Advice for transforming leadership, culture, Curiosity, and communication from Beth Wonson
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Blaming is neither true or not true. It doesn’t take me even one tiny step closer to my or anyone else’s happiness or freedom. . Rachel Neumann Shambahala Sun March 2014 I’m in the Phoenix airport waiting for a delayed flight. It is the perfect place in time and space for observing how blame wrecks havoc on and eats up time and energy in our lives. I observe people around me taking on both victim and victor roles as they seek to place blame. I overhear conversations on cell phones and between travel companions as everyone speculates about who is…
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The key to creating and sustaining support for your program…
I’ve been asked to share my view at an upcoming symposium at High 5 Adventure Learning. Here is what it boils down to for me. Public relations and connection building are critical to program sustainability. Funding comes from the places and times you least expect it. If you ask for money you get advice. If you ask for advice you may just get money. Seeking support and funding is like going to the chiropractor. If you go when you don’t need it, you’ll always feel good. If you wait until you are in pain, it is a long, slow process…
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What to look for when in emerging leaders
I was recently asked what I would look for when identifying emerging leaders. It only took me a few minutes to consider this and come up with 3 key characteristics: Ability to empathize Willingness to be vulnerable Clarity of communication While these skills can be acquired, someone who exhibits them authentically and naturally, is likely to be highly successful in a leadership role. The person who is able to empathize with others acquires significant insight into fears and perceived barriers to success. In the leadership role, this person will be able to assist any staff person to move through these…
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Problem Solving Simplified…
Imagine how much simpler problem solving can be when you experience the problem for exactly what is in this moment. To do this, quiet and let go of the thoughts of regrets and feelings of shame that maybe associated with what you perceive to be past mistakes (or weaknesses) around your problem solving or decision making skills. And dismiss fearful thoughts about future, unrealized consequences (what if’s). Accept all these thoughts for what they are: stories. Stories that bring no added value in this moment. There are several ways to become present. Here’s one suggestion. You can come to the…
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Choosing a new pathway…
I was given a beautiful gift today. I was invited by a dear friend to walk with her on her pathway of feels associated with disappointment. She is a gifted, talented and hardworking artist. Her disappointment was generated from the excitement and expectancy of what originally appeared to be an opportunity to advance her work. The gift, revealed by becoming the observer, was my increased awareness about the mayhem caused when old emotional pains are invited in to what we are experiencing in this moment. I listened to her express what was happening for her, and I noticed she choose…
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Transformational Event…Thanks PA!
Yesterday I was asked, “What was the single most transformational event in your life”? You may find the answer as surprising as I did. The single most transformational (and impactful) event in my life was getting a job at .org”>Project Adventure, Inc. I worked at “PA” for nearly 13 years. When I see PA in my mind, I see it as a big, strong, fast moving and somewhat tumultuous river. A river with many, many tributaries, off shoots and sometime lazy lagoons. A river that eventually meets the ocean and creates a place where the seawater and the fresh water…
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Adulthood, True Purpose and Sacred Economics
I have been thinking a lot lately about the concepts and power of gratitude, abundance and the intrinsic and extrinsic rewards of sharing abundance. I believe this short film by Charles Eisenstein best explains and explores my desire of how to participate in our world financially. Your thoughts?
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Great post by Michael Trotta on what horses can teach us about leadership
Micheal Trotta is a coach, consultant and teacher who focuses on nature as our teacher. I haven’t had the chance to learn from him yet but I do so viacariously through some of my coaching mentors and peers including Margaret Webb and June Bayha. The following post includes Michael’s reflections on working with horses as leadership teachers, coaches, mirrors and reflectors. He captures why I too love this work. Beginning in November I will be offering this service as part of my coaching practice. Please contact me if you are interested in learning about yourself through the mirror of a…
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First follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader…
I just never get tired of this message by Derek Sivers. It is so true. I continue to share it in my coaching practice and in my work with groups and teams.I hope you find it inspiring as well.
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Let go of the rock baby…
Anyone who knows me knows that I can’t resist a great metaphor. And I think because I love metaphors so much, the Universe just can’t wait to serve them up to me. Here is my latest serving of metaphor. Yesterday I was having a yummy Chai at a great place in San Luis Obispo. A mom was there with her 18 month old daughter, a beautiful, curious child. The daughter was wandering around the courtyard carrying a small rock, or river stone in her tiny fist. Soon I heard her whimpering and looked to see she had put her hand,…
Leveling up Leadership and Culture Through Healthy and Candid Communication
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