Journal Two
8/30/18
Today Damari gave his speech against smoking. He displayed many leadership characteristics through his tone and presentation. Where the speech was lacking was the ultimate goal or purpose. Many interesting facts were presented such as the social effects of smoking not just the physical but there was no call to action. After the speech, the audience did not feel driven to make a change. The speech made me more aware of the impacts of smoking but did not want me to make a change. I learned from this that it is very important for leaders to always have a call to action. Also, speeches must be catered to the audience, all of us in the class were non-smokers so it didn’t pertain to us. The speech didn’t make non-smokers want to stop others from smoking.It also did not seem like something that Damari was very passionate about. If had spoken about something else I think his speech would have been very effective.
Afterwards we had a discussion in class about what Athena did in the Odyssey to activate Telemachus. We discussed Athena encourage Telemachus making positive declaration about him, reminding him of his families heritage and how he possess characteristics of his father for example “But come, tell me this, and recount it exactly, whether, big as you are, you’re the son of Odysseus himself” this gives Telemachus hope that he can be as his father. One major thing that we discussed, was Athena’s suggestion/encouragement to visit Nester. This was very significant, we discussed that this potential connection could create long term benefits for Telemachus. Firstly, the networking opportunity would play to his favor. Secondly if he were to get a gift from Nester it would serve as a modern day selfie with a famous person which would be a boasting point or an item that would cause others to respect him. This made me consider my connection with others and what I potentially have that can act as an object to generate respect. Today in class we discussed many Greek words and their meaning. Xenia is a powerful word that can really establish generation of connections through acts of hospitality. Aidos is a word that describes shame, in ancient Greeks society shame had a better connotation then in modern society (I think we discussed this). Kratos is a word that describes supremacy and dominance which Telemachus displayed when speaking to his suitors. Mythos does not necessarily mean a myth but rather a story being told usually publicly. Finally, I learned that din means tumult, distractions, noise.
9/2/18
Today I worked on the assignment due on September 6th which is a plan for finding a mentor. I have not touched this assignment since last week, and giving myself a break from it was a good idea. There were a lot more fresh ideas on my mind, making the assignment far easier to write than earlier. After completing the assignment based off of my plan, I found that the mentors that I currently have fit my current plan. This randomly made me consider the fact, I am also going to be a mentor myself this year and it made me consider if I am ready or possess the characteristics of a quality mentor.
9/3/18
Fortunately, I checked the syllabus website today. I thought that there was only one assignment due this week on the 6th and did not realize that there was anything due on the 4th. The first assignment was simple, making a chart of how Athena influenced Telemachus. This was pretty simple because I took notes on this already, I simply looked at the lines that I took note of and explained what Athena did. I really enjoyed the second assignment about the Podcast with Ms. Welford. Some very interesting idea were mention. One concept mentioned that really had me thinking was if leaders are transferable to other fields. Ms. Welford mentioned that women tend to be more connective, experience success in groups. I find this to be generally true. Just walking around campus I generally see women in larger groups and rarely see them walking alone. I also really enjoyed the idea mentioned about how our background experiences often drive our motives and actions. It is something that seems obvious but it is often not really considered much. Our experiences strongly effect the way we look at things, go about solving solutions, our reaction to situation and other factors.
Assignment One:
1. What kind of leadership traits does Ms. Wellford exhibit in this conversation? How does she come across as a leader?
2. How does the mentorship program that she has established with Running Start resemble the mentoring that Telemachus receives in the Odyssey.
3. What answer would you give to the question Ms. Wellford asks at the end of the interview? Am I up to the job, how do I know and convince myself?
1. One of the main ways that Ms. Welford exhibits her leadership is through ethos. Ms. Welford does a very good job at presenting her expertise in her field. One example when she talked about reading over 100 books about leaders. This gave me the notion that she has leadership knowledge and is dedicated to learning more about becoming a better leader. Later, she explains how she is 12 years into the program displaying her experience and success over a long period of time. Throughout the podcast, she references her own experiences as well as philosophies that she seemed to pick up on over time which leads back to her ethos. Ms. Welford showed a great deal of humility, especially when she described herself as a servant leader. This characteristic (being humble) is important for a leader so that their egos don’t grow to large and often at this point leaders find it hard to listen to others. Another thing that was interesting was how Ms. Welford read that part on the spot so smoothly. The assumption is that she never read the piece before, and how she tackled the peace with confidence really displayed her ability to be bold and ready on the spot. Throughout the podcast, Ms. Welford displayed a great deal of passion over influencing women in politics. Passion is important for a leader because without it, there will be no drive. She seemed really driven and determined to make a change.
2. The mentorship program that Ms. Welford established with Running start resembles the mentoring the Telemachus received in a variety of manners. Firstly, her program encourages the youth that they can achieve in the political area. This encouragement is a form of menos or activation which puts life into these kids’ dreams. Also, it helps to put new ideas into the minds of the participants that they would have never previously thought of. This is similar to how Athena encourages Telemachus to venture out to meet the acquaintances of Odysseus to establish a connection that Telemachus would have never thought of before. Secondly, Ms. Welford spoke allot about putting students on the spot in leadership scenarios to test and strengthen their skills. Athena put Telemachus on the spot just through their conversations. Athena stimulates Telemachus’ mind about various things which is a situation he never had been in before. For example Athena makes remarks about his identity, success and other things which prompts responses he was not comfortable with (all to his benefit). Finally, Ms. Welford promotes this idea of connecting with others through of various levels. Again this is similar to Athena suggesting for Telemachus to meet with king Nester. The establishment of these connections can have long term benefits. Mentally, it is a huge boost even just to be in the presence of a higher stature than yourself, and to speak with them is a whole new level. Regardless if that person is far higher than you or just a little bit higher, it serves as a major benefit.
