"Essence" slide

As promised, here's the slide:

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.” ~Martha Graham

A Strength I See in You - reflections

Last night, after our exercise, we shared some of the heartfelt experiences you had. As we didn't have much time to do this in class, we thought it would be nice to share more here about what you experienced and what you now know, that you didn't know before this exercise.

While we realize this is a public blog, we're sure there are some meaningful things you could post that would be of benefit to both you and to the others in our community.

During this week, make sure to try the exercise with others in your life, not in the formal way we did last night, but in an easy, natural way, by really listening to others, seeing them with your heart, sharing a strength you see in them, and maybe even asking them to tell you about a time when they felt on top of the world, when they were being true to who they know themselves to really be.

We look forward to anything you feel called to write, and to hearing more next week.

Hal & Julie

Week #9 - Be Ordinary

So, here we are. We've arrived at our last live-with, Be Ordinary. I know, after last night's wonderful experience of "The Strength I See In You" exercise, that you know being ordinary is no ordinary matter at all.

You shared your Essence with your classmates, and in turn, witnessed theirs. That is no ordinary experience. It is extraordinary. This is what our live-with is all about. Sharing your ordinariness with the world.

Take this week to do the inward-bound journey we spoke of last night. You now have all the tools you need to do this. You know you are creative, you heard all those strengths that were showered on you last night, and you have the courage to look within to those places long ago put into the shadow.

This looking within and seeing your own light doesn't have to be a serious matter. Let is be filled with curiosity and a true desire to know yourself as your highest Self. Remember from last night, it is right here in front of you. It's not hidden at all.

We look forward to reading about your experiences right here on the blog. This is our last week to post, so be brave and courageous and share your Selves with your community that truly now does see you with their hearts.

Hal & Julie

Final Paper-- Totally optional

The grading requirement has NOT changed. Those desiring a grade were asked to contribute to this blog, sharing their experiences, thoughts and engagement with the content and thereby, at the same time, being helpful to their class mates. Those who have done this posting need do nothing more, unless they want to.

Separately, there were a few who felt they wished to write a paper. Great! So, the final paper "alternative" or option was included in your handout from Class #7. Look over the questions. If you care to write about some or all, it can enhance your learning from the course. Send it to us, or alternatively, you could post portions of your thoughts under this heading.

Absolutely optional... but we would be pleased to read and comment upon those papers that are sent it.

Leading Change

If change is the only constant, then leading change becomes a major part of every leader's job. We have covered a number of frameworks regarding change-- and there are plenty of others around...

What has been your experience with either leading change or "being part" of a major change or turnaround effort. What did you experience? How did you cope to get through it?

Do you have thoughts about our two cases: Avon and Nissan (to be discussed in our next class on 11/30)?

What lessons can you draw from either of the CEO's involved that can be applied to your own situation?

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving
Hal & Julie

Week #8 Recognize your Decision NOW

You have two weeks to work on this live-with. Please pass on your experiences with this and the whole issue of balance in your life

Also think about which live-withs can be MOST useful over a holiday period. Sometimes when families gather, it can be very stressful. It can be a "field day" for the VOJ and having some pretty strong expectations about interactions and outcome. So... relax and try some of your NEW tools. Then, share any thoughts and experiences you have.

Week #7 - See With Your Heart

"And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye." Antoine de Saint-Exupery

What a lovely week this is - a week of seeing with your heart, which allows you to see what is invisible to the eye.

As you probably noticed in the exercise in class, it is only when you move past seeing with just the eyes and mind that you can really see another human being at all, and can really begin to be in relationship, whether it is with another or it is with your Self.

Make sure to practice this live-with both internally and externally. Once you begin to open your heart to yourself, and your Self, you will know your deepest capacity for love and compassion.

On a very practical note, use your precise observation to see what shifts at home and at work when you see with your heart. What changes in the dynamic of your relationships? How is the 'other', whom you are seeing with your heart, changed? How does is your creativity, and the creativity that comes from your relationship, changed?

Just Do It!

You now have two new tools in your tool bag:

1) The Three Stressors: categorize for clarity and forward action.

2) Face your fear: speak it out loud, then re-frame it as a Hero's Journey. What would breakthrough on the journey look like? What is the vision you see ahead? What will it take to Leap?

Try using these two tools and following your live-with, JUST DO IT!, this week in order to take action on your course challenge. How can you get enough clarity, so that you can take appropriate action on your challenge and any other challenges you might be facing?

Again, as Hal stated last week, go for progress, not perfection. Remember:

"Perfect is the enemy of done." clarissa pinkola estes

Week #6-- Do Only What You Love; Love What You Do

We hope you are having fun with this Live-With and will post your experiences below. Please also share your thoughts about matching how you spend your time with your values and goals. Go for progress, not perfection...
Have a great week.
Hal

Share Your Challenge

If you would like, you can share your challenge for the class here. It can be helpful to share your goal/challenge/intention with others, because it can make it more real and powerful.

If you do want feedback/advice, make it clear so others know you are asking for it; if you don't, say that, too, so others honor that.

