She stands about three inches tall with her light brown hair cascading behind her carefully shaped head, ending around the middle of her back. She is wearing a black shirt and tight fitting jeans that highlight her curves and womanly features. Blush is brushed on her checks and mascara coats her long eyelashes. A smile graces her face as she flies through the sky, over the bushes and lands in the grass outside of the tower. This is my sister, Adrian, who has been a role model and exemplar extraordinaire throughout my life. Who would have thought that she would ever take the shape of a small, animated figure with flying capabilities and sparkles occasionally flying from her hands? I certainly did not. Yet, I must say that this alternate view of Adrian is quite unique and inspirational. While using Second Life to create my role model, I am able to accurately display her looks through custom animations and her personality traits that I admire, such as compassion, intelligence and dedication, through conversations and my interactions with others.
When I first began using Second Life, I was extremely confused. To begin with, the first account I created did not seem to work, so I created another. Unfortunately, having my name already registered to the first account, Second Life did not allow me to create a second. I then had to figure out what happened to the first account and go from there. Once successfully logged in as Logo Mumfuzz, I began my journey on Orientation Island. Luckily, this preparation process was fairly self-explanatory and allowed me to easily complete the four different stations. After doing so, I found myself stuck there, unsure of how to fly away or teleport to UT Island. With a little help from Ryan, or shall I say, “Catch,” I was able to make my way to UT Island and join the rest of E603ers anxiously awaiting our experiences as avatars.
My difficulty in getting to UT Island was one of the few technological challenges I have faced during my time on Second Life thus far.
While editing the appearance of my avatar, which I will discuss in detail later, I had a tough time figuring out how to change the view of my avatar. Consequently, I began guessing how long to make her hair and how much definition to give her body as well as the details of other physical features. The results were shocking and did not resemble Adrian in the slightest bit. She was overweight with a shriveled and overly defined face, too much make up, and balding. I then had to go back and redo her looks to create a more accurate picture of this twenty year old, beautiful girl. I still have a hard time navigating around the island at times, although I am improving. Overall, Second Life has proven to be rather easy to use and provides instructions for all applications and actions. Second Life really allowed my creative side to blossom when it came time for me to edit appearance. Creating Adrian as an avatar, I was able think about her physical attributes and focus on each one individually.
I customized every part of her body, from head to toe. I selected her body size from “thin” to “thick,” whether her face was “chin heavy” or “forehead heavy” and how much definition she has in her face. I was even able to choose how long to make her hair on different parts of her head as well as how much make up to put on her and the type of clothing. 
By editing her appearance in such detail, I was able to appreciate each aspect of her looks whereas when simply write about someone, one tends to not focus on such details. Looking at each feature heightened my appreciation Adrian and her outer beauty. In the end, her finished look is quite typical; she has normal features and normal, everyday clothes on. She looks like she would in real-life, or at least as close as an animated character can. Some people choose to dye their hair bright pink and wear ridiculous outfits, things that no one in their right mind would imagine wearing, all for the sake of standing out. Adrian has decided to dress in a more typical fashion and stand out in ways that surpass superficial looks. Adrian’s typical looks on Second Life reflect her looks in real-life and similarly, her outstanding character in real-life is reflected in her actions through Second Life. During one of my first encounters with another avatar on Second Life, I forgot that I was supposed to be acting like my role model rather than myself. Once I remembered, I quickly started to think of ways in which I could sound more like Adrian. I began using her “You go girl!” [1] and “Heeeeey Booooy!” [2] phrases, ones she and Melissa, her best friend, tend to yell to random people in a playful way. By using these phrases, I could accurately portray Adrian’s fun-loving attitude and began to feel as though I was, in fact, her!
I found it interesting how some could easily step into their role model's shoes and emulate them while others had much more of a difficult time playing their role models. I feel that it was easy for me to play Adrian’s role due to our many similarities and the extensive amount of time I have spent with her. We do have the same ideas about certain topics; for example, “maybe this is the persistently positive side of me but I think most people have some sort of leader in them” [3]. Although it is by all means possible to emulate someone from a distance, I believe that coming in personal contact with ones role model allows one to feel more of a connection to their role model and more accurately imitate the aspects they like.
During our conversations concerning leadership, each of us was responsible for representing the views our role model would take rather than our own views.
