Changing Education

The Ability of Choice to Create

Native American cliff dwelling, Utah

Colorado, road trip

Happy St. Patricks Day!!

James T Kirk: Lessons on Leadership

Captain Kirk may have a reputation as a suave ladies man, but don’t let that exterior cool fool you. Kirk’s reputation at the Academy was that of a “walking stack of books,” in the words of his former first officer, Gary Mitchell. And a passion for learning helped him through several missions. Perhaps the best demonstration of this is in the episode “Arena,” where Kirk is forced to fight a Gorn Captain in single combat by advanced beings. Using his own knowledge and materials at hand, Kirk is able to build a rudimentary shotgun, which he uses to defeat the Gorn.

If you think about it, there’s no need for a 23rd Century Starship Captain to know how to mix and prepare gunpowder if the occasion called for it. After all, Starfleet officers fight with phasers and photon torpedoes. To them, gunpowder is obsolete. But the same drive for knowledge that drove Kirk to the stars also caused him to learn that bit of information, and it paid off several years later.

In the same way, no matter what your organization does, it helps to never stop learning. The more knowledge you have, the more creative you can be. The more you’re able to do, the more solutions you have for problems at your disposal. Sure, you might never have to face down a reptilian alien on a desert planet, but you never know what the future holds. Knowledge is your best key to overcoming whatever obstacles are in your way.

2. Have Advisors With Different Worldviews

“One of the advantages of being a captain, Doctor, is being able to ask for advice without necessarily having to take it.”

Kirk’s closest two advisors are Commander Spock, a Vulcan committed to a philosophy of logic, and Dr. Leonard McCoy, a human driven by compassion and scientific curiosity. Both Spock and McCoy are frequently at odds with each other, recommended different courses of action and bringing very different types of arguments to bear in defense of those points of view. Kirk sometimes goes with one, or the other, or sometimes takes their advice as a springboard to developing an entirely different course of action.

However, the very fact that Kirk has advisors who have a different worldview not only from each other, but also from himself, is a clear demonstration of Kirk’s confidence in himself as a leader. Weak leaders surround themselves with yes men who are afraid to argue with them. That fosters an organizational culture that stifles creativity and innovation, and leaves members of the organization afraid to speak up. That can leave the organization unable to solve problems or change course. Historically, this has led to some serious disasters, such as Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

Organizations that allow for differences of opinion are better at developing innovation, better at solving problems, and better at avoiding groupthink. We all need a McCoy and a Spock in our lives and organizations.

3. Be Part Of The Away Team

“Risk is our business. That’s what this starship is all about. That’s why we’re aboard her.”

Whenever an interesting or challenging mission came up, Kirk was always willing to put himself in harm’s way by joining the Away Team. With his boots on the ground, he was always able to make quick assessments of the situation, leading to superior results. At least, superior for everyone with a name and not wearing a red shirt. Kirk was very much a hands-on leader, leading the vanguard of his crew as they explored interesting and dangerous situations.

When you’re in a leadership role, it’s sometimes easy to let yourself get away from leading Away Team missions. After all, with leadership comes perks, right? You get the nice office on the higher floor. You finally get an assistant to help you with day to day activities, and your days are filled with meetings and decisions to be made, And many of these things are absolutely necessary. But it’s sometimes easy to trap yourself in the corner office and forget what life is like on the front lines. When you lose that perspective, it’s that much harder to understand what your team is doing, and the best way to get out of the problem. What’s more, when you’re not involved with your team, it’s easy to lose their trust and have them gripe about how they don’t understand what the job is like.

This is a lesson that was actually imprinted on me in one of my first jobs, making pizzas for a franchise that doesn’t exist anymore. Our general manager spent a lot of time in his office, focused on the paperwork and making sure that we could stay afloat on the razor-thin margins we were running. But one thing he made sure to do, every day, was to come out during peak times and help make pizza. He didn’t have to do that, but he did. The fact that he did so made me like him a lot more. It also meant that I trusted his decisions a lot more. In much the same way, I’m sure, as Kirk’s crew trusted his decisions, because he knew the risks of command personally.
Five Leadership Mistakes Of The Galactic Empire Alex Knapp Alex Knapp Forbes Staff
How to Reboot Star Trek for Modern TV Alex Knapp Alex Knapp Forbes Staff

4. Play Poker, Not Chess

“Not chess, Mr. Spock. Poker. Do you know the game?”

