Overview
Freewill and Determinism
Response 1 Jarrod
I agree with Dr. Viktor Frankl when he said, "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way" (Dove, 2024). I believe that the key words here are ‘choose one’s own way’. It is possible to change your attitude. For better or worse, it is how you look at things and how you react to them. However, choosing one’s own way is not always an available option.
I have worked for the Department of Defense (DOD) for 18 years both as a mechanic and an IT Specialist. In both jobs, there was a top-down approach to decision making and work. What we could control is our attitude toward any changes that were made. There are many times when our boss would ask (the workers) for our opinion on what we thought about certain upcoming changes. Then he passed our ideas up to his boss. But it is the policy of the National Guard Bureau (NGB) that ultimately makes all decisions on policy. If the workers were allowed to choose their own way and do things the way we wanted/needed them to be, I cannot even imagine what the consequences would be. Perhaps my view is somewhat tainted in that my 18-year career has totally been with the military and the military’s decision-making process is quite different from most corporations.
I do believe that individuals need to remember they have control over their own attitudes and feelings toward what they experience. We may not always have the freedom to choose our own way. However, I believe it is important to have the right to choose how you are going to approach those things in life and work that one must deal with. It is important to act in a way that is best for you, even if decision making happens above your level.
RESPONSE 2 Dr. Dove
Hello Students,
Dr. Frankl's quote reminds me of the Diary of Anne Frank.
Anne Frank was a German-Dutch diarist of Jewish origin. One of the most discussed Jewish victims of the Holocaust, she gained fame posthumously with the publication of The Diary of a Young Girl, in which she documents her life in hiding from 1942 to 1944, during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II.
Anne Frank quotes
“I don't think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains.”
"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy."
“A quiet conscience makes one strong!”
“In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit.”
Clearly, Anne Frank was an optimist. Do you think that you could you maintain a positive attitude under such dire circumstances?
Discussion: Measuring Transformational Leadership
Response 3 John
To contribute to this discussion on transformational leadership, I will start by exploring whether it is something that can be easily measured. It is established that the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) is among the most popular instruments used to measure transformational leadership. Some of the researchers, for instance Batista-Foguet, Esteve, and Witteloostuijn (2021) suggest that even though the MLQ enjoys tremendous support from academy and commerce, it is an incomplete measure of leadership behaviors. This indicates that while there exists metrics that can be used to assess facets of transformational leadership, other crucial characteristics such as empowering and inspiring cannot be easily quantified and can well be deemed to fall under ‘if you have seen one, you have seen it all’. As for the current approach to my leader, I think that efforts are mostly appreciated, and this affects the perception of the working relations. I would describe it as efficient since it engages basic but essential elements such as communication and respect in the interaction. Thus, I think it would still be helpful to keep the lines of feedback open and have some personal goals that correspond to the organizational values while facilitating this relationship’s development. I believe that, in any given relationship, this would entail, one is able to be as open and honest as the other without fear of repercussions, work hand in hand and feel important within the partnership.
Reference
Batista-Foguet, J. M., Esteve, M., & van Witteloostuijn, A. (2021). Measuring leadership: An assessment of the multifactor leadership questionnaire. PloS One, 16(7), e0254329. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254329
Response 4 Lakeith
Transformational leadership presents a unique challenge in terms of measurement. Batista-Foguet, Esteve, and van Witteloostuijn (2021) explored this complexity in their assessment of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), a commonly used tool to quantify leadership styles. While the MLQ offers insight into specific transformational attributes, transformational leadership often resists strict quantification, as it is more of a lived experience than a measurable phenomenon. The authors underscore that while the MLQ can identify traits associated with transformational leadership, its impact is often something “you know when you see it” because it resonates on an interpersonal level, shaping morale and motivation (Batista-Foguet et al., 2021).
Regarding my relationship with my current leader, I would describe it as mostly recognized; my contributions are acknowledged, though occasionally demands and pressures may affect this recognition. In terms of effectiveness, I’d rate our working relationship as effective. There’s an open channel of communication, allowing us to align goals and support each other’s professional growth.
I prioritize consistent dialogue and transparency to foster an evolving and trusting relationship with my leader. As Batista-Foguet et al. (2021) imply, trust and mutual recognition are key components in transformational leadership—when both leader and follower can engage openly, the relationship grows stronger, fostering both security and resilience.
Reference
Batista-Foguet, J. M., Esteve, M., & van Witteloostuijn, A. (2021, July 7).Measuring leadership an assessment of the multifactor leadership questionnaire. PloS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254329