The Active Manager Tool Kit

The Active Manager's Tool Kit - 45 Reproducible Tools for Leading and Improving Your Employee's Performance

Traditional Formal educators: A threat to innovation and creativity

Different independent school of thoughts have different views and perspectives towards education and learning, while experts and professional educators strive to achieve and formulate different methods and skill in the dissemination of knowledge, few have successfully accomplish the task entrusted upon them by society. Education and learning is the most diverse, dynamic and never ending quest that any human being can undertake, and it can prove to be the most daunting of all task.
As a student and passionate believer in the power of knowledge, I have occasionally found myself in what I like to call “academic dilemma”, a situation where I like to choose what I feel is more important for me to study and what is of less importance during the course of an academic semester. This is as a result of the aspirations I have just as any other student dreaming of becoming successful in future. For instance I would feel subjects solely based on calculations are not necessarily relevant to someone who wants to be a civil activist. While this might appeal to the senses and desires of the average student, it is however one of the greatest misfortune of formal traditional education. An unfortunate situation where the scope of learning and choice of knowledge is being narrowed down to very specified scopes and fields.
To clearly explain my point, perhaps I should give my definition of a formal traditional education, which I find to be simple, it is simply any form or means of education were a student’s ability to think and analyze through a problem is based solely on what has been said or discussed by the educator or what has been written in the reference texts. As a result of this, It has become unfortunate that many student end of failing major examinations as a result of the limitations placed on learning, while others fail because they have failed to provide what is “in the slides” that is being provided by the educator to students. I have even heard lecturers making it clear to their students that they are not likely to pass their examination if they fail to regurgitate what has been provided to them in the slides. Thus a lot of students have fallen victims of the traditional formal education “syndrome”, however, I do not place the blame on the educators alone. Different tertiary institutions have different cultures of learning and in most cases educators are forced to confine themselves within the learning cultures of the institution by authorities and students who by human nature are resistant to change and prefer being spoon fed.
The risk of conventional methods of knowledge transfer cannot be overemphasized or analyzed, that should be the subject of further research, however the biggest threat it poses is the imprisonment of the mind, where the mind is taught subconsnously not to think “outside the box” or better said, outside the class. This is why most classes conducted in the strict conventional learning environments, with lecturers playing the roles of masters and all knowing gurus breed this most conventional and rigid minds in our society, this is greatly unhealthy for the young mind. Thus, it can be said that the thin line that separates Ivy League colleges and the regular colleges are the learning atmosphere and knowledge transfer methods, not simply the presence or absence of smart gifted kids and genius lecturers. I am a strong believer that formal education should be a tool that facilitates the never ending quest for learning, in the most diverse and dynamic manner were every aspect of the society is not left untouched. However, when those entrusted with shaping the future through shaping the mind, are not willing or able to let the minds of their student free up and wonder about in the endless pursuit of knowledge, then the aim of education becomes defeated.
Coming back to the great role of educators in the society in general, we can summarize everything into one word Empowerment; this is one of the greatest words in the English language, with powers greater than the matching barbarian army of Attila the great leader of the Huns. The question is how can an educator empower his/her students? Educators empower their students by believing in their students potentials, even when hopes for utilizing those potentials seem bleak. A very learned friend of mine vividly recalled to me a conversation he ones had with his classmates during an in-between class breaks. On one of such occasions, his friends mocked him for being the dumbest kid in the class; it was a terrible experience he said as he recalled his ordeal with occasionally flashes of mixed reaction on his face like a bride on the day of her wedding. He told me that he was looked down upon by his classmates simply because his answers were always different from the rest of the class and he always asked “stupid questions”. In fact at some point, he actually felt like he was really the dumbest kid in the class. Looking back from those depressing days he said, what he eventually found out was that, his teacher never empowered him as a student and never encouraged him to set his mind open and think outside the box. My learned friend now simply laughs at his memories as today he is one of the best minds in his field. However, had he not been empowered by his new teacher later in life, he may never have shaken the belief that he is actually a dumb kid with no sense of direction. My learned friend’s new teacher who happened to be a “white man” saw something in my friend that nobody else did, he saw a mind that was open, a mind that had the ability to think of what has not been thought of, a mind with endless potentials ticking, waiting to explode to its full potentials like a timed bomb, such is mind of every human, he thus empowered my friend by believing in his dreams and convincing him that having a different point of view, did not mean one is less of a human or student but that one is actually thinking beyond the confide boarders of his class.
