Why Did I Selected the Leadership Track

Socrates said: "He who refuses to rule is liable to be ruled by one who is worse than himself. " in Republic.

In the spirit of servant leadership, I would like to translate his words to "He who refuses to serve as leaders is liable to be abused by one who is worse than himself. "

I have always loves my craft -- programming. But 3 years ago I got a deep dissatisfaction. I signed on the MBA program at USF just to experience something different. Since the leadership track sounded most different to me, I took it. Dr. Locander calls the leadership education a journey. On this journey, I identified the root of dissatisfaction and ignited a passion to serve, even in a leadership role.

In 2002, I had a chance to lead a small team in my work. I served the team well and the team worked effectively and happily together. Servant leadership works.

Since then, I worked with or without a team, and I enjoyed both. For my next project, I will lead a team in India. I look forward to serving them well.

Like Trees by the Waters

Happy are trees by the waters. They constantly drink into the source of life. So they constantly grow, with green leaves through all seasons, bearing fruits at their time. Leaders have evergreen lives.

Trees are rooted to the soil. While they grow, they do not shift. Leaders are morally anchored people. While they always face new challenges, embrace new ideas and grow to new heights, they have clear sense of identities.

Trees grow straight up surpassing all other plants. Leaders keep their integrity. Integrity inspires trust and surpasses difficulties.

The trees grow up in one direction over their extremely long life span. Leaders have purpose. They serve the missions of their lives over a long time.

Like trees that bear fruits, leaders are blessed with fruits of their labor.

In a thick forest, trees grow taller. Same are the leaders. When they grow together, they grow even taller. Let's grow together.

Books on Leadership

1. Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness Robert K. Greenleaf.
2. Leadership Is an Art Max De Pree.
3. Synchronicity: The Inner Path of Leadership Joseph Jaworski.
4. Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World Revised Margaret J. Wheatley.
5. The Answer to How Is Yes: Acting On What Matters Peter Block.
6. On Becoming A Leader Warren G. Bennis.
7. Power Plays: Shakespeare's Lessons in Leadership and Management John O. Whitney and Tina Packer.
8. Leadership James M. Burns.
9. Management of the Absurd: Paradoxes in Leadership Richard Farson.
10. The Age of Paradox Charles Handy.
11. Leadership from the Inside Out Kevin Cashman.
12. Abolishing Performance Appraisals Tom Coens and Mary Jenkins.