Thanks for your "two cents;" albeit your insight is certainly worth more
than that. I am glad that you brought forth the idea that leadership
entails a scientific base. Let me suggest that leadership also involves
"administrative" things that are easily taught. For instance, maintaining a
good inprocessing checklist is an excellent leadership tool. It tells the
new guy that you're interested enough in him/her to show them around, etc.
I have been part of many different organizations... their first "face" is
their greeting coming in the door. I have been part of one that had none.
Inprocessing should include gathering of information about the new guy...
where do you live, is your family taken care of, are there things we can do
to make you more comfortable, any personal problems that might interfere
with job performance... etc.
Inprocessing should also include a list of expectations... work hours, dress
code and ETHICS! Many have laughed at the later. I had one administrator
tell me that "ethics are understood... we don't have to tell people not to
steal from the company... they should already know that."
Does this apply to flight crews... you decide. I think there is a flight
crew parallel to everything I have mentioned. Some of it is "leadership
admin." THAT can be taught.
Sorry to ramble.
Jeff
Jeffrey Hill
Delta Air Lines
Advanced Qualification Programs
Dept 024, P.O. Box 20706
Atlanta, GA 30320-6001
Ph: (404) 715-7426
Fax: (404) 773-1179
-----Original Message-----
From: AAdamski_at_aol.com [mailto:AAdamski_at_aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 1999 2:28 PM
To: crm-devel_at_db.erau.edu
Subject: Re: leadership Training is an ART not a science
Hello CRMers:
Yep! This is a great discussion and it's time for me to put forth my two-
cents! I would argue that leadership training in itself is not an art but
it
is based on science (Learning theory, instructional design, etc.).
Leadership,
however, is an art. The training program can provide all the theory,
techniques, methods, examples, case studies, etc. that is compiled in every
textbook, the experiences of successful leaders, and good examples to
follow;
yet the learner cannot lead effectively.
I use the analogy of learning how to oil paint. You can be provided all the
paint, brushes, canvas, etc. necessary to produce beautiful work, but you
can't paint worth a %#*! Leadership like fine art painting is an art.
Comments?
Regards,
Tony A. (The other Tony)