As you may have noticed, the look of the blog has changed. If you check it regularly, it may have changed several times in the last few days. I'm working with updating the site to make it more user-friendly and provide some more information, so it is technically a "work in progress."
On another note, the comment from the Ideation post was right on. That is one part of the strengths message - focusing around strengths and managing non-strengths. Thus, a team would be made up of a mix of talents, including some strong in Ideation, others with a Strategic strength to see the alternatives and efficiencies, possibly some Activators to make sure the team is taking action, and some Responsibility persons to hold the team to deadlines and action plans. By mixing strengths among the members, a team can be very strong and active.
Speaking of teams, congrats to the Viking football team for the 28-14 win over Cokeville Saturday. See Championship action this Saturday vs. Southeast at Torrington.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Ideation
"I have an idea."
Have you heard someone say that often? It could be that they have Ideation as one of their signature themes or strengths.
A person strong in Ideation is fascinated by ideas. Lots of ideas. All kinds of ideas. A thought to explain something complex or a connection between seemingly disparate concepts. Those with Ideation enjoy finding new perspectives on things and twisting and turning the familiar into new and exciting possibilities. For the Ideation person, ideas are energizing, and this person thrives on them.
One of the keys to working with a person with Ideation is to honor the ideas and provide opportunities to express them. Many times this person will think out loud, throwing out ideas right and left, seeing if one sticks. Understanding that ideas will flow from this person can help others see that the process of creating ideas is what gives this person energy. From the large number of ideas can come a truly remarkable thought that can take organizations in a whole new direction.
Have you heard someone say that often? It could be that they have Ideation as one of their signature themes or strengths.
A person strong in Ideation is fascinated by ideas. Lots of ideas. All kinds of ideas. A thought to explain something complex or a connection between seemingly disparate concepts. Those with Ideation enjoy finding new perspectives on things and twisting and turning the familiar into new and exciting possibilities. For the Ideation person, ideas are energizing, and this person thrives on them.
One of the keys to working with a person with Ideation is to honor the ideas and provide opportunities to express them. Many times this person will think out loud, throwing out ideas right and left, seeing if one sticks. Understanding that ideas will flow from this person can help others see that the process of creating ideas is what gives this person energy. From the large number of ideas can come a truly remarkable thought that can take organizations in a whole new direction.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Input
I was recently asked to participate in a Quality Assurance Review in Buffalo to help determine if their high school should be accredited and provide suggestions on how to improve. As is often the case when I visit other districts and educational entities, I learned a lot.
One of the things I learned is the importance of stakeholder communication and working together to provide a positive educational experience for students. Embedded throughout the AdvancEd criteria for accreditation, stakeholder input was evident in several of the seven standards, including those in Vision and Purpose; Leadership; Stakeholder Communication and Relationships; and Continuous Improvement. In addition, active involvement of students in the learning process was a part of the Teaching and Learning standard.
While it is sometimes not always easy asking for input when one is certain of neither the volume nor tenor of the response, it is nonetheless important in order to get a more complete picture. Organizations must ask their customers and shareholders what they are thinking or feeling. Only by gathering input from all stakeholders can school districts get a good feel for the wants, needs and issues of a community.
Platte #2 recently put a survey on its website asking for input. We received a fair amount of input on a controversial topic and feel that conversations were started that will lead to improvement. As the district moves forward and plans for the future, I am asking for your input again. On the website is a much more detailed survey, but one that will help the board of trustees and the district determine a direction to continue getting better. If you do not have an Internet connection, we do have a paper survey available. We ask that you take the time to fill out this survey and thank you ahead of time for doing so. Working together, we can continue to reach for excellence while providing an outstanding education for our students.
(also appears in the October 31 Guernsey-Gazette)
One of the things I learned is the importance of stakeholder communication and working together to provide a positive educational experience for students. Embedded throughout the AdvancEd criteria for accreditation, stakeholder input was evident in several of the seven standards, including those in Vision and Purpose; Leadership; Stakeholder Communication and Relationships; and Continuous Improvement. In addition, active involvement of students in the learning process was a part of the Teaching and Learning standard.
While it is sometimes not always easy asking for input when one is certain of neither the volume nor tenor of the response, it is nonetheless important in order to get a more complete picture. Organizations must ask their customers and shareholders what they are thinking or feeling. Only by gathering input from all stakeholders can school districts get a good feel for the wants, needs and issues of a community.
