Each year, we ask students who their favorite and least favorite role model is from the book. Every year Sherron Watkins, the whistle-blower from Enron, is the least favorite. The most popular explanation is, "She's a snitch." I get it. She broke the number one rule amongst teenagers.
60 Minutes did a story on No Snitchin' and how that motto has morphed itself from the Mafia to the streets of the inner city to the world we live in. People in this segment basically say that they will not turn anyone into the authorities, regardless of the circumstances. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTwipn-Fp_U
Author's Perspective: I am pretty firm on this one. It is time to end this motto. In the post 9/11 world and in the era of hyper-responsibility, 'no snitchin' just doesn't work anymore. I will attempt to show this to you by using certain stories:
Penn State: On separate occasions, a janitor and an assistant football coach witnessed Jerry Sandusky sexually abusing young boys. The janitor told another janitor and they agreed to tell no one. The assistant coach told the head football coach... who told the athletic director... who told the president of the university. Because no one screamed what they knew with a megaphone, held a press conference or went to the FBI, many more young boys were abused over the next 10 years!
Rutgers: A basketball coach physically abused his players for the better part of two years. Team managers, trainers, ball boys, custodians, assistant coaches and other players watched this behavior on a regular basis and... said absolutely nothing to stop it. The athletic director saw tapes of the abuse and he put the coach on probation. Other executives at the university saw the tape and did very little or nothing to stop it.
Lance Armstrong: Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France 6 times - all with the aid of performance enhancing drugs. He cheated and got away with it for more than a decade. There was a code of silence amongst team members, trainers, doctors... This lie only served to tarnish the sport, erode trust and ruin the legacy of Lance Armstrong.
Boston Bombing: Two young men walked toward the finish line with backpacks full of explosives. Seconds later they walked away without their backpacks. Three people were killed and one hundred more were injured - many of whom had their legs blown off. According to police, the captured terrorist indicated that he and his brother planned to detonate 6 other bombs crowded in Time Square (New York City). Without the help of private citizens who aided the police in their investigation at multiple points in the man-hunt, who knows what would have happened. New York City Mayor Bloomberg said recently, "We are just thankful that we didn't have to find out that answer."
"If you see something, say something," is the slogan developed by the federal government in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. I think this should become the official slogan in schools, businesses, athletics, military, politics, & neighborhoods. Further, "if you see something and say nothing," you should be held accountable, regardless of your age or title. "No snitchin'" protects the bad guys and hurts the public. It's time to celebrate the Sherron Watkins' of the world and time to condemn those who say and do nothing when they see something.
Your Turn (follow us & tweet responses @CDandLeadership using #CDandL):
1) Do you agree, slightly agree, slightly disagree or disagree with my opinion? Why? Use specific examples to back up your position.
2) Talk about how "no snitchin'" impacts bullying, cheating and the use of drugs at your school?
Friday, April 26, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Hero in a Cowboy Hat
The bombings at the Boston Marathon captured the attention of all Americans last week - the innocent bystanders who were injured and killed, the manhunt for the terrorists, the killing of suspect #1 and the capture of suspect #2. In the weeks and months ahead, we will turn our focus toward the motive and the story behind this purposeful attack.
First Responders: I am always looking for stories related to character and leadership, and I didn't have to look very far in this story. Immediately after the bombs went off, most ran away and a few ran toward... toward chaos, toward the victims and toward the unknown. It took all of 14 seconds for first responders to reach the wounded. And, while many of those first responders were being paid for their services, several of the first responders were ordinary citizens who felt a need to help. One of those individuals is named Carlos Arrendondo - the man in the cowboy hat.
http://www.argusleader.com/viewart/20130417/UPDATES/130417011/Video-Carlos-Arredondo-Boston-Marathon-hero-cowboy-hat
Background on Carlos: Each year, Carlos hands out American flags at the finish line to runners who are running to honor fallen soldiers, including his son, Alexander. After being told that his son was killed in Iraq (2004), he locked himself inside a Marine Corp van and set the van on fire with the intent of killing himself. He was rescued by Marines. In 2011, his only other son, Brian committed suicide, never fully getting over the loss of his brother. Carlos knows pain, immense pain. And, yet, he's still here, helping others.