Additionally, educators have the responsibility of empowering their students by teaching them the necessary skills they need to succeed in the quest for lifelong learning. Like a kung-fu master who teaches his student the secrets of the art, but does not chooses the opponent which his students might likely face in future, teachers are suppose to “show the road to a student and not walk him through it” as one of my favorite educators once said. I don’t know exactly who coined the phrase; “learning through spoon feeding”, but it’s meaning suggest to me the perfect way to enslaving the mind. Going back to my learned friend and his experience with the “white man” that changed his life, my friend recalled that in an effort by his lecturer to empower his mind, he unlike most of the rest of his teachers encouraged him to watch more television, read more magazines, news papers and even if he founds sex to be a curious thing, then he should watch a few x-rated movies to quench his curiosity. However, he made him write a report every week on what he had learned new and to share it with his class mate whether it was related to the class subject or not, he recalled an embarrassing day when he had to share about male puberty experience in front of the class with all the beautiful girls present. My friend had no idea why he had to be doing this, until long after he had left school that he discovered that what his teacher was doing was to set no boundaries to his learning scope and to empower him with a mindset that does not consider any form of learning a taboo.
Another way through which educators can empower their students is by prodding them to take risks. Most cultures and societies discourage some out rightly, risk taking. This cannot be unconnected to the general fear we naturally have of the unknown, the fear of change from a current situation to an unexpected one. I think it was in the book, Who moved my cheese, by Spencer Johnson, M.D. That it asks, “What would you do if you were not afraid? “This is a very powerful question with deep meaning which we all should occasionally ask ourselves. A lot of us limit our potentials and abilities simply because of fear, the fear to take risks and explore new things and ways of doing them. An educator has to prod his students to take risk, to be creative, innovative and independent minded. This can only be achieved by removing boundaries to learning and class discussions, and by removing the status quo that gives the supreme powers of knowledge to teachers and teachers alone.
Empowerment of students by educators can also and should come in the form of the recognition of successes and achievements. It is said that the best way to motivate a person is to listen to that person; a lot is being achieved and gained by both educators and students when there is more of listening by the educators rather than less. Through listening, a teacher gives his student a sense of pride and a feeling of being important and respected, in addition to building a stronger bond of relationship, because of these, the student psychologically feels the need to live up to that standard of feeling important and respected in class, and thus strives to broaden his/her knowledge so that he/she can continue to contribute to the academic learning process. On the other hand, the recognition of success has an almost instant effect on the psychology of a student as I have personally experienced. It can be said to be as simple as this; when a student does something good or says something well no matter how little or insignificant it might be, an educator should recognize the action of the student and praise him/her in public same goes to when the action is negative. However in the case of a negative action that requires punishment and or criticism, educators I believe should never take a swift action immediately in public particular if it is an action that requires comments and criticism, this is to avoid embarrassing a student and putting him/her on the spotlight and on the defensive, against the educator. However in the case of punishments and penalties, it can be issued in public so as to deter its future occurrence by other students.
On a final note, looking back at the experiences my learned friend had his “white teacher” , one can only imagine what would have happened had the teacher not taken the initiative to empower my friend in his studies, who knows what my friend’s life would have looked like? Perhaps the best he could have been will be what I also like to call “a learned and rigid text book guru”, someone with no dynamics in knowledge and approach. Even a decent conversation with such a person would prove to be an uphill task. Thanks to his teacher’s empowerment, my learned friend has become one of the most enlightened people I have ever met, who knows about virtually everything and has a smart answer to every question, something that occasionally gets me jealous, I hear they call people like him genius, but don’t forget he was once regarded as of the “dumbest kids” in his class.
As an educator in whatever respect or scope that is, your decision to empower your students have a direct impact on the future trajectory of their lives and the society we live in. Educators are not to be stingy with the time they are suppose to invest in their students, by affirming your student’s potential, broadening his/her skills, pushing them to accept risk, and celebrating their success in public and failures in private, you are propelling them into stunning accomplishments and building a better society for humanity.