Platte #2 recently put a survey on its website asking for input. We received a fair amount of input on a controversial topic and feel that conversations were started that will lead to improvement. As the district moves forward and plans for the future, I am asking for your input again. On the website is a much more detailed survey, but one that will help the board of trustees and the district determine a direction to continue getting better. If you do not have an Internet connection, we do have a paper survey available. We ask that you take the time to fill out this survey and thank you ahead of time for doing so. Working together, we can continue to reach for excellence while providing an outstanding education for our students.
(also appears in the October 31 Guernsey-Gazette)
Monday, October 15, 2007
The One Thing
A bit of serendipity from the last couple of weeks has me thinking about getting more focused. An on-line newsletter I get from a personal development entrepreneur discussed the movie City Slickers and one of the characters, Curly, played by Jack Palance. The scene from the movie has Billy Crystal’s character asking the grizzled cowboy to tell him the secret to his perceived grasp of life’s secrets. Curly would hold up one finger and say, “One thing.” Eventually Crystal’s character becomes exasperated and asks, “What is the one thing,” followed by Curly’s response along the lines of “You’ll have to figure that out.”
The serendipitous part comes from the fact that a book I’m reading for graduate class called Crucial Conversations had the same story. If find it interesting that this obscure reference came about twice in such a short time. All of which got me thinking about a book I read in the last year by Buckingham, The One Thing You Need to Know. Each of these references was talking about narrowing our focus to the fundamental element for achieving success. In Crucial Conversations the focus was on successful conversations and making sure relevant information was free flowing. Buckingham wrote of three scenarios – managing, leading, and personal success – and had a singular focus for each of the three. James Ray, in his on-line newsletter, wrote of success in life.
As I reflect on the strategic direction of our district – we are currently in the planning stages – I am reminded that a laser-like focus really does help individuals and organizations grow. As we develop our strategic plan, I will be reminded to ask the question, “What is the one thing?” that will drive success for the future. If the previous three authors are correct, we’ll certainly find out if we can answer that question.
(cross posted at http://www.leadertalk.org/)
The serendipitous part comes from the fact that a book I’m reading for graduate class called Crucial Conversations had the same story. If find it interesting that this obscure reference came about twice in such a short time. All of which got me thinking about a book I read in the last year by Buckingham, The One Thing You Need to Know. Each of these references was talking about narrowing our focus to the fundamental element for achieving success. In Crucial Conversations the focus was on successful conversations and making sure relevant information was free flowing. Buckingham wrote of three scenarios – managing, leading, and personal success – and had a singular focus for each of the three. James Ray, in his on-line newsletter, wrote of success in life.
As I reflect on the strategic direction of our district – we are currently in the planning stages – I am reminded that a laser-like focus really does help individuals and organizations grow. As we develop our strategic plan, I will be reminded to ask the question, “What is the one thing?” that will drive success for the future. If the previous three authors are correct, we’ll certainly find out if we can answer that question.
(cross posted at http://www.leadertalk.org/)
Thursday, September 06, 2007
About Our Strengths - Woo
Reading the September 4 edition of the Guernsey Gazette, I was intrigued by editor Vicki Hood’s column, Fishing in the Dark. In it, Vicki told a story of an email she received from her sister with five words under the signature. One of those words happened to be Woo, which Vicki proceeded to write about for several paragraphs, tongue in cheek. Wouldn’t you know, the five words were her sister’s strengths according to the StrengthsFinder survey. Thus, I have decided to begin our regular, hopefully weekly, look at individual strengths with Woo.
Woo can be considered to be the act of Winning Others Over. For me, it is a strength that is captivating, as those with Woo tend to interact with others easily and open conversations with complete strangers at the drop of a hat. Those with Woo are outgoing and friendly and know no strangers, only “friends they haven’t met yet.”
To develop this strength, it is important that a Woo person is in a position to interact with people every day. This person may be a point of contact for an organization or someone to help put others at ease in social interactions. Putting others at ease helps the individual to bring others on board and build networks. Understanding this strength in others allows us to see that networking and talking to a lot of people is just part of the strength of a Woo individual.
Woo can be considered to be the act of Winning Others Over. For me, it is a strength that is captivating, as those with Woo tend to interact with others easily and open conversations with complete strangers at the drop of a hat. Those with Woo are outgoing and friendly and know no strangers, only “friends they haven’t met yet.”
To develop this strength, it is important that a Woo person is in a position to interact with people every day. This person may be a point of contact for an organization or someone to help put others at ease in social interactions. Putting others at ease helps the individual to bring others on board and build networks. Understanding this strength in others allows us to see that networking and talking to a lot of people is just part of the strength of a Woo individual.
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