Acts of Good
Leadership Assignment
Due: Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Use the $10 to do an act
of kindness/generosity between today and our class next week.
Submit the following no
later than next Wed., April 2 at noon:
·
A brief
description of your act and post it on:
·
A 250 word blog
post to this site summarizing what you did, how you felt about it, how the people felt about
it (if it was not anonymous), and how your act contributes to good leadership.
With the $10 I printed one of my recent photographs and sent it to my grandma along with a 'Thinking about you' card and her favorite candy. Although she hasn't received it yet, I imagine she will be really touched (she will most likely cry as she is an emotional person) by my act. Having recently been diagnosed with cancer, my grandma has been having a tough time being away from family, so I know that my act of kindness will brighten her day. Originally I had planned to simply send the card and candy, but I then realized that my grandma is one of, if not the biggest, supporter of my photography. What a better way to let her know that I am thinking of her than to send her work that could represent me and provide a sense of comfort and family during such a difficult time. After sending the photograph and card, I couldn't help but smile and feel proud of myself. My act of kindness was my own doing (without the encouragement of my parents or aunts and uncles), and that was an extremely rewarding feeling. It made me glad to picture what my grandma’s reaction will be upon receiving my gift. My act of kindness contributes to good leadership in that I crafted an idea and was able to execute it and follow through without hesitation. Good leaders are individuals who can take the initiative to get tasks done with confidence and in a timely manner, both of which I believe I did in this situation. In addition, good leaders often possess a level of sympathy, allowing them to work well and relate to others.
ReplyDeleteAfter class last week my roommate, and good friend was exhausted after an extremely stressful few weeks of exams, essays and labs. She was already looking forward to the weekend but I wanted to give her a kick start and motivate her to make it through the next few days! With my $10 I bought my roommate a small gift (a tank top) and gave it to her when we returned to our room. It was an extremely small gesture and she insisted on paying me back but I wanted to show her that I was proud of her for surviving another week of class! Although this act was very insignificant in the grand scheme of things I think it is important as a leader to reward those around you when they accomplish something. This does not necessarily mean that you will be rewarded as well, but doing a nice thing for someone shows them how much they are appreciated and can encourage them to show their appreciation for others as well. I hope that after she received my gift that she wanted to give to others around her whether this was through a gift or just telling someone that she values them. Showing appreciation and not taking those around you for granted is an important part of being a good leader.
ReplyDeleteMy plan for this assignment was to split the $10 in half and pay for two different student's food at BD and Paws & Go. First, I asked a cashier at BD to use $5 towards the next person's meal. I didn't get to see it happen, but I hope the gesture, however little, was a nice surprise. Then I went to Paws & Go intending to do the same thing. The cashier did not have a cash drawer though, and said she would be unable to pay for the next person's food. I said she could have the $5, and she was very shocked and thankful. Apparently, someone had recently stolen her rent money. While the small sum of money does not do much in the way of replacing rent money, I think it's nice to see that good things can happen as unexpectedly as bad things. An important part of leadership is expressing appreciation for those around you. After reading the other blog posts, it's clear that even a small act of kindness can bring a smile to someone's face.
ReplyDeleteThroughout my time at WashU, the cashiers at BD have all been really nice to me, taking the time to get to know me and ask me about my day. One cashier in particular has been nicer than all the rest. Ms. Edith has been looking out for me since day 1. When I told her about a hair product I was looking for, she went out and bought the stuff for me without me even having asked. She asks after me and always makes sure to offer up helpful advice whenever I look like I might be fading a little bit. She's the only cashier I've ever introduced my dad to and I would gladly introduce her to the rest of my family if they were able to come and visit. Because she has been so kind to me, I decided to use my $10 for her. She's always complemented me on my hair so I bought her one of my favorite products and gave it to her after her shift was over. It felt really good to be able to give her something to repay her at least a little bit for all the things she's done for me and, judging by her reaction, I think she really appreciated the gesture too. I think that this is an example of good leadership because I feel that connections are an important factor in working as a team, and the best way to form connections with people is to show them you appreciate their efforts and to respond in kind to their kindness.