In my first group, we began the discussion with the basic question of “What is a leader?” It was not long before Doolie Wycliffe and I were in conflict with the opinions of Catch Maximus. While discussing the nature of a leader in elementary school, Catch presented the idea that children at that age are not true leaders. Doolie and I disagreed, arguing that “whether it is something like a piece of clothing or a common phrase” [4], being followed by others makes you a leader. Catch viewed this sort of leader as “trivial,” which presented the question of where to draw the line as a leader. This led us into discussing the belief that most people, nearly everyone in fact, has a leader inside of them, whether negative or positive, insignificant or of great importance. Catch, being a nine year-old boy, is still in the childhood phase and has a difficult time distinguishing who in fact is a leader, while I, as a twenty year-old college student, am quite accustomed to picking out the leaders around me and identifying what about them is influential. Despite knowing that Catch is over ten years younger than me, while playing Adrian that is, it was difficult to relate to him and his views. I was frustrated by having to argue with a nine year-old and felt his view was very closed-minded, perhaps resulting from the “load of trouble [he has had] with being shunned” [5](Catch). Acting as a twenty year-old, I was forced to take a more mature view of the question and the idea of leadership and speak to him in an understanding and still explanatory manner. Dealing with people who hold different views and are on a different psychological level “enables leaders to communicate more effectively, coordinate change efforts more successfully, and draw out the creative talents of others” [6]. Speaking with Catch expanded my abilities as a leader and in communicating with others.
The conversations we had about leadership not only allowed us to show our role model’s views, but to step us as leaders ourselves or fall back as followers. Being Plan II students, I did failed to find any one person in our conversations that really wasn’t a leader. We all aim to stand out and voice, or type, our opinions in nearly every situation. We are all adept to “influence people to carry out requests, support proposals, and implement decisions,” [7] which are all very important qualities of a leader. This can become an issue when people are unwilling to follow and there is an abundance of leaders unwilling to be led.
As I near the end of this reflection of my time spent as Adrian on Second Life, I would like to begin another mini-reflection of my time spent writing this paper. Coming into this class, I knew one of the primary goals was to connect media with literature and explore the results. Writing Project One, I felt extremely stressed and overwhelmed, unsure of how to structure the paper, what would be the most effective way to lead into the next topic. I struggled with the basic flow and formulation of the paper and managed to get myself all worked up and stressed about it. After sitting for hours and hours, pondering, typing, deleting, retyping, I emerged with what I believed to be a very strong paper.
Going into Project Two, I wasn’t exactly sure what I would write about either, but once I began to put ideas on the page, more ideas came to mind, and more and suddenly I had more than enough to say about my avatar experience. I didn’t think that living through and interactive program could really make much of an impact on my motivation for writing, but I was proven completely wrong. I tend to search for the fun in situations, and sitting for hours, strictly writing about Adrian, as outstanding as she is, did not quite fall under the definition of fun. Being on Second Life added fun into the role model experience and inspired me to think more deeply about the impact of media on my writing. The implementation of technology in the classroom is an innovative way of expanding learning techniques and allowing students stay up to date with current technology uses.
[8]Throughout school, whether K-12 or high education, “students’ technology experiences are perhaps most influenced by the teacher’s decision to incorporate specific pieces of software, technology tools, or resources into his or her teaching” [9]. Never before have I been required to sit four hours transforming a real life human being into an animated avatar. If it were not for Professor Bump, a “dedicated individual who gave guidance to the project,” [10] I doubt any of us would have this type of opportunity again. Technology is extremely crucial in nearly every aspect of today’s society that it would be foolish to separate it from the youth of the nation, the future leaders. Word Count: 1735
[1] SL Conversation #1
[2] see [1]
[3] see [1]
[4] see [1]
[5] see [1]
[6]Gerard J. Puccio, Mary C. Murdock, Marie Mance Creative Leadership: Skills That Drive Change ( Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2007) p205
[7] Jay A. Conger, Ronald E. Riggio The Practice of Leadership: Developing the Next Generation of Leaders (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc., 2007) p 109
[8]http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/science/learntec.gif
[9]Barbara Means, Geneva D. Haertel Using Technology Evaluation to Enhance Student Learning (New York City: SRI International, 2004), p 57
[10] Institute for Educational Leadership, Inc. Technology and Education: Policy, Implementation, Evaluation (Washington, D.C.: Institute for Educational Leadership, Inc., 1981), p 88
Conversation #1:
[9:02] Daisy Bosatsu: hey everyone!!
[9:03] There is no suitable surface to sit on, try another spot.
[9:05] Pose Ball: Catch Maximus, say 'Hide' to hide me, or 'Show' to make me show. Or just right-click and sit on me to use me.
[9:05] Pose Ball: Catch Maximus, say 'Hide' to hide me, or 'Show' to make me show. Or just right-click and sit on me to use me.
