Thoughts during a vacation:
What do you know?
If you were on a certain NPR program, the proper response would be “Not much, you?”. However, we aren’t (at least I’m not), and my thoughts have gone in this direction:
The most dynamic, adaptive groups, whether they be workplaces, organizations, groups of friends, or families, strive to maximize their potential. When a member of a group has a certain knowledge or talent, allowing that to be expressed adds value to the overall group.
This knowledge/talent need not be in the “knows xhtml”/”graphic design”/”organized” variety (although these definitely do qualify). Think about how much you value the people in your workplace/families/organizations that provide positive attitudes to situations. How valuable is it to have someone who is described by the theme song from the Mary Tyler Moore show in your group? It can make a sick workplace tolerable, and a good workplace fun (and more productive).
The group as a whole must be open to changing how they do things, and the members of that group must recognize that personal ego can get into the way of success. This is not recommending “ego-less” existence, or that having an ego or pride in one’s accomplishments will doom the groups endeavor, but that when it impedes another group member’s exploration into their talents, or prevents a member from exploring new avenues (by keeping them locked into one area in which they have shown success), it becomes a handicap.
Ask yourself: What do you know? How can you channel this in new and creative ways to make your groups (family, organizations, workplace, etc.) better, stronger, faster?
In addition: What do the other members of your groups know? How can you find this out? What can you do to encourage the application of this knowledge to its best advantage?
Lastly: What would you like to know? What steps can you take to begin travelling down that path? How can you encourage others to take their first steps?
Recognize that all this begins with asking yourself the question: “What do you know?”. Then you simply expand on the theme.
Just a few thoughts I have had this week….
Rick, you are so right! In order for an organization to be healthy it MUST constantly change, but at an even pace…not too fast not too slow. I’ve been watching what the committee has been doing lately and I am soooo proud of all of your work! I know that the Reaching Forward South organization will be long-lived by the direction it’s going in right now. Thanks to everyon for your hard work!