Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Comm 250 07-02-13
I was very impressed with our class today. We got so much done. I loved how everyone was working together. Even though we didn’t get everything done that we wanted to we got me done then we have in the past when Brother Adams let us take charge of the class. So many good ideas were shared and improved upon. For example I really like the new blogging system. I think it is a much better way to organize our thought for the class and the company. I feel much more confident in what we as a class can accomplish this semester now that I have seen that we really can work together. We have a long way to go still but look how far we’ve come. I am excited to see how much we will have grown by the end of the semester.
comm. 250 2-8-07
This class period was a little ridiculous at times. Lots of frustrations were expressed and not many solutions. I must admit it took us a long time to get anything do because none of us could see the things we have accomplished or said anything that we could do. I know we all have them and this class can be frustrating but I think that in the end it will be well worth the troubles we are going through. I really liked Erik’s idea to share solutions rather then problems. Once we finally settled down we got some organization finally. I think that in the end, although this was a rough day it will be a turning point in how our class will function.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Comm 250 Feb. 6
I wish that we had had more time on the Tuesday to work in our groups so that we could organize and plan. But I found Brother Adams lecture to be very helpful. It really helped me better understand what direction we need to be going in. I liked the comments about our thresh hold of dysfunction, how we swing back and forth between busy and lazy, and how one of the reasons we are here on earth is to progress our thresh hold so that we can manage more at a time. I think that we as humans are happiest when we find a happy medium. When we know how much we can handle and don’t over plan and when we are constantly working or all ways eagerly engaged with something.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Comm 250 2-1-07
I was really impressed with how our class just started without brother Adams there. I also thought it was cool that even though we weren’t really sure what we were doing, we started to try and figure it out on our own. It just showed me how much potential this class has.
I am very excited that we have more control over what we will do as a class. Even though I’m still a little confused as to what we will be doing for our project, I think that it will be a lot of fun figuring it out.
I think this will be a tremendous opportunity for us to learn and grow as students, and as members of society. We will be able to act rather then be acted upon. It is going to be hard trying to figure out what the group can gain from us individually, but it will be worth it.
I am very excited that we have more control over what we will do as a class. Even though I’m still a little confused as to what we will be doing for our project, I think that it will be a lot of fun figuring it out.
I think this will be a tremendous opportunity for us to learn and grow as students, and as members of society. We will be able to act rather then be acted upon. It is going to be hard trying to figure out what the group can gain from us individually, but it will be worth it.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Class 1-25-07
Today in class I just kept thinking about how NASA seemed to care more about money and procedure then anything else. They seemed to think ’what can we get from the government, or our employees or the American people?’ rather then ‘what can we do for them?’ this out look and culture lead to some major problems in NASA’s community.
Within each engine there were complications that helped lead to the Challenger disaster. The People cared more about themselves. Lack of love in the work place created fear so they couldn't work as a whole. The organization was so thick with red tape that it was nearly impossible to get information to the right people. Marketing did not even really exist. NASA was not producing a produced that consumers really needed or wanted. Technology was old and needed to be updated or replaced but because of lack of money improvements were pushed aside. Capital was spending more then they were making and cutting the budgets for safety improvements and developments in order to say on schedule.
I think that in any company if priorities are all about money and unyielding procedures disaster will eventually strike. In order for a company to be truly successful it needs to be built on a mind set of, ‘what can we do for them?’ (the consumers, employees etc.) rather then ‘what can they for us?’
Within each engine there were complications that helped lead to the Challenger disaster. The People cared more about themselves. Lack of love in the work place created fear so they couldn't work as a whole. The organization was so thick with red tape that it was nearly impossible to get information to the right people. Marketing did not even really exist. NASA was not producing a produced that consumers really needed or wanted. Technology was old and needed to be updated or replaced but because of lack of money improvements were pushed aside. Capital was spending more then they were making and cutting the budgets for safety improvements and developments in order to say on schedule.
I think that in any company if priorities are all about money and unyielding procedures disaster will eventually strike. In order for a company to be truly successful it needs to be built on a mind set of, ‘what can we do for them?’ (the consumers, employees etc.) rather then ‘what can they for us?’