[9:10] Catch Maximus: Hello Logo
[9:10] Pose Ball: doolie Wycliffe, say 'Hide' to hide me, or 'Show' to make me show. Or just right-click and sit on me to use me.
[9:10] Pose Ball: doolie Wycliffe, say 'Hide' to hide me, or 'Show' to make me show. Or just right-click and sit on me to use me.
[9:10] Pose Ball: Daisy Bosatsu, say 'Hide' to hide me, or 'Show' to make me show. Or just right-click and sit on me to use me.
[9:11] Pose Ball: Daisy Bosatsu, say 'Hide' to hide me, or 'Show' to make me show. Or just right-click and sit on me to use me.
[9:11] You: hey boy! (catch)
[9:12] Catch Maximus: hello
[9:12] Catch Maximus: what is the topic?
[9:12] doolie Wycliffe: hello
[9:12] Daisy Bosatsu: hey so what do yall think about a leader??
[9:12] doolie Wycliffe: oh it works
[9:12] Catch Maximus: i am the leader
[9:13] You: dayummm
[9:13] doolie Wycliffe: what is a leader
[9:13] Catch Maximus: what is a leader?
[9:13] doolie Wycliffe: someone who leads...
[9:14] You: i am!!
[9:14] Catch Maximus: a leader never regrets what he doe
[9:14] You: a leader is confident in what he does and may make mistakes but learns from them.
[9:14] doolie Wycliffe: someone who sets an example for others to follow or someone who takes charge in a situation
[9:14] Catch Maximus: yet he always questions what is the right course of action
[9:15] You: i think a leader generally is concerned with others...sometimes more than themself.
[9:15] doolie Wycliffe: in order to be a leader you would need followers and to gain followers you would have to be someone who deserves some respect
[9:15] You: yeah boy
[9:15] Catch Maximus: what about the child that is a leader?
[9:15] doolie Wycliffe: i agree with someone who is more concerned with others
[9:15] You: sometimes its unknowingly
[9:15] doolie Wycliffe: i think that would help to gain self respect
[9:16] You: i think it has a lot to do with how their parents raised them..obviously.
[9:16] Catch Maximus: but a child really has no followers
[9:16] You: thats not true
[9:16] You: peers.
[9:16] Catch Maximus: how so?
[9:17] You: i remember kids in my elementary school who others modeled their behavior after.
[9:17] doolie Wycliffe: when you watch children you will often see the one that is the leader
[9:17] doolie Wycliffe: who everyone else copies
[9:17] You: even if its something as small as waht to wear they are still setting an example.
[9:17] Catch Maximus: but often the child is shuned for being such a vissionary
[9:17] doolie Wycliffe: whether it is something like a piec of clothing or a common phrase
[9:17] You: true that.
[9:17] You: how are they shunned?
[9:17] doolie Wycliffe: dangit i'm just repeating bc i can't follow this right
[9:18] You: haha its ok doolie..you go boy.
[9:18] Catch Maximus: the leader you are talking about Logo is trivial
[9:18] You: boy right?
[9:18] doolie Wycliffe: girl...woman..
[9:18] You: oh no
[9:18] You: haha
[9:18] doolie Wycliffe: lol
[9:18] You: i didn't even look at my sheet
[9:18] doolie Wycliffe: hahahaha
[9:18] You: ok you go girl!
[9:18] doolie Wycliffe: lol :)
[9:18] Catch Maximus: okay, well I have had a load of trouble with being shuned
]9:19] You: it wouldn't be a trivial leader.
[9:19] Catch Maximus: as a 9 year old
[9:19] Catch Maximus: i have been different all my life
[9:19] Catch Maximus: clothing dictates a trivial leader
[9:19] Catch Maximus: anyways
[9:19] doolie Wycliffe: well perhaps if you were shuned back then you were not a leader but you eventually became one?
[9:19] Catch Maximus: no i have not shuned
[9:20] Catch Maximus: i have been shuned
[9:20] You: no. a leader is a leader. and it is exerting some sort of influence on others and that constitutes at least some bit of importance.
[9:20] Catch Maximus: so is paris hilton a leader?
[9:20] doolie Wycliffe: to some you could say so
[9:20] doolie Wycliffe: not the ideal leader
[9:20] You: in terms of clothing yeah
[9:20] You: maybe not a great one.
[9:20] You: but she is.
[9:20] Catch Maximus: that sucks
[9:20] doolie Wycliffe: sadly i have heard girls say that she is their role model
[9:20] Catch Maximus: so where does the leader title end?
[9:20] You: she is a role model for many people..as odd as that would be.
[9:20] You: yeah
[9:21] You: i don't think it really does.
