The Notion of Leadership and Ways of Leading for Organisational Change Essay

The Notion of Leadership and Ways of Leading for Organisational Change - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that in contemporary business environments, the terms management and leadership are often utilized to describe the activities and obligations of those enlisted to allocate resources in order to achieve strategic goals. Though they are often used interchangeably, the conceptions are quite different. Management involves the tangible coordination of activities and people to achieve specific objectives, consisting of efficient resource allocation and control over people and their job roles. Leadership, on the other hand, is fundamentally different. Leadership is a more socially-based type of influence in which a person procures support and assistance from others within the organisation in the hopes of achieving a common goal Leaders, unlike managers, seek followership through the process of guiding others, using a variety of strategies to build trust, strengthen social relationships, and generally motivate others to achieve their maximum produc tivity and organisational commitment. To be a competent leader, a person must have many different traits that differ from traditional command-and-control management. Such traits include emotional intelligence, extraversion, maintaining a general openness to new experiences, and self-efficacy. Leadership, in many cases, is more valuable than traditional management activities, especially in dynamic and ever-changing organizational environments. In organizations where change is constant and a part of the organizational model, it requires a competent leader to build a culture of commitment as it is a common occurrence that employees will inherently resist change. Hence, it takes a leader to ensure that goals are achieved; new practices are adopted by employees and ensure that change activities are embraced by the organizational population.