Ponder on this!

Pls ponder over this, i just read it from an email sent to me by a friend.

A man woke up early in order to pray the Fajr prayer in the masjid. He got dressed, made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid. On his way to the masjid, the man fell and his clothes got dirty. He got up, brushed himself off, and headed home. At home, he changed his clothes, made his ablution, and was, again, on his way to the masjid.

On his way to the masjid, he fell again and at the same spot! He, again, got up, brushed himself off and headed home. At home he, once again, changed his clothes, made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid.

On his way to the masjid, he met a man holding a lamp. He asked the man of his identity and the man replied 'I saw you fall twice on your way to the masjid, so I brought a lamp so I can light your way.'

The first man thanked him profusively and the two where on their way to the masjid. Once at the masjid, the first man asked the man with the lamp to come in and pray Fajr with him. The second man refused. The first man asked him a couple more times and, again, the answer was the same. The first man asked him why he did not wish to come in and pray.The man replied 'I am Satan.
'The man was shocked at this reply. Satan went on to explain, 'I saw you on your way to the masjid and it was I who made you fall. When you went home, cleaned yourself and went back on your way to the masjid, Allah forgave all of your sins. I made you fall a second time, and even that did not encourage you to stay home, but rather, you went back on your way to the masjid. Because of that, Allah forgave all the sins of the people of your household. I was afraid if i made you fall one more time, then Allah will forgive the sins of the people of your village, so i made sure that you reached the masjid safely.'

So do not let Satan benefit from his actions. Do not put off a good that you intended to do as you never know how much reward you might recieve from the hardships you encounter while trying to achieve that good.

If forwarding this message will bother you, or take too much time from you, then don't do it, but you will not get the reward of it, which is great. Imagine, that when you forward this, you recieve 240 good deeds, and so will I for sending it to you! Wouldn't it be easy just to press 'Forward' and recieve this reward?

Wa Assalamualikom wa Rahmatu Allahu wa Barakatahu.

...............now whose the BOSS?!

"Real power can't be given, it most be taken...." those are the words used for the Tagline of the movie; The Godfather. Most people will agree with me that, Pres. Obansajo like any other past leader didn't relinquish his "throne" out of his free will or the desire for a continued democratic system. On the contrary he did so because he had no other playing card on the table, he was cornered by Nigerians and even the international community, his only viable exit strategy was to appoint and install a successor, of course irrespective of what Nigeria say or think.

I can only imagine what was going through the mind and actions of the Egba man just after the defeat of the third term evil scheme. "this useless boys have dared me, Emi....Aremu Obasanjo!" OR "Nasiru! come here!....my friend will you run here......am calling you and you are dancing....., GO! and call Nuhu and the rest, tell them to deal with everybody that worked against MY third term, Turaki should be number 1", or maybe he just thought "hmmm...ok let me get somebody and share the cake with, a small boi like that quite Umoro". He could have thought of so many things, but i guess the idea of getting a stooge, a puppet to be the face of the government sounded more realistic to the Ex-General, and Yar'adua the perfect candidate. One thing led to the other and eventually Obasanjo got his way again damning whatever we thought or needed.

Pres. Yar'adua, has been many things since he "ascended the throne", from an illegitimate president to an anointed stooge, a sick and dying person and the list goes on and on. Am sure most Nigerians had mixed reactions/feelings about Yar'adua when he became the commander in chief, for some it might be a relief and to others an extension of the Obasanjo dynasty, few thought he could ever be a man of himself and outgrow the dominance of Obasanjo in the nation's politics, except for those who are close to the President and knows him well and of course the little that understood power. Like Atiku the former Vice President once said when he was asked whether he offers advice to Pres. Yar'adua when they meet or not, his words were "when a person has power particularly that of a Nigerian president, even if he is your son, you have to be careful when dealing with him...." This alone shades some light to the fact that it is very difficult to control a powerful person let alone having them as stooges except of course in more complicated nations like the UK and US.

The picture above speaks for itself, a testimony of who exactly is in control of the administration, even though control is not exactly what we need,provision of good roads, electricity, and security alone is what we are asking for.

Back to business...

Sorry guys, iv been out of the blogging world for sometime now.....far too long i guess? Anyway am back, and i think this time around am here to stay. Its been an interest time that i took off. I have been working on my book and reading alot of other books lately. I have also been watching and observing how things are going by lately, there seem to be alot of turbulance, not that i like it, but its interesting.

From Nigeria to Malaysia, Asia to Europe, Middle east to America, things seem to be heating up and people going haywire. Can't wait to start writing again....I'll keep you posted. :D

About Change

“…Indeed, Allaah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves…” (Ar-Ra‘d: 11)

REMINDER

Brethren in faith! Fear Allaah as He should be feared, for whoever fears Him will receive His protection; whoever turns to Him in repentance will receive His guidance and pleasure; whoever humbles himself in His worship will be honoured by Him and whoever transacts honourably with Him will prosper.



Fellow Muslims! Trials and afflictions are sent to awaken the affected nation to a serious and sincere review of its culture and civilisation, as well as a transparent assessment of its actions. This is because it is civilisation and culture that influence people’s behaviour and concerns. Indeed, there is a dire need for this self-examination in order to identify causes of weakness and defect. Monumental challenges and crises awaken nations and constitute major turning points in their history; they rouse them to strive hard for their progress and development.



