The Significance Principle: The Secret behind High-Performance People and Organizations - Essay Example

Personal Conduct of Ethics Personal Conduct of Ethics Ten Values of Significance Builders They practice humility Humility is a necessary process in any human behavior to create understanding. As a master classroom teacher, I will ensure students find me approachable and talk to with ease. in addition, I will be ready to accept mistakes rather than act like a ‘know-it-all’. Classroom application For instance, I have to appreciate the fact that some students are better researchers and have more information than I present them with in class. It never costs a thing to let a student be a ‘guest’ teacher, rather than seeing oneself as always knowing everything. Example from experience I had a nauseating experience during my teaching practice when a student once asked me a question that I could not answer appropriately. Instead of admitting I did not have the appropriate answer, I fumbled with words. It was quite humiliating as the students looked at me blankly. The student later humbled me by providing the correct explanation. 2. They proactively focus on others As a master classroom teacher, I will proactively focus on others, without prejudice on one’s background. Being proactive involves positivity in one’s interactions with others and active involvement in their affairs. Classroom application In class, I will pay attention to student behavior in a proactive manner to ensure I understand them from their perspective, and not just my perspective. It is necessary to be actively involved in students’ life to understand them better. Example from experience One fateful afternoon, I realized that things do not just happen, but human behavior determines events. I assumed that most students would act responsibly during a class discussion in which we invited a guest from another school. I realized the importance of taking responsibility of my students and guiding them in virtually everything. The disorganized form of discussion without respect on whether somebody else is talking was irresponsible. 3. They practice integrity As a master classroom teacher, I will practice integrity and be honest with students. This includes in the awarding of marks based on merit and ensuring each student is as successful as they desire. Classroom application It is necessary to be honest with other teachers and fellow members of staff. Besides, being an honorable teacher creates an opportunity for others to respect and believe in one. It is necessary to lead by example if one expects students to acquire integrity. Example from my own experience I realized the essence of integrity through the actions of a senior teacher in an institution in which I was a lecture. The principal had given us an exam for self-analysis, but the teacher ended up being busted cheating. it was later impossible for students to understand the essence of integrity when doing exams after one of the lectures failed to display integrity in the exam room. 4. They deal positively with conflict As a master classroom teacher, there is the need to have the knack to identify and deal with conflicts before they result in disputes. Classroom application Student-student conflict and student-teacher conflict is a common occurrence in classroom settings. Both teachers and students must have mutual respect for each other and learn to tolerate each other’s behavior especially in a multicultural setting. Example from my own experience An Indian teacher from school had conflict with his students because they joshed about his accent in class. The teacher was kind enough to explain the origin of humankind and the importance of multiculturalism in the global scale. Through this, the student-teacher conflict was reduced because the students became more enlightened on cultural diversity. 5. They live the significance paradox The way to find your own significance is to actively recognize the significance of others! Only when we recognize the value of others are they able to share their value with us! As a master classroom teacher, I am required to believe that everybody has a role in the education system. For that reason, it is important to recognize the significance of others, which is necessary for one to uncover their own significance. It is easy for one to share their value with others when they feel valuable themselves. Classroom application In a classroom, it is necessary to appreciate the efforts of all students and appreciate that students are talented differently. This appreciation is what eventually makes students confident in their endeavors. Confidence eventually results in better academic performance. Example from my own experience I learnt the essence of appreciating the value of students through class discussion in which I would select a group of student to lead class discussions. Through this, the students not only felt as learners, but also as instructors. Better grades signified that the students felt valuable. The students had splendid presentations that left me spellbound. I realized that it is only through recognizing the value of students and making them seem valuable, results in productivity. The students were able to share their value because of the opportunity presented to them to exercise their proficiency. 