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January 2009 Newsletter

Greeting


Happy New Year from everyone at PLSeminars!

In this feature:

A friend recently reminded us of something Eleanor Roosevelt once said. It seems particularly appropriate to remember as we start the new year, and so we offer it to you here:

Yesterday is history,
Tomorrow is a mystery, and
Today is a gift.
That's why they call it the present.

May we together bring forth a year of peace and prosperity for all beings.

Cheers,

2009 Crestone Extravaganza Early Bird & Refresher Registraion Deadline Jan 19th

The early bird and Refresher (ongoing) discounts for the 2009 Crestone Extravaganza end January 19, 2009. Click here to learn more about the Foundations and the Training-of-Facilitators.

Space is limited and filling quickly.
Download the registration form (pdf) today!


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Personal Leadership Featured in New Book!

We're pleased to announce the publication of Contemporary leadership and intercultural competence: Exploring the cross-cultural dynamics within organizations. Edited by Michael Moodian and with an introduction by Michael Dukakis, it features chapters by many well-known scholars and practitioners in the field of intercultural communication.

We, Barbara Schaetti, Sheila Ramsey, and Gordon Watanabe, contributed the chapter titled "From Intercultural Knowledge to Intercultural Competence: Developing an Intercultural Practice." It tells the story of Joan Raffert, an American posted to Europe for three months by the global corporation for which she works. Experienced internationally and able to draw upon a solid foundation of intercultural knowledge as she works to achieve her assignment, Joan's ultimate success is rooted in her commitment to intercultural practice. She demonstrates moment-to-moment intercultural competence through her application of Personal Leadership.

Joan's story is interspersed with our review of three key concepts: leadership, intercultural competence, and practice.

We focus our discussion of leadership on 'extraordinary leaders' who engage all three dimensions of the leadership spiral: the transactional (accomplishing tasks), the transformative (developing others as leaders), and the transpersonal (aligning with internal sources of creativity and wisdom).

We present intercultural competence in a similar way, as three nested spheres. Beginning with the inner-most sphere, these are: culture specific (anthropological information about the values, beliefs, and behaviors of specific cultural groups), culture general (dimensions of cultural contrasts that apply in interaction regardless of the particular cultural groups involved), and culture practice (moment-to-moment presence, moment-to-moment choice). To demonstrate full intercultural competence, each sphere is necessary but insufficient without the next.

We then focus on practice, suggesting that practice for the sake of developing intercultural competence is a 24/7 kind of commitment. It means turning our lives into a personal 'living laboratory,' deepening our self-awareness and self-direction such that we engage every interaction as an opportunity to intentionally transform the theory of what we know into actual practice.

We next bring these three key concepts together into a discussion of approaches to intercultural practice for contemporary leadership. We reference the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) and the Intercultural Development Inventory(IDI), both of which have their own chapters in the book, the Cultural Detective series of products developed by Dianne Hofner Saphiere and her global team of colleagues, and others who similarly mandate our attention to intercultural practice. We introduce the methodology of Personal Leadership in that context.

Joan Raffert, on assignment in Europe, re-enters the picture as we then use her story to define the two principles, the three-phased process model, and the six practices of Personal Leadership. Towards the end of the article, we say this - about Joan Raffert and indeed about all of us:

The more we engage our lives with mindfulness and creativity,
the more we experience the world as a vibrant and deeply
fulfilling place. There's always a new vista around the corner,
a new understanding or insight to achieve, a new level of applied
competence to actualize. We discover that even the most
mundane of leadership activities has the potential to be
full of wonder. (page 137)

We invite you to review the table of contents (available via the "search inside" feature on Amazon) for Contemporary Leadership and Intercultural Competence. The book is available for purchase at your local retailer or online.

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Community Dialogue: Reinventing PLSeminars

We know something more is possible than the traditional organizational structure that requires centralized management (economic, legal, and physical) and is inherently exclusionary (you’re in the system or you’re not). We’ve started asking ourselves several questions, including:

And in the asking of these (and other) questions we are stepping with intention into a Re-inventing of PLSeminars. We invite you to join in this adventure with us – whenever you’re ready, in whatever way you’re able.

