Abstract This paper reviews and critiques the book "Russell Rules: 11 Lessons on Leadership" by Bill Russell and David Falkner. The paper explains that the core of the book's focus is on how to communicate successfully. According to its so-called Russell's Rules, not only do effectual leaders need to become adept at identifying change, but also in dealing with it and making a commitment to use it to their best advantage. The paper reviews each of the book's 11 rules about change, commitment and communication. The author of this paper concludes that he agrees with most of Russell's suggestions, except for in one area. Unlike Russell, the author of this paper does not support change merely for the sake of change. He argues that this is what caused the "New Coke" fiasco, the widespread censure of Windows '98 and a host of other business-related disasters.
From the Paper "Russell also points out that "good questions are more important than easy answers" (Rule #1 of commitment and curiosity) and that "curiosity is a process" (Rule #2). Yet later in the book, the author admits that changing a negative situation into a positive one is not always an easy task. Russell suggests that people can resist change for a number of reasons. These include self-interest, such as instances in which an individual has achieved status, privilege or self-esteem through the effective use of a traditional system. In these cases, the individuals will usually perceive certain changes such as an increase in employee empowerment to be an ominous threat because their ego overshadows their common sense. The author also points out that fear of the unknown is another factor that can facilitate the creation of imaginary barriers to success."
Abstract This paper discusses "The Different Drum," in which M. Scott Peck relates how he first developed a sense of community in his own life and then seeks to apply the lessons learned to global issues. The writer examines Peck's rules for community-making and the relationship that Peck sees between community building, religion and international peace. The writer concludes with a definition of religion and notes that Peck's ideal of a more integrated religious community worldwide could provide grounds for agreement on many issues in international relations.
From the Paper "The role of religion in international conflict is far too often as a motivating force bringing about such conflict. Peck (1987) says this is because world views are religions and make all wars into "holy wars." To move away from this situation, it is necessary to distinguish between true and false religions: "Otherwise the only standards will be those that can win out over the others on a bloody battlefield" (p. 240)."
Abstract The paper explains that historians argue whether women experienced advances in freedom and equality under the rule of the Soviet Union between 1921 and 1939. The paper reviews the available literature in an attempt to disseminate the truth from fiction as to the advances, or lack of advances, in society during this time period. The paper relates that the lot of women, particularly those in the lower classes of Russian society, certainly changed for the better after the revolution of 1917. The paper explains, however, that underneath the facade of advances for women, dark agendas were lurking for the taking over of countries such as the United States. The paper discusses how the methods proposed to do so would undermine the society through creating dissension and revolution among the female members of the United States.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Background
Literature Review
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "The year of 1917 in Russia began with a Romanov monarchy however, just a few months later the Bolsheviks came into power with their leaders under indictment for state treason. The Russian society was in a state of conflict between the classes when this change of power came to be. According to the work of Leon Trotsky entitled: "The History of the Russian Revolution" a problem exists in that "society does not change its institutions as need arises, the way a mechanic changes his instruments. On the contrary society actually takes the institutions which hang upon it as given once for all." (Trotsky, 1930) According to Trotsky "the masses go into a revolution not with a prepared plan of social reconstruction, but with a sharp feeling that they cannot endure the old regime.""
Abstract This paper takes a very detailed look at the events leading up to and the reasons behind the collapse of Soviet-brand Communism in Poland. The essay begins in post World War Two Poland and then follows the adherence of the Polish people to the Catholic Church throughout the years of socialist rule. The writer looks at the creation and influence of Solidarity, the workers' union, and finally sees how changes in the Soviet Union allowed all of these factors to lead to the end of Communism.
From the Paper "As the Holy Father of the international Catholic Church lies in a state of sickness, a tracheotomy in his throat and willing caretakers and hangers-on at his side, the worldwide media is all agog, cameras outside his window looking for a wave, wire-services and websites intent on the latest information and updates. Yet, these newshounds often forget who this man they know as Pope John Paul used to be and where he is from. Karol Wojtyla, the man who would become pope twenty-five years ago, is Polish."
Abstract The idea of a people in revolt against their government is nothing new. The idea of revolt has connotations with violence, people taking up arms against those who are in control and forcing the changes the people desire. Revolution brings about political change. The people looked throughout the world for examples of truly political governments which were representative of the people and not of a small group or ruling class. Anarchy and Communism both present viable options as a result of revolution.
Abstract This paper addresses the question whether or not communism can survive in today's world. The writer concludes that communism cannot survive in today's world for the same reason why it couldn?t survive in the past; human motivation simply will not allow it.
From the Paper "Vladimir Lenin built upon Marx's work and authored the work State and Revolution, in 1917. He too saw the need for a classless society, where equality reigned supreme, yet saw the communist party as a revolutionary vanguard. The party would then achieve its goals using democratic centralism, a dictatorship of the proletariat where the workers would hold all of the political power through councils known as soviets ("Leninism", 2004). It was this system that was adopted, and would eventually fail, in Russia."
Abstract This paper discusses group task and maintenance functions, organizational communication and ethics in communication in the workplace. The author points out the effect of individual behavior on group dynamics.
From the Paper "There are task functions maintenance functions and self-centered functions within group dynamics. Each of these functions is manifested in behaviors of individual members and affects group dynamics. Task functions include such behaviors are opinion giving coordinating clarifying and others. Maintenance functions include such behaviors as gatekeeping harmonizing dramatizing and others. Self-centered functions include behaviors like withdrawing blocking and status seeking-behaviors that serve the needs of the individuals at the expense of the group. Task and maintenance functions lead to behaviors that typically serve ..."
