Ann Harris

Status Quo

Once Upon a Time…

Downward Spiral

That All Changed When…

The Turning Point

…The Unexpected Pivot

The Costly Return Happily Ever After…Maybe

Resources Informing the Case: Read these to understand resources informing my case:

Citation: Souba, W. W. “The Leadership Dilemma”. Journal of Surgical Research. 138, 1-9 (2007) doi:10.1016/j.jss.2007.01003. Downloadable or Searchable by title at:

https://www.journalofsurgicalresearch.com/article/S0022-4804-2/abstract. Accessed: March 20, 2019.

Citation: John Ortberg, “Overcoming Your Shadow Mission”, Menlo Park, California, menlo.church, Video Parts 1, 2 & 3, https://vimeo.com/172367616.

Critical Analysis/Linked to Module Resources (200 Words)

Souba notes a simple but yet challenging aspect of leadership by asking the question, “How do make leadership happen?” Although this appears to be a simple question, answering it becomes complicated. As he transcends the conversation from the external view of leaders to the sometimes internal conflicts, the discussion becomes personal. Souba highlights leadership misconceptions we have inherent within our DNA; yet, we persist using the same approaches. He further notes that leadership is a result of our good or bad decisions. An important critical link to understanding leadership is recognizing there are different kinds of leaders. Some leaders are selected and hold a position that aligns with their leadership role. Other leaders do not hold a position but yet use their influence to lead. As part of the critical analysis, one must conclude that leadership is made by the choices we make and actions we take.

John Ortberg’s video (three part video series) discussing the book of Esther really drives leadership characteristic. In his series he demonstrates that many times we have influence and can control over the outcome of situations and must be reminded that it is important for us to step up and lead directly or indirectly. We are required to pray and fast, but it is equally as important to acknowledge other characteristics we can leverage to improve our leadership capabilities by: 1) seeking the wisdom of God (James 1:5); 2) recognizing that to pursue God’s will takes courage; 3) seeking direction from God; 4) the safe path has been taken. Pursuing the characteristics will allow us to develop our leadership capabilities and advance the Kingdom of God.

Elevating Question FROM CITES (CONVERSE WITH PEERS ABOUT TEXT):

Org Drama or Episode

Once upon a time there was a young African American man hired into an IT organization within a small southern telco company. He started working at the age of 13 at a local grocery store and had worked through school. The organization was the largest employer in town and a place of envy to work. As he started his career, he observed many non-Christian behavior by self-proclaimed Christians. He kept his distance from such behavior and maintained his integrity and character. As part of his pursue of success he attended college while working on the team. During his time on the job he was passed over for promotions for various reasons. Some reasons included that he was “exposed to all of the work because he was attending college”. While in the position, he received salary increases but not promotions.

The organization decided that it needed to change its business strategy. It decided to develop an “acquisition strategy” and needed people in positions who were forward thinkers with strong development skills. As part of the strategy the organization selected a major consulting firm to develop a strategy and tactical plan for transforming the organization to an acquisition friendly entity. This included reorganizing the organization, selecting visionary leaders with the skills and tenacity to lead the organization into the future.

The teams were selected by matching a person from the consulting firm with an employee of the organization. The African American young man was selected to be on one of the teams.

The teams were required to develop an organization along with their tactical and strategic goals for the next 3 – 5 years. The idea was after the work was completed each person would return to their normal work knowing they had been part of developing a future plan for the organization.

The team members knew that the success of the organization was riding upon their shoulders.

Each team completed their work and presented their solutions to the leadership of the organization. After the presentations were completed the leaders selected the young man to run the organization.

As part of his leadership the organization experienced some of the most significant strategic organizational successes to date. Those success were a result of his character, tenacity and leadership skills developed by his godly life style. He was firm but fair. He had the courage to lead his team by traveling the road least traveled. He pursued godly wisdom and direction.

Guides & Examples

· Start your dramatic episode by letting the reader know how things were “supposed to be,” before the sudden downward turn. This is when the system, people, policies, etc., function as way it was expected.

· This is Equilibrium, Comfort, Peace.

· Opening lines to consider:

· “Once Upon a Time…”

· “I was at work, minding my own business when…”

· “It happened just after the [ event, season, project, conference call, dinner, I was hired, etc.….”

· “Before that day, that conversation, I never knew what I had within me…”

· A call to action arises as steady state is disturbed. May involve: a conflict, gift, promise, unfulfilled promise, invasion, mentor, villain, threat, rebellion, message from beyond, a surprise. Triggering Event or a Downward Turn changes action from passive to active. Mindlessness become mindfulness, consciousness. Search for answers, innovation, transforming conflict, inviting partners/mentors, noting fools or villains, a journey begins.

· Opening lines to consider:

· “But things did not go as planned…”

· However, that was before {person, condition, policy, donation, conflict,] arrived on the scene…

· I knew I would need more than I had when…

· In good stories, a a game-changing PIVOT emerges, a TURNING POINT in which action spirals to a place of raised tension that must be resolved from WITHIN the protagonist. An unexpected insight, resource, gift, voice, tool, help, policy interpretation, grace, “secret sauce” emerges to shift plot.

· Opening lines to consider:

· “Then s/he found some magic beans…”

· “When the Red Cross arrived, we then knew…”

· I did know a board meeting could be lead with humor and confidence until she modeled it…”

· “I was never the same after the homeless man taught me what it really meant to…”

· “Who knew my former-enemy, the mayor, years later would be the very one who save the…?”

· The Turning Point calls for a resolve - a Final Act leading to The End. Deliberate acts are usually needed to restore life to “once upon a time” (or better). These are the adaptations needed to restore order, stability.

· Opening lines to consider:

· “When all finally agreed, things slowly recovered…

· “I never knew how [__] could make a difference…”

· “That was the last time we had that problem from those teenagers, they didn’t understand what love could do…”

· “If it had not been for [__], none of us would be here. I’m glad it happened, now. Let me explain…”

“Now that he realized how costly his policy was, I could get back to the work he hired me to do…”