A520.1.2.RB_StevensEric

1.  I noticed when I started this exercise that the questions asked in the assessment test were very practical. I noticed that there were some areas of this self assessment test that I felt that I was very comfortable with some of the questions but others I seemed to be unsure how to answer them without doing some self reflection. I was also surprised when faced with the same questions again in the post test. I seemed to stop and think more clearly about my responses and I began to think more deeply into the responses. I found in this exercise that i was lacking in some of the areas in of the assessment and made me think about the areas that I need to improve on. I felt that a majority of the assessment hit close to home on my own leadership shortfalls. In the same thought I felt that it also improved other areas that I feel are my strengths in leadership. I saw at the end that the ability to lead from a role model style of leadership was shown as a result of the assessment. I think that I have had the ability to lead from the front and become a role model of my subordinates. I have always said that I would not ask my subordinates to do something that I was not will to do myself. I was surprised to find out that I should work on my ability to deal with conflict and improve on this aspect of my leadership abilities. I should learn how to face opposition from my superiors and work on ways to convey my stance on issues in a more thorough and thought out form. I will take this information and apply it to my managerial techniques and improve on my weaknesses and strengthen my traits that seem to be prominent.      

MSLD500_Activity9.4_StevensEric

I started the course not knowing really what to expect. I have in my past experiences have taken management style courses that were very structured and not open for interpretation or change. This course challenged me not only as a critical thinker but a problem solver. The were several times in this course where the directions on the assignment were provided and what the end result should be. The way the course was designed it challenged me to find a starting point. Once started the assignment can go in different directions. Now that the course is done I look back and realize that I should have read the text a little more on some of the modules to get a better idea and become more confident. I think maybe in the future time permitting set up and project which focused on a leadership role in a corporation or some other type on entity that would cause the student to make decisions that could potentially have positive or negative impacts  for learning experience. The topics covered in this course were very relevant to my experiences. Great Job!

MSLD500_Activity8.3_StevensEric

After conducting my action research project I feel that I am better prepared in becoming a researcher. I can say that without a doubt after over 2 1/2 years of being out of the pocket from college research this has been a great learning experience for me. I realize my APA is improving BUT I still have a ways to go. I am also slowing my reading down in the APA 6th edition since I know I missed some key points. Sorry about that sir..

 I think it is important that the author of the presentation first and foremost be familiar with the material being covered in a presentation. The presenter needs to not be an expert but needs to be comfortable with the material they are presenting. If the audience were to stop and ask about a particular part of the presentation hopefully not at the beginning and the presenter doesn't have the answer or even worse makes one up the credibility will be lost. The presenter would be tuned out in the audience as a person who has no idea what they are talking about. If the presenter is faced with the dilemma that they do not not the answer they should state "I will get back to you on that".

It is also important that the presenter not be monotone in their presentation since the audiences attention span will quickly fade away. The presenter needs to move around the room and engage the audience as much as possible to keep their interest. Do not put too much information onto one slide if you are using power point. Please do not read word for word off of the slide and use examples to exemplify the slide in a better understanding to the reader.

Last but not least gain feedback from the audience at the end of the presentation through evaluations. The audience can be critical on your presentation but this is how we can learn from our mistakes to make our future presentations interesting.

MSLD500_Activity7.3_StevensEric

When I first was exposed to the concept of qualitative research I was unsure on how the process worked. I had been exposed to quantitative research in my undergraduate studies based upon data that was already provided therefore a numerical value was easily obtainable to conclude the research.

I qualitative research I learned that this research is more in depth than quantitative research. Qualitative research is more descriptive and emergent. Not only does this research describe just simple data introduced but it also shares the experiences of the test subjects (e.g. people, places, and conditions.) The study is conducted as a whole and not just in parts to describe an event.

I also learned that qualitative research can begin anywhere in the research wheel and not just at a theory. The steps of qualitative research not necessarily in this order are data collection, generalization, theory, and hypothesis. It is very important to keep prospective at the very beginning of the research and throughout.  Examples of qualitative research are interviews, field notes, and observations of the test subjects. It is important to narrow the focus of data to determine what is important and what is not.

Generalizations in the way you describe the way you sample can start to develop theory which can guide you to the next process. Hypothesis can begin to emerge and change from you original theory.  Qualitative research is hard to recognize at times when the research is done due to the every changing condition of the test subjects. That is why the research could last years to prove the hypothesis. Multiple researchers are desirable to assist you in research due to observations that may be missed for important data collection. In the end the researcher must have a conclusion supporting the research conducted. This type of research can be subjective by peers and can often lead to disagreement of the finding.

MSLD500_Activity6.3_StevensEric

Qualitative research can be described in terms of research as a long term study. Qualitative research is in fact subjective in nature when it come to the data. When I first was exposed to Qualitative research I remember it was a research methods class during my undergraduate studies. My first impression of qualitative research was there is no way this will work. I thought that this type of research was too subjective and the variables could be manipulated to produce the desired results. As part of the curriculum of this research class we had several student in the group to collaborate in collecting the data. This was my first exposure to qualitative research which was compared to a previous project involving quantitative research which I found easier to conduct as far as time and interpretation of the data.