[9:21] You: i mean there are the good leaders and the bad but they are still leading.
[9:21] Catch Maximus: well poopie
[9:21] Catch Maximus: okay, back to me
[9:21] Catch Maximus: i have had loads of trouble with kids teasing me
[9:21] doolie Wycliffe: i think you can draw a line between a great leader and one who is i guess more ilke a 'fad' leader
[9:21] You: maybe this is the persistantly positive side of me but i think most people have some sort of leader in them.
[9:22] Catch Maximus: good point doolie
[9:22] You: yeah girl
[9:22] Catch Maximus: logo that is what mai angeloue said
[9:22] doolie Wycliffe: i wish i could change my name -_- i made this before class
[9:22] You: huh?
[9:22] Catch Maximus: i cant spell i am only 9 years old
[9:22] You: mai angeloue said what?
[9:22] You: yeah girl?
[9:22] Catch Maximus: that everyone has a leader inside of them
[9:22] doolie Wycliffe: 9 year olds can spell!
[9:22] Catch Maximus: however
[9:23] Catch Maximus: it takes confidence to pulll it out
[9:23] You: ohh well mai and i are on the same level :)
[9:23] You: agreed.
[9:23] You: i want tiff's treats.
[9:23] Catch Maximus: when that confidence occourse that leader will be just and kind
[9:23] doolie Wycliffe: haha ME TOO
[9:23] Catch Maximus: i see that a lot in myself
[9:24] doolie Wycliffe: i think integrity is important in leadership
[9:24] Catch Maximus: so having to deal with bullies for going to the beat of a different drum
[9:24] Catch Maximus: i have been shunned
[9:24] You: i went through a phase where i aws kind of reserved but since coming to college 2 years ago i have really begun to find myself and make friends that i can be completely comfortable around.
[9:24] You: that has allowed the leader in me to shine more brightly.
[9:24] Catch Maximus: but because i have not been swayed by the norm
[9:25] Catch Maximus: oh i like your stories
[9:25] You: what storieds?
[9:25] You: i like stories!
[9:25] You: this is so fun!!
[9:25] doolie Wycliffe: sticking to what you believe and not being fickle and being swayed by everything that comes your way establishes a strong foundation for being a leader
[9:26] Catch Maximus: of your lives, how you guys became leaders for a group of three PLan II students forced by an insane teacher to perform monkey acts on Second LIfe
[9:26] Catch Maximus: wow! doolie
[9:26] Catch Maximus: vissionary you are!
[9:26] doolie Wycliffe: lol so are we editing some of this out before we post this on avatar chat
[9:26] You: i agree. but in some ways i think being disconnected from everyone and having been shuned you are at a disadvantage to lead b/c others can't relate.
[9:27] Catch Maximus: exactly
[9:27] doolie Wycliffe: catch i think its incredible you can type with a basket and glove on your hands
[9:27] You: so to be able to become that leader after being shunned is extremely impressive
[9:27] Catch Maximus: i know i am a gifted child
[9:27] doolie Wycliffe: yeah it is
[9:27] doolie Wycliffe: lol
[9:27] You: i want to wear a lab coat.
[9:27] Catch Maximus: well many leaders come out of adversity
[9:27] doolie Wycliffe: maybe even though you are shunned you learn about learning from observing peoples
[9:28] doolie Wycliffe: i wnat to change clothes
[9:28] Catch Maximus: because they refuse to be normal
[9:28] doolie Wycliffe: there's this dog that keeps bouncing on m y applications thing
[9:28] You: i dont' think its a refusal to be normal but a refusal to change your beliefs because of others or to conform for the sake of conforming. sometimes your beliefs fall into the categor y of "normal" beliefs in society
[9:29] Catch Maximus: astounding!
[9:29] doolie Wycliffe: well said!
[9:29] Catch Maximus: lover your point!
[9:29] Catch Maximus: love*
[9:29] Catch Maximus: ew who is that creeping man watching us?
[9:29] You: thanks :)
[9:29] doolie Wycliffe: uhhh where?
[9:29] You: someone is watching??
[9:29] Catch Maximus: turn to your left
[9:29] You: friends!
[9:29] Catch Maximus: rotate
[9:30] doolie Wycliffe: lol
[9:30] You: haha bumpppppppppp
[9:30] Catch Maximus: okay back to the topic
[9:30] You: ok.
[9:30] doolie Wycliffe: he ran away
[9:30] Catch Maximus: struggles can make a person humble
[9:30] You: i love bump.
[9:30] doolie Wycliffe: and strong
[9:30] You: come back bump
[9:31] Catch Maximus: metal makes a person humble usually more than the physical
[9:31] doolie Wycliffe: metal?
