**This blog was originally published on iB-LIEVE's blog (www.GOiBELIEVE.com/blog)**
Much of what we learn, we learn from watching others. Whether it is a science experiment, how to kick a soccer ball, or leadership techniques - by observing others, we acquire new information – we learn. This certainly happens in childhood during our developmental years, but it doesn’t end there. Throughout the entirety of our lives, we constantly take in information on how to complete tasks. As leaders, we can use this knowledge to model how we want those with whom we interact to engage in their work.
When we are mindful, that is, being present and connected to that single task at hand, we are able to concentrate in a way that enables us to complete it quicker and more successfully than if we engaged in it distractedly. When we are mindful, we model behavior that encourages others to stay focused and present on their own tasks. This then leads to success and accomplishment of those individuals which leads to the success and accomplishment for the team or organization with which we are a part.
But let me be clear. Mindfulness does not mean being cold, closed-ff, or bored. Mindfulness is also about finding ways to make those typically mundane tasks enjoyable. Being present to those activities means creating ways to enjoy the experience. It’s actually a cycle. When we enjoy an experience, we are more connected to it. And when we are more connected to our work, it provides more meaning. When we have meaning for the things we do, we enjoy the experience. With that, I hope we can all find ways to be more mindful in our daily tasks. For me, I’ll start with being more mindful in writing my next blog. What will you begin with?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Talking to Ourselves
**This blog was originally published on iB-LIEVE's blog (www.GOiBELIEVE.com/blog)**
For the next two weeks, each of the iB-LIEVE blogs will be sharing the importance of mindfulness. My task is to share how this essential skill can be developed in order to enhance our leadership capabilities. Below is an example and practice suggestion from my own life experience.
Four years ago I volunteered at an education center, Alianza Americana ,in Leon, Nicaragua. It was a tremendous experience for a plethora of reasons. One of the major reasons was because I allowed myself time and space to simply be with me. I didn’t know it then, but I was building my capacity to be more mindful. I understand mindfulness as being present with who you are, where you are, and what you are doing.
In addition to teaching English and coordinating /facilitating leadership development programs, I spent countless hours reading, quietly walking through the streets, and sitting – just being still. With a pad of paper I reflected on my daily experience, the new knowledge I had acquired, and how I wanted to serve the global community. In short, I was purposefully pausing.
I believe that we develop mindfulness when we create space to understand, ask, reflect upon, and respond to questions such as “Who am I called to be? Where am I called to serve? and What am I called to do?” However, mindfulness is also practiced when we are present to all of our actions – even the mundane tasks. We will discuss this aspect of mindfulness more next week.
Let me leave you with an exemplary quote from Parker Palmer that shares ways in which to grow our capacity for mindfulness. He describes it as listening to the voice within, “How does one attend to the voice within? I have no particular methods to suggest, other than the familiar ones: solitude and silence, meditative reading and walking in the woods, keeping a journal…I simply propose that we need to learn as many ways as we can of ‘talking to ourselves.’” I look forward to talking with you, and I hope you find the time to talk more to yourselves.
For the next two weeks, each of the iB-LIEVE blogs will be sharing the importance of mindfulness. My task is to share how this essential skill can be developed in order to enhance our leadership capabilities. Below is an example and practice suggestion from my own life experience.
Four years ago I volunteered at an education center, Alianza Americana ,in Leon, Nicaragua. It was a tremendous experience for a plethora of reasons. One of the major reasons was because I allowed myself time and space to simply be with me. I didn’t know it then, but I was building my capacity to be more mindful. I understand mindfulness as being present with who you are, where you are, and what you are doing.
In addition to teaching English and coordinating /facilitating leadership development programs, I spent countless hours reading, quietly walking through the streets, and sitting – just being still. With a pad of paper I reflected on my daily experience, the new knowledge I had acquired, and how I wanted to serve the global community. In short, I was purposefully pausing.
I believe that we develop mindfulness when we create space to understand, ask, reflect upon, and respond to questions such as “Who am I called to be? Where am I called to serve? and What am I called to do?” However, mindfulness is also practiced when we are present to all of our actions – even the mundane tasks. We will discuss this aspect of mindfulness more next week.