The community kick-off for this re-invention is a Community Dialogue in the high geography, high altitude, and high energy environment of Crestone, Colorado, USA, March 17, 2009. We hope those of you coming for some part of the annual Personal Leadership Extravaganza (this year: Foundations and Training-of-Facilitators seminars) will be able to join us for the additional day. Please simply indicate your intention on the registration form. There is no registration fee for this day; a communal meal will be provided by PLSeminars.

If you can’t attend the Extravaganza but would like to come to Crestone specifically for the Community Dialogue, you are still very welcome; please contact us, to indicate your intention.

If you can’t attend the Community Dialogue March 17th but are interested in staying in touch about the re-invention of PLSeminars, whether participating a lot or a little, please let us know.

In the meantime, check out a video that got us excited: it’s a TED (Ideas Worth Spreading) presentation by Clay Shirky. We’re also intrigued by the idea of “chaordic organizations”, and will be following up on what that might mean for PLSeminars. Please get in touch ( info@plseminars.com) if you have ideas to share!

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Feature Interview: Peter Byebierggaard

Peter Byebierggaard is CEO at Global Teams, a Danish consultancy working for innovation and creativity in multicultural work environments. With Master degrees in both Aircraft Vehicle Design and Business Administration, his professional background includes more than eight years working in research and development within the International European aircraft industry. We are delighted to introduce Peter to you as a member of the PLSeminars community.

Please tell us about your journey into practicing Personal Leadership (PL). How did you get started?
I was introduced to PL as an intern at SIIC in 2007. Gordon and Barbara were doing multicultural teambuilding work with the 36 interns who'd come together at SIIC from all around the world, using PL as the core methodology. They knew that interns working in this multicultural setting, although selected based on their intercultural experience, could still stumble in the midst of fast-paced and high-pressure intercultural interactions.

What first caught your attention?
I have worked, been trained, and for many years now have trained others in the psychodynamics of teams. I have always been very curious as to what is different about the interactions within multicultural teams compared to monocultural, and have been searching for ways of dealing with those particular issues. PL presented one approach that includes a number of perspectives, tools, and concepts that I already knew and used, but combined these in an easy and ready to use package. And here, at SIIC 07, were actually people (Gordon & Barbara) who had extensive experience. Ultimately what caught my attention was the attention to both the mental and the physical - the whole person - approach.

What is it about practicing PL that keeps you practicing?
It appeals to my wish to be the best I can be and it provides me with an approach, a practical and easy to use tool of "how to." I value the thought that I decide: I cannot choose what others do to me, but I can choose how I react. PL is practice oriented. PL is life oriented.

How does practicing PL serve you?
I am reminded to keep my peace, to seek silence when I am in doubt as to what is the right thing to do, to check the information that is available to me - and to be to others like I want to be. To avoid getting into situations where I have to say I am sorry!

When did you decide to become recognized as a PLSeminars facilitator, and why?
During my participation in the Training of Facilitators [link to online information] seminar in Crestone, Colorado in 2008. I went to the seminar to meet, be a part of, get to know and enjoy the company of other facilitators. From that came my interest in becoming "recognized" by the organization - and I am still deciding, the exploration continues. PL just fits nicely into my natural way of thinking. And as a PLSeminars facilitator, I am sending a signal to myself and to others about who I would like to be, and how I approach what I do.

For whom have you facilitated programs that included aspects of PL? Last summer I ran two workshops for the R&D (research and development) department of one of my corporate clients. During the workshops, the complexity of interacting multiculturally became clear to the participants, and I introduced Personal Leadership and the Critical Moment Dialogue (CMD) to them as a way of listening and acting when in a multicultural context. They very much appreciated it.