ReplyDeleteWhen I heard about this assignment, at first I wanted to do something for a close friend. However, after thinking of some ideas, I thought it would be nice to do something anonymously to a stranger. And why not several strangers? So I decided to buy bags of candy and lollipops and put them on the cubicles of the Olin library. I also wrote a note on a post-it saying “Good Luck Studying!!!! “ So whenever I went to Olin throughout the week, I went upstairs or downstairs and put a couple treats with the post-it on any of the empty cubicles. Since it was completely anonymous, I did not think I will be able to figure out the reaction of those who got the treats. However, apparently one of my friends sat in one of those seats and she thought it was so sweet that she also left a bag of chips from the vending machine for the next person who will be sitting in her seat. I never told her it was me, but it was very gratifying to see how such a small deed could make one’s day better. And not only one person, but in this case, I was able to spread the spirit of generosity. It was so great to know that my small act of kindness, that didn’t even take much to do, influenced another person to be generous towards others. It really does not take much to make one’s day better. I hope that I can always keep this in mind, because it doesn’t take much to have a happier life.
ReplyDeleteMy plan for this assignment was...well actually I did not have a plan. As the assignment was being talked about in class, a lot of ideas flooded my mind, but none of them felt right. I had forgotten about the assignment until a few days later when I was walking back to the forty with a couple of my friends. Somehow, we got to talking about how one of the guys was a legitimately broke college student. We started joking about how he could earn some money to get by. Joking aside, I knew he actually needed some help financially and that he would be too proud to ask for it. I remembered the ten dollars and knew it was not much, but it would help. I put it in his dorm room later that day, and walked away with a smile on my face knowing I did something good for someone who I care a lot about. The next day we were walking again and started talking about how he found the money in his room and how ironic it was that we were talking about it the day before. I think at that moment he realized that it could have been me that put the money in there, but did not want to say. That did not matter because I could tell he was very happy to have the extra money. Acts like this are important for effective leadership. Good leaders should not be motivated by credit and glory, but the betterment of others like this act of kindness.
ReplyDeleteA large group of my friends and I had planned for several weeks to go play laser tag. At the last moment, one of my friends told me that she wouldn't be able to come. When asked why, she avoided the question until she finally admitted to me that she just didn't have the funds to spend on laser tag. The day in class when Dean Stratton gave us all $10 to perform a random act of kindness was the day of laser tag. The cost of laser tag was $10. It was strange how coincidentally everything was fitting together. I paid for my friend to be able to go with us to laser tag, and she absolutely loved it. We all agreed that it was one of the best laser tag nights we had ever experienced. For me, it was great being able to help out my friend and allow her to join in on the fun. When I first offered to pay for her, she was hesitant. She didn’t like the idea of being perceived as needy, but when I talked to her and explained how I had received funds to just be kind to someone, she was much more excepting. I think my act contributes to good leadership in a couple of different senses. One, I kept it confidential that she was not going to be able to go and that the reason was because of funds. No one from our group new about the exchange besides us. And two, as a leader it is important to know your followers/peers and see their struggles. Even more importantly, it is important to do what you can to help fix those problems in a constructive way.
ReplyDeleteMy roommate is a great guy and he’s been putting up with my shenanigans since the beginning of the year. First semester we talked a lot about what we were hoping to do with our lives and what we were doing at school, etc. This semester, however, I have found it difficult to spend time with him – school is more demanding than ever and I’m currently pledging a fraternity. While the situation has not put a strain on our relationship, it has definitely made it difficult for me to talk to John as much as I would like. I thought that one of the best ways I could l remind him I still existed was to leave him food. What kind of college kid doesn’t like food? I went to Paw-N-Go and grabbed him some snacks and left them on his desk. He was not in our room last night, but I think that it will be a nice surprise for him when he returns. Reaching out to people that matter to me feels great. I feel that I can get closer to them and it is a genuine way to remind them that they matter to me. As a leader, reminding those that are close to you that they are important is imperative. It helps build strong relations between those in leadership positions and those that are subordinate to them. Not only does an act like this bring people closer together, but it contributes to mutual understanding and benefit.
