Article Title

Forensics Leadership: An Isocratean Vision

Authors

R. Randolph Richardson, Berry College
Kathy Brittain Richardson, Berry College

Document Type

Forensic Leadership Issues

Abstract

Contemporary forensic students and educators owe much to the leaders of the latter half of the twentieth century who rediscovered the educational benefits of speech competition, founded several collegiate programs and professional organizations, and established numerous tournaments and perfect-ed their management in a time of great technological change and challenge. A long list of noteworthy women and men who sacrificed inordinate amounts of time, money, often careers and professional standing, and more, for the benefit of forensic activity deserve recognition, appreciation and honor. The spirit of sacrifice that characterized the founding generation of leaders and those who immediately followed is in many ways, in many places, the reason for the existence of forensic activity today. A discussion of leadership in the forensics community must begin with gratitude.

"Leader" is a title worn by forensic professionals from the executive level of national organizations to an assistant coach at Mount Nowhere College in the hills of Georgia. Leading students on the educational journey of understanding and practicing rhetoric is a noble task that both unifies and divides. At the same time that forensic educators are drawn together by purpose, we are often scattered by directional differences of interpretation, opinion and philosophy. While diversity of perspective represents one of the greatest strengths of the forensics community, a transcendent sense of identity and direction is necessary for meeting the challenges of the future. Leadership requires a clear vision, especially now.

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Rights Statement

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Recommended Citation

Richardson, R. Randolph and Richardson, Kathy Brittain (2010) "Forensics Leadership: An Isocratean Vision," Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events: Vol. 5: Iss. 1, Article 28.
Available at: https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/ndcieproceedings/vol5/iss1/28