Exceptionalities in a classroom Essay Example for Free

Exceptionalities in a classroom Essay

Von Economo Neurons and Self-Awareness

Von Economo Neurons and Self-Awareness Joshua McCosker Von Economo neurons (VENs) are large bipolar neurons found in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), frontoinsular cortex (FI) and dorsolateral prefrontal area (DLPA) in the brains of humans, and to a lesser extent, the great apes, several cetaceans and elephants. It is believed that they arose independently within these species due to evolutionary pressure that required the rapid transmission and cognitive processing of social information in animals with large highly convoluted brains and complex social behaviours (Hakeem et al., 2009). Research has suggestedsuggests that the evolution of these neurons underlie the emergence of intuition, higher emotional cognitive functions and self-referential processes. This suggests an intriguing connection with the subjective conscious experience and self-conscious awareness (Critchley Seth, 2012). To investigate this connection between VENs and self-awareness it is necessary to examine the known behavioural functions of the ACC and FI, along w ith the evolution of these structures and the integration with this novel class of neuron. Furthermore, the higher social functions attributed to VENs and how these are related to awareness of consciousness self will be discussed in light of research that shows a correlation between the degeneration of VENs in several neuro-psychiatric disorders that leads to devastating deficits in conscious awareness and social skills (Butti, Santos, Uppal, Hof, 2013). The ACC and FI are found in the paralimbic cortex (also known as mesocortex) of the mammalian brain and represents a relatively ancient region that has recently gone through a period of evolutionary adaptive changes in humans and is directly connected to limbic structures while providing a transition to higher neocortical regions (Brà ¼ne et al., 2010; William W. Seeley et al., 2006). These paralimbic structures show increased connectivity with the hippocampus, amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex and septum; the septum is involved in social memory and the development of trust in humans (Allman, Tetreault, Hakeem, Park, 2011). It is hypothesised that this enhanced connectivity is mediated by VENs that project from the FI and ACC to these structures providing functional integration with of somatosensory input and higher cognitive emotional processes leading to the emergence of intuition, social and self-awareness and the ability to empathise (Allman, Tetreault, Hakeem, Manaye, et al., 201 1; Allman, Tetreault, Hakeem, Park, 2011). AIC as the input sensory region and ACC as the output control region (Craig, 2009; W. W. Seeley et al., 2007). The evolutionary expansion of the cerebral cortex gave rise to the neocortex in mammals leading to a volumetric increase in humans of several-hundred times over that of lower primates (Nimchinsky et al., 1999). However, the types of neurons found within the brain have remained relatively constant (Nimchinsky et al., 1999; William W. Seeley et al., 2006). In 1926 Constantin Von Economo first described the cortical distribution and morphology of a novel class of neuron as being spindle like in form and of unusual length (Butti et al., 2013).. Von Economo neurons are large bipolar projection neurons that are relatively recent on the evolutionary path (Allman, Watson, Tetreault, Hakeem, 2005). They have large axons that bidirectionally connect the ACC to the FI and in turn to other structures of the brain between the limbic cortex and neocortex; suggesting a role in the rapid transmission of sensory information between these structures. Although VENs have been found in the FI and ACC of species other than great apes and homonids the cells are not found in the concentrated clusters that have been described in higher primates (Bauernfeind et al., 2013). It is interesting to note that volumetric studies have shown that the evolutionary expansion in size of the FI in primates is disproportionately greater to overall brain expansion by 36% and the total volume of the FI is about 4 times larger in humans compared to that of the chimpanzee (Bauernfeind et al., 2013). Furthermore, it is known that the vast majority of VENs develop during the first 8 months of life (Allman et al., 2010) . and this coincides with the emergence of stranger anxiety, separation anxiety and increased verbal skills (Hoffnung et al., 2013). These studies support the suggestion that the FI and ACC are intricately involved in enhancing social behaviours through the utilization of subjective emotional states in applying empathy toward others. ReseachResearch hasis showning a relationship between complex social and emotional processes and the advanced cognitive abilities that underlie the ability of self-recognition (Hunter, 2010). The mirror self-recognition test is used to assess self-awareness in animals and was developed by Gordon G. Gallup (1970) during his work with chimpanzees and self-recognition. In humans the ability to recognise the ‘self’ in a mirror image develops between the ages of 18 and 24 months and this coincides with the development of other indicators of social and self-awareness such as the ability to empathise (Hunter, 2010). As previously mentioned there is a rapid development of VENs during the first year of life and this development continues to age 4 when VEN numbers align to those of adult (Allman et al., 2010). The hypothesised role of VENs in higher cognitive functions and self-conscious awareness is supported by research that has shown the involvement of VENs in the pathogenesis of a number of neuropsychiatric and behavioural conditions that are characterised by deficits in emotional and social functioning, the ability to empathise, impairment of affective language and alterations in conscious awareness (Kaufman et al., 2008). Stereological research suggests that these conditions may be due to the failure of VENs to develop normally or the degeneration of these cells within the ACC and FI (Allman et al., 2005; Butti et al., 2013). This is evident in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) where patients present with a severe reduction in social judgement, empathy and the ability to self-monitor leading to sociopathic behaviour (William W. Seeley et al., 2006). In a study conducted by William W. Seeley et al. (2006) it was shown that FTD is characterised by early injury to the ACC and FI involving e arly, severe and selective VENs loss of 74% compared to controls. Similarly, patients with early onset schizophrenia are characterised by a reduced volume of the ACC showing a significant reduction in the density of VENs (Allman et al., 2010; Brà ¼ne et al., 2010). People with schizophrenia show a broad range of impaired social skills characterised by severe disturbance of cognitive processes and self-conscious awareness giving rise to symptoms that include delusions, hallucinations, disorganised thought and speech, disorganised and catatonic behaviour, poverty of speech and lack of, or inappropriate, responses to socio-emotional cues (Nolen-hoeksema, 2007). Recent research has suggested a connection between these VENs containing areas, self-referential processes and the subjective conscious experience of awareness (Allman et al., 2005; Craig, 2009; William W. Seeley et al., 2006). The evolutionary motivation underlying these adaptations may well have been due to the rise of species living in complex social groups that required the rapid intuitive assessment of social