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Leadership Commitment #3 – Culture Change

Posted on | June 22, 2013 | No Comments

Leadership Commitment #3 - Culture Change What a shock when a leader discovers that their membership isn't always on the same page when it comes to change goals and process. Whether you are a parent or a managing executive you know the "buy-in" is the make it or break it point of negotiating a successful change in the system. Both parent and boss are tempted to offer incentives or perks for cooperation and if possible, committed collaboration. The problem with perks is that the intended recipient already knows or believes that the perk is merely a cover for something that is "going to taste" very bad. Why else is there a onetime pay-off? The kids weren't fooled and neither are the professionals on your team. Also this system of incentives creates a numbing effect as a series of unrelated perks come and go. How do companies and families inspire their teams to commit to change, improvement, and ultimately team member creativity? By creating an institution that rewards its members simply by being part of the team. It's the BEST team, the BRIGHTEST individuals, and the MOST TALENTED group even when its NOT. Every company has its attempts and failures and each family has events they'd prefer not to discuss. These are part of the process of change - what worked and what is better left on the drafting table. A leader has to acknowledge that even the near misses contained valuable information and input from the team. Instead of shame, these become guiding experiences for the entire group. Shawn Nichols shawnnichols.com
Getting Team Commitment Google Images, 2013

Getting Team Commitment
Google Images, 2013

Category: Leadership Commitments, Relationships

Superficial Knowledge vs. Understanding in Child Learning

Posted on | June 1, 2013 | No Comments

Superficial Knowledge vs Deeper Understanding Regarding The Value of Tablets in Child Learning My twin nephews took over their parents’ tablets – a very popular brand – at the age of 18 months. The colors and the interactive nature of touch and control fascinated them and from that moment, the boys, guided by content their parents allowed, began a fast trajectory of learning and understanding. What is the difference between learning and understanding? Aren’t these the same? Let me say first, that there is a great deal of knowledge depth in UNDERSTANDING that the INITIAL EXPOSURE to a subject does not include. We may observe some object or thing, such as a friend’s car, but to understand why it is or how it was created is another matter.

Handheld Tablet and Internet Information
Google Images, 2013

For example, observing a person driving a car, we can achieve superficial knowledge of the operation of the vehicle and enjoy its ability to transport us but its deeper workings, real operation, and creation have not yet become part of our bank of knowledge or competence. Further, as any parent of a teenager will tell you, this superficial understanding of the car’s operation does not mean one can quickly operate it. How many parents have taught their children, or even their own parents, how to drive? This is my fascination with learning curves and deeper understanding. Superficial knowledge and limited exposure does not and cannot contain deeper understanding. This has become all too apparent in a world where all the information of the world is contained in accessible bits on hundreds, perhaps thousands of websites. Does this accessible bit of information convey a sense of knowledge-ownership to the fast, peripatetic reader? Read more
Category: Religious and Spiritual

Paul Bowles’ Travel Essays – The Loss of Cultures

Posted on | May 31, 2013 | No Comments

I am transported by Paul Bowles' writing. His evocations of desert life, North African culture, and impending imperialization are excellent examples of the west's need to "improve" other cultures by enforcing their own sense of propriety and rules. From 1931 to 1963, Paul Bowles details the changes wrought by aggressive cultures on Marrekech, Tangier, and Fez. These changes are more interesting because in many ways, western culture became the desire of many young Moroccans and the culture "progressed" away from early philosophy. Bowles' descriptions of the people, customs, and authority he encounters over this 30 year span are beautifully wrought. His writing of the baptism of isolation was trance inducing in itself. I would be leaving immediately for the areas he describes but unfortunately, it was slipping away 50 years ago. I can only imagine what exists now. Shawn Nichols shawnnichols.com The Films of Paul Bowles at Paulbowles.org

Paul Bowles, Travels at paulbowles.org

Category: Religious and Spiritual, World Events
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Paris to the Past – Ina Caro

Posted on | May 21, 2013 | No Comments

What a wonderful writer and what a great approach to traveling a country I love. Ina Caro has written not just a directory of the best sites in France, but an architectural, historical, and social milieu portrait of seven hundred years of wars, family conflict, and socio-economic changes. Her style is gossipy but well-informd and her suggestions include train schedules, best restaurants, and best views with a sincere acknowledgment of what she (and I) like and dislike. In the future I will use her books as my travel guide. Ina Caro uses the passage of time to showcase the various cities and their cathedrals and chateau to educate us on the battles between countries, religions, and royal families that shaped France from a patchwork of kingdoms, then a unified sovereign nation into a Republic. I was truly sorry that the book ends. I recommend looking at the sites online as each chapter unfolds with vivid descriptions of the change in architectural styles, views, and additions to the beautiful world famous structures. I have been to about half of her subjects and she gives the best tour I've ever had. Shawn Nichols shawnnichols.com Ina Caro on Paris to the Past

Ina Caro, author, Paris to the Past

Category: World Events
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