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Sparkplug Profile
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Sparkplug for change in a community or organization.
On these sheets are five human tendencies we have found important in individuals
who lead change by action and by example - whether as heads of failing schools,
citizens leading self-help renewal projects, or in any other organization and challenge.
For each, we list three important dimensions. For each, please circle the number
that best fits. To avoid trying to make fine distinctions, we suggest that you first
decide if you belong at one end or the other. If not, circle the middle number.
And remember, you are trying to profile how you just are - not how you
would always like to be! |
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ENERGY |
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Stamina: I find that I have the physical and emotional resources
to stick with all tasks. I do not tend to see my energies wane and I can almost
always get that "second wind" when I need it. |
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Optimism: I get excited about what we can "pull off"
and have great faith in local abilities to lead change by example. |
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Sense of Humor: I find that laughter is a way of relaxing me, not
a distraction, and I appreciate ironies and wit in everyday life. Humor tends to
rejuvenate me and put things in perspective. |
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ACTION PUSH |
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Solution Focused: I get itchy when people keep talking about a
problem. I want to deal with solutions, not continue to gripe about how bad things
are or might be. |
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Sense of Urgency: I am impatient to get on with solving problems
and have little faith that things will work out for the best if we do nothing. |
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See opportunity: I can almost always see some little window of
possibility for action. I seldom feel truly blocked or stymied. |
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RESULTS FOCUS |
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Need for Achievement: Reaching a finish line is a real "high"
for me - generally more so than just being part of a group or a process. |
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Envision end state: I tend to see vividly the way things will be
here when we achieve a goal - even if it's only in my daydreams. Indeed,
that picture is sometimes clearer to me than exactly how we will get there. |
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Welcome scorecard: I always like to know where I stand relative
to a specific goal. Where others may want to stay away from feedback, I seek it
out. I do less well when we are all just doing "the best we can." |
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PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY |
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Admit mistakes: When something goes wrong, I do not have any trouble
in focusing on what I did to cause the problem and what I should do differently
next time. Errors for me are a way to learn. |
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Individual accountability: I think individual roles are very meaningful
even in group action. Whatever the outcome, you can remember my name! |
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Takes responsibility: I do not wait to be given responsibility;
whenever I think I can help, I take responsibility. I can always beg forgiveness! |
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BELIEF IN COMMON GOOD |
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See effect in others: I tend to look at the effects of programs
and actions not only on my household but on others. I regularly consider the impacts
on this who are not vulnerable. |
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Appreciate differences: I tend to see value in different opinions
and stop myself from taking a position or "side" too early in a discussion. |
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See shared fate: I think there exists a "public welfare" broader
than the sum of personal and household interests. We have to define shared values,
not just push our personal ones. |
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TEAMWORK |
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See strengths in others: I am very comfortable sharing leadership
responsibility with others who are strong in areas where I am weak. |
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Share information and credit: I want everyone to know what is happening
and I readily share credit and achievement through others. |
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Seek collaboration: I am more interested on using teams to create
than agree. I see teams achieving at a higher level than the individuals participating. |
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