interactions and the ability to differentiate between the needs of oneself and those of others and this may have led to the ability to empathise with the emotional state and needs of individuals within the social structure (Allman et al., 2010; Allman, Tetreault, Hakeem, Park, 2011; Hakeem et al., 2009). We shall consider a model of consciousness where the FI serves to integrate bottom-up interoceptive sensory information with top-down predictions and modulations from higher level prefrontal cortical areas and the ACC generating a state of awareness (Gu, Hof, Friston, Fan , 2013). It is hypothesised that VENs mediate a rapid bidirectional feedback between the integration of sensory information in the AIC and the adaptive behavioral responses mediated by the ACC (Allman et al., 2005). Interoception is the integration of somatosensory information leading to a sense of the physiological state of the body, giving rise to a cortical image or representation of self (Craig, 2002, 2009). In humans the interoceptive network is mediated via afferent spinothalamic neurons projecting to the ventromedial nucleus which is significantly larger in humans than other primates; non-primates are unable to experience body feelings in the same manner as humans do due to the lack of the specific afferent spinothalamocortical pathway involved in â€Å"direct interoceptive representation† (Craig, 2002). This homeostatic information is relayed to the anterior insular cortex where there is a re-representation of this interoceptive cortical image and the ACC is involved in the active modulation of the feeling represented by this image in response to cognitive assessment from the orbitofrontal cortex (Allman et al., 2005; Craig, 2002, 2009; William W. Seeley et al., 2006)(Craig, 2002, 2009; Seeley, 2006; Allman, 2005). It is also worth noting that this top-down cognitive assessment could involve conscious internal dialog and suggests the co-evolution of language and consciousness and that we are conscious in a human sense because we have language. Language is not only used for external communication but internally as parts of our thought processes defining our current mental state and by extension is a defining the broader and more complex brain state (Arbib, 2001). The above research shows that VENs are intricately involved in the convergence of somatosensory information via a highly evolved thalamacortical pathway to the paralimbic structure of the AIC in which emerges an integrated cortical image. Bidirectional signaling between between the AIC, ACC and multiple areas of the brain is mediate via VENs and is a contiual feedback loop that assesses and updates this cortical self-image utilising contextual cues derived from the environment and past experiences accessed from long term memory via hippocampal projections. The AIC cortical self-representation is modulated with emotional context and predictive behavioural responses. References Allman, J. M., Tetreault, N. A., Hakeem, A. Y., Manaye, K. F., Semendeferi, K., Erwin, J. M., . . . Hof, P. R. (2010). The von Economo neurons in frontoinsular and anterior cingulate cortex in great apes and humans. Brain Structure and Function, 214(5-6), 495-517. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00429-010-0254-0 Allman, J. M., Tetreault, N. A., Hakeem, A. Y., Manaye, K. F., Semendeferi, K., Erwin, J. M., . . . Hof, P. R. (2011). The von Economo neurons in the frontoinsular and anterior cingulate cortex. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1225(1), 59-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06011.x Allman, J. M., Tetreault, N. A., Hakeem, A. Y., Park, S. (2011). The von economo neurons in apes and humans. American Journal of Human Biology, 23(1), 5-21. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.21136 Allman, J. M., Watson, K. K., Tetreault, N. A., Hakeem, A. Y. (2005). Intuition and autism: a possible role for Von Economo neurons. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 9(8), 367-373. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2005.06.008 Arbib, M. A. (2001). Co-Evolution of Human Consciousness and Language. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 929(1), 195-220. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2001.tb05717.x Bauernfeind, A. L., de Sousa, A. A., Avasthi, T., Dobson, S. D., Raghanti, M. A., Lewandowski, A. H., . . . Sherwood, C. C. (2013). A volumetric comparison of the insular cortex and its subregions in primates. Journal of Human Evolution, 64(4), 263-279. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2012.12.003 Brà ¼ne, M., Schà ¶bel, A., Karau, R., Benali, A., Faustmann, P. M., Juckel, G., Petrasch-parwez, E. (2010). Von Economo neuron density in the anterior cingulate cortex is reduced in early onset schizophrenia. Acta Neuropathologica, 119(6), 771-778. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00401-010-0673-2 Butti, C., Santos, M., Uppal, N., Hof, P. R. (2013). Von Economo neurons: Clinical and evolutionary perspectives. Cortex, 49(1), 312-326. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2011.10.004 Craig, A. D. (2002). How do you feel? Interoception: the sense of the physiological condition of the body. Nat Rev Neurosci, 3(8), 655-666. Craig, A. D. (2009). How do you feel now? The anterior insula and human awareness. Nature Reviews. Neuroscience, 10(1), 59-70. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrn2555 Critchley, H., Seth, A. (2012). Will Studies of Macaque Insula Reveal the Neural Mechanisms of Self-Awareness? Neuron, 74(3), 423-426. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2012.04.012 Gordon G. Gallup, Jr. (1970). Chimpanzees: Self-Recognition. Science, 167(3914), 86-87. doi: 10.2307/1728199 Gu, X., Hof, P. R., Friston, K. J., Fan, J. (2013). Anterior insular cortex and emotional awareness. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 521(15), 3371-3388. doi: 10.1002/cne.23368 Hakeem, A. Y., Sherwood, C. C., Bonar, C. J., Butti, C., Hof, P. R., Allman, J. M. (2009). Von Economo Neurons in the Elephant Brain. The Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology, 292(2), 242-248. doi: 10.1002/ar.20829 Hoffnung, M., Hoffnung, R. J., Seifert, K. L., Smith, R. B., Hine, A., Ward, L., PauseÃÅ' , C. (2013). Lifespan development : a chronological approach (Second Australasian Edition ed.): Milton, Qld. John Wiley and Sons Australia. Hunter, P. (2010). The basis of morality. EMBO Reports, 11(3), 166-169. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/embor.2010.19 Kaufman, J., Paul, L., Manaye, K., Granstedt, A., Hof, P., Hakeem, A., Allman, J. (2008). Selective reduction of Von Economo neuron number in agenesis of the corpus callosum. Acta Neuropathologica, 116(5), 479-489. doi: 10.1007/s00401-008-0434-7 Nimchinsky, E. A., Gilissen, E., Allman, J. M., Perl, D. P., Erwin, J. M., Hof, P. R. (1999). A neuronal morphologic type unique to humans and great apes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 96(9), 5268-5273. Nolen-hoeksema, S. (2007). Abnormal psychology (E. Barrosse Ed.  ¤4th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Seeley, W. W., Carlin, D. A., Allman, J. M., Macedo, M. N., Bush, C., Miller, B. L., DeArmond, S. J. (2006). Early frontotemporal dementia targets neurons unique to apes and humans. Ann Neurol, 60(6), 660-667. doi: 10.1002/ana.21055 Seeley, W. W., Menon, V., Schatzberg, A. F., Keller, J., Glover, G. H., Kenna, H., . . . Greicius, M. D. (2007). Dissociable intrinsic connectivity networks for salience processing and executive control. J Neurosci, 27(9), 2349-2356. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5587-06.2007