[9:31] You: mental?
[9:31] Catch Maximus: but mental
[9:31] doolie Wycliffe: oh yeah
[9:31] You: what do u mean mental makes you humble more than physical?
[9:31] Catch Maximus: but mental struggles makes for a empathetic leader
[9:32] doolie Wycliffe: i don't think physical strength is a big part in being a leader
[9:32] Catch Maximus: where are physical advirsity makes for a strong determined leader
[9:32] Catch Maximus: going to war
[9:32] doolie Wycliffe: even for leaers that come from physical strength
[9:32] Catch Maximus: has mental aspects
[9:32] doolie Wycliffe: it takes mental strenght
[9:32] doolie Wycliffe: yeah
[9:32] You: war is a lot of mental
[9:32] doolie Wycliffe: many things physical are
[9:32] Catch Maximus: but the physical demands call for no cock-foolery
[9:33] You: i think an important part of a leader is not only what they think and believe and the challenges they've faced but they way they portray their views.
[9:33] Catch Maximus: so this person becomes a straight shooter
[9:33] doolie Wycliffe: but its mental drive tat pushes you to your limits
[9:33] Catch Maximus: determined to follow a specific path
[9:33] doolie Wycliffe: determination is a mental strenght no?
[9:33] You: i would agree with that.
[9:33] Catch Maximus: what are the ways that leaders portray their views?
[9:33] Catch Maximus: yes doolie
[9:34] doolie Wycliffe: portrayal of views is important
[9:34] doolie Wycliffe: like two pepole can have the same vision
[9:34] doolie Wycliffe: yet one can say the means of that end is violence while another says civil disobedience
[9:34] Catch Maximus: back to this question what are the ways to portray leadership
[9:34] You: confidence.
[9:34] Catch Maximus: can you explain doolie
[9:34] Catch Maximus: you last comment
[9:35] doolie Wycliffe: like with desegregation
[9:35] Catch Maximus: confidence
[9:35] Catch Maximus: good one
[9:35] doolie Wycliffe: iono if my facts are 100% correct
[9:35] You: even if you have the worst idea in the world, you are bound to attract at least a portion of followers if you portray that view wtih confidence.
[9:35] doolie Wycliffe: but malcom x i think advocated violence
[9:35] Catch Maximus: exactly
[9:35] Catch Maximus: any other ways?
[9:35] doolie Wycliffe: while martin luther king was a peace lover
[9:35] Catch Maximus: well macom x was more of a physical leader
[9:36] Cameron Reinard shouts: until otherwise shown, we can
[9:36] Catch Maximus: he wanted a complete separation
[9:36] You: good ole albert einstein has been a leader and innovator in the world of mathematics for decades.
[9:36] You: i think he inspires many eventhough he's dead.
[9:36] Catch Maximus: intellect = leader
[9:36] Catch Maximus: confidence = leader
[9:36] You: true that boy.
[9:36] Catch Maximus: a point at the top = leader
[9:37] Catch Maximus: by default of course
[9:37] doolie Wycliffe: for christians / religious faith = leader
[9:37] Catch Maximus: good
[9:37] doolie Wycliffe: i think the words spoken and written and actions done are extremely important
[9:37] doolie Wycliffe: because the portray the person taht is the leader
[9:37] Catch Maximus: actions!
[9:38] Catch Maximus: yes
[9:38] Catch Maximus: they must do as they say
[9:38] doolie Wycliffe: and to follow a leader blindly without knowing what the leader believes in is a bit naive
[9:38] doolie Wycliffe: and foolish
[9:38] Catch Maximus: live their words
[9:38] Catch Maximus: lead by example
[9:38] doolie Wycliffe: yes lead by example!
[9:38] Catch Maximus: cults?
[9:38] You: sometimes people choose to admire someone who they know isn't a positive leader.
[9:38] You: i think that is an interesting case.
[9:38] You: it happens all the time.
[9:38] Catch Maximus: what about the leader of cults?
[9:38] Catch Maximus: they are leaders too
[9:38] doolie Wycliffe: that's true and sometimes people choose to follow certain things about people without following the other traits
[9:39] Catch Maximus: drink the Koolaid my children
[9:39] doolie Wycliffe: yes tehy are leaders and a bit crazy
[9:39] Catch Maximus: afk
[9:39] doolie Wycliffe: they would fall under the fad leader category
[9:39] Catch Maximus: how do they lead?
[9:39] Catch Maximus: bymanipulation?
