reflection on class readings!

This week in class we discussed the different types of leadership eras that have existed from the 1920s to present: tribal, pre classical, classical, and pro-progressive and the different implications that each of these eras had on both the leaders and the followers. I found the characteristics of the tribal leadership era very similar to the one I experienced when I was back in Cameroon - a West African country that I lived in for 10 years. My father is a tribal leader for our tribe which is the Bassa tribe. The characteristics described in class relate to the things that I watched my father do as a chief. My dad attained his role as chief of our tribe after his father past away 5 years ago; because in his tribe the children or relations succeed the previous chief. My father is highly respected and feared by all his subjects in his district/tribe because "brute force is accepted" and leadership is based on size". The districts are appointed different numbers of chiefs depending on the population size. Though this is a tribal system, ruling closely mimics that of a democracy because this is a modern society and certain kinds of cruelty are no longer allowed. In my father’s district, things are done based on traditions that were created by their ancestors and culture is a very important component that many must abide by. There are certain punishments that are implemented when certain rules/laws are disobeyed.  Though some people might define or think of this type of leadership as barbaric and old fashioned, I can definitely say from a personal experience that Tribal Leadership is an amazing type of leadership just like democracy that has lasted for centuries because those who utilize it love.

From the reading of this week, author Lao Tzu talks about the four attributes that a Leader should have. He explains that a leader should be a midwife, he/she should be like water, and he/she should selflessness, and should be unbiased. He also explains that these are the attributes required for one to become an effective leader. This attributes, I believe are what our current president possesses and that’s why he is loved by many and was named "one of the most popular presidents" (prior to now), alongside Jfk and others. Obama can be seen as a Midwife, because he is very caring and always there for his subjects and the people who elected him. A recent example of this would be his visit to Tucson for the memorial service. As a caring president, he immediately cancelled all other plans to ensure that he joined those in Tucson to mourn. He is unbiased against all because he gives equal treatment to every race and to all individuals even those in other countries. He is like water, smooth and endeavors to keep the Americans safe and comfortable. He always manages to keep this moving and flowing like water. This characteristics explained by Lao Tzu can be traced and found in our president today, Barack Obama.

a warm welcome to me!

hello to all,
my name is Agnes Ewongwo and i am a university of Arizona Freshman, studyin pre-physiology. im also involved in the Blue Chip Leadership Program, which lead me to creating this blog. I am a very open-minded and fun loving person with a lot of goals and ambitions in life. Being a leader has always been an interest of mine and i plan to expand on this pasison of mine by learning from this program. im looking forward tohaving some interesting conversations on this blog so until then, i gotta end this here and say
 bye to all :) dont forget "life is what you make of it"