Victorian Newspapers -- Victorian Time Period

Victorian Newspapers: The Source for Inquiring Minds In William Makepeace Thackeray's novel Vanity Fair, George Sedley Osborne exhibits a desire to have his name appear in the newspapers. Furthermore, he is not the only one in Vanity Fair who is concerned with the newspapers, considering the fact that the words "newspaper" and "newspapers" appear twenty-two times in Thackeray's novel. Still, there is much more to know about Victorian newspapers than Thackeray imparts to his readers. Although George is unsuccessful in getting his name in print, the following information will be successful in illustrating to its readers the when, where, and why of newspapers in the Victorian era. The Nineteenth century included a monumental step for the world of newspapers. In fact, the "first papers to resemble the daily newspaper of the mid-twentieth century were the penny papers of the 1830's" (Hartman 17). Though their origins began in the Victorian era, the newspapers read today barely resemble the sparse "penny papers" years ago (Hartman 17). Reader Appeal Victorian newspapers found their start as expensive publications that were essentially unattainable by the lower classes. The reason for this inaccessibility is accounted for by the additional tax placed on newspapers during this time. This tax "took the form of a stamp duty, paid and recorded on every copy" ("Images"). Nevertheless, the sales of newspapers continually climbed. In addition, the "early select papers appealed only to man, the political animal" (Sampson 855). Indeed, the majorities of topics found in an early Victorian newspaper were political, and also sought to be partisan, rather than non-partisan. Finally, towards the end of the century, papers appealing to the "whol... ...ttp://www.uk.olivesoftware.com>. "Concise History of the British Newspaper in the 19th Century." The British Library Newspaper Library. The British Library Board. 09 Nov. 2004 . Dowd, Robert C. "A Brief History of Newspaper Publishing in Florida." The Florida Newspaper Project. University of Florida. 07 Nov. 2004 . "Extracts from the Times." Monuments and Dust: The Culture of Victorian London Collection. University of Virginia. 07 Nov. 2004 . Leary, Patrick. "Newspapers." Victoria Research Web. 07 Nov. 2004 . Rinhart, Floyd and Marion. Victorian Florida: America's Last Frontier. Atlanta, GA.: Peachtree Publishers, Ltd., 1986.

