entire Rutgers women's basketball team. DJ's have to be very careful to not say anything that could offend, or scare anyone. Now, a new BBC DJ can be included on that list of people using radio, irresponsibly.

Danny Kelly of BBC West Midlands, which broadcasts across...you guessed it, the West Midlands in England. According to their website, Kelly has a "unique brand of humour", with the caption, "you never know what will happen next, but it's guaranteed to put a smile on your face."

Apparently, this number didn't put a smile on the face of listeners and BBC execs.

Danny Kelly's listeners were told that his "important announcement" was that Queen Elizabeth II had died. The joke was apparently targeted at a listener's facebook, but was not well received by anyone.

BBC decided to suspend Kelly for one week without pay and apologized for the inappropriate comment.

Radio reaches a lot of people still, but we can't just go on and say whatever comes to mind. Just like when you speak one on one, you have to be responsible about what you say, because they could affect or impact someone else.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/bbc-dj-danny-kelly-suspended-for-queen-death-joke-1976209.html