FACILITATOR’S GUIDE FOR LEADERSHIP TALE - …This program offers a whimsical, yet powerful glimpse into four key leadership practices. Through the use of animation and familiar tales,

Tales of Legendary Leadership

D i s c u s s i o n G u i d e

OOnnccee UUppoonn aa LLeeaaddeerr

Tales of Legendary Leadership

DDiissccuussssiioonn GGuuiiddee

Once Upon a Leader: Tales of Legendary Leadership Discussion Guide

© 2004 VisionPoint Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. Unless specifically indicated, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of VisionPoint Productions, Inc. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter. It is sold with the understanding that VisionPoint Productions, Inc., is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

© 2004 VisionPoint Productions, Inc.


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About This Program.................................................................................................1 A Note About Tales and Fables ...............................................................................1 The Experience ........................................................................................................1 Learning Outcomes..................................................................................................2 Before Watching the Video .....................................................................................2 After Watching the Video........................................................................................4 Truth and Integrity Questions ..................................................................................6 Maximize Diversity Questions ................................................................................7 Vision and Foresight Questions ...............................................................................8 Focus on the Goal Questions ...................................................................................9 Introducing My Trip to Legendary Leadership .....................................................10

© 2004 VisionPoint Productions, Inc.


AAbboouutt TThhiiss PPrrooggrraamm Take a refreshing break from the typical and more formal examinations of leadership

using Once Upon a Leader. This program offers a whimsical, yet powerful glimpse into

four key leadership practices. Through the use of animation and familiar tales,

participants will take a journey to discover the value of truth and integrity, maximizing

diversity, vision and foresight, and focusing on the goal.

AA NNoottee AAbboouutt TTaalleess aanndd FFaabblleess Originally, tales and fables were used to present lessons on ethical behavior, to enhance

understanding of a topic through the use of stories, or to explain natural phenomena prior

to scientific discoveries. The effectiveness of tales and fables lie in their simplicity.

They cut through the detail and make a point in an entertaining manner.

TThhee EExxppeerriieennccee Research shows that adults of all ages appreciate an opportunity to learn while having

fun. This guide provides you with facilitator tips for how to introduce the video, Once

Upon a Leader: Tales of Legendary Leadership, and offers thought-provoking questions

to help stimulate discussion around the four leadership practices:

• Truth and Integrity

• Maximize Diversity

• Vision and Foresight

• Focus on the Goal

The activities book, My Trip to Legendary Leadership, offers weekly lessons to promote

a year of continuous learning and is available for purchase in packs of ten.

© 2004 VisionPoint Productions, Inc. Page 1


LLeeaarrnniinngg OOuuttccoommeess Facilitator Tip: If appropriate for your organization, share the learning outcomes with

the participants.

When you have completed this program, you will be able to:

• Describe and explain four lessons about leadership as presented in the video.

• Give examples of how these lessons can be applied in your professional and personal

lives.

• Commit to a process of continuous learning in your goal to be an effective leader.

BBeeffoorree WWaattcchhiinngg tthhee VViiddeeoo Facilitator Tip: Ask the following questions, followed by a few polling questions

(asking for a show of hands) to generate interest and excitement for the training session

(expect to receive sighs, head nods, laughter, mocking remarks).

Did you know that in the past century there were an estimated 10,000 published

articles about leadership; 1,000 research studies; 1,000 books; and hundreds of

leadership development programs offered by universities and training

organizations?

How many of you feel that the more you study the topic of leadership the more

complex it seems?

How many of you have a difficult time wading through articles, books, studies,

and programs that, although valuable, tend to be somewhat academic—like

textbooks?

How many of you would welcome a completely different way of looking at

leadership?



BBeeffoorree WWaattcchhiinngg tthhee VViiddeeoo ((ccoonntt..))

Facilitator Tip: Introduce the video explaining what the participants will experience.

