Connection First; Then Go Deeper

I’m glad to be hosting a leadership cohort this week. With my pal, Glen.

There’s an operating mode that so often I rely upon.

  1. Connection First — Make it easy. Partner conversations. Yesterday we used, “Why does it matter to you personally that you are here for this group this week? Is there something you need to say out loud that you need to leave behind so as to be fully here? What is one thing that is inspiring you lately, and why is that important to you? What is one of the gifts you bring to this cohort this week?”
  2. Insist Deepening — Make it a bit harder. Yesterday we did this in Circle. First having each person write the name of a person that is important to them in their work. And then Getting Circly. Ask for each person to tell a story about that person. And then place the name in the center for our Circle. We also asked people to bring a personal item for the center. More stories. More layers.
  3. Pivot to Learning — Intriguing conversations yesterday about their corporate leadership model, Adapt, Dare, Learn. I love it when they ask questions and speak conundrums and excitement out loud.

3 is better when 1 and 2 have happened. Learning is better when connection and deepening are already in play.

It all goes together. Glad to be hosting.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Gifts of Circle - Question Cardsasd
Gifts of Circle is 30 short essays divided into 4 sections: 1) Circle's Bigger Purpose, 2) Circle's Practice, 3) Circle's First Requirements, and 4) Circle's Possibility for Men. From the Introduction: "Circle is what I turn to in the most comprehensive stories I know -- the stories of human beings trying to be kind and aware together, trying to make a difference in varied causes for which we need to go well together. Circle is also what I turn to in the most immediate needs that live right in front of me and in front of most of us -- sharing dreams and difficulties, exploring conflicts and coherences. Circle is what I turn to. Circle is what turns us to each other."

Question Cards is an accompanying tool to Gifts of Circle. Each card (34) offers a quote from the corresponding chapter in the book, followed by sample questions to grow your Circle hosting skills and to create connection, courage, and compassionate action among groups you host in Circle.

This will close in 60 seconds

asd
In My Nature
is a collection of 10 poems. From A Note of Beginning: "This collection of poems arises from the many conversations I've been having about nature. Nature as guide. Nature as wild. Nature as organized. I remain a human being that so appreciates a curious nature in people. That so appreciates questions that pick fruit from inner being, that gather insights and intuitions to a basket, and then brings the to table to be enjoyed and shared over the next week."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in In My Nature. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

This will close in 60 seconds

asd
Most Mornings is a collection of 37 poems. I loved writing them. From the introduction: "This collection of poems comes from some of my sense-making that so often happens in the morning, nurtured by overnight sleep. The poems sample practices. They sample learnings. They sample insights and discoveries. They sample dilemmas and concerns."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in Most Mornings. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

This will close in 60 seconds