Falling Up

This week, I am continuing to read some of the books I chose for this project.  Over the weekend I read The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,  by Patrick Lencioni which is a quick read and a great story. It illustrates the challenges of being a leader (or facilitator) of a struggling team very accurately.  I’d be surprised if there’s anyone who could read it without finding parallels between the story and one’s own team experiences.   To go along with it, I got the facilitator’s guide to the book, which I’ve thumbed through in hopes of using some of the models and activities for my conflict workshop.   I’ve also started Building Conflict Competent Teams by Craig Runde and Tim Flanagan.  I still have several books to go.   I’m starting to hear some repeat info and I’m not sure I’ll need to read all of these books in their entirety, but honestly I really enjoy reading about this stuff!

I also must say that one of the most useful resources I’ve found is a blog by Tammy Lenski called “Conflict Zen”.  Lenski is currently blogging about the 7 habits of reaching your ‘conflict zen’ and her habits are very practical and easy to understand.  I highly recommend her.  I particularly enjoyed/learned from her post on kicking the criticism habit.  While offering constructive criticism can be…constructive, we also often get into the habit of offering criticism without good cause.  She points out how destructive this can be and often harms or ends relationships.  It’s a good series.  Check it out:  www.conflictzen.com.

Aside from reading, I’ve started to get my ducks in a row for my workshop.  I have to admit this is much harder than I thought.  I had a very linear way of thinking about this project, but I’m finding it hard to work in a linear fashion.  My intention was to review some theories and develop a basis for my workshop, then design the instructional strategies, then put together the “package” that is my product.  Instead, I am working on the final presentations first, after going around in circles with the other 2 items.  I will work on theories later.  I never liked theory much. 

The good news is that my boss at my internship has given me the go-ahead to present the workshop in late March and April, so I now have 2 engagements on the books!  I think the deadlines will help me make some decisions and move forward! I’ve begun my powerpoint (short and sweet!) and have started pouring over initiatives and activities to make the workshop engaging.  I haven’t found one that I love yet, but there is no shortage of options so I will keep looking.  By my next post, I hope to have completed some major steps.  There- I put it in writing, so there’s no going back now…