New Passion, Old Passion, New Passion

I started this online journal back in 2005 as part of a course I was taking in the doctoral program at Pepperdine University. Today I am starting to write in it a new as I reflect on my life in the early mornings as I rise. I have become an early riser and thoughts pop into my head about my life and where I want to go. I intend to use this space to capture those thoughts and ideas and reflect upon them weekly. Today I want to capture a brief thought I had about my career in Information Technology. I have been a software programmer since 1987. In recent years, I had decided that I no longer had any passion for this field and I began to search for a new passion. That journey is another story. But recently, while writing my dissertation and studying the history and application of computing and problem solving something came to mind. Perhaps I still like problem solving and computer science--the practice of solving problems with the aid of a computer--but maybe I need a problem that has meaning for me. Something that I am passionate about solving. For years, I have solved problems for organizations that I care very little about. That thought generated another one which was. What problems do I care about? Well my dissertation is centered around the problem of "Why Are There So Few African Americans in Information Technology"? African Americans have a myriad of problems that need solving, and I have always resonated with those who have taken up this quest. Leaders such as Dr. King and Malcolm X. Can I use computing and my vast experience with technology to solve a problem that has meaning for African Americans? If I can do that then maybe I would have meaning in my work. I see the root cause for many of the problems that plague the African American community as being the way we think. I understand why many of us think the way we do and I am not interested in analyzing that here, however, can technology be used in a way to persuade, to change our way of thinking. Recently, MIchael Lang of Black Digerati introduce me to B.F. Fogg's work and his book Persuasive Technology. He suggests that technology can be used and is being used precisely to that end. I have much more to think about.

Warmest Regards,
Kai

The Abililty to Respond

Last night I was reading the article assigned to us as part of the course. The title of the article was "Was It About Race Or Not". The article describes a situation where a man of African descent is insulted because a woman of European descent questioned him about whether he worked for the organization he was attempting to enter. She also requested that he present her with proof by asking for identification. The situation arose because Dillon (the man) piggybacked behind Hope (the woman) upon entering the secure garage where they both were employed. Dillon took the incident to be racially motivated, where Hope simply explained she did not recognize him and was afraid of his intentions. She claims it had nothing to do with his ethnicity.

I have learned much over the course of this semester and about myself. The very first idea that crossed my mind when reading this article is that I have reacted in the very same manner on many occasions. I think the African American male is conditioned by America for this reaction. Sometimes it is not race, and sometimes it is race. I also reflected on the idea put forth by Stephen Covey in his "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". The idea of being proactive. The idea of having the ability to respond. We have the power to choose how we are going to react to people and circumstances. I understand that we can not control people or the events in our lives, but we can certainly control how we respond. This is a very empowering realization for me. Though I have read this many times in other works on leadership and spiritual development.

Upon reflection, I realized that I have had this power all along. Yet I have rarely utilized it. Much of my career in corporate America I have been faced with situations that were not to my liking. I now understand that for the most part these situations represented a lack of leadership in the organization. In each situation, I reacted negatively. Perhaps I simply left the company. In some cases, I became confrontational. If I only knew then, what I know now. There are so many better ways that I now understand, I could have handled the situation. But most importantly, now I understand that I always have the option to respond in a way that benefits me, or more importantly, I can resond in a way that maybe fills the leadership void and offers a voice to others that in effect may resolve the problem.

Working on Greatness,

Kai Dupe

Leadership Needed: Be A Leader.

The last few weeks I have really began to internalize and recognize illustrations of many of the leadership concepts that I we have been studying this semester. In the past, I have read many books on leadership, but this semester I have made the leap to understanding. Earlier in the week, I viewed a taping of an interview with the Head Basketball Coach at Texas Tech, Bobby Knight. Knight and NBA legend Isaiah Thomas was being interviewed by Stephen A. Smith on his ESPN show “Quite Frankly”.

During the interview, Knight repeatedly gave examples of how he worked to instill character in the young men that he had coached during his tenure at Indiana University. The respect and admiration that Mr. Thomas has for Coach Knight was obvious. He spoke about how much he had learned from his former coach and how you can measure the coach’s success by observing how any of his former players conduct themselves and by the success they are having away from the basketball court.

At the end of the interview, Knight admonished that America is facing a leadership crisis. He stated that discipline and character are missing from our young people today and that leaders and role models must step forward to provide much needed leadership. This statement made an impression on me. I usually think of leaders from the standpoint of business and success. The interview helps me to view leadership from a more traditional standpoint. There is no bottom line of profit, the leader is simply leading.

This week I also watched a taped version of one of my favorite shows, The Tavis Smiley show on PBS. Tavis was airing a tribute to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The Montgomery boycott is considered by many to be the spark of the civil rights movement, and the incident that catapulted Dr. Martin Luther King onto the American landscape. It was very profound show. Tavis interviewed the current mayor of Montgomery as well as two of the most well known civil rights leaders of sixties John Lewis and Reverend Joseph Lowery. As the discussion ensued, the idea of leadership once again emerged. Reverend Lowery made the point that America is missing leaders with character and morality at the highest levels. America is desperate for moral leadership he repeatedly stated.