Indeed, past failures do not in any way kill the future of an afflicted nation; rather, they draw its attention to its potential and capability. Allaah says regarding the tribulation of the Battle of Badr that which means: “If a wound should touch you – there has already touched the [opposing] people a wound similar to it. And these days [of varying conditions] We alternate among the people so that Allaah may make evident those who believe and [may] take to Himself from among you martyrs – and Allaah does not like the wrongdoers - And that Allaah may purify the believers [through trials] and destroy the disbelievers.” (Aal ‘Imraan: 140-141).



When major incidents take place, they do not affect a nation alone but affect most nations of the world, for they generate numerous religious, economic, social and political reactions. What is therefore expected of the intelligentsia of the affected nation is a fundamental review of its policies and systems as well as the effects of these on individuals and nations. Moreover, all contemporary principles, systems and policies of this age require scrutiny and re-examination.



There are indeed some current systems that are beneficial materially, technologically, medically, economically and educationally, but what effect have these useful systems had on those who propagate them? It seems as if the very propagators of these systems are themselves devoid of any compassion or mercy; they proclaim systems whose implementation is biased; they speak of freedom, democracy and human rights but their actions contradict their statements. Contemporary history is full of arrogance, ostentation, dictatorship, humiliation, oppression of weak nations and usurpation of their wealth. Justice and ration therefore demand that the afflicted nation should deal with other nations honestly, wish them well and review its policies towards them as well as to seriously reflect upon the basic factors that have caused people’s hatred towards it.



What benefits are there of principles and systems that generate hatred and allow the humiliation of others? Of what use are policies that facilitate arrogance and haughtiness? Sincere reflection must be made upon the waves of violence that take place all over the world.



Let it be known that if violence is allowed to prevail instead of dialogue and mutual understanding, the voice of the weak will not be heard and justice will have no chance; and even worse than these is that aggression and violence will be legalised. It is therefore a must that all types of aggression, hostility, hatred and racism, be brought to an end.



Among the issues that need urgent review are the wars that have characterised this generation, in which many innocent lives have been lost and in which destructive weapons that not only kill but also cause impairment and chronic diseases to the living are wantonly used. What then is the benefit of a system which has as its product, aggressive and unjust wars that know no law or norms? Compare this to the injunction of the Qur’aan about the purpose of fighting a war which says that which means: “Fight in the way of Allaah those who fight you, but do not commit aggression. Indeed, Allaah does not like aggressors.” (Al-Baqarah: 190) Statistics speak of millions of casualties of these senseless wars all over the world. Therefore, a careful and sincere review of these policies and systems in the light of their effects will go a long way in solving the problems at hand.

Lawan Muhammad Dunoma

Captain. Thomas Sankara: A tribute to a forgotton Gem

Few have earned the status of being my roles models, though i have quite a number of them who have very unique qualities that i individually admire and try to emulate; from my great father to the Great Mao of china to Fidel of Cuban, Hitler of Germany and even Obama of the "world". Each of them is unique and well known and remembered for a certain quality, but non is remembered for sincere uprightness and integrity like the young and ambitious Captain of Burkina Faso formally called The Republic of Upper Volta, Captain Thomas Sankara. Thomas Sankara is one in a long lineage of African sons and daughters whose ideas and actions have left an indelible mark on the history of the continent. He was however killed by his brothers in arms with the belief that they could defeat the great example he set for progressive youth across the continent. Unfortunately for his murderers they couldn't have been more wrong with their belief as a week to the faithful day of his assassination, in a historic speech marking the 20th anniversary of the assassination of another great revolutionary,Ernesto 'Che' Guevara,Thomas declared that "ideas cannot be killed, ideas never die". Indeed, the history of humanity is replete with martyrs and heroes whose ideas and actions have survived the dawn of time and have inspired future generations. The ideas, belief and sacrifice of Thomas Sankara has made him a martyr that is larger than life.

This is the reason why over two decades of his dead, Thomas Sankara continues to be in the minds and heart of the few that struggle to end the domination and enslavement of the African Continent. The power of Sankara's revolutionary ideas and popularity cannot be unconnected to the continuous reflection of African's who are frustrated with corrupt leaders and rotten leadership styles that is incapable of setting the continent with all its rich resources of both human and natural abundance in the pairs of western and Asian continents. Sankara’s popularity is also deeply rooted in the profound sincerity of his commitment to serving his people, his devotion to the cause of the emancipation of the Burkinabés and all African peoples. His charisma, honesty and integrity made him a hero for the ‘wretched of the Earth,’ to coin a phrase from Frantz Fanon, who was greatly admired by Sankara.





As Africa looks desperately for leaders of integrity and vision, the life and ideals of the late Thomas Sankara seem more and more relevant and exemplary with the passage of time.

