Demonstration 1: Formal Essay
This is a sample of an expository essay, focus on content. Divsions are delineated into easily-read sections.
First delivered in 1991 to Peer Counselors of the School of the Holy Spirit, Quezon City.
I. DEFINITION
Leadership is a process and a function of getting people together to work for a certain goal. It is an essential attribute of all social groups, because there is a greater need to work with others to attain one's goals rather than work on them oneself. When groups form, organization is needed to keep the group together working to reach the goal, or objective.
As a process, leadership answers three basic questions : Where are we now? Where do we want to go? How do we get there? To answer these, leadership has four essential aspects :
It is a ROLE. Each person is unique. This uniqueness comes into play when a group is formed. Given a group need, leadership must meet the task with abilities and resources of the members. Specific qualities are needed to accomplish certain tasks.
It is a BEHAVIOR. How do people play out their roles? This shows in the relation of the real to the ideal, actions. Here we see how role performance meets role definition.
It is the ART and SCIENCE of INFLUENCE. Influence is the ability to affect the actions of persons towards a desired direction. In a sense, it is a form of power. Influence is the means by which a leader can keep the group working together for the goal. The uniqueness of each member is a major factor in determining how much influence/motivation a leader must exercise and of what kind.
It is a RELATIONSHIP. All aspects of interaction breed relationships. Otherwise, the social nature of humankind ceases to exist.
As a function, leadership is closely related to its processes, and is deeply rooted in the nature of man. While it is true that most men value their individuality and the freedom that goes with it, there is also the need for order and discipline when one interacts with others. Leadership is a function that arises when the individual members of each group settle among themselves which among them will arbitrate disputes according to the norms and conventions they have agreed upon.
II. QUALITIES
The qualities desired in a leader is dependent on the perceived need of the group and the personalities of each member. Both of these are contained within the context in which the leader and the group members belong. The context, or situation, is the nature of the world we live in at a given time -- culture, technology, amount of resources, pressing problems to be solved.
It is then, best to discuss leadership in Filipino terms when dealing with a Filipino audience. To translate, leadership becomes pamunuan as a function and pagkapinuno as a process. The root word is puno, either a tree or for our purposes the trunk or stem of a plant. The members then become the sanga or branches of the tree.
Let us then discuss pagkapinuno :
As a ROLE. The role of the trunk is to provide a link with the roots and to bring nutrients to the branches. The aim is growth, and that the branches would bear fruit to keep the tree's kind alive. A leader must maintain a vision of group goals while providing benefits to each member. This process may be called pagbabalik-ugat. To do this, a leader should have an awareness of oneself and the group. The goal must be paramount in the leader's mind, while also keeping the interests of the members at heart. The leader must continue communicating to the members, especially in the aspects of appreciation and constructive criticism. The trunk is also the first to chopped down. A leader must also have a sense of sacrifice and service in putting the interests of the group above one's own in times of crises.
As a BEHAVIOR. A trunk is largely rooted to the ground and keeps the plant together. But that doesn't mean a leader should always maintain his/her stand in the face of differences of opinion. A trunk is strong, but it also sways to the wind. A leader must be open-minded and sensitive, particularly to change. He/she must actively seek consensus when making decisions, while also having the initiative, assertiveness, and integrity to stand by opinions that may not be shared by the members but will do the group good. It is important to note that an inflexible trunk comes down.
As INFLUENCE. The trunk moves outward, vertically and horizontally. The tree pushes outward into the sun, while also gaining breadth at the base. The leader, by use of his/her influence, makes the group members work more thoroughly and more harmoniously. The group goal is achieved, and more goals can be conceived, planned, and implemented. In the growth cycle of a tree, there are times when growth is rapid and at times slow. The leader must maintain group morale by exercising his/her functions, and in being adaptable to the needs of the situation. At the same time, it is important for the leader to constantly seek development in the group so that more growth will be achieved by each member.
As a RELATIONSHIP. The trunk is intimately related to the branches through a series of biological processes. Though it is not required, intimacy with the group members helps a great deal. However, the leader must also have a sense of detachment and professionalism. The greatest test of the leader is not in doing the most in the group but rather promoting a spirit of growth by which other members become leaders. To wit, the branches bear fruit and the seeds they let fall grow to become new trees.
First delivered in 1991 to Peer Counselors of the School of the Holy Spirit, Quezon City.