Week #5-- Leadership & IDEO

We covered a lot of material about leadership and we encourage you to share any reactions or questions that were stimulated.

Further, after reading the IDEO case, you can share some ideas and comments about this company in advance of the class. Why is it successful? What are some of the concepts that might be useful for YOU in your own organization? How easily can other design firms "copy" its methodologies? Would you like to work there?

Week #4-- Ask Dumb Questions

Please share your experiences as you work with dumb or penetrating questions.

Let us know about your feelings as you frame the questions-- for example, what is the role of the VOJ? How about the reaction? Did you get your answer and maybe more?

You can even try questions with strangers-- so long as you genuinely want to know the answer. Many of us REALLY like to share of knowledge if someone asks and is interested...

What have you found?

Week #3 - CoolBurst

We touched on our CoolBurst case study in Monday's class, with three excellent presentations that covered the case. If you haven't done so, read the case study, then see what the 'expert' in you thinks Luisa should do.

Please share with us here any questions, thoughts, etc. that will help us all to get more out of this interesting case study.

Next Monday, we'll discuss the case more, and delve into the management side of things.

Week #3 - Precise Observation: Pay Attention!

So, now you are in week three of our class and, we imagine, getting the hang of these live-withs. You've had time to experiment with Have No Expectations and Psych(e) Out Your VOJ. Our new live-with, Pay Attention, builds on these first two.

You are becoming familiar with your own creative process and with your VOJ, and when you have a deeper awareness of both, you begin to be more open to the world around you, and the world inside you. This week, we invite you to pay attention to both worlds.

Listen, see, taste, touch and smell with precise observation, as a young child filled with wonder, a scientist absorbed in research, or an alien who has just landed on earth and is seeing things for the first time.

Shake things up! Travel a different route, eat different foods, talk with strangers - do anything you can to have a foreign experience, as if you are a traveller in a new world, because in reality you are. In every moment, life is changing right before your eyes.

So, get out there, and in there, and Pay Attention. Then come back here to fill us in on all the wonder-filled moments you have experienced and how those experiences have affected your Self and your VOJ.

Resources: Articles, links, etc. from class

This is a collecting place for articles, links, poetry, etc. that we share in class.

Class 2: Fast Company Magazine, October 2008, Next: Rewiring the Creative Mind
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/129/rewiring-the-creative-mind.html

Week #2 - Ideas of Leadership Style and 7-S Model

We also shared with you the Ideas of Leadership Style and the 7-S Model. As we did in class, continue to notice what leadership style your boss/parent uses, its effectiveness, and what might combination of styles might work better. As a leader yourself, consider what your natural styles are and how they support your own internal values.

Also, take a look at the 7-S Model and how your organizations fares.

Please post here any experiences, thoughts, questions or reflections.

Week #2 - Absence of Judgment | Psych(e) out the VOJ

So, here we go! This week's live with, Psych(e) out the VOJ provides an entirely different way to see yourself, others and the world around you. As we stated in class, there are two main parts to thsi live-with: 1) develop an awareness of your VOJ (it's just as unique as your creative process), and 2) practice with ways to psych(e) it out, so you begin to choose from your Essence and its natural creative potential rather than from the conditioned response of the VOJ.

Enjoy yourselves. Make sure to capture your insights as they happen, or so afterwards, so you can deepen your learnings. Of course, we love to read about what's happening out there with everyone, so please post on the blog. If something comes up that is deeply personal and you would rather not share here, please email either one of us, or both.

Have a great week!

YOUR Creative Process

The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself. ~Alan Alda

Share what you are discovering about your own unique creative process, and what you are learning about your Self as we travel through these 10 weeks together.

How does it feel to leave your comfort and go into the wilderness?

What happens during incubation?

What strategies works for you?

How does it feel during illumination and breakthrough?

Where and how do you stop the Process?

What are you learning about your Self?

Next Class: Monday, October 5th...

Please remember there is NO class on September 28th. Just another week to collect the Course Reader and practice the Live-With: Have No Expectations.

This weekend, is there something you have to do that you are not looking forward to? Try dropping the expectations and see what happens.

Hal

Week #1-- Faith in Your Creativity & Introduction to our Conception of Leadership

First, thanks to those who introduced themselves under the prior topic. It looks as though we will have very interesting, diverse and talented group of participants-- lots of opportunities to learn from each other. You can still add your own introduction...

Next, please post any comments, ideas or questions that were "stimulated" by the 1st class.

Between now and the next class on October 5th, you have plenty of time to experiment with your assigned "Live-With": Have No Expectations. Record your experiences-- successful or less so-- with this concept. How did it work in meeetings, in dealing with deadlines? What did you try? What did you notice about your own reactions? This is the most difficult tool and "wrestling" with it has a slow but definite payback. Good luck.

Welcome to Bus-17: Creativity & Leadership

Welcome...

You have found us...

Here is where, we hope, most the out-of-class participation will occur. Beyond any partnering you do with other class mates, your sharing here of insights, ideas and experiences will enhance the learning for everyone.

For starters, why not add a post here that introduces yourself to the rest of the class. It will also help us get to know you.

Visit often.

Thanks,
Julie and Hal