Let me leave you with an exemplary quote from Parker Palmer that shares ways in which to grow our capacity for mindfulness. He describes it as listening to the voice within, “How does one attend to the voice within? I have no particular methods to suggest, other than the familiar ones: solitude and silence, meditative reading and walking in the woods, keeping a journal…I simply propose that we need to learn as many ways as we can of ‘talking to ourselves.’” I look forward to talking with you, and I hope you find the time to talk more to yourselves.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The BIG Dance
This blog was originally published on iB-LIEVE's blog (www.GOiBELIEVE.com/blog)
With all of the march madness from the NCAA basketball tournaments, it was only appropriate to title this blog, The BIG Dance. However, this blog shares two metaphors, dance metaphors (literally) that highlight four key takeaways important for successful leadership.
This past December I traveled to Nicaragua to facilitate a 3-day leadership conference for about twenty young change-makers. Co-coordinators, Oscar and Eira shared a teambuilding / leadership development activity I had never seen before. They asked all the participants to begin dancing, the goal was to dance in a way that motivated others to follow and copy your rhythm and moves. After about fifteen minutes of dancing, there were two large groups displaying two different moves.. This exercise was fantastic for a number of reasons. On one hand it was fun and got us energized. But at a deeper level, two important messages for leaders were in play. The two participants who were the initiator of the dance move, either consciously or subconsciously modeled dance moves that others could participate in. The two dance leaders were clearly skilled and possibly trained in dancing. But for the purposes of this activity, they selected dances that encouraged the least-skilled (possibly myself) to participate. The other key takeaway is that these dance leaders enabled the supporters to share their own flavor to shine forth. Instead of demanding the supporters to follow the dance move exactly, they allowed for the supporters to add their own touch. (Check out the picture of us dancing.)
The other dance metaphor is not so much about moves, but about the dance space. Back in the day, high school and some college dances would take place in a gymnasium where the students would tear up the dance floor (i.e., the basketball court) our devour the refreshment from the balcony. As leaders, it is important to spend time on the dance floor and on the balcony. This metaphor very much relates to the message from my blog last week. Being on the balcony is the reflection piece. This is the time when we gain perspective by seeing the big picture. We can look onto the dance floor and see who is dancing with you, who is sitting against the wall, etc. However, if we stay on the balcony, we won’t be getting our dance on. As leaders, it is also very important for us to make a move to floor. This is where the action happens. This is where we get our groove on. This is where the work happens.
So, as you shake your booty onto the rest of the ay, remember these four key points to successful leadership.
• Model leadership in a way that others can relate to and understand. If our actions are too difficult to follow or our demands are too lofty, our supports will lose interest and begin supporting others.
• Allow for the flavors of others to shine forth. By supporting others in making the dance move their own, we encourage them to get involved at a deeper level.
• Great leaders get to the balcony. Leadership happens best when we can take a moment to purposefully pause and create space to see the big picture.
• Great leaders dance! Our dreams become reality when we get to the dance floor and make things happen.
With all of the march madness from the NCAA basketball tournaments, it was only appropriate to title this blog, The BIG Dance. However, this blog shares two metaphors, dance metaphors (literally) that highlight four key takeaways important for successful leadership.
This past December I traveled to Nicaragua to facilitate a 3-day leadership conference for about twenty young change-makers. Co-coordinators, Oscar and Eira shared a teambuilding / leadership development activity I had never seen before. They asked all the participants to begin dancing, the goal was to dance in a way that motivated others to follow and copy your rhythm and moves. After about fifteen minutes of dancing, there were two large groups displaying two different moves.. This exercise was fantastic for a number of reasons. On one hand it was fun and got us energized. But at a deeper level, two important messages for leaders were in play. The two participants who were the initiator of the dance move, either consciously or subconsciously modeled dance moves that others could participate in. The two dance leaders were clearly skilled and possibly trained in dancing. But for the purposes of this activity, they selected dances that encouraged the least-skilled (possibly myself) to participate. The other key takeaway is that these dance leaders enabled the supporters to share their own flavor to shine forth. Instead of demanding the supporters to follow the dance move exactly, they allowed for the supporters to add their own touch. (Check out the picture of us dancing.)
The other dance metaphor is not so much about moves, but about the dance space. Back in the day, high school and some college dances would take place in a gymnasium where the students would tear up the dance floor (i.e., the basketball court) our devour the refreshment from the balcony. As leaders, it is important to spend time on the dance floor and on the balcony. This metaphor very much relates to the message from my blog last week. Being on the balcony is the reflection piece. This is the time when we gain perspective by seeing the big picture. We can look onto the dance floor and see who is dancing with you, who is sitting against the wall, etc. However, if we stay on the balcony, we won’t be getting our dance on. As leaders, it is also very important for us to make a move to floor. This is where the action happens. This is where we get our groove on. This is where the work happens.