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Columbia and religion class 1-18-07
1. When we were talking in class about how or if God uses the Jackass model I came to this conclusion, yes God tells us the blessings we will receive if we follow him and the consequences if we don't, sometimes we just want Him to tell us what to do, and His love for us is always there. I think God set it up like that on purpose. because He does keep us informed as to the consequences of our actions we decide how we will be governed by Him, whether by fear, blessings, doing just what he tells us to do, or out of our love for Him because he loves us. I think its the same way in the world. we decide how we will be governed by others. whether fear or love will rule our lives and how we will gain positions over others.
2. Obviously we would almost always change or act because of love. something my mom always told me growing up was that if you really want someone to join the church or change there behavior, you love them first and make sure they know you love them. because if they know that you love them for who they are, they will be more willing to change because they know you have their best interest in mind. they also know that if they should fail, they know that you will still love them. i think that this is true both in the church and the business world. people are much more willing to adjust and change if they feel the security that comes from the love that others offer.
3. Conflict is a necessary part of our lives. Something my mom taught me when i was young was that conflict between leaders in the church is how God shows all that can be done. Through different individuals God expresses different ideas. i think that this mortal world is the same. There are so many different ways problems can be handled. by discussing others ideas we can come to a clearer concept of what will work better. once conflict starts to become personal it immediately becomes competing, comparing, complaining, criticizing and/or contending. once this happens the idea changes from what is better to who can win. when this happens someone will walk away hurt or offended.
2. Obviously we would almost always change or act because of love. something my mom always told me growing up was that if you really want someone to join the church or change there behavior, you love them first and make sure they know you love them. because if they know that you love them for who they are, they will be more willing to change because they know you have their best interest in mind. they also know that if they should fail, they know that you will still love them. i think that this is true both in the church and the business world. people are much more willing to adjust and change if they feel the security that comes from the love that others offer.
3. Conflict is a necessary part of our lives. Something my mom taught me when i was young was that conflict between leaders in the church is how God shows all that can be done. Through different individuals God expresses different ideas. i think that this mortal world is the same. There are so many different ways problems can be handled. by discussing others ideas we can come to a clearer concept of what will work better. once conflict starts to become personal it immediately becomes competing, comparing, complaining, criticizing and/or contending. once this happens the idea changes from what is better to who can win. when this happens someone will walk away hurt or offended.
points from class 1-16-07
1. I think that one of the biggest reasons why NASA was unsuccessful in saving the Columbia starts with the thought that most Americans have about being independent and working for one's best interest instead of the interest of the community as a whole. When the problems started everyone became filled with fear and all were out to save themselves and their jobs.
2. Because of this fear that almost everyone had, people either took courage to fight for their jobs or they became very considerate because they didn't want to take the blame if something went wrong. an example our group came up with was when the DAT presented their findings to their manager. I took a lot of Courage for the manager to tell them that if it was really as bad as they said it was nothing could be done. and it also took a lot of consideration from the DAT to not keep fighting him on the subject. in the end, no one won.
3. I think that because their were those with courage and those who were considerate there was no commitment or single goal as to what needed to be done to save the astronauts. I have no doubt that there was character, I'm sure everyone involved wanted what was best for the astronauts and NASA, and I know that there was Competence, but no one had the same goal or the same idea of how to achieve the desired results.
2. Because of this fear that almost everyone had, people either took courage to fight for their jobs or they became very considerate because they didn't want to take the blame if something went wrong. an example our group came up with was when the DAT presented their findings to their manager. I took a lot of Courage for the manager to tell them that if it was really as bad as they said it was nothing could be done. and it also took a lot of consideration from the DAT to not keep fighting him on the subject. in the end, no one won.
3. I think that because their were those with courage and those who were considerate there was no commitment or single goal as to what needed to be done to save the astronauts. I have no doubt that there was character, I'm sure everyone involved wanted what was best for the astronauts and NASA, and I know that there was Competence, but no one had the same goal or the same idea of how to achieve the desired results.
Monday, January 15, 2007
application
Most of the organizations I've been involved in have been within the Church so the systems were and are set up really well. problems I've noticed have really come from the people rather then the system. one thing I know I can improve upon is accepting when I fail, and moving on. I hate failing, and like most of the world I'm scared of it. I'm scared of how others will react and respond to my faults. I just need to learn to admit when something is my fault and move on.