LEADERSHIP
I. DEFINITION
Leadership is a process and a function of getting people together to work for a certain goal. It is an essential attribute of all social groups, because there is a greater need to work with others to attain one's goals rather than work on them oneself. When groups form, organization is needed to keep the group together working to reach the goal, or objective.
As a process, leadership answers three basic questions : Where are we now? Where do we want to go? How do we get there? To answer these, leadership has four essential aspects :
It is a ROLE. Each person is unique. This uniqueness comes into play when a group is formed. Given a group need, leadership must meet the task with abilities and resources of the members. Specific qualities are needed to accomplish certain tasks.
It is a BEHAVIOR. How do people play out their roles? This shows in the relation of the real to the ideal, actions. Here we see how role performance meets role definition.
It is the ART and SCIENCE of INFLUENCE. Influence is the ability to affect the actions of persons towards a desired direction. In a sense, it is a form of power. Influence is the means by which a leader can keep the group working together for the goal. The uniqueness of each member is a major factor in determining how much influence/motivation a leader must exercise and of what kind.
It is a RELATIONSHIP. All aspects of interaction breed relationships. Otherwise, the social nature of humankind ceases to exist.
As a function, leadership is closely related to its processes, and is deeply rooted in the nature of man. While it is true that most men value their individuality and the freedom that goes with it, there is also the need for order and discipline when one interacts with others. Leadership is a function that arises when the individual members of each group settle among themselves which among them will arbitrate disputes according to the norms and conventions they have agreed upon.
II. QUALITIES
The qualities desired in a leader is dependent on the perceived need of the group and the personalities of each member. Both of these are contained within the context in which the leader and the group members belong. The context, or situation, is the nature of the world we live in at a given time -- culture, technology, amount of resources, pressing problems to be solved.
It is then, best to discuss leadership in Filipino terms when dealing with a Filipino audience. To translate, leadership becomes pamunuan as a function and pagkapinuno as a process. The root word is puno, either a tree or for our purposes the trunk or stem of a plant. The members then become the sanga or branches of the tree.
Let us then discuss pagkapinuno :
As a ROLE. The role of the trunk is to provide a link with the roots and to bring nutrients to the branches. The aim is growth, and that the branches would bear fruit to keep the tree's kind alive. A leader must maintain a vision of group goals while providing benefits to each member. This process may be called pagbabalik-ugat. To do this, a leader should have an awareness of oneself and the group. The goal must be paramount in the leader's mind, while also keeping the interests of the members at heart. The leader must continue communicating to the members, especially in the aspects of appreciation and constructive criticism. The trunk is also the first to chopped down. A leader must also have a sense of sacrifice and service in putting the interests of the group above one's own in times of crises.
As a BEHAVIOR. A trunk is largely rooted to the ground and keeps the plant together. But that doesn't mean a leader should always maintain his/her stand in the face of differences of opinion. A trunk is strong, but it also sways to the wind. A leader must be open-minded and sensitive, particularly to change. He/she must actively seek consensus when making decisions, while also having the initiative, assertiveness, and integrity to stand by opinions that may not be shared by the members but will do the group good. It is important to note that an inflexible trunk comes down.
As INFLUENCE. The trunk moves outward, vertically and horizontally. The tree pushes outward into the sun, while also gaining breadth at the base. The leader, by use of his/her influence, makes the group members work more thoroughly and more harmoniously. The group goal is achieved, and more goals can be conceived, planned, and implemented. In the growth cycle of a tree, there are times when growth is rapid and at times slow. The leader must maintain group morale by exercising his/her functions, and in being adaptable to the needs of the situation. At the same time, it is important for the leader to constantly seek development in the group so that more growth will be achieved by each member.
As a RELATIONSHIP. The trunk is intimately related to the branches through a series of biological processes. Though it is not required, intimacy with the group members helps a great deal. However, the leader must also have a sense of detachment and professionalism. The greatest test of the leader is not in doing the most in the group but rather promoting a spirit of growth by which other members become leaders. To wit, the branches bear fruit and the seeds they let fall grow to become new trees.
posted by Unknown @ 3:14:00 PM
1 Comments:
At 5:33 PM ,
nArdhartnEy said...
.,-^
-hAha.,!!
-nA6am,eEet ckOh ceA sA asSi6nmneT ckoOh!!.,
-veRy usefuL!!.,
_vhLackstubBorn.,,
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