So, as you shake your booty onto the rest of the ay, remember these four key points to successful leadership.
• Model leadership in a way that others can relate to and understand. If our actions are too difficult to follow or our demands are too lofty, our supports will lose interest and begin supporting others.
• Allow for the flavors of others to shine forth. By supporting others in making the dance move their own, we encourage them to get involved at a deeper level.
• Great leaders get to the balcony. Leadership happens best when we can take a moment to purposefully pause and create space to see the big picture.
• Great leaders dance! Our dreams become reality when we get to the dance floor and make things happen.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Conviction in Action
**This blog was originally published on iB-LIEVE's Blog. (www.GOiBELIEVE.com/blog)**
FROM STUDENT TO LEADER
I consider myself a student of leadership. I’ve studied leadership by not only engaging in formal leadership positions while in high school, college, and graduate school, but by reading and acquiring knowledge formally through my master’s program as well as informally. In fact, most of my pleasure reading consists of leadership-related books. Of recent, I’ve gained new perspectives and insight from Theory U (Scharmer), Leadership From The Inside Out (Cashman), The Ant and the Elelphant (Poscente), and Me to We (Kielburger borthers). I look forward to continuing my pursuit of leadership learning by beginning a PhD focusing on leadership development this fall.
CONVICTION IN ACTION
My favorite and, to me, the most compelling theory of leadership is known as Conviction in Action. It was coined by Dennis Roberts in his book Deeper Learning in Leadership. Conviction in Action is simply understanding our deepest passions (conviction) and connecting those to our community’s greatest need (action). I love this notion of leadership because it is radically inclusive. It is not about power or position. It is about the person and the purpose with which s/he is leading. Anyone can lead because we all can dig deep within ourselves to understand what we are passionate about. Anyone can lead because we all can find ways to bring about positive change in our local or our global communities.
This definition of leadership can be summed up by David Viscott’s quote, “The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning in life is to give your gift away.”
LEADERS HAVE CONVICTION
I believe that leadership starts with knowing oneself. Great leaders know what drives them, what moves them. But they don’t just know themselves. Great leaders also know their communities. They strive to know what they can do to make the local or global community better.
LEADERS TAKE ACTION
Great leaders don’t just think; they act too. They find a way to make their visions happen – they bring about the change they desire.
As Craig and Marc Kielburger say, “The precise reasons for the success of the world's most celebrated social movements are hotly debated in academic literature and activist circles, but their beginnings are incontestable: somebody did something.”
ADVICE FOR THE LEADER IN YOU
Here is a brief play by play to easily implement Conviction in Action into your life.
• First, design a GOAL. Before you do anything else, you need to know what you are working towards. The goal can be short term (facilitate a staff meeting) or long term (develop a master’s granting university in Nicaragua). See 2 blogs that I’ve written on goal setting here and here.
• Once you create a goal, you need to STOP. Spend time retreating inward. This purposeful pause is an opportunity to create stillness and get to know yourself. But most of all, this is your chance to find mental obstacles that are holding you back. We all have doubts, fears, and worries. Stopping is your chance to get it out on the table. You can stop by going on a walk through nature, while praying or meditating, by journaling, or reflective reading.
• After you have done some mesearch, you can BEGIN. This is an opportunity to ensure success by shifting any negative or limiting thoughts or attitudes to be positive. Prepare for the action by picking yourself up, motivating yourself.
• Next, GO. Literally make it happen by putting into practice those things that will help you accomplish your goal. For instance, you could draft an agenda for a staff meeting, or apply for PhD programs to garner the knowledge and skills for the master’s granting university.
• But it doesn’t just end there. To really ensure success, BELIEVE. Believe in your goal. Believe you can stop, begin, and go. Believe in the process.
I believe we all can lead with conviction in action.
FROM STUDENT TO LEADER
I consider myself a student of leadership. I’ve studied leadership by not only engaging in formal leadership positions while in high school, college, and graduate school, but by reading and acquiring knowledge formally through my master’s program as well as informally. In fact, most of my pleasure reading consists of leadership-related books. Of recent, I’ve gained new perspectives and insight from Theory U (Scharmer), Leadership From The Inside Out (Cashman), The Ant and the Elelphant (Poscente), and Me to We (Kielburger borthers). I look forward to continuing my pursuit of leadership learning by beginning a PhD focusing on leadership development this fall.
