I found the second half of “Excellent Sheep” rather repetitive, and yet it contains valuable information and food for thought. The ideas that struck me the most were those related to leadership and passion.
Firstly, what I enjoyed about the chapter on leadership (and in general of the book) is that it challenges the traditional values, regarding power, which society feeds us with a spoon. As explained by Deresiewicz, what institutions refer to by leadership is not doing social good or inspiring teamwork; instead it is more about getting to the top, being in charge, always being the "winner", regardless of the cost. Deresiewicz writes how “kissing up to the people above you, kicking down to the people below you” is the way results are gotten according to these institutions (134). The leadership they teach focuses on the end point, instead of the means to get there. They embark on a blind and desperate swim towards a blurry goal, motivated by nothing more than getting first to a place unknown to them. I believe that a greater and more profound motivation is needed. There is much more value in the path we choose to take and in how we pave it. The journey is just as, or even more valuable than reaching the top or crossing a “finish line”. The challenges faced and experiences acquired in the journey are our lifetime lessons.
With the goal-oriented mentality that many Ivy Leagues share and preach, the point is being completely missed. Deresiewicz asks us, “instead of training ‘leaders’, how about training citizens?” (136). I say yes, teach us students about being humane and responsible citizens; about how giving a hand to those below us, to walk with us or choose their own path is not only kind and respectful, but our duty. And about working with and even questioning those above us to create a better system and a better tomorrow.
This brings me to the second point that resonated with me: having a passion and a fuller purpose in what you do is key. As Deresiewicz advices, “neither believing in the system nor thinking to question it” is a deadly trap (135). For instance, in our institution, many IB students do not belief in the system, but their still following blindly, without questioning it. I believe that everyone who is part of the IA did not believe in the IB system and decided not only to question it, but also to take action by choosing another path of education. We were passionate and determined to take “the road not taken” or “the less traveled one”, instead of following the herd. This passion and determination grew out of asking questions and not conforming to the norm.
Universities should focus on training students to ask more questions, instead of training them to just answer them. Questions inspire curiosity and curiosity inspires passion and passion can inspire a successful career path.