One of the new skill sets I am adding to my life, although in somewhat of a clumsy manner, is texting. I am about as fast as syrup in the winter time, but I am learning to do it. Wow have we come a long way. Growing up in Fort Valley, Georgia in the 50's and 60's about all you had to communicate with was the wall phone in the kitchen; hey it did have a twenty-foot cord on it.
     As a therapist, who is also a business/ministry consultant,  and baby boomer, I receive calls from business owners who are frustrated over communication issues in their businesses.
     Companies' twenty-something Gen Yers consistently attempted to keep their Gen Xer and baby boomer co-workers in the loop by IMing (Instant Messaging) them.  The frustration arises when they find out their co-workers are not signing into the IM program on their work station computers.
     Such is life in the world of a multigenerational workforce, in which highly experienced and seasoned baby boomers are working alongside tech-savvy twenty somethings who have high expectations and little experience.
     Caught in the middle are the knowledgeable Gen Xers in their thirties and early forties who are struggling for work/life balance as they walk the tight rope of managing multigenerational work teams. Add to the mix of the modern workplace with its disappearing organizational charts and hierarchy and you have multiple opportunities for intergenerational conflict.
     So with this in mind what are some ways we can better understand the multigenerational workforce, and apply to our businesses and ministries?

      In closing, perhaps the best things we can do to improve communication is to appreciate our different styles and modes of communication  and learn to respect and learn from each other.
     I am grateful to my Gen Y kids and some of my younger clients for teaching me about new ways to use the technology. Let it be a building block not a barrier.

     In just a few weeks, Florence will celebrate another milestone, her birthday. Last year at this time we established
THE  FLORENCE LITTAUER  SCHOLARSHIP FUND,

CLASS

Post Office Box 36551
Albuquerque, NM  87176 

     I used to think leadership was about bossing others around. But I'm discovering something new by watching those around me.
     Florence Littauer selflessly sows into those she encourages to carry the charge to communicate effectively. Gerry Wakeland obediently accepts her God-assignment to re-focus CLASS, to a more ministry-minded organization. Betty Southard simultaneously leads and follows without missing a step. To be an effective leader, one needs a servant's heart, a servant attitude.

Abraham Lincoln said, "...if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

 
     You may remember Nick Della Valle's dramatic portrayal of a biblical scribe at the 2008 Glorieta Christian Writer's Conference.
     I recently spoke with Della Valle, a missionary on the home front. With support from wife Lucy, Della Valle dons biblical garb as the character of Zacchaeus, and walks across America for Christ. He has walked from St. Augustine, FL to Garden Grove, CA, and from Philadelphia, PA to Albuquerque, NM, and is preparing for a third walk that begins soon. Another 3300 miles, or as he says, "100 miles for every year Christ walked the earth."

    

Picture this. If you saw a man walking along the highway dressed in biblical attire, wouldn't you wonder why?

People can't help but ask:

Where are you coming from?
Where are you going to?
What's the point?

     It's responsive envangelism, where you  create a non-confrontational situation so that people will ask you a question and you can respond. "All I can do is plant the seeds. Seeds of godliness, integrity, honesty and caring," Della Valle said. "I never see the end result, but then, I'm not in the results business. I'm in the obedience business. My only job is to say, 'yes.'"

Where are you coming from?
Where are you going to?
What's your point?

     Della Valle listened when God said, "Let's do something together." He could have inserted his own ideas, or chosen the  podium instead of the side of a very long road, instead, his response was , "Yes, I'm with you, Lord. Count me in!"
     Will you follow Him to unusual places in uncertain territory?

     Philippians 2:5-8 encourages us to adopt Christ's servant attitude of unselfishness, humility and obedience. As Christian leaders with a Christ-like servant heart and attitude, we are the key that unlocks the prison doors on people's lives.
     We see the fulfillment of the God-given vision of a new CLASSEMINARS. An organization with leaders who say, "Yes, I'm with you, Lord. Count me in!"
     I see God bringing me to a place of quiet leadership. A place where I can sow those same seeds of godliness, integrity, honesty and caring.
     I am thankful my CLASS training has taught me how to draw on my experiences to serve others in ministry.
     How about you? As a Christian leader and communicator, you are positioned with a purpose. When God says, "Let's do something together," how will you respond?
     If it is true that the best way to influence someone is by serving them, where is God calling you to serve?