What do you most enjoy about introducing the practice of PL to others?
I get to talk - in a pragmatic manner - about learning to hesitate and reflect, to be creative and to search for ways of being in harmony with one self and others. It is only seldom that that is possible without being considered too focused on too-soft issues! Introducing PL allows others, in a very practical and pragmatic issue oriented way, to talk about feelings, emotions etc.

Where in the world are you next taking PL?
This spring I am again facilitating two corporate workshops in which I will introduce the participants to Personal Leadership and the CMD. The overall theme is "hesitate & reflect." After laying a foundation during the first half of the day, I'll introduce PL as the next level of practice. Participants will work on their vision, and then briefly practice the use of the CMD based on their initial reflection.

Where do you suppose PL is next taking you?
?? Stay tuned! The future is yet to be!

What PL-ish resource would you most recommend to others, and why (what makes it PL-ish): person, book, movie, restaurant, cartoon, song, activity...?
All, everything ... take the moment! Do what you appreciate the most, what provides you with happy, resourceful feelings! There are in life plenty of opportunities - reach out!! For example, we were visiting friends in Stockholm and passed the church in the old part of town next to the castle. In the church they were giving a concert of Mozart's Requiem. We went in and had the most magnificent moment. A couple of days later, on our way home, it started snowing: the same feeling. And New Years Eve: at 4pm I phoned a couple of friends, none of us were really doing anything that evening. Within 15 minutes we'd decided to spend the evening together - and what a joy! So I guess the PL-ish resource is there, right in front of you ... :0)

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What On Earth ... are they up to now?

We're pleased to introduce a new feature to the PLSeminars eFlash, information about "what on earth" our PLSeminars facilitators "are up to now." Given the world-wide location of the three facilitators updated here, we could easily title the feature "Where On Earth..."!

Nina Merrens (based in Germany)

Whether it's due to the "credit crunch," having been consumed by a new love for the last 6 months (sadly now in deep and painful crisis), or having worked extremely hard on corporate and university projects throughout 2008, suddenly the first few months of 2009 look kind of empty... with only a smattering of corporate and university work 'til April.

So first and foremost ... it's work on myself. I'm finally having the time to put PL into practice at home!

How's this for an "unorthodox" project?! I decided while at the SIETAR Global (Global Society for Intercultural Education, Training, and Research) conference back in October in Granada, that I would rather be dancing than sitting in sterile conference rooms. In February I intend to fulfil a long time dream, take 3 weeks off, and finally learn to dance flamenco in the gypsy caves of Granada. To get in touch with my vital energies!

March will bring me back to Crestone, Colorado for the Training of Facilitators workshop, to work on my PL practices as a preparation for the PL workshop I have the honour of supporting at Esalen in Big Sur in May. Holding this workshop will be the culmination of a vision I had last year at Crestone. This vision serves as a lighthouse beacon for me through "foggy and uncertain times."

April will take me to Prague to attend the coaching across cultures seminar by Phillip Rosinski and to further develop my network in Europe.

I have been asked to write a chapter on virtual teams by Richard Lewis for his latest book on international teams (only a few paragraphs completed so far...).

My mother's long term partner has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and I intend to also be present in Manchester for some of next year to support them both through this.

And my main job at the moment is learning to love myself and to try and not make someone else responsible for my happiness. This is a big task for me....its huge!


Jin Abe (based in Japan)

Here is a multiple choice quiz on what I have been doing lately.

Whether on the field, in the advising office, or in the classroom, I gently hold a sphere/space/container for people to play safe and hard, change and grow, or develop and learn.

Happy new year to you all!


Tina Johnson (based in the USA)
I have been working with PL as an administrator at Randolph College in several different capacities.

I presented an introductory PL workshop to five spring '09 study abroad students. They are participating in a one-credit elective course that will form the basis of my master's thesis. I have coordinated this effort with the Chair of the Education Department; this is the third time I have offered the course (and PL) for study abroad participants.

At the request of the Assistant Dean of Students, I presented an introductory PL workshop to Residence Life Staff (25 Head Residents and Resident Assistants who live and work within residence halls). We bought 3 copies of the PL book as reference.

