Taking the opposable mind and integrative thinking * to the arena

* Martin, R. (2007).

Class objectives

• To explore the relevance of Roger Martin's thinking, research, and writing.
• To delve into possible personnel administration applications of Martin's work.
• To explore a few more related concepts.

Assignments

• Re-read Martin's Opposable Mind.
• Read supplemental authors.
• Discuss Field Activity #2 and Peer Review.

Field activity #2

Notes

• Same as before, 2-4 pages.
• Hard copy to instructor at next class session.
• Select another peer reviewer, instructing them of deadline by next class.
• Archive an electronic copy for later use.
• Hint: we are not so much interested in looking for individuals who have good ideas as we are looking for those as Martin says have, "the ability to face the tension of opposing ideas,and instead of choosing one over the other, creates a resolution in the form of a new idea that contains elements of the opposing ideas. Reference the two cases in Entrepreneurial Leadership.

Entrepreneurial leadership

A principal’s mission must now include designing and implementing new strategies to help teachers and students recognize, understand, and integrate technology with teaching and learning in the classroom. The mere presence of hardware and software in the classroom does not assure meaningful learning for students. We are beyond the point of deciding whether or not we will accept technology in our schools. The crucial task at hand is to decide how to implement this technology effectively into instruction.

To get started with understanding the concept of the Opposable Mind, and what it has to do with the leading of school personnel, read a recent chapter that weaves two important concepts together: the Opposable Mind and Entrepreneurial Leadership. Though focusing on technology leadership, it very much has to do with school personnel. Click Here to Access Entrepreneurial Leadership.

Big think strategy

Big Think Strategy: How to Leverage Bold Ideas and Leave Small Thinking Behind, was written by Bernd H. Schmitt and published by the Harvard Business School Press. The following is taken from his 2007 book of same title.

Schmitt uses the metaphor of the Trojan Horse to help us conceptualize and understand his concept/theory of Big Think versus Small think.

Great leaders want a Trojan Horse, he says. Remember the Greeks, Odysseus and Agamemnon? Agamemnon led the greatest army of the ancient world, but for ten long years, he was unable to pierce the defenses of Troy's walled city. Along cam Odysseus with the idea of offering the Trojans this giant wooden horse, ostensibly as a peace offering, but actually concealing Greek warriors inside the horse's hollow belly. The Trojans brought the horse inside their own walls. The Greek soldiers sneaked out, threw open the city gates, overwhelmed the city, and won the war overnight. That's Big Think. (p. 2)