[9:39] doolie Wycliffe: brainwashing
[9:39] You: i dress up in ghetto gansta stuff for fun and listen to music that i know is degrading to women and minorities but i still choose to support it.
[9:39] Catch Maximus: Stalin!
[9:39] You: support by listening.
[9:39] You: not by agreeing.
[9:39] doolie Wycliffe: propoganda
[9:39] Catch Maximus: he was a brute force, lead my fear
[9:39] doolie Wycliffe: word
[9:39] doolie Wycliffe: s
[9:40] doolie Wycliffe: words are powerful
[9:40] Catch Maximus: good point logo
[9:40] doolie Wycliffe: hitler was a very strong public speaker i think?
[9:40] doolie Wycliffe: image of vision
[9:40] Catch Maximus: lead by listening by not always agreeing
[9:40] You: the confidence got people to follow
[9:40] Catch Maximus: that is what also make an individual
Conversation #2
[9:45] You: HEY THERE
[9:45] You: Whoa Sorry diddn't know it was in caps
[9:45] Rubiks Okelly: Greetings
[9:45] Rubiks Okelly: It's quite alright
[9:45] You: How was your last chat?
[9:45] Rubiks Okelly: I'm sorry, I can't seem to turn around.
[9:45] You: Haha
[9:45] You: That's quite all right
[9:45] You: I don't mind
[9:45] Rubiks Okelly: My last chat was interesting
[9:45] Rubiks Okelly: Yours?
[9:45] You: I have a better view of you this way
[9:45] You: Extremely interesting
[9:46] You: Oh here is our other memeber
[9:46] You: Hey logo!
[9:46] Rubiks Okelly: Hey there, Logo!
[9:46] Rubiks Okelly: Hey
[9:46] Logo Mumfuzz: hii
[9:46] Rubiks Okelly: Are we all comfortable?
[9:46] You: So, let's start off this topic
[9:46] Logo Mumfuzz: hey girls
[9:46] Logo Mumfuzz: fo shooo
[9:46] Rubiks Okelly: Hey.
[9:47] Rubiks Okelly: I'm not a girl :-(
[9:47] Logo Mumfuzz: hey boy
[9:47] You: What do you guys think is the relationship between leadership and diversity
[9:47] Rubiks Okelly: haha
[9:47] You: I am a girl... more of a woman. or wise sage
[9:47] You: But either way
[9:47] Rubiks Okelly: I think that a successful leader promotes diversity
[9:47] Rubiks Okelly: Or at least
[9:47] Rubiks Okelly: it is the responsibility of the leader to promote diversity
[9:47] Logo Mumfuzz: i don't think they necessarily promote diversity.
[9:48] Logo Mumfuzz: i think they promote their beliefs.
[9:48] You: I think that leadership can embrace diversity, and see that diversity can add breadth to decision making by bringing in differing views.
[9:48] Rubiks Okelly: I think that they UNIFY diverse people through their own beliefs
[9:48] You: But by promoting their beliefs, I believe they inherently promote diversity.
[9:48] Logo Mumfuzz: and if they are different than the norm than yes, they are promoting diversity
[9:48] Rubiks Okelly: Yes, Vida!
[9:48] You: Exactly logo
[9:48] You: Also true Rubkis
[9:48] Rubiks Okelly: :-)
[9:49] You: Unifying different people to believe in one idea is an extremely hard challenge.
[9:49] Rubiks Okelly: I think that by setting the right example, by living AS one of the community, a leader can successfully achieve that.
[9:49] You: What are some ways that you have either promoted diversity through your leadership, or unified diverse people through leadership?
[9:50] Logo Mumfuzz: i think a leader doesn't allow try to unify everyone but ends up being a leader and having others follow them.
[9:50] Rubiks Okelly: By setting an example
[9:50] Rubiks Okelly: :-)
[9:50] Logo Mumfuzz: i have been extremely accepting
[9:50] You: I agree in some ways, because we all must ultimately identifiy in some way with teh community we want to persuade, but I also believe that people sometimes see your example as the wrong example
[9:50] Logo Mumfuzz: i have worked with handicapped and special needs children, old folks, my peers, i am a very accepting person.
[9:51] You: But through your leadership they come to accept some of the truth
[9:51] Logo Mumfuzz: i have shown othersa positive way to interact
[9:51] Rubiks Okelly: I have given away nearly all of my money (I was once a multi-billionaire) to different philanthropic organizations
[9:51] You: That is very important.