I've also been in and seen situation when one takes all the blame, when other people were involved or also caused the problem. It's often easier for me to take all the blame for a problem then to divide it up.
Neither of this are good actions to take when things don't go right. and both of them are things that I need to work on.
I've also been in and seen situation when one takes all the blame, when other people were involved or also caused the problem. It's often easier for me to take all the blame for a problem then to divide it up.
Neither of this are good actions to take when things don't go right. and both of them are things that I need to work on.
5 insites from class 1-11-07
1. Who's to Blame? In our culture blame and fault are considered unacceptable which causes fear in most if not all, of us. we do not want to accept the consequences for our failures. We must learn to take the blame when it is truly our fault. It's hard but it's part of life.
2. Nick talked about how NASA seemed to care more about results rather then the people and how that can cause problems. but if companies focus on the people they will have more success and also receive their desired results. this is an important concept for everyone to learn because it goes back to the trust others have in you. if people believe that you truly have their best interest in mind, stronger and more successful relationships will develop.
3. I really liked how Nikki talked about one of the strengths in NASA's communication setup. i think that it's important to find the good along with the bad when trying to fix a communication system.
4. "94 (or 96) percent of all problems come from systems, not the people." i really liked this quote because it's true. Problems caused in many organizations weren't caused by people, but by poorly developed systems. For example, many of the problems that were caused in both the Challenger and Colombia disasters were made worse because no one really knew who they were supposed to talk to so messages did not get to where they needed to be.
5. I really liked what Covey said about how even though most problems are caused by systems, people create those systems. this goes back to accepting responsibility for mistakes. it also shows how most problems are avoidable if glitches in the systems are taken care of as soon as they are discovered.
2. Nick talked about how NASA seemed to care more about results rather then the people and how that can cause problems. but if companies focus on the people they will have more success and also receive their desired results. this is an important concept for everyone to learn because it goes back to the trust others have in you. if people believe that you truly have their best interest in mind, stronger and more successful relationships will develop.
3. I really liked how Nikki talked about one of the strengths in NASA's communication setup. i think that it's important to find the good along with the bad when trying to fix a communication system.
4. "94 (or 96) percent of all problems come from systems, not the people." i really liked this quote because it's true. Problems caused in many organizations weren't caused by people, but by poorly developed systems. For example, many of the problems that were caused in both the Challenger and Colombia disasters were made worse because no one really knew who they were supposed to talk to so messages did not get to where they needed to be.
5. I really liked what Covey said about how even though most problems are caused by systems, people create those systems. this goes back to accepting responsibility for mistakes. it also shows how most problems are avoidable if glitches in the systems are taken care of as soon as they are discovered.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
6 questions
1. The study says that 'NASA had a complex matrix organization employing over 24,000 people.' Is there a simpler way to organize that many people within a community so that the communication can flow better within the organization?
2. When the Challenger was launched, Boisjoly warned that the temp. was too low for launching which could cause serious problems with the shuttle. Yet he was just brushed aside. After the Challenger disaster, investigators discovered that Boisjoly's theory was correct, and if they had listened to him they could have avoided the accident. What can be done to insure that those with concerns will be heard in the future?
3. A member of the Rogers Commission said that over time the standards was lowered a little bit because in previous flights nothing had happened so the O-ring problem was not considered a big problem anymore. In something as risky as space travel, shouldn't the standard always be high and problems taken care of as soon as they are noticed because of the potential problem?
4. Throughout the history of NASA some have considered Foam strikes as a potential danger to flights, while others have considered them as a natural safe occurrence. It was finally classified as an "acceptable risk". Can there really be 'acceptable risks' in something, such as space travel, that can endanger the life of others such as space travel?
5. What were some things that NASA could have done after the discovery of the damage on Columbia that could have saved the astronauts lives?
6. In both the Challenger and Columbia disasters, the problems could have been avoided and fixed before they were sent up, but because NASA wanted to stay on to stay on schedule the problems were pushed back and eventually not really noticed. Is there something that can be done to insure that all concerns and problems are taken care of before a shuttle is launched and keep NASA on schedule? If so, What?
