Blogging here's a bit like yelling into a canyon - I think somebody should hear me, but I'm never really sure! Or maybe it's like journaling, and it's really for my own benefit. Anyway, a warm shout-out to those of you reading this.
I mentioned in my last post that I was having a lot of fun working with the APLP team at the East-West Center, and promised to write about that. Among the many fun bits, here are three:
ONE: My colleagues can be pretty inspiring. Christina and I co-directed APLP this year (G15!) and working with her was something akin to sharpening pencils: we were always seeking the finer point of what we were designing and delivering, and this process generally felt really good. There's great pleasure in spending the time to get things right (or right enough). In these first weeks of January, Christina and I are reviewing the first semester of G15, and the sharpening continues. I hope to always have co-workers who are as focused, open, and funny as Christina. Hoping the same for all of us, in fact. Seek out people like this!
See the article here: http://www.strategy-business.com/article/00319
I mentioned in my last post that I was having a lot of fun working with the APLP team at the East-West Center, and promised to write about that. Among the many fun bits, here are three:
ONE: My colleagues can be pretty inspiring. Christina and I co-directed APLP this year (G15!) and working with her was something akin to sharpening pencils: we were always seeking the finer point of what we were designing and delivering, and this process generally felt really good. There's great pleasure in spending the time to get things right (or right enough). In these first weeks of January, Christina and I are reviewing the first semester of G15, and the sharpening continues. I hope to always have co-workers who are as focused, open, and funny as Christina. Hoping the same for all of us, in fact. Seek out people like this!
TWO: APLPers can be pretty inspiring. When we were all together in G12, I had a sense that our diversity was unique and that we were learning a lot because of it. Now, as an instructor, I see it very clearly. There are few places where adults from such varied backgrounds come together and forge common learnings and outcomes. It takes a lot of patience and discipline on the part of all (or most) involved. Watching successive groups struggle to create a shared identity that is flexible enough for everyone's differences is energizing. It makes my small part of it seem worthwhile, and makes me want to do better.
THREE: The Japanese Garden. This past year, I discovered its great napping opportunities. Not sure why it took me so long.
Regardless of the fun - I do still miss you all in APLP-land, and wish there were a way to bring you back for a visit.
Cheers - Gretchen
PS - Read this article recently about how we as leaders (or anyone wishing to make change) must intentionally make ourselves uncomfortable by taking action outside of our core areas. Acting beyond our "comfort zones" can help us gain new learning and skills (what the author calls "outsight") through action. In fact, that is one thing that working with EWC - and having to get up in front of a class and deliver - has provided me: multiple opportunities to feel uncomfortable, and perhaps develop outsight. Have you had similar experiences lately?
See the article here: http://www.strategy-business.com/article/00319
Haha... Gretchen... that was very funny. That blogging here is like yelling into a canyon! It does feel like that at times, doesn't it? That one is writing in a void, not knowing if anyone is reading what one writes or not. Well, please be assured that there are people reading the blog posts (you are able to see actual numbers for each post under the 'posts' link of settings). I guess its just that the readers are not comfortable commenting on what they read and when they do comment on it, it is more often on the G12 facebook page.
ReplyDeleteI am reading :) I just do it all together after months away!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I just read your last paragraph, I think there is a real link with my recent experience with my team - the easy option would have been to leave but I think in the process of working it through I have learnt a lot about myself.
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