CONVICTION IN ACTION
My favorite and, to me, the most compelling theory of leadership is known as Conviction in Action. It was coined by Dennis Roberts in his book Deeper Learning in Leadership. Conviction in Action is simply understanding our deepest passions (conviction) and connecting those to our community’s greatest need (action). I love this notion of leadership because it is radically inclusive. It is not about power or position. It is about the person and the purpose with which s/he is leading. Anyone can lead because we all can dig deep within ourselves to understand what we are passionate about. Anyone can lead because we all can find ways to bring about positive change in our local or our global communities.
This definition of leadership can be summed up by David Viscott’s quote, “The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning in life is to give your gift away.”
LEADERS HAVE CONVICTION
I believe that leadership starts with knowing oneself. Great leaders know what drives them, what moves them. But they don’t just know themselves. Great leaders also know their communities. They strive to know what they can do to make the local or global community better.
LEADERS TAKE ACTION
Great leaders don’t just think; they act too. They find a way to make their visions happen – they bring about the change they desire.
As Craig and Marc Kielburger say, “The precise reasons for the success of the world's most celebrated social movements are hotly debated in academic literature and activist circles, but their beginnings are incontestable: somebody did something.”
ADVICE FOR THE LEADER IN YOU
Here is a brief play by play to easily implement Conviction in Action into your life.
• First, design a GOAL. Before you do anything else, you need to know what you are working towards. The goal can be short term (facilitate a staff meeting) or long term (develop a master’s granting university in Nicaragua). See 2 blogs that I’ve written on goal setting here and here.
• Once you create a goal, you need to STOP. Spend time retreating inward. This purposeful pause is an opportunity to create stillness and get to know yourself. But most of all, this is your chance to find mental obstacles that are holding you back. We all have doubts, fears, and worries. Stopping is your chance to get it out on the table. You can stop by going on a walk through nature, while praying or meditating, by journaling, or reflective reading.
• After you have done some mesearch, you can BEGIN. This is an opportunity to ensure success by shifting any negative or limiting thoughts or attitudes to be positive. Prepare for the action by picking yourself up, motivating yourself.
• Next, GO. Literally make it happen by putting into practice those things that will help you accomplish your goal. For instance, you could draft an agenda for a staff meeting, or apply for PhD programs to garner the knowledge and skills for the master’s granting university.
• But it doesn’t just end there. To really ensure success, BELIEVE. Believe in your goal. Believe you can stop, begin, and go. Believe in the process.
I believe we all can lead with conviction in action.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Collective Goal Setting Leads to Team Success
**This post was originally published on iB-LIEVE's blog (www.GOiBELIEVE.com/blog)**
Many of the other iB-Bloggers have written about the great importance of breaking down goals to be manageable. I couldn’t agree more! Peter Athans highlights the necessity for mountain climbers to plan before hiking up Mt Everest. Eddie McCaffrey discusses action-planning. And Joe Villapiano provides insight from his experience of running marathons. Most of these posts focus attention on creating smaller goals in order to ‘realize the dream’ and accomplish the lofty, ultimate goal. As I stated above those are absolutely essential. In fact, I believe that the dream can only be realized and lofty goals accomplished if we break them down and work towards actualizing them in smaller bits and pieces.
However, one of the most important facets of leadership is to dream big and pursue the loftiest of goals. It is essential that we, as leaders, be persistently focused on what we are ultimately working towards. Those dreams we are realizing and ultimate goals we are working towards should always stay front and center in our mind – no matter how “impossible” or lofty they are – no matter how much criticism we receive. By doing so, we make the mundane action items and smaller tasks compelling – simply because they lead to the deepest and most sincere sense of accomplishment.
In essence, the first step for us as leaders is to understand what we are pursuing. The second then, is to reflect upon and decide, at every single decision, if my choice will help me get closer to realizing my dream or accomplishing my ultimate goal. The third and final step is to act – to work towards realizing the dream and accomplishing the goal!