Tags: employees, rules, behaviors, group dynamics, productivity, miscommunication, Email, financial services industry
Abstract The paper discusses how open and honest communication is the means to resolving conflict in a constructive way and then looks at various team communicationrules that aim to develop trust, openness and commitment to the team. The paper emphasizes that the true challenge for teams is not to eliminate conflict, but to manage it in a constructive way and improve their overall performance.
From the Paper "Although many factors contribute to team performance, team communication plays an important role in many areas. Teams have great potential for accomplishment for the simple reason that different people having different perspectives are simultaneously contributing to problem solving or advancing new and creative ideas. However, conflict within teams is inevitable, and is in fact deemed necessary for high performance teams (Katzenbach et al, 1994; Dobosh, 2006). Open and honest communication is the means to resolving conflict in a constructive way while poor communication results in sub-optimal performance of teams. Often team communication can be improved by using tools and instruments that can identify personality styles and preferences."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that most managers live by a personal code of conduct that includes certain principles about integrity, regard for others, and keeping commitments. Most also believe they are ethical and that is precisely why, when confronted with situations that they believe compel them to bend company rules, they are decidedly torn. The rule bending discussed in this paper refers to situations where the rules may well need to be challenged, where the act does not break the law, and where there may be a greater good accomplished by doing so. The writer discusses that there are three themes that outline these demands of rule bending; performance-based judgment calls, faulty rules, and socially embedded norms. The writer concludes that executives have bent and will continue to bend company policies and rules when they feel justified. Further, the writer points out that their actions will also continue to be tempered by the downside of doing so, making those who are reluctant at risks less likely to take such actions even when the rules may deserve to be challenged. This paper includes a copy of powerpoint presentation on this subject.
Outline:
Performance-Based Judgment Calls
Faulty Rules Socially Embedded Norms
Bending Rules for the Greater Good
Does Rule Bending Pay?
Conclusion
References
Appendix: PowerPoint Presentation
From the Paper "Most also believe they are ethical and that is precisely why, when confronted with situations that they believe compel them to bend company rules, they are decidedly torn. While playing by the rules is the principled thing to do, and many would say the safest too, many managers also feel a responsibility to challenge the rules, because the rules are not always perfect, and fairness to other parties may demand nothing less. Making rules for proper ethical behavior may be step one in ensuring ethical conduct. But if people disregard or break the rules, then the organizational effort to establish a corporate ethic is weakened. As Enron and other more recent corporate ethical meltdowns have shown, rules alone are not sufficient to ensure ethical behavior across the organization. We are not talking about illegal acts."
Abstract This paper discusses what rules are and why they are made. It will also explain some of the personal rules and will exemplify what a world without rules would be like.
Abstract This paper discusses Dworkin's argument that secondary rules cannot be social rules, because they are not applied uniformly. He believes that they must be normative rules which have an underlying morality as their basis. It also looks at hoe Coleman argues that they are social rules and that the conventions of the U.S. legal system give judges the right to fine-tune laws to meet the convergent beliefs of society.
From the Paper "In the U S Ronald Dworkin and Jules Coleman over the course of thirty years engaged in a debate about the source of the power of secondary rules. Dworkin argues that these cannot be social rules which exist because....."
Abstract This paper examines the effect of British imperial policy on home rule for Ireland. It analyzes the Home Rule question in 1886 and the broader issue of the structure and character of the British Empire. The paper explores dissension and conflict on the issue. It explains how the Irish form of government is modeled on the British parliamentary system. The author offers background of the formation of the British Empire and England's resistance to home rule for Ireland.
Abstract This paper argues that issues other than legal rules often determine how cases are decided. It offers advance arguments to support this thesis. Counter arguments will be considered such as the formalist point of view of Roscoe Pound. However it will be shown that in fact issues such as whether the country is at war, or what race the defendant is, or what best serves the need to protect society are very likely to be more important than the rules in determining how cases are decided.
From the Paper "The American Legal Realism perspective stipulates that issues other than legal rules often determine how cases are decided. This paper will argue that this is true, and will advance arguments to support this thesis. Counter-arguments will be considered, such as the formalist point of view of Roscoe Pound. However, it will be shown that in fact issues such as whether the country is at war, or what race the defendant is, or what best serves the need to protect society, are very likely to be more important than the rules in determining how cases are decided. In other words, pragmatic, ..."
Abstract This paper presents a critically evaluates "Who Rules America? Power and Politics in the Year 2000" by G. William Domhoff. The author
gives an overview, and proceeds to analyze several aspects of the book such as theory, argument and concept.
From the paper:
"The American Dream consists of many things including the obtaining of money and wealth. Most of us want it, few of actually get there and some of use even thinks it's a bad place to be. William Domhoff is one such person. He wrote a book titled Who Rules America? Power and Politics in the Year 2000 and in that book he presents his theory of the way our economy and standard of living currently work. "
Abstract This paper analyzes the Rule of Law. It review the concepts discussed in "The Problem of the Grudge Informer", by Lon Fuller. The paper discusses the hypothetical problem in the law that is clearly based on the real world experience of Germany under the Nazi regime. Fuller's problem essentially concerns the concept of the rule of law and how the law can be said to exist in a state in which a duly elected government willingly and successfully perverts justice for its own ends while all the while acting within the many of the technical parameters of the legal code of that specific state.
From the Paper "The Rule of Law and the Problem of the Grudge Informer In "The Problem of the Grudge Informer" Lon Fuller presents a hypothetical problem in the law that is clearly based on the real-world experience of Germany under the Nazi regime. Fuller's problem essentially concerns the concept of the "rule of law" and how the law can be said to exist in a state in which a duly elected government willingly and successfully perverts justice for its own ends while, all the while, acting within the many of the technical parameters of the legal code of that specific state. "