All of this started me to thinking about what I have been learning in my leadership class. I specifically began to think about problems that have had in the past as it relates to many of the lessons I have read about in Stephen Covey’s latest work, “The 8th Habit. Many times in the past when problems caused by poor leadership arose during my tenure at a company usually my response has been to simply leave the company. While I started thinking about this, I recognized I have done this many times. It never occurred to me that these were opportunities for me to step up and become a leader. I could have solved the problems by being a leader. By doing what Mr. Covey suggests and being a “trim-tabor” and leading in my sphere of influence.

Currently I am experiencing the same kind of problems in my current position as a technical instructor. And I have reverted back to some of my old ways of handling such problems. Upon reflection, I have decided to lead my way out of the situation. I have decided to look at the problem as an opportunity to lead. So, that is what I intend to do. Only time will tell If I am successful or not. Nevertheless, I am very excited about trying something knew. And if my leadership is a success I will have made a much greater impact in the organization than I could have ever imagined.

Learning about Leadership,
Kai Dupe

A Leadership Gumbo

During my trip to Boston this week, much of my time was spent discussing leadership. These discussion included reviews of many of the most popular books on leadership in circulation today. They include "The 8th Habit" by Stephen Covey, "The Art of Possibility" by Zander & Zander, "The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership" by Sample. I learned so much from our discussion as well as the presentations given by my cadre mates. I also spent time listening to a brief lecture by Ben Zander, author of "The Art of Possibility" and conductor of the Boston Symphony. He was outstanding. I learned so much from his simply being.

One thing I know for sure after this weekend. Leadership is Spirituality and Spirituality is Leadership. I also convinced myself that there is no one way to lead. There may be styles or theories that are better than others but there is no one way. I also learned that most of the authors share the same idea of leadership. They simply use different language and methods to present their understanding. Much like most religions. They all pretty much are rooted in the same principles. The language, customs, culture are what differ.

I recognize now that I am leader. I understand what makes a leader. And now I am off to BE a leader.

Kai Dupe

Your Life Has Been Insignificant

Last night I spent a few hours of my life viewing the movie "Lean on Me". The story of a trouble high school in New Jersey circa 1986. It stars Morgan Freeman and it is one of my favorite movies ever. I actually own a copy of the film. As part of my leadership studies at Pepperdine we were instructed to view the film and look for examples of different leadership styles that we have studied. Well my mind was set afire in the first few opening minutes of the film.

In one of the opening scenes Dr. Napier is efforting to convince Joe Clark to accept the position of Principal at the trouble school, but Mr. Clark is hesitant. They have a heated exchange and Dr. Napier says to Joe Clark -- "Your life has been insignificant". The world is not one iota better than before you got here. Your life has not made one bit of difference" Or something to that effect. That really got me to thinking. What have I contributed to the world? Have I indeeed made a difference. Sure, I have done some good things, and certainly I have a few accomplishments and achievements of which I am quite proud. But have I made an impact in the world? That is a different question.

It is one that I am still pondering. One thing is for sure. As I re-spond and make decisions in the future about what I am doing, this question will be at the forefront of all of my decision making.

Kai Dupé

The Leadership Ideas of John Maxwell

On saturday I was part of a workshop sponsored by two organizations of Texas A&M-Commerce University. The conference was a joint affair sponsored by Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Delta Kappa. The topic of the keynote address was Leadership. Darla Logan was the speaker. Her speech was rooted in the ideas of leadership as presented by esteemed author John Maxwell.

I have never read any of Maxwell's work. However, I was captivated by Miss Logan's presentation and picked up on several parallels between Maxwell and other leadership pundits. After the meeting, I sought out Miss Logan in attempt to discuss further her ideas regarding leadership. My attempt was fruitless. She was quite busy with many other admirers. However, I have since ordered several copies of Mr. Maxwell's work "Leadership 101". One thing that I have found an indisputable common trait of most leaders is that they are lifelong learners. On this saturday, I have found yet another source to bolster my understanding and knowledge of what it takes to be an effective positive leader. I intend to read this work on the plane as I head to Boston for the next face to face.

Stephen Covey is in the bag. John Maxwell here I come.

Warmest Regards,
Kai Dupe

Sometimes Leading is Following

I hit me yesterday while I was teaching class at Tekfokus. I am new in the field on instructional expertise. I am so accustomed to being the leader and helping others that it took me a minute to reflect and recognize that it is okay to be the follower. It is okay to not know. It is okay to let someone else show me how it is done. Once I acknowledged that I was not the expert, my transition into becoming a instructor/trainer has been much more pleasurable. I ask question incessantly and I encourage every one to critique my performance. My goal is to become the top trainer at the company. The only way to do that is to learn from the best. I am very fortunate because Tekfokus is loaded with the best, and I am in the enviable position of being able to learn from them all.

Warmest Regards,
Mr. Kai Dupé