Immediate Action: Carlos was standing near the finish line when the bombs exploded. He jumped two fences and sprinted towards the victims. He immediately found a man with both legs blown off and he used articles of clothing to tie tourniquets. Carlos calmed the victim down by speaking to him calmly, "Stay with me... You are going to be alright." He located a wheelchair and raced him down the street to an ambulance, carrying this man's femoral artery in his hands. Carlos did not learn the name or the fate of the man he helped for nearly 24 hours.
Jeff Bauman: The victim's name is Jeff Bauman and he is alive today because of the heroic acts of Carlos Arrendondo. BTW - when Jeff Bauman woke up in the hospital, he immediately identified one of the bombers, helping the authorities solve this case quickly. Isn't that something?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGCtYM0zTaA (what Jeff did when he woke up)
Your Turn:
1) What separates those who run away from tragedy and those who run to help victims affected by such tragedy? What are the characteristics it takes to be in the latter group?
2) What do you think you would have done in that situation? Is this something you can prepare yourself for in the future? What do you think the authorities want you to do in such situations?
First Responders: I am always looking for stories related to character and leadership, and I didn't have to look very far in this story. Immediately after the bombs went off, most ran away and a few ran toward... toward chaos, toward the victims and toward the unknown. It took all of 14 seconds for first responders to reach the wounded. And, while many of those first responders were being paid for their services, several of the first responders were ordinary citizens who felt a need to help. One of those individuals is named Carlos Arrendondo - the man in the cowboy hat.
http://www.argusleader.com/viewart/20130417/UPDATES/130417011/Video-Carlos-Arredondo-Boston-Marathon-hero-cowboy-hat
Background on Carlos: Each year, Carlos hands out American flags at the finish line to runners who are running to honor fallen soldiers, including his son, Alexander. After being told that his son was killed in Iraq (2004), he locked himself inside a Marine Corp van and set the van on fire with the intent of killing himself. He was rescued by Marines. In 2011, his only other son, Brian committed suicide, never fully getting over the loss of his brother. Carlos knows pain, immense pain. And, yet, he's still here, helping others.
Immediate Action: Carlos was standing near the finish line when the bombs exploded. He jumped two fences and sprinted towards the victims. He immediately found a man with both legs blown off and he used articles of clothing to tie tourniquets. Carlos calmed the victim down by speaking to him calmly, "Stay with me... You are going to be alright." He located a wheelchair and raced him down the street to an ambulance, carrying this man's femoral artery in his hands. Carlos did not learn the name or the fate of the man he helped for nearly 24 hours.
Jeff Bauman: The victim's name is Jeff Bauman and he is alive today because of the heroic acts of Carlos Arrendondo. BTW - when Jeff Bauman woke up in the hospital, he immediately identified one of the bombers, helping the authorities solve this case quickly. Isn't that something?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGCtYM0zTaA (what Jeff did when he woke up)
Your Turn:
1) What separates those who run away from tragedy and those who run to help victims affected by such tragedy? What are the characteristics it takes to be in the latter group?
2) What do you think you would have done in that situation? Is this something you can prepare yourself for in the future? What do you think the authorities want you to do in such situations?
