Chapter 8 - Getting People on Your Side

In the research paper that I did on Professional Learning Communities one thing was clear, for it to be successful a change in the culture is needed. This chapter covers the idea of changing the culture. I found it interesting in the chapter when they discussed the different ways that men and women look at leadership. The book discussed how women, because they are caretakers, view leadership in the caretakers role. I feel that section of the chapter highlighted solid leadership qualities in general and I am not sure if they are specifically indicative of all females. The leadership qualities that this section discusses are to know everyone that works for them including the names of their family and other personal information. It has been a consistent theme in all of our leadership classes at PLNU that motivating people is the key to leadership. It is no surprise that taking a personal interest and making each individual feel that they count is a aspect of strong leadership. In the chapter it says “… you can’t force people to do very much.” (Bennis, 148). I have had the opportunity to experience the “forced” leadership first hand and it was a very toxic working environment. The staff was obligated to say yes to things, but would do the bare minimum out of spite for the principal. This in turn hurting the one focus we all should have…the students. This all going back to the idea of organizational power vs. positional power. My question is how do you change a leader that uses force to a leader that is open to new idea? Is that even possible?