8. Fishbowls and Aquariums

Blogblogblogblogbloglblogblogblogblogblogblogblogblogblogblogblogblogblogblogblogblogblogblog. I don't know why I just did that.

Fishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfishfish. I definitely know why I just did that.

In the wise words of my professor, I need to choose one interesting concept from chapters 8 and 10 in Exploring Leadership, explain why I found the concept interesting, and explain how it relates to my leadership. Alrighty, here we go.

Chapter 8 - The topic I found to be considerably interesting in chapter eight was the difference between groups and orgainizations. Specifically, how personal relations, the number of members, the setting of the meetings, and many other factors play into how a group or organization functions.

A group is considered to have three or more participants. As far as I can tell, the smaller the group, the more likely members are inclined to share their opinions, suggestions, input, etc. Vice verse, with a bigger group of people - bigger group equals less input.

Organizations have twenty or more members. It seems to me that the number of participants greatly affects the way people interact and the quality of the information given. For example, members of a large organization are less likely to be willingly outgoing to the other members who are not in their specific field. Also, information is more likely to be lost when communicating to a larger group, but more likely to be discussed and recalled because members will inquire the issue among the members of their own group. News gets around a lot faster in a smaller group, so participants disclose to a lesser degree.

However, the relationships (or lack thereof) of the participants within a group or organization also make an impact. For example, people in a large organization will remain closer to, choose to work with, and communicate more often with people they have already met and/or known. It takes time for people in a smaller group who don't know each other to be more comfortable disclosing information. On the other hand, people in a smaller group who had known each other previously will find it much more comfortable communicating with the other members, and even communicating to the other members they hadn't known before.

I have experience in being a leader in groups more than in organizations. For example, one group I was a leader of was a worship team. (I know I keep bringing this up; I promise I'm not showing off or anything! It's just the first one that comes to mind; give me a break.) I knew the other members before, but we got to know each other a lot better when we were all part of a team. One thing I noticed was that is is a bit harder to maintain attention with a group of people who are comfortable with you because they consider you more of a peer than their leader. But, whatev. It all worked out.

Chapter 10 - I already went over groups and organizations; let's talk about communities. The community that makes up a group or organization greatly affects the group or organization's performance. Specifically, let's skip down to "the importance of the human spirit" and I'll say a few words on how that plays into the community.

The textbook describes the human spirit as merely one's personality, character strengths, or inner energy. That's not even the half of it. Just recently I was a leader for my youth group at the Minnesota Youth Convention. I strongly believe that being a part of a group of Christ-followers - whether small or large, whether the members knew each other before or not, and no matter the variety or personality types - makes all the difference in the world because our relationship with God puts us all on a common and familiar ground. I believe our personal spirits can influence others, but God's spirit in us is able to influence more people on a deeper level and gives us greater meaning to a bigger cause.

Don't try to tell me there aren't fish in heaven...because there is.