In one of my all-time favorite Star Trek episodes, Kirk and his crew face down an unknown vessel from a group calling themselves the “First Federation.” Threats from the vessel escalate until it seems that the destruction of the Enterprise is imminent. Kirk asks Spock for options, who replies that the Enterprise has been playing a game of chess, and now there are no winning moves left. Kirk counters that they shouldn’t play chess – they should play poker. He then bluffs the ship by telling them that the Enterprise has a substance in its hull called “corbomite” which will reflect the energy of any weapon back against an attacker. This begins a series of actions that enables the Enterprise crew to establish peaceful relations with the First Federation.

I love chess as much as the next geek, but chess is often taken too seriously as a metaphor for leadership strategy. For all of its intricacies, chess is a game of defined rules that can be mathematically determined. It’s ultimately a game of boxes and limitations. A far better analogy to strategy is poker, not chess. Life is a game of probabilities, not defined rules. And often understanding your opponents is a much greater advantage than the cards you have in your hand. It was knowledge of his opponent that allowed Kirk to defeat Khan in Star Trek II by exploiting Khan’s two-dimensional thinking. Bluffs, tells, and bets are all a big part of real-life strategy. Playing that strategy with an eye to the psychology of our competitors, not just the rules and circumstances of the game can often lead to better outcomes than following the rigid lines of chess.

5. Blow up the Enterprise

“‘All I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.’ You could feel the wind at your back in those days. The sounds of the sea beneath you, and even if you take away the wind and the water it’s still the same. The ship is yours. You can feel her. And the stars are still there, Bones.”

One recurring theme in the original Star Trek series is that Kirk’s first love is the Enterprise. That love kept him from succumbing to the mind-controlling spores in “This Side of Paradise,” and it’s hinted that his love for the ship kept him from forming any real relationships or starting a family. Despite that love, though, there came a point in Star Trek III: The Search For Spock, where Captain Kirk made a decision that must have pained him enormously – in order to defeat the Klingons attacking him and save his crew, James Kirk destroyed the Enterprise. The occasion, in the film, was treated with the solemnity of a funeral, which no doubt matched Kirk’s mood. The film ends with the crew returning to Vulcan on a stolen Klingon vessel, rather than the Enterprise. But they returned victorious.

We are often, in our roles as leaders, driven by a passion. It might be a product or service, it might be a way of doing things. But no matter how much that passion burns within us, the reality is that times change. Different products are created. Different ways of doing things are developed. And there will come times in your life when that passion isn’t viable anymore. A time when it no longer makes sense to pursue your passion. When that happens, no matter how painful it is, you need to blow up the Enterprise. That is, change what isn’t working and embark on a new path, even if that means having to live in a Klingon ship for awhile.

Final Takeaway:

In his many years of service to the Federation, James Kirk embodied several leadership lessons that we can use in our own lives. We need to keep exploring and learning. We need to ensure that we encourage creativity and innovation by listening to the advice of people with vastly different opinions. We need to occasionally get down in the trenches with the members of our teams so we understand their needs and earn their trust and loyalty. We need to understand the psychology of our competitors and also learn to radically change course when circumstances dictate. By following these lessons, we can lead our organizations into places where none have gone before.

Credit: (Knapp, A) http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2012/03/05/five-leadership-lessons-from-james-t-kirk/

Governmental Irony

Quote of the Day?!

Chan Chan

History Repeats? A quote to ponder

"Yes, we did produce a near-perfect republic. But will they keep it?
Or will they, in the enjoyment of plenty, lose the memory of freedom?
Material abundance without character is the path of destruction."
-Thomas Jefferson, from a letter to John Adams

Bonnie Argyll by William McGonagall

The Irish Pub by the High Kings

Of the People?, by the People? and we're going to ram it down your throat and make you pay for the pleasure

(photo credit)


WARNING: the following is a Rant.