Data: This type of information can be descriptive and emergent. The data can be what people experience and how they react to their environment. Example of this could be if you do a study in a low income neighborhood versus a middle class neighborhood. The subjects will more then likely have different approaches to situations that require a financial outlook to solve a problem.

Generalization: This part of the research can also be subjective on how the researcher obtains their data. Example would be did the researcher conduct interviews on select subjects based upon appearance or cultural attributes.Where did the researcher obtain his data, and what location did the researcher go and why?

Theory: The theory is an untested hypothesis that can not be corroborated until the data is analyzed to support the hypothesis of the researcher. An example of this would be that the researcher believes that people react differently based upon social standards of financial statuses.

Hypothesis: The hypothesis is an untested theory based upon observations. An example of this can be confused with a theory. An example would be that a hypothesis can be the collection of data that has not been tested to prove or disprove a theory based upon the researchers own beliefs.

In conclusion qualitative research is a process that can start anywhere in the research wheel. One can start at the theory process before ever gaining data to support their research. Once the research is concluded in the field the researcher needs to conduct an analysis of of the data collected and form a conclusion that either supports their hypothesis or could support another hypothesis explaining the interpretation of the data collected.

MSLD500_Activity5.3_StevensEric

When I first began the course I thought I had a firm understanding of critical thinking based upon my pat experiences. I have learned that I have been missing critical elements of critical thinking. The critical thinking test was a real eye opening experience knowing that I have missed key points in my logic of thinking. I have realized that my current state of thinking has improved and I know as questions with the data or situation that I have in front of me. I have learned to break down my thinking by breaking down the elements of the question posed. I have noticed that the more I use this style of thinking the quicker I am getting in my appropriate response.

I can say without any hesitation that my thinking has changed since the start of the course. There have been times where I was unsure of the response or better question what type of response is needed or required. When I began this course I would make a decision to a question or situation and I would not explore any other options. I have learned to in essence slow down my thinking and analyze the question in its entirety.

I have begun to internalize the concepts of critical thinking by looking at things objectively. I have become aware of some biased ways of thinking based upon past influences. I have been able to adequately challenge issues that have arose and respond with more than just the “because” answer. I have learned that when you respond with this type of answer then you are viewed as a narrow minded thinker who has a closed mind to the possibilities of other solutions.  I was faced not only in my professional life but also my personal life and got away from the “that’s how it has always been done” type of thinking. I realize that my ability to be a critical thinker is improving the more I focus on using this method.

To make critical thinking a lasting and positive way of how I think I realize that I need to first keep an open mind. The moment that I close my mind I have lost the ability to remain a critical thinker. I have to utilize this valuable asset in my everyday thinking. I know this type of thinking is not going to be an overnight transition. Critical thinking is a skill that will constantly be an evolving skill that will require constant learning. Just when you think you have learned everything you need to know to get through life another skill comes along and shows you that an old dog can be taught new tricks. I look forward to my expanding knowledge in this area of thinking.

MSLD500_Activity4.3_StevensEric

The assumptions made by Sheena were that choices were necessary but what is to much choice. I agree with her analysis that people are influenced by cultural or life experiences. I believe that you should make your own choices. This ideal I think is closely related to critical thinking which involves the problem solving for the leader. Does the leader have only one choice in making a decision with the issue at hand? I believe that all avenues should be explored to achieve the desired outcome. The leader can make decisions on several options concluded by his/her research.

The question of is more choices a better solution then less choices. I was surprised to see that geographically this question was answered differently by subjects of different nationality. This I believe can be contributed with the customs of the region. In the example that she made with the green tea and sugar where the Japanese were almost to the point of being offended by her desire to put sugar in her green tea was profound in my thought of choices. This in contrast with the study that she did with the children involving free choice or being told what picture and marker to use. This in my understanding supported my belief that choices are more cultural in basis then in actual individual choice. This was also true when the eastern Europeans were given the choice of the seven different varieties of sodas. I was surprised when the seven sodas were categorized into one category. I again believe this was a cultural influence in the choice process.

The ideal of never say never to choice is one for debate.  This was proven by her research into the different area of the world. From a research standard I think the research can be flawed if you have not fully evaluated all avenues of your research covering all spectrum's of the topic at hand.

How these implications on Leadership relate to the study is that your leadership techniques will vary depending on the subject group. If you attempted to impose if you will your American leadership style on Japanese workers I believe there will be a tragic  misunderstanding on what is expected of your workers. This can be applied vice versa  where the American workers will see this as a challenge to their freedom of choice on how to accomplish the task at hand. In both regions the end result we are obtaining are the same. To complete the task and get the desired results. So the question may still be asked "What is the best leadership style choice or no choice?" The answer will depend on the individual and which I believe the most important concept. "How do I make my choice?"