Week3: Summary and my Reaction of L@E Chapter2

Strategy2: Set a personal example with visible, memorable symbols and behaviors.

Hello there. Today I am making a summary of Chapter 2, Symbolism and Personal Example, of L@E. In this chapter, the author introduces some very useful and important leadership skills, or in other words, he explains how to become a “visible” leader. There are 3 parts in this chapter, namely “Give the Right Speech”, “Use Vivid Symbols”, and “Be visible: Let People See You Leading”. I am giving a summary of each parts and then I am showing my reaction to this chapter.

“Give the Right Speech”

This part illustrates how crucial the “right speech” is when the situation is serious. According to the book, “right speech” is not like a pep talk or just like cheerleading speech, but it is like a speech which is genuine and sincere, and which reassure the members. Moreover, the tone is important in the “right speech” as well, that is, the tone should be “calm, confident, and reassuring” (p.31).

“Use Vivid Symbols”

In this part, the author argues that there is an occasion which leaders need to act dramatically with vivid and memorable symbols in order to overcome the challenges. In other words, it is sometimes effective to use dramatic gestures for sending a message to the members. For example, Shackleton threw golden sovereign and a gold cigarette case into the snow when he attempted to tell that dispensable items should be discarded for a successful sledge march. Thus, he sent his message with dramatic symbols.

“Be visible: Let People See You Leading”

The book suggests that leaders are required to be visible even if the situation is dangerous and stressful. In fact, such critical situation is when the leaders need to be visible most and what is more, the presence of the leaders can provide other members inspiration and confidence.

My reaction

The first part, namely “Give the Right Speech”, reminded me of a teacher who was also a conductor in the brass band club in my high school. After 3.11, many people, including me, came to be afraid of earthquake or big aftershocks. Especially in March (after 3.11) and April, almost all people felt such and some of us felt too afraid of these quakes. At the beginning of April, there was an aftershock and at that time, we practiced at a music room with the teacher. My club-mates and I felt terrified and confused so that the situation became really bad. Then the teacher made a speech: “OK guys, I understood that you were really frightened at the quake and were losing your cool by it. I know. Same here, little a bit. But keep calm. There should be an announcement here in this school soon. Now, look around. Is there any person who got injured? No. There is NOT. We are SAFE. It’s all right.” His tone was calm and genuine, and this speech allowed us to regain our calmness. I realized that he chose right words and gave exact the “right speech”, and by this reason I admire him.