Discussion Topics Chapter 1 Think about three behaviors that are deviant but not criminal, and three behaviors that are criminal but not deviant. Emphasize how many of Your own or people you are aware of have non-deviant behaviors could be seen as deviant by someone else. Consider if marijuana becomes legal in every state in the United States? Suppose that it is treated, in the eyes of the law, similar to alcohol. It is taxed and regulated, and users must be 21 or older to possess it. Pot smokers can buy it by the gram at licensed dispensaries. Predictably, the law change would make some people very happy and others deeply concerned. What are the pros and cons of marijuana becoming legal in each state? Should it become legal on the federal level? From your text and other related sources, consider the finding of Zgova and Bachar, and others on the subject of sex offender registration laws. Are they effective? Why or why not? Should they be abandoned or modified? Are there other reasons to keep them active? If you ran the world (or even a city, which acts that are now legal would you make criminal? Which criminal acts would you legalize? What would be the probable consequences of your actions? Provide valid and documented rationale for your changes. Provide examples of some laws that have been decriminalized and vice versa.

Leadership Development and the A-O-R Model

Leadership development refers to all activities and programs aimed at improving the abilities and confidence of both leaders and potential leaders. Successful leadership development is influenced by the quality and effectiveness of the programme in use, one of the best being the A-O-R model (Storey, 2016). Leadership growth from application of the action-reflection-observation model only happens when one plans and observes their actions and finally reflects on the consequences of those actions. Planning and subsequent action are vital for development. A successful leader has to identify the behavior they need to change. Furthermore, they must be willing to change and create a plan targeted at the change. Through participating in activities outside their comfort zone, they acquire new skills and experiences (Baron, 2016). Besides, their subordinates are inspired by the leader. For action, perception plays a causal role in having successful events.

Observation is relatively biased by feelings, expectations, prior experience and needs (Baron, 2016). For successful growth, leaders must try to remain objective while observing their actions and the consequences of their actions. Observation as a learning opportunity also works when leaders observe superior leaders as well as their subordinates. The participants must also take note of the results varying from their expectations and reflect on them. Reflection answers the question; if one could do it again, whether they would choose to do it differently. It is how one interprets their observations. Hence, it is also influenced by perception, evaluation, and judgment. Through reflection, leaders can frame problems from a new perspective and better understand their subordinates (Storey, 2016). Leaders should find time to evaluate all possible consequences and reflect on the better choices they could have made.

Action, Observation, and Reflection on leadership experiences enhance leadership growth. Therefore, leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. Perception affects all experiences and consequently leadership development. Successful leaders will always reflect and find and learn from a new perspective.

References

Storey, J. (2016). Changing theories of leadership and leadership development. In Leadership in Organizations (pp. 33-58). Routledge.

Baron, L. (2016). Authentic leadership and mindfulness development through action learning. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 31(1), 296-311.