[9:51] You: I was actively committed to the feminist and civil rights movement
[9:52] Rubiks Okelly: I do not own a car nor a house (I take the subway and rent out apartments), my children earn money through waiting tables, and I own a $15 dollar watch (that I bargained down to $5, YAY)
[9:52] You: Life in my day and age was a time of radical change.... it was hard to stay committed to a community that stiled you if you did
[9:52] Logo Mumfuzz: i have been a positive role model for my little sister and little brother. i have motivated both of them and served as a mentor and friend
[9:52] Rubiks Okelly: I plan on giving away the rest of my money in my lifetime
[9:52] Rubiks Okelly: Basically, I think the most important thing is GIVING WHILE LIVING.
[9:52] Rubiks Okelly: I don't care about what other people think about me after I die
[9:52] You: Because I did not believe in continuing the Happy Housewife model, and I thought segregation ridiculous
[9:53] Rubiks Okelly: I don't care about the legacy I leave behind
[9:53] Logo Mumfuzz: giving while living is fo shooo a good way moto to live by
[9:53] Rubiks Okelly: What I care about is how I can help NOW.
[9:53] You: I think one thing we all have in commong is that we fight for a common goal.
[9:53] You: Or a goal of our own rather
[9:53] Logo Mumfuzz: no happy housewife!! good thinking via
[9:53] Rubiks Okelly: Why thank you, Logo.
[9:53] Logo Mumfuzz: vida*
[9:53] You: Thanks
[9:53] Rubiks Okelly: Yes, Vida :-)
[9:53] You: I went to college, then became a successful attorney
[9:53] Rubiks Okelly: I wish you the best.
[9:54] You: many of my friends in Beaumont (my home town) rejected me since i broke through the norm
[9:54] Rubiks Okelly: How do you plan on diversifying society with your law degree?
[9:54] Logo Mumfuzz: if i get sued when i'm a doctor i'll call you vida
[9:54] Rubiks Okelly: And you too, Logo.
[9:54] You: Thank you, although I currently practice environmental law
[9:54] Logo Mumfuzz: well damn.
[9:54] Rubiks Okelly: haha
[9:55] Logo Mumfuzz: its ok. i won't mess up :)
[9:55] You: Well law is a passion that propelled me to a new status in a new age... not many women in the early sixties had jobs
[9:55] You: So in that way I diversified society.
[9:55] Logo Mumfuzz: law is such an awesome area for women to go into. it contains so much power and really shows that women can succeed and lead
[9:55] Rubiks Okelly: That's fantastic!
[9:55] You: But my passions, like standing up for what I believe in, also diversified society
[9:55] Rubiks Okelly: Yes, I completely agree.
[9:56] You: It is hard to speak out against injustice, but I believe tolerance vital to any nation.
[9:56] Logo Mumfuzz: true that
[9:56] Rubiks Okelly: Vida, you would be a great role model for BOTH young men and women.
[9:56] You: I feel like many leaders create the diversity that has made our nation so fantastic
[9:56] You: Thank you.
[9:57] Rubiks Okelly: We must remember that injustice occurs to ALL people, not a particular race or gender.
[9:57] You: Yes it does.
[9:57] You: Have you all ever experienced injustice?
[9:57] Logo Mumfuzz: i would agree with that. all the different views of different leaders, even if they are opposing, have built such a foundation and made it possible foor people to believe waht they choose and follow who they choose
[9:57] Rubiks Okelly: Yes.
[9:58] Rubiks Okelly: By doing what I myself am interested in, I hope to set a good example for others to follow their own passions
[9:58] You: Exactly, logo, diversity is vital to leadership because leaders unite the diverse, and leadership is vital to diversity because it offers an outlet to people with different beliefs.
[9:58] Rubiks Okelly: Well said, Vida.
[9:58] You: me too Rubiks.
[9:58] Logo Mumfuzz: i have not experienced my adversity or injustice in my life so far. i was blessed with a wonderful family and intelligence and have succeeded in nearly everything i attempt.
[9:59] Rubiks Okelly: I was just about to type that
[9:59] Rubiks Okelly: Then I think that it is the responsibility of the fortunate people to help raise up those who are not so fortunate
[9:59] You: I feel llike one aspect all leaders share is that they pursue their passions, and in doing so pursue others to pursue their passions
[9:59] You: Yes, one other aspect of diversity is that the majority opinion is not always the best opinion
[10:00] Logo Mumfuzz: one challenge i did face was gettting a blood clot in high school and having to go through an extensive surgery that eventually led to my lack of ability to play sports (due to the danger of developing another blood clot)
[10:00] You: So those without a voice, the less fortunate, deserve a leader to help them be heard.
[10:00] Logo Mumfuzz: this made me a stronger person and allowed me to relate to those who are challenged everyday by health or mental issues
[10:01] Rubiks Okelly: Yes, we need to give them a voice, an outlet.