Received this in an email...and thought I'd share; especially as there seems a minute correlation with Bock's post. I'm glad for the address of health care, though I do not like this government's ramming more bureaucracy down our throats. There's enough fraud in the government's existing programe as it is. The poor, and the welfare sloths have free medical, the rich have medical, there are some working people who have medical through their employers. Those who fall through these cracks need the help, so redress this issue, as well as regulate Insurance companies so they don't make a profit on our pain, suffering and death due to lack of service or denial. However, as evidenced by many of the socialized medical programs and the amount they are taxed in comparison with the service they receive...not to mention the nice government medical perks that the average joe doesn't get....sorry, I don't want government seeing to my health. I can do that myself, thank you very much....just regulate for profiteers; and, clear the way for affordable health insurance that crosses State lines, with no denial for pre-existing conditions, and is not tied to an employer. However, warning, this might leave a People more self-responsible and independent of government control.

So, with this new Health Care Bill, it does seem that 'of the People, by the People and for the People" is fine as long as the Government says okay and the special interest groups are served. As far as I'm concerned less government, and localized government is the best. Unfortunately, too many people don't know their history and are willing to trade "security" (however false) for their "freedoms."

"People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both"
-Benjamin Franklin



New Political Party.

Not Democrat, Not Republican, Not Independent.

It's called the "PISSED OFF PARTY" (or POP).

This party is dedicated to vote every incumbent out of office in the next elections.

If you're Democrat, vote Democrat. Just don't vote for the incumbent.

If you're Republican, vote Republican.. Just don't vote for the incumbent.

We need to send a message to all politicians, that we're tired of their B.S.

If the country votes out all the incumbents, the new incoming politicians will get the message..

It's pretty simple. Nobody needs to change parties and lets face it, there's plenty of blame to spread around.

A few good politicians will lose their job but they probably have better retirement and insurance then 95% of the American public.

You've had to struggle for the last 5 years. Some of you have lost your job and may be working in some other sector just to feed your family.

I guarantee you, none of them will suffer like this country has.

If you like what’s going on and think this is a bad idea, delete this.

But if you're fed up and think this is a good idea, then pass this E-mail on.

If you really think this has legs then a website and a blog could help get the word out.

Read this part:

This should be read and understood by all Americans

Democrats, Republicans, EVERYONE!!

Just a few facts of what the re-election of incumbents has given America:

a.. The U.S. Post Service was established in 1775. You have had 234 years to get it right and it is broke.
b.. Social Security was established in 1935. You have had 74 years to get it right and it is broke.
c.. Fannie Mae was established in 1938. You have had 71 years to get it right and it is broke.
d.. War on Poverty started in 1964. You have had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to "the poor" and they only want more because they are still poor.
e.. Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965. You have had 44 years to get it right and they are broke.
f.. Freddie Mac was established in 1970. You have had 39 years to get it right and it is broke.
g.. The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year and we import more oil than ever before. You had 32 years to get it right and it is an abysmal failure.


Folks, keep this circulating. It is very well stated. Maybe it will end up in the e-mails of some of our "duly elected' and their staff (they never read anything) will clue them in on how Americans feel.

Environmental Notice: No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!!

Go raibh tú daibhir i mí-áidh
Agus saibhir i mbeannachtaí
Go mall ag déanamh namhaid,
go luath a déanamh carad,
Ach saibhir nó daibhir,
go mall nó go luath,
Nach raibh ach áthas agat
Ón lá seo amach.

"May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
quick to make friends,
But rich or poor, quick or slow,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward."

Sláinte agus táint!

"Health and wealth!"

Pangur Ban, a doodle in the margin

Pangur Ban

I and Pangur Ban my cat,
Tis a like task we are at:
Hunting mice is his delight,
Hunting words I sit all night.

Better far than praise of men
Tis to sit with book and pen;
Pangur bears me no ill will,
He too plies his simple skill.

Tis a merry thing to see
At our tasks how glad are we,
When at home we sit and find
Entertainment to our mind.

Oftentimes a mouse will stray
In the hero Pangur's way;
Oftentimes my keen thought set
Takes a meaning in its net.

'Gainst the wall he sets his eye
Full and fierce and sharp and sly;
'Gainst the wall of knowledge I
All my little wisdom try.

When a mouse darts from its den
O how glad is Pangur then!
O what gladness do I prove
When I solve the doubts I love!

So in peace our tasks we ply,
Pangur Ban, my cat, and I;
In our arts we find our bliss,
I have mine and he has his.

Practice every day has made
Pangur perfect in his trade;
I get wisdom day and night
Turning darkness into light.