Public Safety

There has widespread public outcry on issues relating to safety, women are purported to be the main victims as they were the ones that most attacked at called the attention of relevant authorities. A series of interviews were carried out on three different women to on matters relating to public safety. This was in action to decipher the extent of the threat or imminent threats they faced, how they felt about it, how they would prevent or defend themselves when in such unfortunate situations and the recommendations that they would have to the public safety department in a bid to lower the risks of being attacked. The city was rated to be the least safe place in the country, but there were a few exceptions to the status quo. From the interviews it was discovered that all the respondents rated their hoods unsafe and they would prefer staying indoors all the time if need be. They all felt secure when in malls, places near the police station and mostly banks. There was a mixed answer in the places that were presumed to be less secure; I categorically picked the word ‘presume' because none of the respondents reported that they had ever been attacked or molested in the places they mentioned. The market place was rated to be the least secure place, then the central business district followed and deserted allays closed the list of dangerous places. The respondents felt secure in markets and the CBD because the probability of one noticing danger or more so evade it was very low. None of them had been attacked but they felt most insecure when in those two areas, deserted alleys were marked as red zones because one would feel very helpless when confronted in such places. Barber shops and clubs also fell into sharp criticism as their securities were termed inefficient for such crowded areas. Other people would opt to call for private barber services than risk exposing themselves to the areas they termed crime prone. Word was that no one could risk walking outside alone but if the situation forced it then they would either call some other person to tell them how insecure they feel then walk lit pathways or walk in a group of more than 10 people to boost personal security. The respondents agreed that they would forego walking in the dark at all costs if they other alternatives. Rainy was said to be the most dangerous time then followed by snow seasons. I bet this because of the darkness that engulfs when these seasons come. All the respondents were women and they said that feel more insecure than men would be because they felt that male masculinity was an added advantage when it comes to lessening the imminent security threat or even fighting it off. This claim was fortified by one respondent that said that her husband would be the first person she would ever call when in a dire situation. From the investigation it was clear that none of the women had ever been publicly molested in crowded areas of mugged in deserted alleys but they all felt very insecure about the places. Maybe that was an indication that the situation has always been under control and that the police department was working; but not publicly. Their recommendations of a secure city and neighborhood would be one that has regular police patrols and one that has all streets and deserted pathways properly lit. Peoples fear can be attributed to the psychological triggers of darkness and the one of feeling accosted when in dark alleys (leer-2017). With said, it is high time the peoples recommendations be worked on so as to boost public confidence in matters relating public safety.ReferenceA Lear- 2017, behavior therapySafety behavior after extinction triggers a return of threat expectancy