I also presented an introductory PL workshop to student teachers in the Education Department in early fall '08 (3 student-teachers) and gave a second workshop on December 1st for 6 students who have intern teaching assignments in spring '09; I am coordinating with the Chair of the Education Department to hold PL follow-up sessions throughout the spring semester - all students received copies of the PL book.

Finally, I presented two PL sessions (an introduction and one follow-up session) to 10 students enrolled in Student Leadership & Mentoring, also taught by a colleague in the Education Department; the course included a weekly elementary school practicum with at-risk students.

I am LOVING the opportunity to share PL with folks outside of international programs (my official domain). It has been my happy theme for fall 2008. Sheila, Barbara, and Gordon planted many seeds in their 2006 visit to our campus - thank you, thank you, thank you!

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PLSeminars' work with The Movement Center in Oregon

Our thanks to Chris Cartwright, a long-term Personal Leadership advocate, for introducing us to The Movement Center in Portland, Oregon. The Movement Center is a spiritual community and center for meditation and yoga practice based in Portland, Oregon, with additional centers in the U.S. and Europe. Founded in 1971 by American-born Swami Chetanananda, the core of the community’s spiritual practice is “a meditation that enables the release of tensions to better allow creative energy to flow in all dimensions of life.”

The Movement Center’s 1-3-5-year strategic plan includes developing a Spiritual Leadership program for which Personal Leadership could be a core component. As the first step in this consultation, Barbara and Gordon facilitated a Foundations seminar in October for a core team from The Movement Center. It was a fascinating experience to work with people who, many of them, have been meditating together for more than thirty years. We had several of the same kinds of conversations we’ve had with other ‘intact teams’ with which we’ve worked, but the discussions often started at the opposite end of where we might more traditionally begin and concluded with some unexpected (for us as well as for them) key learning.

Our work together will continue in the spring. The Movement Center has invited us to partner with them in offering a three day public program. The event will intertwine spiritual teachings and meditations led by Swami Chetanananda with teachings and practice in Personal Leadership as a sustaining method for living at one’s highest and best. Needless to say, we are excited at the possibilities offered by this kind of partnership event and are delighted to deepen our relationship with the community of practitioners that is The Movement Center.

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PLSeminars Lands on the Eastern Shore (USA)

The first Foundation seminar offered on the East Coast of the US was facilitated by Sheila Ramsey and Megumi Sugihara during three windswept November days on the shores of the Choptank River, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Site of James Michner's novel Chesapeake, the area offered participants a powerful natural backdrop as we reflected on our commitments in the world, both personal and professional, and dove deeply into the internal places we know that PL can take us. Sometimes with sun glinting on the water, sometimes with rain and wind pounding the shore, we used the distant horizon to bring the Big Picture into our visions and walked the beach to strengthen our application of the Critical Moment Dialogue to our real-time questions.

Has a door opened for an Eastern Shore PL again in the future, for 2009? What we know for sure is that in responding to the requests for a seminar from many people in the Washington DC area, we took the PL 'Now' step. We will see what calls in 2009. What do you think?



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Diversity Leadership Alliance

In February 2009, Gordon Watanabe will facilitate a four-hour Personal Leadership workshop sponsored by the Phoenix Diversity Leadership Alliance for business, government agencies, medical services, educational institutions, and community leaders. This continues PLSeminars work with diversity leadership alliances around the country.

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Personal Leadership at the Esalen Institute this Spring

In May 2009, Sheila Ramsey, Gordon Watanabe and Nina Merrens will facilitate a Personal Leadership program at the Esalen Institute. It's a public workshop open for registration.

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PL book at the Foreign Service Institute

Sheila Ramsey recently taught a 5 day Advanced Leadership course at US Department of State's Foreign Service Institute (FSI). Course participants are members of the US Foreign service; they work in embassies all over the globe as well as in the US civil service. FSI provided a small library on a side table in the seminar room -- and there we were.

Look at the great company the book is keeping!

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