As a Doctoral Student in the Leadership Studies concentration, Terri McCormick’s proposal was accepted to participate in the Public and Nonprofit Division’s Doctoral Consortium at the 2014 Academy of Management annual meeting in Philadelphia in August.

The 74th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management

The 2014 Academy of Management Annual Meeting is the premier conference for more than 10,000 students, academics, scholars, and professionals in the scholarly management and organization space.

The 74th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management will be held August 1-5, 2014, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; sessions will take place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel, and Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The program theme is The Power of Words.

Find more information on the AOM and it’s Annual Meeting on http://aom.org.

“The Politics of Leadership: Expectation and the Common Core Debate a Case Study”

Abstract by Terri McCormick-Dawson

Will politics or research-based policies drive the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) debate in the State of Wisconsin?

This article focuses on the policy dialogue in the Common Core State Standards Debate, examining how adult expectation and leadership has shaped the CCSS.  This phenomenological case study uses hermeneutic inquiry as well as non-participant observation in a Mixed-Methods approach to better understand decision making within the public policy context.

The Central Question is How has ‘Expectation for Student Achievement’ influenced the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Debate in the State of Wisconsin?  Sub-questions: Are other types of evidence used in the CCSS policy debate?  What can be learned to better understand leadership in the public policy decision-making context?  Key words are legislative leadership, political decision-making, education policy, expectation for student achievement, and common core.

This phenomenon of women being able to cross party lines and being more prone to solving problems is, ironically, at odds with the front-row mentalities in rancorous fall-in-line party politics.

The predatory fall-in-line politics is dependent on turf wars and silo building. Further, the survival of the front-row leadership ranks is often dependent on maintaining the same old ideological battles between the two political parties. It is not in either party machine’s interests to solve problems. Political donations and campaign cash is a direct result of creating fear and angering their respective voting bases.

The very nature of serving the people, or populist thinking, may hinge on the need for increasing the numbers of independent voters, who demand change in our political system. Independent voters formed a show-me aspect of politics in the 2006 and 2008 elections. They insisted on information and research on all candidates across the political spectrum. And it was then that they cast their votes and encouraged their social networks to cast their votes for candidates of integrity and ideas.

may prove one way to break the back of the current rank-and-file clubs that seem to have bolstered political intrigue and partisan politics.

If American citizens hope to find policy makers interested in solving problems, rather than those resembling schoolyard thugs or bullies at recess, we might learn a lesson from citizen leaders who do their homework and keep an open mind before casting their ballots in political elections. In fact, the research shows that the growing numbers of independent voters—35 percent at this writing—makes post-partisan thinking and problem solving possible.

The challenges we have today cannot be solved with backward thinking. It requires forward thinkers who have the capacity to envision new paths that have not yet been created. This will require all Americans to participate in the political process.

CHAPTER SUMMARY

• The political ecosystem is composed of the “sharks,” who are all about self-serving in office; the “feeder fish,” who attach themselves to the sharks; and the “outsiders” who aim to serve their constituents.
• Stereotypes about male and female politicians abound.
• Research about women as leaders show that women have made significant strides in the past few decades.

“Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.”

—Margaret Thatcher

…To continue reading this book, get your copy of “What Sex is a Republican” in paperback or Kindle edition on Amazon.

About the Author:

Terri McCormick is an author, policy expert, educator, and former state representative to the Wisconsin State Legislature. Today, she offers her expertise in public and government relations through McCormick Dawson CPG Ltd., a trusted consultancy of independent contractors.

Ms. McCormick serves as president and CEO of the company, drawing from more than two decades of professional experience, a strong educational foundation, a host of industry-related publications, and a multitude of accolades, awards and formal recognitions. Holding a Master of Arts in administrative leadership from Marian University, and a Bachelor of Science in political science and public administration from the University of Wisconsin, Ms. McCormick received both degrees with high honors.

“What Sex is a Republican?” is sold on Amazon in both the paperback edition as well as Kindle edition.  Read reviews on Amazon here.