Many of the other iB-Bloggers have written about the great importance of breaking down goals to be manageable. I couldn’t agree more! Peter Athans highlights the necessity for mountain climbers to plan before hiking up Mt Everest. Eddie McCaffrey discusses action-planning. And Joe Villapiano provides insight from his experience of running marathons. Most of these posts focus attention on creating smaller goals in order to ‘realize the dream’ and accomplish the lofty, ultimate goal. As I stated above those are absolutely essential. In fact, I believe that the dream can only be realized and lofty goals accomplished if we break them down and work towards actualizing them in smaller bits and pieces.
However, one of the most important facets of leadership is to dream big and pursue the loftiest of goals. It is essential that we, as leaders, be persistently focused on what we are ultimately working towards. Those dreams we are realizing and ultimate goals we are working towards should always stay front and center in our mind – no matter how “impossible” or lofty they are – no matter how much criticism we receive. By doing so, we make the mundane action items and smaller tasks compelling – simply because they lead to the deepest and most sincere sense of accomplishment.
In essence, the first step for us as leaders is to understand what we are pursuing. The second then, is to reflect upon and decide, at every single decision, if my choice will help me get closer to realizing my dream or accomplishing my ultimate goal. The third and final step is to act – to work towards realizing the dream and accomplishing the goal!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Dreaming Big
**This blog was originally published on iB-LIEVE's Blog. (www.GOiBELIEVE.com/blog)**
SMALL STEPS
Within the last week, many of my iB teammates blogged about the great importance of breaking down goals into manageable steps. I couldn’t agree more! From their points of view, it’s clear - creating smaller goals is essential to realizing our biggest goals and dreams. That’s the truth! I believe that our dreams can only be realized if we break them down and work towards actualizing them in smaller bits and pieces. But let me focus your attention on another aspect of goal setting; an aspect that I believe plays a particularly important role in my life as a leader.
Big dreams
I believe that one of the most important facets of leadership is to dream big and pursue the loftiest of goals. In my work mentoring and engaging with students, I have come to realize that it is essential to maintain focus on what I am ultimately working towards every step of the way. I believe good leaders dream big at one time or another, but great leaders reignite that dream at every possible moment to keep it in mind and use it as fuel.
In my experience
My life pursuit (aka my vocation and my calling) is to create a leadership institute in Nicaragua. I do have doubts because this is an incredibly lofty and distant goal. It’s easy to just dream about future aspirations. Especially ones, like mine, that take a decade (literally) of planning. It’s the type of dream that would be completely understandable if I let it slip away. But I don’t. I keep it in the front and center of my mind no matter how impossible or lofty it may feel to me or seem to others. Bottom line, it’s easy to give up, forget, or lose inspiration when we don’t take responsibility for our dreams. That’s why I hold myself accountable in even the most trivial tasks. I make them compelling because I know that in some way they are steps along the path to my ultimate dream. In fact, the last time I was in Nicaragua (this past winter), we mapped out the plan year by year. We outlined everything that needs to happen in order to begin classes in the fall of 2020. This year I will start my PhD and register the institute as an educational organization.
Advice for the leader in you
Here are some questions that I ask myself to help me keep the dream alive in my everyday work:
- What am I pursuing? What is my dream(s)?
- For small and big decisions along the way: Do the choices I make help me get closer to realizing my dream(s)?
- If not now, then when? Don’t hesitate. If it's really a dream of yours, make it compelling - want it more than anything else!
- Find mentors to ask the BIG questions. I’d love to help, reach out and let me know what you’re dreaming about!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Finished a Book
I just finished a book, "The Exceptional Presenter" by Timothy Koegel. It was a quick read and provided solid insight as to how I can prepare and present at my highest level whether to my supervisory staff or to an audience of 600. Although I enjoyed the book and learned a number of pointers, the point of this blog is to shed some light on how great I feel by finishing the book. I love it! I love the fleeing of closing the back cover of a book after reading the last page. On one hand, there is a sense of accomplishment for getting all the way through it. But for me, the real enjoyment comes from the feeling of having the incredible opportunity to select a new book. Granted, that moment of selecting a new book can come at any time. However, the feeling is heightened when one book ends. There is a certain intention that is placed on deciding the theme or type of the next one...I have an inner sensation - a great anticipation for the learning ahead and a sense of excitement to dive into something new and fresh...I can't wait until bed-time, - a new book is on horizon...