Service Request Sr-Kf-013

Running head: SERVICE REQUEST SR-KF-013 Service Request SR-kf-013 for Kudler Fine Foods University of Phoenix Online Business Systems BSA 310 Manuel Torres, MSc September 14, 2009 Introduction Kudler Fine Foods put forth a service request for the development of its Frequent Shopper Program. According to Apollo (2004), this program will track purchases of individuals to accumulate loyalty points for redemption by the customer. The loyalty points will be redeemable for gift items, specialty foods and other products or services.The behavior patterns of customer purchases will directly help Kudler Fine Foods to produce sales events. The following paragraph will focus on the newly proposed electronic commerce website. After laying out the aspects of electronic commerce, the issue of legality will be brought forth. Once the legal aspects of the frequent shopper program are understood, ethics can be brought to the table. Security considerations will be proposed with a financial analysis to justify expenditures with the development of the frequent shopper program.Finally, weigh the benefits and liabilities for the proposed frequent shopper program. Electronic Commerce Aspects Kudler Fine Foods has proposed creating an electronic sales database of all their products that can be linked to a website. In return this will allow customers to purchase any of his or her items online and have them shipped to his or her homes. With the creation of this electronic commerce, loyalty points can be added to online purchases as well as physical purchases. The loyalty points can also be redeemed for gift items and specialty foods on the website.Before a customer can purchase products online they must register their name, e-mail address, mailing address and credit card information. After providing the proper information they will be prompted to create a user name and password for future use. When an account is set up for a customer, bonus loyalty points could be given as an incentive t o register with Kudler Fine Foods. All customer information will be stored in a database at the La Jolla main office. A link on the website can be connected to partnerships and external companies for a further variety of rewards.A search utility will be available to help customers find specific items quickly. Kudler Fine Foods electronic commerce website will have a shopping cart function which will take a customer to a check out page which allows the customer to use his or her loyalty points towards the total cost of their purchases. Legal The legal aspects of creating an electronic commerce website are minimal. The minor legalities needed for the website benefits Kudler Fine Foods because According to Apollo (2003), Anne Shousha is Kathy Kudler’s sister-in-law and her only legal counsel.Anne Shousha is a successful tax attorney and only charges Kathy $100 an hour for formal meetings and nothing for telephone calls. Copyright laws and customer rights are the only parts of la w that Anne Shousha will have to investigate to insure legal protection of Kudler Fine Foods. Ethics To the average person purchasing items online and having them delivered to his or her home is convenient. When businesses force customers to give up private information for statistical reasons so that they can buy from them online, their ethics are in question. Some companies require phone numbers even though they are not needed for any reason.In today’s world, people expect to have to create an account with a company when he or she purchases items online. Not every person realizes that all his or her information gets traded with other companies. Kudler Fine Foods should take under consideration the privacy of their customers by limiting the information needed for purchases and never trading customer information with another company. Security Considerations Realizing that customers have to give up private information such as addresses and credit card numbers to make a purchase ; Kudler Fine Foods must onsider high security in their budget. A good portion of the $5,000 in the budget section of Apollo (2003), Kudler Fine Foods has set aside for the design and development of their website should go towards an encrypted server. The encrypted server will secure a connection to their website so that a hacker cannot view a customer’s information. By encrypting the server a tiny lock icon will show up in the address bar of a customer’s browser which makes the customer feel safer when purchasing from Kudler Fine Foods website. ConclusionKudler Fine Foods has a well thought out plan to create an electronic commerce that customers can earn loyalty points and redeem them by purchasing items online. This website should definitely increase sales and profits for Kudler Fine Foods. They must pay close attention to the design of the website so that it will appeal to customers. Kudler Fine Foods must give attention to the legal and ethical aspects of taking c ustomers information. Finally, they must also make sure that they take into consideration the gains and losses from giving loyalty points out to customers. References Apollo Group, Inc. 2004). Kudler Fine Foods. Marketing Overview. Retrieved September 13, 2009. BSA/310 –Business Systems. https://ecampus. phoenix. edu/secure/aapd/cist/vop/Business/Kudler/Sales/KudlerSM001. htm Apollo Group, Inc. (2003). Kudler Fine Foods. Budgets. Retrieved September 13, 2009. BSA/310 –Business Systems. https://ecampus. phoenix. edu/secure/aapd/cist/vop/Business/Kudler/Finance/KudlerBudget001. htm Apollo Group, Inc. (2003). Kudler Fine Foods. Legal Overview. Retrieved September 13, 2009. BSA/310 –Business Systems. https://ecampus. phoenix. edu/secure/aapd/cist/vop/Business/Kudler/Admin/KudlerAdmin002. htm