Eclectic Change

Rethinking Engagement

The whole reason I ended up caught in Prague when the volcano ash swept across Europe was that I had been in Olomouc for a day teaching a two hour class to students at the Placky University of Olomouc.  Our topic was Negotiation with a focus on Interest Based Negotiation. If someone where to ask me the most important aspect of engagement I would answer with two things.  (As you know, I hate to be restricted) Alignment Communications The students were engaged and entertained...

What does it mean to be a “good” team member?

While we often discuss the actions and behaviours that are required to be a member of a team we often look at only one side of  the accountability issue. Not only should we be accountable to other team members, it is everyone's responsibility to hold each other accountable for what they say they will do and what they actually do.  It is NOT just the responsibility of the leader do to this. Responsibilities of Team Members: Be accountable for actions Participate appropriately and fairly Su...

Rethinking The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Being in Prague and unable to get home for four days provided me with two wonderful opportunities: a chance to visit the city and take an unexpected mini vacation time to reflect on life, business, priorities and blessings I plan to write about some of my observations over the next couple of weeks. Some of the topics will be: rethinking teams rethinking engagement rethinking collaboration rethinking leadership Today, I want to share with you what I discovered about what is ...

Team Process Skills – Tell me true

Team process skills are probably the one team item that is "discussed" and not pursued the most.  There are a few reasons for this: Image by Robert Higgins via Flickr We think that since we communicate all the time, we will naturally do it properly. There is an assumption that they are "dealt" with in creating the guiding principles. Some of the emotional issues you may anticipate but you really can't relate until it happens. In truth, these are the most challenging types of be...

Red Flags – Being mindful instead of procrastinating

Here is another wonderful post by my guest contributor Marion Franklin.  This one is a good reminder to me to stop and listen instead of rushing ahead.  Others of you may realize how we sometimes avoid those "warning signs" because we hope we won't have to deal with any unpleasantness that might happen. You can find more in Marion's ezine full of great stuff. Her contact information is below. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Red Flags by Marion Franklin, MCC Image via Wi...

The slippery slope of eccentricity (A personal work in progress)

This will be posted over Easter when I am off with the family on a journey to visit some German Castles and Legoland. It seems right to take a little time to pontificate on how my life has changed.  A small story of how I have chosen to remain a work in progress and reassemble the pieces of myself.  Too bad it is not as easy as Play-mobile or Lego. When I was in my 30's I use to say that I was in training to be eccentric.  I felt that any eccentricity before the age of 60 was merely being "fl...