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Rutgers Scandal Part II: Head's Roll
Please read the previous post to understand that on April 3rd, Rutgers athletic director, Tim Pernetti, fired head basketball coach, Mike Rice, for physically and verbally abusing his players over an extended period of time. End of story, right? Wrong! On April 5, under public pressure, Pernetti resigns as athletic director. Rutgers President, Dr. Barchi cited a lack of judgment and a failure of process regarding the Coach Rice case. In other words, he fired Pernetti because he disagreed with Pernetti's approach of rehabilitating the coach.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl7I0wVmH8w (Athletic Director Pernetti Resigns)
Author's Perspective: I agree that former coach Mike Rice should have been fired. He was fired for an extended history of abuse that is really inexcusable. Easy call. This one is not so clear-cut and a little more complicated. Let's examine the issue further:
Point: Pernetti saw the tape and he should have had the same reaction that the rest of us did - deeply appalled, disturbed and drawn to protect the players. The decision on how to reprimand Coach Rice was mainly left to his discretion and judgment. He made the wrong call, which taints his ability to make sound decisions, create a positive culture at Rutgers and look out for the well-being of the student-athletes. He chose to protect his coach rather than protect the players.
Counter-Point: Upon seeing the video, Pernetti reported it up the chain of command. He told the president and the board of trustees. Other university officials watched the video. An independent investigation was launched to talk to players, former players and employees. University lawyers were consulted. In collaboration with various university officials, Pernetti decided to suspend Coach Rice for 3 games, fine him $50,000, mandate anger management classes and put him on a zero tolerance contract. Pernetti decided to give the coach a second chance, essentially following university protocol of a "first offense."
To me, this decision is a tough one. I would look at this in context of Pernetti's overall record at Rutgers. Aside from this, what are his accomplishments? How do people view him? What kind of leadership style does he possess? His actions were not heinous or egregious. He made a judgment call after consulting superiors at the university, and I don't think this one decision warrants Pernetti being fired. For if you do hold the athletic director culpable, you should do the same for those who were consulted, including the president and members of the board... And, we should also hold ball-boys, assistant coaches, players, trainers and the like responsible for witnessing this abuse on a daily basis and maintaining a code of silence.
As you will see in the next video, the President's job is now in jeopardy. Where should this story end?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl-rSvJM7ns (should Dr. Barchi resign?)
Your Turn:
1) Would you have fired athletic director, Tim Pernetti?
2) Would you fire the President and others associated with the "non-firing" of Mike Rice?
3) Do you believe that grown adults who witnessed this abusive behavior for years and said nothing should share some responsibility?
4) If you have video evidence of a student at your school repeatedly bullying students, should the student be expelled forever or given detention and counseling? If the principal sees the video and decides to go the latter route, should he be fired? What if the principal shows the video at a school board meeting and they agree with her decision? Should they all be fired? What should happen to the students who witnessed the bullying and did nothing for years?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl7I0wVmH8w (Athletic Director Pernetti Resigns)
Author's Perspective: I agree that former coach Mike Rice should have been fired. He was fired for an extended history of abuse that is really inexcusable. Easy call. This one is not so clear-cut and a little more complicated. Let's examine the issue further:
Point: Pernetti saw the tape and he should have had the same reaction that the rest of us did - deeply appalled, disturbed and drawn to protect the players. The decision on how to reprimand Coach Rice was mainly left to his discretion and judgment. He made the wrong call, which taints his ability to make sound decisions, create a positive culture at Rutgers and look out for the well-being of the student-athletes. He chose to protect his coach rather than protect the players.
Counter-Point: Upon seeing the video, Pernetti reported it up the chain of command. He told the president and the board of trustees. Other university officials watched the video. An independent investigation was launched to talk to players, former players and employees. University lawyers were consulted. In collaboration with various university officials, Pernetti decided to suspend Coach Rice for 3 games, fine him $50,000, mandate anger management classes and put him on a zero tolerance contract. Pernetti decided to give the coach a second chance, essentially following university protocol of a "first offense."
To me, this decision is a tough one. I would look at this in context of Pernetti's overall record at Rutgers. Aside from this, what are his accomplishments? How do people view him? What kind of leadership style does he possess? His actions were not heinous or egregious. He made a judgment call after consulting superiors at the university, and I don't think this one decision warrants Pernetti being fired. For if you do hold the athletic director culpable, you should do the same for those who were consulted, including the president and members of the board... And, we should also hold ball-boys, assistant coaches, players, trainers and the like responsible for witnessing this abuse on a daily basis and maintaining a code of silence.
