Chapter Two

Philosophical Perspectives

Stephanie Crean

Objectives

Describe how a personal philosophy can be useful

Determine steps to creating your own philosophy, and what traits you would want to include

Develop your own philosophical foundation

Why have a philosophy?

"If you don't know where you are coming from, how can you lead and manage the activities of others?"

Other benefits to having your own philosophy…

Consistent decisionsClear set of valuesPeople have more

faith in a strong vision than in conventional wisdom

How detailed does this need to be?

Needs to be brief!Needs to allow for

modification!

Should be a guide to help you set policies that concern you, your boss, your clients, and staff

An example…

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

– Patrick Henry, 1765

The “freedom” philosophy”

Currently manifested as the Constitution

Constantly changing

We live by many philosophies!

Developing your own philosophy Identify each problem

as it occurs as precisely as possible and write it down

Note in outline form the major guiding philosophy of the company or institution for which you work;

Determine what your personal philosophy is and how it relates to the institution's philosophy

Specify the mission of your unit and how it relates to the mission of the institution.

Examples

Maytag repairman– 10 years…

McDonald’s– Quality, service, cleanliness,

value

Educator– The needs of the student come

first!

If an employee can’t agree with the philosophy, they probably won’t be comfortable in the institution that developed it.

Are you ready?

Let’s discuss some facets that should always be included in your philosophy

Just suggestions!

Tenet Number One

Knowledge precedes action– She knows her stuff– Be prepared/plan ahead– Don’t learn AFTER you needed to know it!

Tenet Number Two

Be proactive– Ready to take action

– Anticipate

– Expect for “anything”

– Don’t try to see too far ahead…

Tenet Number Three

Never look back!– If you gave it your best shot, just move

ahead…

Some others

Do not avoid difficult decisions!Communicate with people above and

below, but keep it simpleListen, listen, and listen some more

Is this sounding cliché yet?

Your task