Monday, February 8, 2010
'Take Me With You'
A number of years ago I read Brad Newsham's Take Me With You, an inspiring story of a man who sells everything he owns to travel around the world with a mssion - to find one person from all of his visits to bring to the USA and serve as a cross-country host on a tour from the Atlantic to the Pacific. I've recently given the book to a friend to read and the conversations we've had since have been meaning-making experiences. We've chatted about who we would bring back, where we would go, if we would sell everything we owned to finance this kind of adventure, what it means to travel with others vs. solo, what it means to be a 'global citizen', etc. Whether you've read it or not, how would you answer those questions?
Who would you bring to the USA for a cross-country tour?
If you could travel to any destination, where would you go?
Would you sell everything you owned to finance a world-wide travel experience?
What does it mean for you to travel along vs. with others?
How do you define 'global citizen'? Do you identify as one?
Thanks for participating in the conversation.....
Who would you bring to the USA for a cross-country tour?
If you could travel to any destination, where would you go?
Would you sell everything you owned to finance a world-wide travel experience?
What does it mean for you to travel along vs. with others?
How do you define 'global citizen'? Do you identify as one?
Thanks for participating in the conversation.....
Monday, January 25, 2010
Yelling At The Wind (and then laughing)
I'm in the midst of reading, "Creating With Others: The Practice of Imagination in Life, Art & the Workplace" by Shaun McNiff. I've just read a statement and wanted to share. He writes, "consciousness does not necessarily change rough situations or control them in any way. It's how we respond to them, what we do with them."
For me, this is very relevant to an experience this evening. I was walking to a meeting in the direct opposite direction of the wind. Mind you, the rain was falling and lashing against my face. In a moment of heat, I decided the best use of my energy was to yell at the wind - literally. I asked it, in a not-so-nice way, with a raised voice to, "just stop already" and to "quit it". After a moment of arguing and making demands at the wind out loud, I began to laugh, out loud. I laughed at myself and the situation. What was I doing - what was I trying to accomplish by expressing my frustrating by yelling into the wind. Did I think it was actually going to stop? After I became 'conscious', I realized that I certainly could not change the wind. But I could change the way I respond to it. Although, not immediately by choice, it was certainly much healthier and beneficial to laugh at the wind than to get heated, annoyed, angry, and frustrated. In the end, this was a great reminder for me that I'm not in control of what happens to me, biut that i am always in control of how I respond...
For me, this is very relevant to an experience this evening. I was walking to a meeting in the direct opposite direction of the wind. Mind you, the rain was falling and lashing against my face. In a moment of heat, I decided the best use of my energy was to yell at the wind - literally. I asked it, in a not-so-nice way, with a raised voice to, "just stop already" and to "quit it". After a moment of arguing and making demands at the wind out loud, I began to laugh, out loud. I laughed at myself and the situation. What was I doing - what was I trying to accomplish by expressing my frustrating by yelling into the wind. Did I think it was actually going to stop? After I became 'conscious', I realized that I certainly could not change the wind. But I could change the way I respond to it. Although, not immediately by choice, it was certainly much healthier and beneficial to laugh at the wind than to get heated, annoyed, angry, and frustrated. In the end, this was a great reminder for me that I'm not in control of what happens to me, biut that i am always in control of how I respond...
Sunday, January 24, 2010
$64
This evening I went to an Interfaith prayer, worship, and support event in Boston. It was incredible being around lay leaders, civic leaders (including the Mayor of Boston and Governor of MA) and an array of religious / spiritually diverse leaders. The event was aimed at building awareness and raising funds for the people in Haiti. Prior to going, I did not know much about the event and only realized it was a fundraiser after I had already arrived. Without a check book, I gave what was in my pocket....$64. It felt great to give that money to a worthy cause and through an organization doing amazing and credible work (Partners In Health). However, I felt a bit empty doing so. I don't have a connection to the country of Haiti or to the people in that island country. If it had been Nepal or Qatar (places i've visited), I would have made much more of a purposeful effort to lend support. If the tragedy happened in Nicaragua (a place that I've lived and want to return to permanently), I would have potentially left the USA to travel down to Central America and worked in whatever capacity was needed. I'm sure I'll be sitting with the meaning behind the money for a little bit. Some questions it raises are: What will it go towards - was it enough / is there more that I can give - is there more that I can do - why have I waited almost two weeks and for an event to give funds? I'm sure more questions will come. I feel good supporting this cause, but I question-filled because the donation did not necessarily come from my authentic self.
