Ewan

Student on Open University module #B329 / #OUB329

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 2/2....I wonder whether this almost devalues the term & makes it harder to focus on the practical aspects of leadership? Its a balance between traditional post-industrial & modern views I guess, which has to be struck to be relevant. Also makes it more interesting.

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 #OUB329 WK17 I found the example of the ice bucket challenge as a leadership action odd, (altho can see how it is reframing a discourse). Sometimes it feels like the term leadership is applied to pretty much everything - while I understand why.....1/2

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 this should say wk18!

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 #OUB329 WK17 completed the #B329LeadershipChallenge this wk after some very successful collaboration! Looked at zero hour contracts & how resistance leadership can be applied to effect positive change. Really enjoyed the process & looking forward 2 feedback!

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 #OUB329 WK17 Storytelling & reframing a discourse interesting topics this wk - useful model for storytelling that can have lots of practical applications such as writing presentations, communications etc.

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 2/2...in particular the idea of going from the universal to the particular is relevant, given the amount of empty rhetoric we hear from UK politicians who make unsubstantiated statements with no intention of following them through, or even accountability to do so.

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 #OUB329 wk16 the concept of empty & universal signifiers is a departure this wk, being (IMHO) harder to understand, & perhaps crossing into social studies. I think social topics are critical to leadership, so this is an important topic....1/2

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 2/1...just ask the Post Office or the BBC if such a project is a tame problem!!
Does anyone else feel this terminology is a little unhelpful...?

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 #OUB329 WK14 The terminology "tame" problem seems odd, as it makes it sound easy if it has been done before - implementing a new software system across a large organisation has been done 1000s of times before, but its 1 of the hardest things a business can do..1/2

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 2/2... resistance to change, often it is born of valid concerns & issues I may not have considered. Encouraging constructive dissent is important here, to make stakeholders feel heard & to get valuable alternative perspectives to help improve decision-making.

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 #OUB329 WK15 As someone who is responsible for change projects I experience covert resistance on a regular basis! The important thing is to react to it constructively & try to understand the reasons for it. While sometimes it is a simple, bloody-minded...1/2

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329..2/2 with no real engagement from team members on any of them, resulting in time wasted waiting for others to participate. So far 1 team member is engaging this wk, so hopefully we can get a couple more & benefit from the activity! 🤞

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 #OUB329 WK14 I have mixed feelings about the #B329Leadershipchallenge - it looks interesting & is good opportunity to collaborate & solidify ideas from the module so far, however I have had very negative experiences of collaborative activities on other modules..1/2

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 ...2/2 while recognising when there are no mutual wins is equally important, as that forces a realistic appraisal of the situation which could encourage flexibility & compromise. Balancing optimism & realism I believe is a key leadership skill!

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 #OUB329 WK12 The topic this wk could feel a bit simplistic, but I think in fact it is useful to be able to frame interactions as positive, negative & zero-sum. Simply taking the approach of actively looking for mutual good outcomes could help collaboration...1/2

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@NicolaCarlinOU @ChrisbondB329 @AlexLambley @B329Leadership I'm not even sure today's Oxbridge politicians would even bother to make the vague claims about diversity & progressive thinking that the Mishcon site makes tbh - that would be too much like woke nonsense! 😉

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 #OUB329 wk10 topics this wk felt a bit more nebulous, as was epitomised by the Mishcon example - I didn't feel there was any tangible evidence of them taking a relational or follower centred approach, the wording on the website was just corporate waffle..1/3

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 ..2/2 leaders then important perspectives & ideas may be missed. People dont always need to dissent in order to give their views, but to question the status quo that is necessary, & only by doing that can real change & innovation happen! ✊

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 #OUB329 WK11 the constructive dissent is particularly relevant in the turbulent times we are living in, as it is essential that leaders hear voices from diverse colleagues who may have a different perspective. If junior colleagues dont feel able to question...1/2

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ArtFitLife @ChrisbondB329 The module content briefly says that the website is promo material & shouldnt necessarily be taken at face value, but I felt it could have emphasised that more. Perhaps it is difficult to define & evidence this topic, so the module authors struggled to find real world examples..?

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329...3/3 mean they don't take a different approach to other law firms, I just dont see evidence of it. Perhaps this is because it is inherent in the culture but very hard to define..? Interested to hear what others thoughts are on this.

[Ewan @EwanF88]

@ChrisbondB329 2/3.. similar to what you would expect any modern business to have. I looked for an org chart showing a structure to back this up, or policies aligned with that approach such as employee ownership or distributed control, but couldn't find anything. This does not..