[10:01] You: Being injured or afflicted really does open up my eyes to people who experience that every day.
[10:01] Rubiks Okelly: But at the same time, I think that leaders should protect their anonymity
[10:01] Logo Mumfuzz: i disagree.
[10:01] Logo Mumfuzz: why?
[10:02] Logo Mumfuzz: why not put a face andname to the idea
[10:02] You: But strangely, when many people looked down on me for supporting feminism, I felt discriminated, which in turn motivated me to fight for the civil rights movement- because I could not comprehend how it must feel to be discriminated every day
[10:02] Rubiks Okelly: I think that leaders and philanthropists like me, especially, get sidetracked by the temptation of fame
[10:02] You: But also, I feel like many effective leaders are those with which other people can identify
[10:03] Rubiks Okelly: By living an "ordinary" life, I was able to truly submerge myself into the community, to truly SYMPATHIZE with the people I am trying to help
[10:03] You: But philanthropy as leadership and my type of leadership are very different, so I can see what you mean
[10:03] Logo Mumfuzz: it is shown through some people's lack of religion that i is hard to follow someone you can't put a face to...you can't fully grasp..give them the concrete view of you
[10:03] You: by living an ordinary life, I realized howmuch I needed to grow and get out.
[10:03] Rubiks Okelly: Yes, I think that they should have an IDEA to look up to, but I don't think that it's necessary to have a physical face tied to that idea
[10:03] Rubiks Okelly: I want the people I lead to see THEMSELVES in my shoes, not me.
[10:03] You: When I first moved to Houston, however, I really tried to become a part of the community
[10:04] Logo Mumfuzz: but some need that figure to inspire them, to show them they can do it.
[10:04] You: Figure or idea... they both are ultimately the same thing
[10:04] Logo Mumfuzz: there are ideas all over the place..but to see someone else following thoe same ideas and being successful gives people motivatoin and shows them they can do it.
[10:04] Rubiks Okelly: Yes, I agree. This is why, in my final years, I have decided to unveil my mask of anonymity to show the people that I am really an ordinary person.
[10:04] You: Forms of leadership... theories or examples that encourage people to explore and grow into self discovery... because of the diversity or circumstance
[10:05] Rubiks Okelly: But while I WAS giving, I thought it important that I remained anonymous
[10:05] You: I can understand that.
[10:05] You: people can be dumb though..... they need someone some figure or face to really go with it.
[10:05] Rubiks Okelly: Now that I am truly one of the community (I have given away nearly all of my money), I have decided to let others know my true identity
[10:06] You: It reminds me of "Big Brother" in 1984 in some way.... people followed the idea because of their association and identity that belonged to the party
[10:06] Logo Mumfuzz: i dont think its dumb taht some people need a face
[10:06] Logo Mumfuzz: it is just a different way
[10:06] You: Not at all
[10:06] Logo Mumfuzz: we are trying to promote diversity aren't we?
[10:06] You: We all like to identify
[10:07] Rubiks Okelly: I like to identify to an idea rather than a person
[10:07] You: For me, when i first read Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique, the idea that other people out there shared my similar opinions helped me change and promote what I belived
[10:07] Rubiks Okelly: But I think it's everyone's personal preferebce
[10:07] Logo Mumfuzz: i agree.
[10:07] You: ya Rubiks, ideas and faces are sort of good depending on how you work.
[10:07] You: I work in both ways really.
[10:07] Rubiks Okelly: :-)
[10:07] Logo Mumfuzz: me too.
[10:07] You: Which i guess ties into diversity again....
[10:08] Logo Mumfuzz: i am not a famous leader.
[10:08] Logo Mumfuzz: i am a leader to those around me
[10:08] Rubiks Okelly: haha yes, Vida!
[10:08] You: We are diverse leaders in that we can lead in different ways
[10:08] Logo Mumfuzz: i influence them and in turn they influence others.
[10:08] Logo Mumfuzz: i have influenced my sister to come to ut and make positive decisions and be the person she is. by having me here..a tangible person..she has been able to relate more easily.
[10:09] You: Yes, and also since she is your sister and it is blood relation too
[10:09] Logo Mumfuzz: yes that is a big part of it too
[10:09] You: I think it is harder to unite the diverse than teh similar
[10:09] Rubiks Okelly: I guess leaders lead on different scales.
[10:09] Logo Mumfuzz: true that
[10:10] Rubiks Okelly: Logo, I think that is a good final statement :-)
[10:10] You: Nice talk ing to yall- diversity and leadership.... synonomous practically
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