Hey Pete. I think that “We” piece is important too. I like that you included JFK since he is a good one to look to for positivity. When it comes to my students I always like to talk about the class as our class, our room, our work. It is not them. It is not me. We are a group going through the year together. I think that this is a small yet powerful message for children to hear. That personal connection lets them know that we are a team and even when things are not going well we can make it. I can tell that from everything you do you will make sure to light a spark in the world of may people. I feel so lucky to have met such a great group of people and think we have all done a great job at sharing with each other. That is almost more inspirational than all of these books combined.
Pete's Original Post:
RIDAY, JUNE 15, 2012
Week 4 Blog Post on The Art of Possibility (9-12)
The idea that enrollment, the practice of chapter 9, is the art of generating a spark instead of cajoling resonated very much with me. As a department chair, one of my jobs is to relay information from administration to my teacher colleagues. They are well skilled in spotting manipulation and I would agree with them on their point of view in this area. I resent it, too.
The quote from Zander’s father, “Certain things in life are better done in person,” is a great quote to live by. I recall a United Airlines commercial that hit on this theme as it presented a man who had to be inconvenienced from his life because he needed to change a customer’s perception about his company’s proposal. As you looked at the eyes of the business traveler throughout the ad, he was as engaging to the ticket agent as he was to the customer. I think this encapsulates this point of Zander’s; you can have a spark that ignites in a positive way or you can light no flame in others. It is always in connecting with others that we change attitudes and thus move others from where they are.
As the next 2-part practice of realizing “I am the board,” (ownership of my life’s actions) begins the practice and asking “how did this get on my board,” follows, it seems Zander promotes that we own the outcomes. The way things are, compromise, and enrollment don’t always produce the results we’d expect. So owning and assessing are a logical response. I would think that following this, we also understand our audience. It is rare, but I have run into the immovable, excuse-maker who spends much energy missing an opportunity.
The next practice of creating frameworks for possibilities are not new in my opinion. We must create frameworks of how we will advance. As Zander puts it, we basically identify the problem (downward spiral), jump in, and monitor what is “on track” and “off track.” I tend to do this constantly with the digital academy I am part of. There are those who would like to move it in many directions but we have a clear idea of what is “on track” and “off track” when it comes to our culture. I totally agree with this idea. The vision drives the culture.
Finally, the “We” approach is always a good idea. I remember JFK using “we” in his famous speeches about America supporting the “space race” with Russia. “We” alienate no one and includes everyone in the initiative. The final William James quote says it all, as well. “Big plans” and “great things” are not always the approach. Personal connection that spreads like a “root” and feeds other initiatives goes viral in a good way. I see the work we are doing after this program as a good example of that visual.
I can tell that from everything you do you will make sure to light a spark in the world of may people. I feel so lucky to have met such a great group of people and think we have all done a great job at sharing with each other. That is almost more inspirational than all of these books combined.
RIDAY, JUNE 15, 2012
Week 4 Blog Post on The Art of Possibility (9-12)