As you will see in the next video, the President's job is now in jeopardy. Where should this story end?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl-rSvJM7ns (should Dr. Barchi resign?)
Your Turn:
1) Would you have fired athletic director, Tim Pernetti?
2) Would you fire the President and others associated with the "non-firing" of Mike Rice?
3) Do you believe that grown adults who witnessed this abusive behavior for years and said nothing should share some responsibility?
4) If you have video evidence of a student at your school repeatedly bullying students, should the student be expelled forever or given detention and counseling? If the principal sees the video and decides to go the latter route, should he be fired? What if the principal shows the video at a school board meeting and they agree with her decision? Should they all be fired? What should happen to the students who witnessed the bullying and did nothing for years?
Rutgers Scandal Part I: Coach Rice is Fired
Eric Murdock, a former assistant basketball coach at Rutgers University, complained about the abusive coaching tactics of head basketball coach Mike Rice and spliced together a compilation of these abuses for athletic director, Tim Pernetti, in December, 2012. The video documents Coach Rice kicking players, pushing players, man-handling players and throwing basketballs at players as well as berating and verbally abusing his players on a regular basis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHv8uz4V1H4 (this video shows the coach's behavior)
In response to this video, Pernetti decided to suspend Coach Rice for 3 games, fine him $50,000, mandate anger management and put him on a zero tolerance contract. In other words, he was giving the coach a second chance and hoping to rehabilitate him.
On April 1, 2013, the video was released to ESPN and featured on Outside the Lines. The video went viral. Everyone condemned the coach's behavior and called for his job. The president of Rutgers was shown the video and he told the athletic director to fire Coach Rice. Rice was fired on April 3.
Author's Perspective: I believe in second chances and in rehabilitation - I guess I am flawed that way - but when the offense is this egregious, I believe a person should be fired. Even though this is the first time the administration was made aware of the situation, it is not a first-time offense. He didn't just lose his temper once or push a kid once. This video demonstrates that uncontrollable anger is a part of his make up and his character. I might believe in second chances, but not at that university and not with those students. He can get a second chance as an accountant.
It is not okay to physically or verbally abuse others. If a teacher did what Coach Rice did, the administrators should fire the teacher. If a parent exhibits that kind of behavior, Child Protective Services should take away that person's right to parent until significant changes can be made. Exceptions should not be made in sports or other professions. Wrong is wrong and it doesn't depend on... The actions of former Coach Rice were wrong, and he knows it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbRtWDL7qLs (Mike Rice apologizes)
Your Turn: 1) Do you think Coach Rice should have been fired? Why or why not?
2) Every tweet from an NBA player basically says, "If he would have done that to me, I would bust him up." Why didn't even one player stand up to the coach? Why didn't the players band together and report this to administration?
3) Remember, it's easy to point fingers, but we all have character flaws to various degrees. If your greatest character flaw was put on video for the world to see, how would people respond? Are you strong enough to get help if you have a problem or do you need to be mandated before you would do so?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl7I0wVmH8w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl-rSvJM7ns (should Dr. Barchi resign)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHv8uz4V1H4 (this video shows the coach's behavior)
In response to this video, Pernetti decided to suspend Coach Rice for 3 games, fine him $50,000, mandate anger management and put him on a zero tolerance contract. In other words, he was giving the coach a second chance and hoping to rehabilitate him.
On April 1, 2013, the video was released to ESPN and featured on Outside the Lines. The video went viral. Everyone condemned the coach's behavior and called for his job. The president of Rutgers was shown the video and he told the athletic director to fire Coach Rice. Rice was fired on April 3.
