Diversity, Challenge, and Tricks, Oh My!

Today, after our discussion, we played a card game in which we were separated into different teams according to tables. Each table was given a set of directions and five minutes with which to read them. Once the five minutes were over, select members of the teams rotated to opposite tables depending upon who won and who loss. Little did we know that each table was given a different set a directions. As you would expect, this increased tension and frustration among members of the group. However, the anger was short-live and didn't result in broken relationships. I believe this game proved that talking about diversity is vital to successful leadership. If we don't discuss our differences, we may come to the presumption that someone is stupid just because he or she is playing by different rules.
After watching "White Man's Burden," we had a discussion on the topic of race and how it affects our daily lives-whether it be of major or minor influence. At some points of the discussion members became wary and hesitant to discuss racial issues. Race and discrimination can often be a very difficult subject to discuss because there is a lot of fear of hurting some one's feelings. Until this discussion, I was not aware of how much race plays a role in schools and society.
A tile blocks, blindfolds, and excited team members were all associated with the final event of the day. We looked at the carpet in what once was our neat and orderly classroom and gazed upon a makeshift tile course made from painters tape and wondered, "What could we be doing next?" As Dr. Elaine told us that we would have to get our entire team across the tile course, we tilted our head backs and laughed at such simplicity. Yet, the catch was that one person would have to be blindfolded and some of the tile blocks were off limits; if we stepped on one of these tiles, we would have to start over again. Despite the fact that the task put before us was challenging, we managed to get through it without too much frustration. From this experience, I feel it is safe to say that teamwork, compromise, and strategic planning are important leadership qualities.