2. When the Challenger was launched, Boisjoly warned that the temp. was too low for launching which could cause serious problems with the shuttle. Yet he was just brushed aside. After the Challenger disaster, investigators discovered that Boisjoly's theory was correct, and if they had listened to him they could have avoided the accident. What can be done to insure that those with concerns will be heard in the future?
3. A member of the Rogers Commission said that over time the standards was lowered a little bit because in previous flights nothing had happened so the O-ring problem was not considered a big problem anymore. In something as risky as space travel, shouldn't the standard always be high and problems taken care of as soon as they are noticed because of the potential problem?
4. Throughout the history of NASA some have considered Foam strikes as a potential danger to flights, while others have considered them as a natural safe occurrence. It was finally classified as an "acceptable risk". Can there really be 'acceptable risks' in something, such as space travel, that can endanger the life of others such as space travel?
5. What were some things that NASA could have done after the discovery of the damage on Columbia that could have saved the astronauts lives?
6. In both the Challenger and Columbia disasters, the problems could have been avoided and fixed before they were sent up, but because NASA wanted to stay on to stay on schedule the problems were pushed back and eventually not really noticed. Is there something that can be done to insure that all concerns and problems are taken care of before a shuttle is launched and keep NASA on schedule? If so, What?
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
1-9-07
three concepts
1) "fish discover water last"
I had never really thought much about that before, but completely true. it's always the things in life that you have always had that you take for grandted.
2) working from the inside out
how people will react and respond to you completely depends on how trustworthy you are. if y0u are personaly trustworthy then you can build interpersonal relationships with trust. After a foundation of trust is set, you then move on to teams with empowerment, and last, build organizations with alinment .
3) taking turns
I can't remember the correct term for this, but I really liked the idea behind it. in this setup each group or department within a company takes turns being over over a project. this helps create fresh ideas and gives everyone an opportunity to lead.
as we were dicussing this in class, i was surprised how much the structure of organizations of the world resembles that of the Church. more then anything, it testified to me that our church truly is a church of all truths. we as a people must continue learning and using all good knowledge for the building of the kingdom.
1) "fish discover water last"
I had never really thought much about that before, but completely true. it's always the things in life that you have always had that you take for grandted.
2) working from the inside out
how people will react and respond to you completely depends on how trustworthy you are. if y0u are personaly trustworthy then you can build interpersonal relationships with trust. After a foundation of trust is set, you then move on to teams with empowerment, and last, build organizations with alinment .
3) taking turns
I can't remember the correct term for this, but I really liked the idea behind it. in this setup each group or department within a company takes turns being over over a project. this helps create fresh ideas and gives everyone an opportunity to lead.
as we were dicussing this in class, i was surprised how much the structure of organizations of the world resembles that of the Church. more then anything, it testified to me that our church truly is a church of all truths. we as a people must continue learning and using all good knowledge for the building of the kingdom.
Monday, January 8, 2007
Comm 250 1-4-07
Best Lessons in Leadership came from:
* leadership callings in church
* Examples such as my dad, church leaders etc.
Best Lessons in Communicating:
*Experience in church callings
* My family
Organizations Experienced:
* 4-H
* Young Women's
*High school drama/theater
* Relief Society
Places I've lived:
*Pocatello ID
Achievements Proud of:
* Young Women's recognition
*Events I've planned such as fire sides etc.
Industries interested in:
*I'm not sure. I don't know much about many industries yet.
Goals:
* receive my Bachelor of Arts degree
* to go to Germany
* to learn how to surf
* leadership callings in church
* Examples such as my dad, church leaders etc.
Best Lessons in Communicating:
*Experience in church callings
* My family
Organizations Experienced:
* 4-H
* Young Women's
*High school drama/theater
* Relief Society
Places I've lived:
*Pocatello ID
Achievements Proud of:
* Young Women's recognition
*Events I've planned such as fire sides etc.
Industries interested in:
*I'm not sure. I don't know much about many industries yet.
Goals:
* receive my Bachelor of Arts degree
* to go to Germany
* to learn how to surf
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