6. They openly encourage others It is necessary to understand and encourage others to work hard and become successful. Classroom application In the classroom setting, appreciating the efforts of students in class is a necessary step in ensuring that they are motivated. Openly encouraging student is necessary in motivating both the individual and the whole class as a whole. Other students will appreciate the encouragement and seek their own form of achievement to receive appreciation in class. Example from my own experience Openly encouraging students has been applicable to me in several ways. For instance, once a student always responded to every query in class simply because I would congratulate her in front of the class. It seemed like a show off to other students on her intelligence, but in the end it was beneficial to her because she performed exceptionally well in class. It never costs to encourage others and recognize their efforts. Encouraging others is necessary to motivate students to achieve greater success. 7. They use ceremony to recognize others’ significance It is important to reward talent and effort. As a master classroom teacher, I will recognize others’ significance through ceremony. Classroom application In class, it is necessary to reward students for their exemplary performance. Rewards in a classroom setting may be in the form of gifts or scholarships. Example from my own experience A prize-giving ceremony at my former school demonstrated the need for ceremony to students. the students who were awarded looked quite excited, and there seemed to be some competition in the next semester since everybody wanted the ceremonial recognition. 8. They commit to personal accountability Accountability is an integral component of virtually any field in life. As a master classroom teacher, I will need to demonstrate personal accountability in both the classroom and outside setting. Classroom application There are times when one can question whether teaching is their ideal profession, as in something like a calling. In class, it is necessary for instructors to display their best behavior in every situation. In essence, this calls for accountability in one’s actions even in dire situations. Example from my own experience I remember once when my class performed the poorest among the other classes. Considering we were five teachers in that particular class, I tried to avoid being accountable for their failure. Later in the year, during the next semester, my students topped other classes in both academic work and extracurricular activity. I was so overjoyed, but later on I realized how stupid I was in avoiding answerability when something bad happens and jumping in the celebration when something good occurs. It is quite inconsiderate avoiding accountability for one’s action, and in this case, one’s failures. 9. They actively work to right wrongs It is necessary to identify wrongs and provide solutions to problems, rather than ignoring or running away from them. As a master classroom teacher, I will judiciously help students in correcting their mistakes. Through this, one is able to learn and identify their mistakes and become a better person. Classroom application Several negative behaviors that students demonstrate may be injurious to their wellbeing in school. Such inappropriate behaviors include being off task during group work, which is integral component of any study sessions. Uncooperativeness during group work costs other group members in terms of time and effort. It is wrong to miss group work or fail to cooperate during discussion. Rather than punishing a student, it is wise to guide them on the importance of group work and becoming a better person. In addition, belligerence and insubordination are two negative traits that may be natural to some owing to hereditary circumstance, but to others it is an acquired trait from social behavior. As a master classroom teacher, I will have to make students better people by tempering their attitude. Argumentativeness may result in insufficient attention from a student, and in the end one may fail to excel in class because of their defiance. Example from experience I had a nasty experience with a student who had the presumption that his actions are always justified. In his opinion, everything he did was right. The fact that his behavior negatively affected his studies was of little concern to him, whether in the presence of adults or his schoolmates. Eventually, his performance in class was always dismal, although he was quite active in class discussions. It took considerable intervention for him to realize his wrong behavior, and its effect on his academic performance. 10. They are committed to excellence As a master classroom teacher, I will be committed to excellence, both for my own benefit, and that of my students. Classroom application Both students and teachers strive to excel in the classroom setting. Excellence is among the factor that is integral as a motivation factor. Without a goal to succeed and be the best in one’s endeavors, there is a possibility of not working hard as one is supposed to, and more so reaching the highest pinnacle of success. Excellence is about being the best in every situation. Example from experience I learnt about the need for excellence after setting a target with my fellow teacher on who will produce the top student in class. To me, performing well was enough, but I came to realize that there is a need to be number one. Through our little competition, I became aware that excellence is about working hard and working smart to be at the top. The other teacher eventually won the bet and had bragging rights because of his excellence. References Carter, L. & Underwood, J. (1998). The significance principle: The secret behind high performance people and organizations. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Publishers. (ISBN: 0-8054-1664-1) Read More