ReplyDeleteAfter grabbing dinner tonight, I headed to Paws ‘n’ Go to pick up a snack for later. On my way there, I remembered about this assignment and started thinking of ideas for what I could do. Seeing as I was stressed about my 2 exams I was studying for the next day, I thought about what I could do for other students who were experiencing the same stress, and specifically what I would want most if someone were to give me an anonymous gift during test weeks. So, I bought as much junk food as I could with the $10 in hopes that it will comfort another suffering student! I ended up buying a box of s’mores Pop Tarts, bag of chips, and bag of Cracker Jack. Once I got back to my dorm, I wrote a quick message on a Post-It wishing the person good luck on their tests and hoping that my care package would help them get through the week. Then, I headed to the floor below mine and left the snacks and the note in front of a stranger’s door. Knowing how stressful test weeks can be, I was in a much better mood to take on my own studying after I knew that I’d helped someone else get through there’s. Generosity and the willingness to make people feel good and not expect anything from them in return is an important part of leadership, as it builds a bond with followers, and makes them more willing to follow a given leader. It also shows a leader’s benevolence and builds followers’ trust that their leader truly acts in their interest.
ReplyDeleteOn Monday, Crushed Red, a restaurant in St. Louis, was having a benefit through which a certain percentage of their proceeds went to support Relay for Life. Relay for Life is a great charity, and it is very important to several of my friends at Wash U, so I decided to take a couple friends out for salads and pizzas at Crushed Red. We booked a We Car and drove down to Crushed Red. We had a nice dinner together. It was nice to know that some of my money was going to a good cause, but it was also great to treat my friends who have always been there for me to a nice meal. I felt good because my money was going to a good cause, and I got to eat a delicious and healthy meal. I also felt good because I got to give back to my friends and just have a fun evening with them. At first my friends were very hesitant to let me pay because I guess that isn't the norm, and they felt guilty. I insisted and after a while they gave in. I know they appreciated that the money went to a good cause and enjoyed the meal, but I think they but still feel a bit awkward that I payed for them. My act contributes to good leadership because it is important for leaders to give back both to charitable organizations, as I did my supporting the benefit, and to their supporters, as I did by treating my friends. I don't know if I can really say I was being a good leader. I think that the leaders in this situation were the people who organized the benefit. I do however think that I demonstrated good followership. I gave back to my community and did something nice for my friends.
ReplyDeleteOne of my closest friends had a bad breakup recently, so I thought I would spend the $10 for her some way. I know her favorite smoothie type, and her favorite treats from the cafes on campus, so I decided I would use the $10 and buy her a strawberry wild smoothie, blueberry muffin, and speciality brownie from the cafe in the DUC. Along with this I wrote her a card with reasons why she is awesome and why I love her. When I gave her the card and smoothie and food she freaked out and didn't know what to do and almost started crying. I was just so happy to see that she knew how loved and great she is, and that I could make that much of a difference in her day. I think how this correlates to leadership is that leaders must always be generous and thankful. My headmaster at my school always wrote thank you notes and birthday cards- handwritten. This showed how much he cared, and to put in that much effort is thoughtful and leaves the recipients feeling special. Though this is not the exact same as our project, I do think it is similar and necessitates the same qualities.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the Dean of Joy holding a package that said “ATM” on it, my heart skipped a beat. When she pulled a fat stack of crisp ten-dollar bills out of that package, I realized that Dr. Stratton was saving me once more. The day prior to our weekly meeting for Bad Leaders, I got a phone call asking if I had authorized a 400-dollar purchase at a Domino’s in upstate New York. Seeing as I had not authorized such a purchase, my debit card was cancelled and I was left entirely money-less for the one weekend of the year when I absolutely needed money. The coming weekend, my girlfriend was visiting Washington U for the first time, and I wanted to take her out to places like City Museum and Salt n’ Smoke all while using ubers to get from place to place. I had planned to spend over one hundred dollars, and now my only source of money was rendered unusable. Then, Dr. Stratton whipped out that sweet Hamilton, and I saw a way I could better my situation all while completing the assignment I had been tasked by the good doctor Stratton. I swiftly put the ten-dollar bill into my wallet, and fast-forwarding to Friday evening, I used it as any good leader who had an opportunity in a time of need. I picked out a nice set of flowers at Schuck’s for Alyanna, and using the ten dollars given to me, I paid for them. The flowers were for someone else and made her feel welcome and warm in the dorm, but that was not the only use I had for the ten dollars. The flowers cost me only six bucks, so I tipped the remaining four dollars to the woman working at the flower stand and I gave her a flower and a hug for her help in picking the right floors for my lovely girlfriend. This story may seem a tad selfish, but in a time of need, I believe that a good leader must make use of any and all chances he or she gets, and I did so in a manner that benefitted others and completed the assignment.
ReplyDelete