I came across this fun poem in the third book of Nancy Farmer's trilogy, The Sea of Trolls. Her footnote reads: "Written by an unknown eighth-century Irish monk in the margins of a manuscript, when he was supposed to be copying the Bible. Translated by Robin Flower in the Irish Tradition, Oxford University Press, London, 1947." I had to laugh at that. How human nature really has not changed much over the centuries. How many times have you been carried away on a whimsy of creation when you should have Been Working!! And, how many times has this whimsy led to some fun creative writing, a new concept discovered, a problem solved? Even Thomas Edison used naps for his problem solving! Hmmm, is there such a thing as creative avoidance...such as writing this post instead of starting my college paper?! Is it time for a nap??!! :D

What is your latest, creative, doodle in the margin? Will I catch you snoozing?

Photo credit

Nova Scotia kilted lovin'

Happy Samhain!

Hope all is well blogger friends. :)

Thus begins the holidays. This is the first Halloween in a while that I had to work, but the kiddies improvised and had their fun. Though no pumpkins nor tumshies this year...ah well

Hopefully, I will have more time for blogging, soon. Interesting how much I miss the blogging interaction. Seasons, seasons.... :)

Corried doon for the night

This picture caught my fancy. One it's cute. Two, it got me to thinking of the safe, cozy place I'm sleeping while the firemen and other personnel are battling away against flames, smoke and incredibly rough terrain. Makes me quite thankful, actually.

Sometimes we find ourselves in difficult situations. I was going to write a post on standing to the test, facing our fears, enduring difficult situations, being thankful for a place to rest though it may not be perfect...but, I think you Get it. Will just share a quote:

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."
-Helen Keller

In looking for the evening's song, I happened upon this lullaby. It corresponded with the thought for the post title. The video is an interesting insight to a life I'm unfamiliar with, other than I knew that mining was both difficult and dangerous.

Ya gotta love Political cartoons

Thoughts about Health Care

Nurse and hospital workers at Gettysburg
From: Francis T. Miller, The Photographic History of the Civil War, 1911 (credit)


Well, I thought I was going to end silly week with the second Limerick, but this news came my way today. So, I'll end silly week with, Politics.

The health care issue is a big thing here in the US, rightly so. The US outspends other countries about two to one in administration costs.

Something that definitely needs to be addressed. For the most part, most everyone I talk with agrees that something needs to be done so that the poor guys stuck in the middle are able to have their medical needs adequately met (the rich will always be seen to, the poor have government aid). Most Everyone I talk to Do Not want Socialized medicine! How do our government officials think they can afford it? Or, are they trying to Feel how they think about it as they work things out? (*Emotion based thinking/planning, a post for another day)

The plan in Massachusetts isn't doing well:

"Universal coverage in any form is an increasingly elusive goal. Several states (including California, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Wisconsin) have attempted major efforts to advance toward health coverage for all citizens. All have had to turn back because the costs were prohibitive." (Hawaii also)
Source

Don't get me wrong, I want EVERYONE to have adequate and affordable health care access.
I am in the health care profession. I see the need. I see the waste. I see the ridiculous things that bureaucracy and the liability culture heap upon us.

I'd love to hear what UK and others living with socialized medicine have to say. I know that for the average problem, things are affordable, accessible, and adequately seen to. However, I've also heard of the horrors of waiting forever for things that should be seen to sooner; and, would the person to have enough cash or private insurance, they would be.

My Swiss friend spoke of the health care she received while back at home. I think the US should take a closer look at the Swiss system. While not perfect, there are things that can be learned.
I like the idea of health care not being employer based. This is one thing that can be so limiting to a person with making life choices here in the US.

I do have this nagging question, though. If we really want health care (and retirement benefits) improved, would things be more quickly fixed if we demand that Congress have the same medical and retirement package like the rest of us?

This video clip is a reflection of things to come, I wonder. People are tired of elitist government officials; people are nervous, upset. These politicians are not royalty, they're public officials, so why should we the people have to 'wait to have an audience'?

I know, I know, politicians are busy people too...they have all of our money that they're busy spending, and sending business by way of family members....too bad these Retirees didn't have any money to donate at the time, maybe Ms Feinstein would have had time for them, to hear their grievances, as a public servant should...

(and yes, I know that the reality is that things can't be dropped for any 'drop-in'; however, the way this situation and these people were handled seems to speak volumes).

(*Feelings based motivation can be a good thing, but logic needs to prevail when programs are implemented that involve human behavior and economics: Food for thought and the WIC program, a post for another day)