For those of you who like variety in the way you learn, you’re in for a treat with

today’s program. The program will not be an academic treatise about leadership,

nor a video in which acknowledged experts expound on statistical research. Today

we’re going to add a bit of variety and spice to our learning by examining leadership

through a few tales with characters you’re sure to recognize.

At the mention of tales and fables, you may be thinking that the program will be like

watching the Cartoon Network, more suitable for children than for adults. Tales

and fables, however, were not originally intended for children. They were intended

for adults—to present lessons on ethical behavior, to enhance understanding of a

topic through the use of stories, or to explain natural phenomena prior to scientific

discoveries—much like we do when we use parables or examples to promote clarity

for something that would otherwise be complex.

The effectiveness of tales and fables is in their simplicity. They cut through the

detail, make a point effectively, and do so in an entertaining manner. As you watch

the video, you’ll experience tales of leaders and the qualities they demonstrate.

While watching, try to identify with the characters and reflect upon your time as a

leader. Think of the challenges that you have faced, or are currently facing, and

how any or all of these lessons might apply.



AAfftteerr WWaattcchhiinngg tthhee VViiddeeoo Facilitator Tip: The questions below are intended to promote thoughts about leadership.

Select questions that are most relevant to your organization and the participants. Be sure

to acknowledge a variety of responses to maximize participation.

Facilitator Tip: Remind participants we are not using this discussion as a time to point

fingers or name leaders that have been like Percy before his awakening. Instead it is a

time to reflect and apply the lessons to the environment that we are part of and learn how

to improve our personal leadership skills.

Before going into specific leadership lessons, start by asking a polling question to see if

anyone “saw” themselves or leaders they know in the stories.

Sample polling questions:

• How many of you saw qualities—good or bad—that you possess, reflected in the

characters of these stories?

• Did any of these stories make you think of leaders in your past or present?

Transition to discussion oriented questions by saying: I could tell that you enjoyed the

tales; now, let’s take some time to apply what we’ve seen and heard to the challenges

we face as leaders in our organization.

• Until he saw the error of his ways, what characteristics of ineffective leadership

did the Prince display?

Possible responses: indifference to others, arrogance, considers others as stupid and

lazy, unable to inspire others, or unwilling to learn



AAfftteerr WWaattcchhiinngg tthhee VViiddeeoo ((ccoonntt..)) • Where did Count DuProfit go wrong?

Possible responses: arrogance, not focused at all on people (only profit), or became

greedy

• What could Prince Percy have done to make a happy ending for Count

DuProfit?

Possible responses: found DuProfit’s strengths and welcomed him into the country in

an effort to maximize diversity; focused on the goal of the kingdom to be

economically sound, and found a way to use DuProfit’s skills in that area

• Have you or other leaders ever acted in haste and created unhappy endings,

when you could have created happy endings with additional thought and

foresight?

Possible responses: hastily made decisions that were a result of poor planning, lack

of foresight, failure to maximize diversity, or failure to plan with the goal in mind



TTrruutthh aanndd IInntteeggrriittyy QQuueessttiioonnss • The Emperor talks about integrity and truth. What are examples in your

workplace of ways in which leaders demonstrate integrity and truth?

Possible responses: walks the talk, follows through on promises and commitments,

always does “the right thing,” or is honest and ethical with others

• What organizations in recent years came crashing down because their leaders

did not practice integrity and truth?

Possible responses: Enron, WorldCom

• What were consequences for employees of those organizations?

Possible responses: lost earnings and retirement savings, lost faith in management,

or unemployment

• As leaders, how can we avoid finding ourselves in the same situation?

Possible responses: always tell the truth, even if it’s bad news; ask for help if you are

in trouble; admit mistakes; ask the tough questions before you make the important

decisions; or get the opinions of others so you don’t fall into groupthink

• Have there been times that you questioned the truth and integrity of leaders

around you? How did that affect you and your role at the organization? Have

you ever had internal struggles with truth and integrity, whether it is in your

personal or professional life?