3. I know that I am up for the job to be a leader and it not something that I doubt or worry about at all because my faith and trust is in God who will not fail me. It sounds corny because many people make comments like this, but I am not saying this just to say it, I am saying this because I believe it. I know that He will not put me in situation or call me to a position that I cannot handle (On one side not it is different if I put myself in a bad scenario, that He doesn’t want me in). So at the end of the day, the fact that I am even in that situation is the proof that I am ready for the position.
Assignment Two:
In lines 88 and 89 Athena says “Then I’ll go to Ithaca, to spur his son on, more, and I’ll put the courage in his heart.” — The first thing Athena had to do was have a desire to help Telemachus. I mentor cannot be effective if they do not want to help anyone.
In line 122 Athena tells Telemachus that his heritage was made to be great.
Athena says that she is son of “skilled” Anchilaus and that she rules over Taphains (181) and later she says “Since then, I’ve not seen Odysseus nor has he seen me” (Line 212) –These two lines establish ethos/expertise and a relationship so that Athena can appear as a figure fit for giving Telemachus advice.
In line 191 she tells Telemachus “For divine Odysseus has not yet died on land” –This gives Telemachus new hope most likely, if he believes his father is returning he probably does not want his father to come home seeing his place in shambles. This may have encouraged Telemachus to make changes.
“Whether, big as you are, you’re the son of Odysseus himself” line 207 –This puts thoughts into Telemachus’’ head that he can be as great is his father.
Line 222 “The gods did not establish your line to be nameless” –Tells Telemachus that his heritage was made to be great giving him confidence.
Line 228 and 229 “Any sensible man who came to visit, would be outraged seeing these many shameful deeds!” –Shames Telemachus making him feel as if he could improve.
Line 253 “Humph! You fall far short of absent Odysseus” –Lets Telemachus’ know that he is falling short of his father’s image. And in Line 254 “who’d lay his hands on shameless suitors” uses his father as a comparison point.
Line 272 “Tomorrow, call the Achaean heroes to assembly” –Tells Telemachus to start a meeting.
Line 279 “I’ll advise you shrewdly, if you’ll trust me” –Not sure how to describe this but I guess she offers him reasonable idea to consider.
Line 286 “for of the bronze-clad Achaeans he was last to come home” –Want Telemachus to have a piece to display his connections.
Lines 295–300 Athena suggest for Telemachus to kill his suitors and uses Orestes as a comparable example.
“You too, my friend, for I clearly see you’re big and handsome, be staunch, so those born after will speak well of you” (Line 301 and 302) –Simple morale booster
Later is says he was left with him confidence and courage and caused him to concern more about his father (Line 321)
-Line 270 and 217 “Telemachus, you’ll be neither a coward nor a dolt hereafter” –Athena encourages Telemachus by telling him he is not a coward or dumb line 278 repeats it
-Line 418 Athena was near Telemachus as he flowed her –Athena was close to Telemachus in presence which is important for a mentor, to spend time close with their mentees.
9/4/18
One interesting thing that we discussed Odyssey 1.413–420 “Eurymachus, my father’s return home is surely done for. | So, I neither believe news, if it comes from anywhere, | nor attend to prophecy, whatever my mother | may ask about when she calls a prophet to our hall. | This stranger is of my father’s family friend from Taphos | and claims he’s Mentes, son of wise Anchialus, | and that he rules the oar-loving Taphians.” | So said Telemachus, but in his heart he recognized the immortal goddess. We mention how Telemachus was “playing his cards close to his chest” meaning that he was hiding the truth from the suitors to scare them. Telemachus knew that his father was returning because Athena told him, but the suitors assumed that Odysseus was dead. The news of his return would definitely be a surprise them and causes them possibly to change their plans. Another topic we discussed was if Telemachus returned from his journey without a gift. It would suggest that he is not favored or worthy therefore ruining his image. Later, we discussed what characteristics from Athena mentorship what would be replicable and not replicable. The last thing we discussed was Dr. Sandridge’s podcast with Ms. Welford. We talked allot about Ms. Welford’s leadership and mentor qualities. One idea that Dr. Sandridge prompted was to look at the past six months and look at opportunities I missed and see how I can capitalize on them now. This I something that I will definitely look into more deeply because it already triggered many thoughts. Also today we learned a new kleos which equates to our reputation, the sum of peoples view on one’s image.
Take Away: This week I really felt that I was mentally stimulated in the class. Allot of the discussions and homework question required a deeper level of thinking, In the process of this I learned some things about myself in my journey to become a leader. Some main questions that I am still pondering about are: If my networking is sufficient, if I need to make a more active effort to engage with my mentors, if there are things of the past that I did not do that I should now capitalize on and how my background experiences contribute to my passion.