In one week, I’ll be at PSU for graduation, and I can’t wait. Not only because it’s been two years in the making, but because I’m going to meet a couple of my classmates whom I’ve grown close to over the past two years. I met them both through group work – one I met in my first class and the other in Project Management. 

Our relationship grew through email, zoom, and blog posts. I consider them good friends and people I know I can turn to for honest feedback.

In the past eighteen months, most of us in this course have had to experience life in the tech world. Everything from work to family reunions happened over zoom. We used the phone to or face time. And we relied heavily on technology to order groceries, meals, clothes because we were attempting to avoid human interaction. 

The literature review in the commentary provides an overview of DasGupta’s research on e-leadership. DasGupta concludes that the following will be required of leaders:

1. Stronger written communication skills
2. Strong social networking skills
3. A global, multi-cultural mindset
4. Greater sensitivity towards followers’ state of mind
5. A 24×7 orientation.”

In my experience, I agree with points one and two. I think the third, fourth, and fifth points evolve primarily through discussion – phone or zoom, not as much through the written word, although technology enters into this because we can watch YouTube or view images from across the world to get a better appreciation for 

In our technology interview, John Conlon discussed that technology is excellent at executing tasks, but it can’t think or behave like people. Technology can provide data progress and provide trends, but people must look at the trends to come up with the questions necessary to understand the directions better.

Technology is a tool that can create new roads for interaction, but people are needed to develop emotional ties to engage.

Reference

Donahue, W. (n.d.)  “How contemporary technology affects leadership” [Canvas]. https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2139561/modules/items/32199133

Recently I watched this video on a lecture given by Marc Brackett, Director, Yale Center for Emotional  Intelligence.

Although the subject is interesting, what struck me more is the way that Brackett engaged his audience. He knew how to generate laughter and create silence. Since viewing the video, I’ve found myself comparing other presenters to him. Although I didn’t know his “secret sauce,” what did he do to keep people captivated? I chalked it up to him being a master in emotional intelligence, his area of expertise until I came across the tenth bullet in this article, 10 Communication Secrets of Great Leaders by Mike Myett.

The secret sauce? Professor Brackett spoke to his audience as individuals. He shared personal stories that you would only tell a friend. He was humble; he goofed off, he let his guard down and invited the audience in. He presented as if he was sharing a beer with his neighbor in the backyard.

Reference

Myatt, M. (2012, April 4). 10 Communication secrets of great leaders. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemyatt/2012/04/04/10-communication-secrets-of-great-leaders/?sh=66af2e4122fe

Yale University. (2013, October 30). Emotional intelligence, from theory to everyday practice. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8JMWtwdLQ4&t=2259s