Possible response: teaching your kids not to drink before they are 21 and they ask if

you drank as a minor



MMaaxxiimmiizzee DDiivveerrssiittyy QQuueessttiioonnss • How does Snow White illustrate the power of people’s diverse skills?

Possible response: everyone has unique skills, which in combination with the skills of

others contribute to the success of any endeavor.

• In what ways does the discussion we are having illustrate the power of diversity

in enhancing our knowledge and understanding of leadership?

Possible responses: allows us to learn from the wisdom and experiences of others,

gives us a variety of perspectives on leadership, or challenges what otherwise might

be myopic thinking

• How has your organization benefited because leaders value the diverse talents of

employees?

Possible responses: creative solutions to problems or issues, improved work

processes, increased productivity, or promoted employee morale

• What are some examples of ways you have leveraged diverse talents to create a

stronger team or accomplish more?

Possible responses: a coaching experience, planning or executing an event



VViissiioonn aanndd FFoorreessiigghhtt QQuueessttiioonnss • Arnold the Pig is a great believer in the values of planning and vision. What

“wolves” will always be outside the doors of organizations, huffing, puffing, and

threatening to blow the doors down?

Possible responses: tough and persistent competition, complacency, shortsightedness,

lack of creativity and innovation in products and services, or ineffective marketing

• What are some of our organization’s potential “wolves” we need to be aware of

and plan for?

Possible responses: competitors finding ways to get the attention of our customers,

overanalyzing situations and forgetting what is most important to focus on,

overconfidence in the status quo when things are going well, forgetting about

continuous improvement, focusing too internally and not enough on the future needs

of our customers, or not using the strengths of our employees and their tapping into

diverse potentials

• The strongest organizations are those in which everyone assumes responsibility

for leadership. What are some things that every employee can do every day to

practice the values of planning and vision?

Possible responses: look for ways to improve the work processes in their own jobs,

support colleagues in their job responsibilities, think of innovative ways to enhance

products and services, or treat all customers (external and internal) with respect



FFooccuuss oonn tthhee GGooaall QQuueessttiioonnss • Focusing on the goal enabled T.R. Tortoise to beat the hare to the finish line.

What are some “distractions” that keep us from reaching organizational goals?

Possible responses: lack of planning and vision, lack of integrity and truth,

discounting the value of diversity, or ineffective leadership

• What are two or three goals you would like to focus on to improve your

effectiveness as a leader?

Possible responses: (acknowledge all responses as worthwhile goals)

• What is your role in removing distractions that prevent others from reaching

goals?

Possible responses: (acknowledge all responses as worthwhile goals)

• Aside from what we’ve already discussed, what “aha’s” or insights about

leadership have you gained from Once Upon a Leader: Tales of Legendary

Leadership?

Possible responses: (acknowledge the value of all responses)



IInnttrroodduucciinngg MMyy TTrriipp ttoo LLeeggeennddaarryy LLeeaaddeerrsshhiipp The activities book is a resource to help participants continuously focus on improving

their leadership competencies. There are 52 activities, one for each week during a one-

year period.

Facilitator Tip: Introduce the Activities Book by sharing what it is, encouraging

participants to dedicate a small amount of time each week to focus on one activity.

• We tend to think of leaders as high profile and heroic people who transform major

companies or champion crusades to improve society.

The reality is that most leaders are people like you and I who work impressively, but

often inconspicuously, to make the world and our workplaces better—as employees,

spouses, parents, and citizens.

• The majority of challenges calling for leadership are everyday situations in our

professional and personal lives. Everyday situations, however, are not unimportant

situations.

• The Prince took a trip that afforded him experiences to gain an understanding of the

importance of leadership, what leadership means, and how to do it. The Activities

Book will serve as a trip through pages of experiences that will continuously sharpen

our leadership skills.


Documents

FACILITATOR’S GUIDE FOR LEADERSHIP TALE - …This program offers a whimsical, yet powerful glimpse into four key leadership practices. Through the use of animation and familiar tales,