LOGBOOK
Valentine's Day - we seem to have lost the roots of this celebration and it has become a day of invented and commercialized kindness. My mother always sent me new pajamas when I was away at school. That act soothed our bumpy connection and was appreciated. It was kind. From her I learned to pause and acknowledge those who matter to me. So, yes, I do send valentine's. This year I shared my first attempts with silk-screening. Card makers report more than 190 million cards are sent. When we send them with heartfelt intention - that is kind. How are you kind - every day?
Carol
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RESUPPLY
Do you agree with Jonathan Zittrain?
Watch this TED talk: The WEB as Random Acts of Kindness (20 minutes)
Feeling
like the world is becoming less friendly? Social theorist Jonathan Zittrain
begs to difffer. The Internet, he suggests, is made up of millions of
disinterested acts of kindness, curiosity and trust. Jonathan Zittrain wants to
make sure the electronic frontier stays open -- and he's looking to the
Internet's millions of users for its salvation.
Zittrain is an American
professor of Internet law
at Harvard Law School and a faculty co-director of Harvard's Berkman
Center for Internet & Society
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Scouting?
For more information,
to engage us in a dialogue about courageous leadership, and/or to schedule a free 30-minute, sample, coaching-session,
click here to email us.
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 Reading the waters
How are you kind?
Kindness can seem like one of those soft, squishy values
that we state but is easily dismissed as unimportant to strategic action. Kindness is something we should just "do"
without coaching or planning.
However, research points out that the conscious act of workplace
kindness has profound positive effects on the "bottom line". There is no question that matching our values with our
actions has real and tangible benefits.
We don't have the specific research to back this up - but our experience is that kindness
- improves morale, reduces turnover, increases recruitment, promotes
more kindness, fosters retention, reduces stress, reduces absenteeism., and increases joy.
Given that leaders pay attention to organizational culture,
let's take this notion further.
Think of everyone who interacts with your organization. Consider exploring these compelling
questions: How can we learn to think well of each other, support each other and
give each other the benefit of the doubt?
What would that look like?
How would it be different from how we now interact?
Begin to experiment with the responses
in order to cultivate a culture of kindness. Start a kindness revolution at work. The great thing about that is that you can start it right now, it doesn't cost a penny or require any training, and you don't need to consult a 'specialist' before you begin. Let us know what unfolds.
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Steering the Course
Our free conference call is an easy and effective way to connect with Deb and Carol to learn more about what is being offered by Paddling the Rapids.
When? The next call is scheduled for:
- Friday, February 26th, 8:30-9:15 AM
Call 1-518-825-1300 and use code 271884#
We will be sharing upcoming events, groups, and learning opportunities. Please join in and let us know what you want for your professional growth and that of your board members and staff. What can we do for you?
Coming up:
STRENGTHENING YOUR SKILLS AS A BOARD CHAIR: Board chair consultation groups. Board chairs are volunteers with significant responsibility for the oversight, stewardship, and planning for the sustainability of their nonprofit. Meet with other board chairs in a facilitated and confidential forum to expand your knowledge about your role, build a toolkit of resources to maximize your effectiveness, and discuss issues of relevance. Each session will use a combination of best practice presentation, discussion, peer consultations and case study inquiry. Sign up now and take your board leadership to the next level. 4 sessions, 2-hours per session, meets monthly. Forward this newsletter to your board chair. Register now.
Cost: $250 - a $150 deposit will reserve a place for you.
Portland: 5-7PM; Wednesdays, March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2 Bangor: 4-6PM, Tuesdays, April 13, May 11, June 1, June 29
SHIFTING THE BALANCE. Often our professional lives require our attention to be diffused in so many directions that our personal and professional goals get put to the side. It is easy to get out of balance. We are offering facilitated groups (4-6 participants) to focus on shifting into better balance. Over the course of five two-hour sessions, participants will identify and commit to taking actions that are critically important to them, but are continuously overlooked. The first four meetings will occur every other week for two hours. The fifth and final session will be scheduled a month later for check-in, peer support, accountability, and tune-ups. Is there something that you have been wanting to move forward in your life? Are you looking to re-adjust for more balance? This group is open to anyone in any role who is interested; it will start after 4 individuals have registered. We will collaborate on setting dates that work for everyone. Fee: $250. Location: teleconference, Augusta, and Portland. Contact Carol with your interest/questions or to register. PADDLING THE RAPIDS FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS IN THE LEWISTON AREA, a new group is forming. It's format and design will reflect the expressed needs of the participants. Are you interested? |
Guidebook
Do you believe that you can become a better leader by practicing kindness everyday within your organization? Leading with Kindness: How Good People Consistently Get Superior Results, a research-based book authored by Dr. William Baker and Dr. Michael O'Malley uses stories from a wide variety of organizations to reveal that kindness is a trait shared by strong and successful leaders. This book identifies the attributes of "kind" leaders and illustrates how leaders who develop kindness can: motivate employees, committee members, and others; recognize unique talents while nurturing all employees; establish a supportive culture; spur continuous organizational growth; adapt to change; stimulate calculated "stretch" and risk-taking; and prepare the next generation of leaders. This book shows leaders how they can use sincerity, honesty, and respect for the good of their organizations. Their research revealed that these great leaders can pass on gifts that enable others to develop into great leaders as well. Those gifts are self-confidence, self-control, self-awareness and self-determination. Interested? Listen to a Charlie Rose interview or a PBS podcast. Listen to the author, William Baker deliver a 60-minute presentation.i |
Navigation Tool
Become a kind organization. The KindActs Network Association of B.C. is a non-profit based in British Columbia, Canada. The Association's mission is to inspire human connection and activate the practice of kindness locally and globally to create a kind world - one kind act at a time. They are connected to the world kindness movement whose main purpose is to acknowledge the fundamental importance of simple human kindness as a basic condition of a satisfying and meaningful life. They join together individual networks of member countries to build a kinder and more compassionate world. Some actions that promote kindness in the workplace: · Before you act or speak, ask:
Is it true?
Is it necessary?
Is it kind?
· Ask everyone to plan one act of kindness into each day · Take a moment and chat with the person who delivers your mail, cleans your office or serves your lunch. · Leave a bottle of hand lotion in the restroom at work. · Bake some cookies and leave them in the staff room · Write a thank you note to a colleague · Take a moment to chat with someone you don't usually connect with · Take flowers to work · Buy a cup of coffee or snack for someone who is having a long day · Leave change by the vending machine for the next person · Speak directly to the person you have a question of · Smile more · Clean the snow off someone's car Go here for more ideas. Encourage kindness by being kind.
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