TWC lesson 4

Brief overview/summary

Before the lesson started, prof mentioned that contrary to what we discussed on facebook the other day regarding who should be responsible for sustainability, we as the consumers should be more responsible in creating a sustainable environment as compared to the government and the businesses. We elected our governments, our purchase pattern and demand determines what businesses will be created. Basically, we are actually subconsciously choosing the type of government and businesses we want. Once again, I’m enlightened.

The lesson started out with the learning of different drivers of world change like environmental and competition factors. Drivers for world change are factors that can bring about a direct change to the world. Prof then went on to explain the differences between revolutionary and evolutionary change. Afterwards, we went through the required readings and discussed the Chasm graph.

The second part of the lesson was about change management and change leadership. The differences between a leader and a manager was then discussed. Prof talked about the 3 types of mind sets of companies, the dodo the eagle and the ostrich. Two videos was showed to us that illustrates power forms of leadership. The last part of the lesson talked about the two models of responding to changing realities. First one being the traditional freeze-unfreeze-freeze model and the second being the modern continuous monitoring and renewal model.

Interesting observation and ideas

It is interesting how environmental factors have shaped our societies. Due to the effects of global warming, society has started to think about sustainability. On how we can obtain energy without compromising our environment so that future generations will not be deprived of the resources we enjoy now.

Disruptive change is a new term to me as well. It represents change that causes a irreversible change on our future. I would think that the invention of using fossil fuels to obtain energy would be a disruptive change as it has greatly changed the way we live and do things. In my opinion, i believe upcoming technology such as nanotechnology, 3D printing, augmented reality or therapeutic cloning will be the upcoming disruptive change that we will experience.

The two videos regarding leadership that prof showed us was really insightful and provided an alternative look at leadership

I was particularly fascinated by the video where there was a lone guy dancing. It showed that leadership is sometimes over-glorified. It was the courage of the first follower to join him that made him a leader. Without the first follower the lone guy would still be a nut dancing alone. However, when the mob formed everyone was cheering for the leader of the dance, but there was no particular honouring of the first follower. This could probably suggest that followers play an important part in a leader-follower relationship as well. And that a good leader cannot function without good followers.

The second video was about a kid who stood out to try to push a fallen tree out of the way, and that inspired others to join in to remove the fallen tree. I interpreted this as that anyone can be a leader. The courage to step forward when no one dares and lead the way might possibly be the only thing separating a follower from a leader. 

Key takeaways

The rising/falling star model has stood true throughout centuries. The rising star attitude has proven time and time again that if you're hungry for success and willing to adapt and change to different needs, you will stand a higher chance to succeed. The key here is to always adopt the rising star mentality in life.

DoDo,Ostrich,Eagle. It is important to identify which one of the attitudes you/your organization is adopting and strive towards changing into the Eagle's mentality.

Issues for further discussion

Regarding the Wikicells(A food packing method that eliminates the need for plastic by making the layer edible), does this technology really eliminates the need for plastics? Most fast food companies in Singapore are already using paper or biodegradable material to wrap their burgers. Also, it gives rise to the hygienic issue when the external layer of the food is eaten.

Personal rating

I would give the lesson an 8/10 as our time were used efficiently and discussions where on track, leading to informative exchange of information among the class.