Author's Perspective: I believe in second chances and in rehabilitation - I guess I am flawed that way - but when the offense is this egregious, I believe a person should be fired. Even though this is the first time the administration was made aware of the situation, it is not a first-time offense. He didn't just lose his temper once or push a kid once. This video demonstrates that uncontrollable anger is a part of his make up and his character. I might believe in second chances, but not at that university and not with those students. He can get a second chance as an accountant.
It is not okay to physically or verbally abuse others. If a teacher did what Coach Rice did, the administrators should fire the teacher. If a parent exhibits that kind of behavior, Child Protective Services should take away that person's right to parent until significant changes can be made. Exceptions should not be made in sports or other professions. Wrong is wrong and it doesn't depend on... The actions of former Coach Rice were wrong, and he knows it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbRtWDL7qLs (Mike Rice apologizes)
Your Turn: 1) Do you think Coach Rice should have been fired? Why or why not?
2) Every tweet from an NBA player basically says, "If he would have done that to me, I would bust him up." Why didn't even one player stand up to the coach? Why didn't the players band together and report this to administration?
3) Remember, it's easy to point fingers, but we all have character flaws to various degrees. If your greatest character flaw was put on video for the world to see, how would people respond? Are you strong enough to get help if you have a problem or do you need to be mandated before you would do so?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl7I0wVmH8w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl-rSvJM7ns (should Dr. Barchi resign)
Thursday, April 4, 2013
The Friendliest Restaurant in the World
Tim Harris graduated from college, he won a bunch of gold medals in the Special Olympics and he owns his own restaurant. In fact, he is the only person with Down Syndrome to own his own restaurant. He says that it is the "Friendliest Restaurant in the World," and he proves it by keeping a tally of the more than 32,000 hugs he has provided over the years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6He0FWoFj0&feature=youtu.be
Lesson #1 - Approach the day with passion and joy: Tim begins each day with a dance across the parking lot on his way to work. He calls it his magic dance. Who does that? Perhaps a more important question is, why don't more people do that.
Lesson #2 - If you can dream it, you can do it: Tim knew he wanted to own a restaurant at the age of 14. He went to college and worked really hard to learn what it takes to turn that dream into a reality. If he can do what he has done with Down Syndrome, why can't you?
Lesson #3 - Please, no pity: Quick, what is the first thought that goes through your mind when you see someone with Down Syndrome? Be honest. Mine is that I feel bad for him/her or that I am glad that my child doesn't have to deal with that. Instead, perhaps we should think of Tim and what is inside Tim. He reminds us that people with disabilities are "God's gifts to the world," and I kinda like that.
Lesson #4 - Leave A Positive Mark Each Day: Tim gives a hug to each customer and praises his employees every day. It's so simple, but so important. My guess is he leaves a lasting impression on the people he meets. The questions I leave you with is, Do you make the lives of those around you better or worse? What do you do to make the world a better place on a daily basis?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6He0FWoFj0&feature=youtu.be
Lesson #1 - Approach the day with passion and joy: Tim begins each day with a dance across the parking lot on his way to work. He calls it his magic dance. Who does that? Perhaps a more important question is, why don't more people do that.
Lesson #2 - If you can dream it, you can do it: Tim knew he wanted to own a restaurant at the age of 14. He went to college and worked really hard to learn what it takes to turn that dream into a reality. If he can do what he has done with Down Syndrome, why can't you?
Lesson #3 - Please, no pity: Quick, what is the first thought that goes through your mind when you see someone with Down Syndrome? Be honest. Mine is that I feel bad for him/her or that I am glad that my child doesn't have to deal with that. Instead, perhaps we should think of Tim and what is inside Tim. He reminds us that people with disabilities are "God's gifts to the world," and I kinda like that.
Lesson #4 - Leave A Positive Mark Each Day: Tim gives a hug to each customer and praises his employees every day. It's so simple, but so important. My guess is he leaves a lasting impression on the people he meets. The questions I leave you with is, Do you make the lives of those around you better or worse? What do you do to make the world a better place on a daily basis?
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