Above all, however, the greatness of Sankara lies within the ideas and values he embodied during his brief time on the African and international stage. Indeed, if Sankara arouses as much fervor today as he did two decades ago, it is because he embodied and defended causes that still resonate today among the millions of oppressed in Africa and around the world. Sankara was a genuine revolutionary and a great visionary who had the courage to take on the most difficult challenges and who held great ambitions for his country and Africa. Most of the ideas or causes he defended two decades ago are still at the heart of the struggle for the economic, social and political emancipation of peoples around the world. He was an environmentalist ahead of his time in a so-called ‘poor’ country that was supposed to have other more pressing priorities than the environment.


Sankara was one of the first heads of State, perhaps the only one in his time, to condemn female excision, a position that reflected his unwavering commitment to the emancipation of women and the struggle against all forms of discrimination against women. He was a relentless advocate of gender equality and the recognition of the role of women in all spheres of economic and social life. In his famous speech of 2 October 1983, he stated: ‘We cannot transform society while maintaining domination and discrimination against women who constitute over half of the population.’ His unrelenting struggle against corruption, long before the World Bank and the IMF picked up on this issue, made Sankara an enemy of all corrupt presidents on the continent and of the international capitalist mafia for whom corruption is a tool for conquering markets and pillaging the resources of the global South.




Sankara rejected the inevitability of ‘poverty,’ and was one of the first proponents of food security. He achieved the spectacular feat of making his country food self-sufficient within four years, through sensible agricultural policy and, above all, the mobilisation of the Burkinabé peasantry. He understood that a country that could not feed itself ran the risk of losing its independence and sovereignty. In July 1987, Sankara, close on the heels of Fidel Castro two years earlier, called on African countries to form a powerful front against their continent’s illegitimate and immoral debt and to collectively refuse to pay it.


Once again, he understood before others that the debt was a form of modern enslavement for Africa; a major cause of poverty and deep suffering for African populations. Sankara famously stated: ‘If we do not pay the debt, our lenders will not die. However, if we do pay it, we will die…’ On the international stage, Sankara was the first African head of State, indeed the first in the world, to denounce the UN Security Council’s right of veto and to condemn the lack of democracy within the United Nations system as well as the hypocrisy that characterized international relations. Today, all of these ideas have become self- evident truths and are at the heart of popular resistance movements, including the World Social Forum that has become one of the most powerful major rallying points.

Captain Thomas Sankara is the lion king that should be remembered by all and who value the ideas and values that he stood for and died for this values should particularly be upheld by the youth of the African continent since it has become obvious that the current generation of leaders are hell bent on throwing the continent back to colonial rule. Thomas Sankara is a role model, a teacher, inspiration and a benchmark to all of us that strive to see a better, progressive and more united Africa that should be strong enough to be heard and respected. Long Live Sankara, Long Live Africa and long live the cause of the good.

Shocking five year old smoker!

I just came across an interesting and shocking story of the Five-year-old child whose parents want him to be in the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest smoker ever. But unfortunately for the parents, that wont happen, as according to the spokesman of Guinness the kid is not eligible since "individuals concerned may not have a choice and could be forced into it".





Obviously a five year old kid doesn't have a choice in this case and is unaware of the health implications of his acts. (Like duh!) But what shocks me most is his parents "encouragements" or should i say the pride they have in their toddlers smoking habits and addiction. They actually claimed to have "encouraged" the kid to smoke since the tender age of 3! Saying that he has shown some amazing and dazzling skill most chain smokers will be envious of, he also smokes all kinds of cigarettes and doesnt hesitate to show off to his friends and neighbors. Well obviously this is wrong and very unethical but come to think of it,isnt he cute...:-)

Mystery woman II

Still on my mystery woman series, i decided to write this second poem even though i personally preferred the first because the first poem did raised a few eyebrows and generated a few gossips and questioning, those that konw me well konw that i sometimes enjoy being misunderstood at least even if just to continue keeping people in the dark. Anyway let me not get carried away, enjoy....



I wonder where my mystery woman has gone
I wonder if you even exist
A woman who I can really care for
A woman worth my love and care
A woman that will be down for my ride
If there is a mystery woman like this, you’ll be my knight in shining armor
My star, my sun, and my full moon
You’ll be my everlasting love,
Mystery woman, you’ll be my woman



We’ll be as close as we could be
Holding each other tight thinking of the next decision to make
Thinking about the future, our future
Staring into each other’s eyes
Knowing that your LOVE is true
My mystery woman
This is just a poem for you
But words can’t bring you to me my mystery woman.
Only fantasies can