LOGBOOK
 How do you define leadership? This question has intrigued me for years.Is it having a compelling
vision combined with a certain skill set?
I learned about leadership and use of power while sitting in a group with
Alexandra Merrill who said, "Every action is a leadership action." I have come
to agree with her. Every action,
inaction, decision to speak up, not to speak up, stand with, stand back, call
out, follow through, show up, get
anxious about the outcome, or decide to trust the wisdom of the group, is an
act of leadership.
I have learned to pay attention to how I lead myself. Am I
acting in service of others or in service of ego? Did I make that statement because I wanted you to think
I am smart or did I truly make it in service of the long haul, social change work
I am committed to?
The archetypal view of a leader standing alone does not work. We need leaders who have experienced and insightful colleagues
standing with them; who can explore together what leadership action is called for in the moment. This is why we
offer Paddling the Rapids groups.It is a place where leaders can reflect on their own leadership; a place where we can tell the truth about the actions we have taken - what has worked and what has not - and
wrestle together with the conundrums we are facing. The work is compelling, generous, and successful in supporting
the social entrepreneurial work that nonprofits are doing. Consider joining us.
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RESUPPLY
If you have 5 minutes....
"Why Believe in Others"
This brief excerpt of a talk by Viktor Frank, a concentration camp
survivor and author of the well known book "Man's Search for
Meaning,"highlights his approach to psychotherapy. He presupposes man's
innate goodness and idealism. Even when these attributes are not
readily evident, says Frankl, starting with the premise that they exist
helps propel patients to a more elevated state. It works, too, as a
model for engaging others in daily life.
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Scouting?
For more information
about our services,
to engage in a discussion about your assessment results, to talk with us about professional development opportunities and/or to schedule a free 30-minute, sample, coaching-session,
click here to email us.
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 Reading the waters
How do you define leadership? Wikipedia defines leadership as the "process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task." Definitions more inclusive of followers have also emerged. Alan Keith stated that, "Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen." Tom DeMarco says that leadership needs to be distinguished from posturing. Is it about authority, position, and power? Does it include aspects of inclusivity, access, and equality? Where you stand in relationship to your definition of leadership guides your actions, informs how you do what you do, and influences those you engage with every day. So, what do you know about how you define leadership?
Robin Alden, Executive Director of Penobscot East Resource Center shares this: "Leadership as I have experienced it internally is a combination of softness and toughness. It requires first, listening. I see this through the lens of my experience as a journalist where you have the opportunity to ask questions of many people, listening without judgment and in the process, get a much better picture of the "elephant" than you would with solely your own perspective. Through this process, if you drive it, you formulate a point of view, course of action, decision, etc. that is based on your own values, data and knowledge plus the nuances of the information you have taken in. And finally, all this doesn't become leadership unless you both hang onto what is important about that decision and put it into practice. Implementation requires listening again, looking for the ways to persuade and bring people along, and remaining flexible and creative to accomplish that goal. "
Let us know how you define leadership and we will post your responses in our next newsletter.
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Steering the Course
STARTING SOON!! Facilitated peer consultation groups for Executive Directors of nonprofits are beginning in Portland (October 14), Bangor (October 19), the Mid-coast (November 3), and any other area where there are eight leaders enrolled.
Contact us. We would be happy to schedule a conversation to see if this is a good fit for you.
- COST: $750 tuition ($150 deposit holds your place);
- Recommend a colleague who registers and receive a 10% discount ($675)
Groups for 2010 will be limited to 8 participants. Reserve your place today!
Here is what executive directors who have taken part in a Paddling group have to say: - There is no reason to assume that you are alone in your position. I gained an awareness of the similar challenges facing all executive directors, even more experienced directors.
- Being involved in a Paddling group is equal to several years worth of [experience in] an ED's life.
- I always left the sessions "energized" despite a long work day.
- I appreciated the confidential environment [where it] felt safe to share.
Want to know who has participated? Go to our website to see the list of organizations that have supported their executive director's participation.
Want to ask people who have taken part in a Paddling group about their experience? Contact
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Guidebook
STRENGTHSFINDER 2.0 (2007, by Gallup Press) authored by Tom Rath From the website: Do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day? Chances
are, you don't. All too often, our natural talents go untapped. From
the cradle to the cubicle, we devote more time to fixing our
shortcomings than to developing our strengths. To help people
uncover their talents, Gallup introduced the first version of its online
assessment, StrengthsFinder, in 2001 which ignited a global
conversation and helped millions to discover their top five talents. In
its latest national bestseller, StrengthsFinder 2.0, Gallup unveils the
new and improved version of its popular assessment, language of 34
themes, and much more (see below for details). While you can read this
book in one sitting, you'll use it as a reference for decades. Loaded
with hundreds of strategies for applying your strengths, this book
and accompanying website will change the way you look at yourself -- and
the world around you. AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY IN STRENGTHSFINDER 2.0 (using the access code included with each book) * A new and upgraded edition of the StrengthsFinder assessment * A personalized Strengths Discovery and Action-Planning Guide for applying your strengths in the next week, month, and year * A more customized version of your top five theme report * 50 Ideas for Action (10 strategies for building on each of your top five themes) . Do you have a book to recommend? Tell us.
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Navigation Tool
Understanding ourselves, our strengths, and how we act provide valuable insights into our leadership. Many different types of assessment tools are available - and each gives a perspective worth exploring. With your purchase of the book, Strengthsfinder 2.0 , you receive a unique code that allows you to access a useful assessment tool and related resources on the author's website.
The highly customized Strengths Insights describe what makes you stand out when compared to the millions of people Gallup has studied.
Once you have completed the online assessment, you will receive a comprehensive Strengths Discovery and Action-Planning Guide that is based on your StrengthsFinder 2.0 results. This guide includes: - Your top five theme report, built around the new Strengths Insight descriptions
- 50 Ideas for Action (10 for each of your top five themes) based on thousands of best-practice suggestions we reviewed
- A Strengths Discovery Activity that helps you think about how your
talents, investment, experience, skills, and knowledge work together to
build strengths
- A Strength-Based Action Plan for setting specific goals for building
and applying your strengths in the next week, month, and year
There are many other resources available on the website that compliment the report.
It is well worth the $15 cost of the book.
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Adjust Readjust: The Geography of Balance
WEBINAR - Tuesday, November 30th - 4-5:30 PM
Cost: $15
Summer gave us an opportunity to create some space in our lives. We gave ourselves permission to do self-care that was renewing. Have you been wondering how maintain that focus and to create more balance in your life as you navigate the ever busy schedule of your work-life? If the answer is 'yes', join your colleagues for this 90-minute webinar designed to guide you through a process to do just that! Carol Carriuolo and Corda Kinzie will facilitate this lively and valuable session. You will leave with tools, a personal goal, and several strategies for moving toward your preferred future.
Note: Instructions for logging in for the webinar will be provided in your registration confirmation.
Workshop fee: $15 donation to Journeys for Women, an initiative of the Maine Support Network.
To register download the PDF registration form or go to the website of Syntiro (the hosting organization).
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