This was an eye-opening event in that it gets me thinking about who and how I share / lend my time, talent, and treasure. Clearly the more connection I have, the more likely I want to be giving of myself and resources. So, at this moment, I find myself asking, how do we get to a place where we feel the connection with people and places we've never seen or heard of? How do we build that sense of compassion for the 'others' who seem so foreign and places so distant (literally and figuratively)? I'm not sure, except to open ourselves up - open our heads, open our hearts, and open our hands to every and all members of our global community....easier said than done, but the little reminders and simple actions will get us to a place where the 'other' is known and the distance decreases...
This was an eye-opening event in that it gets me thinking about who and how I share / lend my time, talent, and treasure. Clearly the more connection I have, the more likely I want to be giving of myself and resources. So, at this moment, I find myself asking, how do we get to a place where we feel the connection with people and places we've never seen or heard of? How do we build that sense of compassion for the 'others' who seem so foreign and places so distant (literally and figuratively)? I'm not sure, except to open ourselves up - open our heads, open our hearts, and open our hands to every and all members of our global community....easier said than done, but the little reminders and simple actions will get us to a place where the 'other' is known and the distance decreases...
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Leadership and Poetry
Over this past winter break, I ventured down to Leon, Nicaragua to work with a leadership and community service organization called, Alianza Schweitzer Club. It was the first time they had a formal 3-day retreat-style program focused on leadership development and team building. (as a side note, these types of programs are virtually non-existent in Nicaragua. It is quite humbling to be initiating this type of work). Simply stated, the retreat was incredible! We retreated at a beach house on the pacific coast - a 2 minute walk the ocean. In addition to the physical setting, the students were in it - they were ready to go as soon as we arrived. These young people yearn for opportunities to challenge and grow themselves and their country. This was one such opportunity.
For me, one of the most impactful parts of the retreat was beginning each segment with a poem. As part of the introduction to the retreat, I commented on the importance of connecting ourselves, our whole Selves, to the deepening experience we would individually and collectively go through as of being part of this leadership journey. However, to do so, we would need to challenge ourselves to think differently. We would need to breath new life into our individual and collective work. I used poetry to assist us with our journey. It was amazing to see how this group paused to listen deeply and reflect on the words being shared before diving into the activities and conversations. This, and I would assume most art forms, have the potential to set the stage and create positive potential far greater than without exercising our creative Selves....Below are some pictures from the retreat.
For me, one of the most impactful parts of the retreat was beginning each segment with a poem. As part of the introduction to the retreat, I commented on the importance of connecting ourselves, our whole Selves, to the deepening experience we would individually and collectively go through as of being part of this leadership journey. However, to do so, we would need to challenge ourselves to think differently. We would need to breath new life into our individual and collective work. I used poetry to assist us with our journey. It was amazing to see how this group paused to listen deeply and reflect on the words being shared before diving into the activities and conversations. This, and I would assume most art forms, have the potential to set the stage and create positive potential far greater than without exercising our creative Selves....Below are some pictures from the retreat.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Time to STEP Up!
“Vision is not enough, it must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps, we must step up the stairs.”- Victor Havel
It took me the last 18 days of simmering for me to continue on my journey of blogging. I love the idea - what an amazing tool blogging can be....for personal growth, for sharing ideas, for building community - it is a remarkable vision. However, as Havel states, vision is not enough. The action piece is essential. He was on The Edge(s) realizing the importance of reflection AND action. So, here is to more action. What a great quote to read today a jumpstart to re-engage in blogging....
It took me the last 18 days of simmering for me to continue on my journey of blogging. I love the idea - what an amazing tool blogging can be....for personal growth, for sharing ideas, for building community - it is a remarkable vision. However, as Havel states, vision is not enough. The action piece is essential. He was on The Edge(s) realizing the importance of reflection AND action. So, here is to more action. What a great quote to read today a jumpstart to re-engage in blogging....
Friday, January 1, 2010
Leadership On The Edge(s)...Shall we begin...
Leadership On The Edge(s) is a journal highlighting the power and importance of living and leading on The Edge(s). Not one edge, but two – the Edge of Reflection and the Edge of Action. Via this blog, I will share thoughts, contemplations, meditations and muses related to ways in which I believe we can bring about a better world - by spending time within ourselves (in reflection) and by spending time being present in the world (in action), we will become the individuals and organizations we dream of...Please join me on this journey...shall we begin...
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