Tama:  Susy, please tell our readers about your new book.

Susy:  So Long Status Quo: What I Learned From Women Who Changed the World (Beacon Hill, 2009) is the powerful story of how nine amazing women inspired me, a suburban mom, to abandon my safe, sheltered vanilla existence for nine varied adventures modeled after the lives and accomplishments of women like Eleanor Roosevelt, Mother Teresa, Harriet Tubman, and Jane Austen.

Tama:  You were inpired to new adventures? Like what?
Susy:  After delving into the lives of these inspiring women,
I was challenged to embark on a quest for something more. What happened next? Cuba, welding, and jewelry for water, that's what!

Tama:  Cuba...welding...jewelry for water...what??
Susy:  You'll have to read the book to find out, haha.

Tama:  Funny...So how has the CLASS training helped you?
Susy:  I went through CLASS in '05 in Fresno, CA. Sharon Elliott was my group leader, and I've stayed in touch with her, as well as with Betty Southard. I loved the CLASS training and have enjoyed putting into practice what I learned.

Tama:  I understand you found a new success shortly after attending the CLASSeminar?
Susy:  Yes, the next year, my first book was released, Fear Not Da Vinci. It was about how to use The Da Vinci Code (and the ensuing controversy) to share your faith.

Tama:  Wow! I can see how CLASS may have helped there. We teach attendees how to take their own experience and tap into current events, to be relevant.
Susy:  My co-writer, Gini Monroe, and I created a Da Vinci Code seminar, and spoke to about 2000 people that year. Our CLASS training was invaluable and everything we had learned we used in our speaking and media opportunities!

Tama:  Sounds like you've implemented the lessons from CLASS into lots of new adventures!
Susy:  My CLASS experience also led to my meeting Kathi Lipp. We've become good friends and have done some networking and business together. She even asked me to be on her ministry advisory board.

Tama:  Thanks Susy, it's been fun catching up with you. Congratulations on your new book, and please keep us posted!
Susy:  Thanks Tama, I love the CLASS newsletter and I'm honored to have So Long Status Quo included. I'm excited to see where CLASS is going next!

     Weekly, my knowledge of The Personalities is refined as I meet and greet the 300+ women in my Bible Study class. As one of the first to arrive, I do what I can to make sure we meet the needs of everyone present. However, one day I was delayed and found myself met by the scrutiny of a Powerful Choleric waiting at the door eyes glued to her watch while her foot tapped the stone walk. "Thank you so much for being on time," I greeted her, understanding her need for praise. She smiled and quickly moved into the room, eager to get started.
      The Perfect Melancholy arrives about ten minutes later. As usual, she looks great. Even her working shoes match her outfit. "Wow, you really have it altogether," I say. I glance at my feet and think of comfort, not style. She is always easy to identify because she already has her nametag on and is ready to follow the instructions.
       As class members arrive, I continue identifying their visual Personality features to individualize my greeting.
Popular Sanguines are the easiest to spot. Their stylish clothing, constant conversation, and talking hands are a definite clue to their enthusiasm about life. I give them a hug and they quickly move on to the next conversation.
         Then there's the Peaceful Phlegmatic. Her comfortable dress and pleasant smile lets me know she's right where she wants to be. She may be a little late, may have forgotten her Bible, lesson or nametag, but she's not stressed. I'm happy and she's happy.
      One approach does not work for everyone. But my study of The Personalities has really helped me communicate effectively with everyone I meet.
     Do you need help understanding those around you? Join us for The Personality Workshop in Henderson, Nevada, April 27-29. It will enlighten you, equip you, and encourage you to strengthen relationships with those around you.

- Emily Dickinson
(1830 - 1886)

Phyllis Johnson, author of a poetic interpretation of Anne Frank's diary, Being Frank with Anne, reports: "My book has been requested by Miep Gies, one of the women who helped hide the Frank family in The Secret Annexe. Miep is now 100 years old but still reading her mail and emails.

Anne Frank wanted to read the New Testament and her dad got her one to read. That's something that not many people realize."

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Congratulations to
CLASS Grad
Robert Ward,
"I was  recently asked to speak to a group of fifth graders at Firestone Elementary about my disability."

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We want to celebrate your book releases and other announcements, and welcome you to write articles (400 words) on leadership, speaking, writing or marketing.
Please send to:
Editor Tama Westman.

Deadline: 5/1/2009