“The rechargeable batteries within us”: Bush Fellows Leadership Development Seminars Pt. 2 (of 8)

Last week, I had the privilege of again spending two full days with my Bush Fellows cohort, Martha, and our “guides”, Val and Ann.  As my fellows and I venture deeper into our work and understanding what that work is, many of us arrived feeling like we’re balancing 6 spinning plates at once, wondering how those plates got their, and at least I was a bit concerned about how I could keep them all spinning.  We designated the two days as many different things, but for one, it was a chance to recharge our batteries.

Pressing Pause in Leadership Development

The second day of the MN Council for Non-Profits Annual Conference offered two really great workshops on leadership development.  One workshop in particular has been on my mind this past week as I prepare for my October monthly report.

A workshop with Christine Hammes from MAP for Non-Profits, Lea Goldstein Moses from the Improve Group, Gwen Cannon from the Metro Regional Arts Council covered many of the concepts I have encountered so far throughout my Bush Fellowship and leadership seminars: Understanding that self-change precedes community change; Building a tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty; Cultivating patience and flexibility; Discerning between technical versus adaptive challenges; and Self-Care and Reflection.

“Coming into Community”: Bush Fellows Leadership Development Seminars Pt. 1 (of 8)

Last week, I attend the first of eventually eight Bush Fellow Leadership Development Seminars.  The two-day seminar was an enriching experience.  It was a time to meet and get to know other the other 17 Bush Fellows, to explore my leadership style and learn about others’, and to begin understanding “the work of leadership.”

Below, I describe my reflections and learning points around 5 different pieces of the seminar:

1. What’s in a Wordle?
2. Fair Process Exercise
3. Assumptive Worlds
4. Adaptive Leadership
5. Reflective Practices