Vision realignment

Minutes:
We had a great LPG vision re-alignment meeting last Friday. LPGers present were: Parul, Eldon, Rich, Ji-Yun, Tracy, Al, Sandra, Hung and Joe. We also welcomed Brian who works at Crenlo as a guest to LPG.

Al kicked off the meeting with this slide deck to give a reference of the 2008 LPG program conceived early in the year. Now that we have finished Phase 1 of the program, it's time to review if it needs to adjust to reflect what we have learned and to better meet members' needs.

Donna then facilitated a discussion on vision re-alignment, based on getting the team to think about and discuss the following three basic questions.
1. What could this group create together that would benefit all of you?
2. What have inspired you to come here?
3. What can we do to create this environment.

Sandra took the following notes:

Q1: What could this group create together that wold benefit all of you?

• Eldon: Networking with people who have similar goals
• Tracy: Learn from other people's experiences
• Ji-Yun: Ceate a learning space where we will be a group of non-judgmental people, we will be safe to show our failures, get support, share our experiences and experiment
• Al: Be able to expand this group to other groups
  

Q2: What have inspired you to come here?

• Help myself/inspire my leadership/management skills
• Working together to inspire ourselves
• Status check - are there any better ideas? what am i doing is right? Am I on the right track?
• Time to introspect
• Be among friends, no competition, no ego, judgment-free zone.
• Get away from work stress to be able to give and take and fee safe

Q3: What can we do to create this environment?

• Eldon: No IBM Competencies( they are more on how to be a good employee than a good leader)
• Let's work with a true goal - let's focus on how to be a better manager by learning how to organize yourself(that will naturally render more productivity)
• Time management
• How to communicate better with your peers. How to engage in a conversation (social skills)
• How o review the World around you. Build a shared vision
• How to understand other people's culture / Be more savvy in different communication styles based on different cultures
• EQ - Emotional Intelligence
• Take classes @ IBM and discuss them as a group
• Learn about stress management,Learn about Crisis management
• How to handle delicate situations such as being a manager who has to layoff people.
• Have the experts coming in to specific topics
• More real life examples and case studies to trigger discussions
• Logistics - every member to take turn to lead a topic, must be committed,
• On topics like stress management, try bring in "expert resources" such as video, or book, or articles
• Moderator role is important for meeting to ensure the meeting is interesting and get everyone engaged
• May be a list of moderator do's and don'ts
• How how feedback to the moderator to help them improve. Emphasize the positive, what they do well
• Group size - keep it to a cozy size to enhance discussions and further develop trust

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Action Plan

• For next meeting LPG Advisory members to map the ideas expressed and captured into a program
• Ask for members to sign up to contribute to the details of the program topics
• Meeting after next - kick off the program

9/25/2008 Vision Realignment

Here is vision-realignment slides that I will use to kick off the review meeting today.

Vison and Diversity in Business

Our next LPG meeting is a vision re-alignment meeting in which we will get everyone to review, re-think and voice what we want to get out of LPG. Donna will moderate the brainstorming session. You might think of this meeting as practicing Habit 2: Begin with the End In Mind.


Here is a link to our existing LPG program as background to the meeting.

Look forward to seeing everyone there.

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More Sharpening the Saw Examples:

Last Saturday a number of LPGers got to do more networking with what the community has to offer. A number of us attended Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce's Diversity in Business Conference. sponsored by Think, Rochester Area Foundation, Merrill Lynch, Rochester Women and IBM, among others.

Not only did we get to hear great presentations on things like how to start a business, how to finance your business, we also got to network with many resources and people who can help us explore different business ideas and to make progress to persue our own plans.

Out of the conference, I myself got more inspired to move forward and so did a number of friends who really got a jumpstart to do more toward their dreams. We even start to talk about starting a "mind-mapping" group for like-minded folks to motivate and help each other to flesh out our business ideas and to push each other to keep moving forward.

An event like that is clearly an example of Sharpening You Saw in the social dimension and has the potential to spring more ideas and actions.

Peace Day 2008

A friend sent me this link to me because today happens to be Peace Day. Today is also special day because it is the day before my birthday and it's a good time to think about the bigger purpose in life.

The video inspires me and touches something deep inside me and that might be where the spiritual dimension resides. I am reminded once again the importance of Habit 7: Sharpening the saw (continual renewal).


Sept. 21 - PEACE DAY 2008

http://www.heartmath.com/peace/?mtcEmail=rob@cybella.us&mtcCampaign=2026

Living Life with Sacred Intentionshttp://www.wellnessforall.org/ - Sacred Intentions Center http://www.sacredintentions.org/ - Iowa Holistic Resources

What set of topics or book should we do next?

Now that we have completed another cycle of Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,
I am soliciting discussions and suggestions on what book, or sets of topics we as a group should study.

So, if you have any suggestions or ideas, please post them here.

Google Blog has a label feature to categorize blog entries. I have labeled this entry "Begin" because it has the feel of working on Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind.

Deciding what next book or set of leadership topics to study and practice probably require us to also contemplate and visualize what the core value of LPG is. Our next meeting will be facilitated by Donna to revisit the current LPG vision and spirit to see if it needs to be realigned or evolved now that our current group structure has been changing since the beginning of year.

In any case, it won't hurt to start listing what books might consider using for the Phase 2.

Suggestions so far:

8th Habit--Find your own voice and helping others find theirs by Stephen Covey
Developing the leader within you or The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership or Becoming an person of influence by John C. Maxwell.

If you have any suggestions feel free to post.

Sharpening the Saw - Session 2

Despite a meeting conflict with IBM Toastmaster speech contest, we had one of the best turnouts in today's LPG meeting--Session 2 on the habit of Sharpening Your Saw led by Jingdong.
Attendees include: Tracy, Roger, Hung, Al, Ji-Yun, Manjusha, Joe, Hannah, Jingdong, Jingli
Points brought up include:
In the mental dimension, might try:
a. Hanna mentioned telling positive stories to yourself to overcome the mind's self-doubts
b. Jingdong reported learning a new programming language .. Perl
2. In social dimension
a. Al reported making attempts to connect to some one who now works at U of M.

Regarding socializing between management and staff, how do we make the relationship more trusting, open and two-way. Comments:

a. There is an Asian cultural element of observing hierarchy which makes it difficult for staff to "talk up"
b. But, Tracy said hold on ... not just Asians, even American employees have difficulty to initiate a social relationship with their manager
c. Trust, openness is key. How?
d. Al "got on the soap box" a bit :-), and reminded all that ... Yes, there are probably all kinds of good reasons (excuses) not to initiate a relationship with someone (whether your manager or anyone). Reasons include culture, personal or otherwise that puts up cautions such as one must observe perceived hierarchy or got to wait for the boss to initiate a socializing ritual. But, we are in LPG to live a "leadership life" and to practice effective habits. Habit 1: Be proactive says we own it. We don't have to wait. We take responsibility. It is not easy to initiate a talk to someone or to be vulnerable... but if we are true to our journey, we must continue to stretch ourselves. Sometimes, we just need to be a bit uncomfortable. Sharpening your saw is about continuing doing these things and it will get easier. Was I too preachy?

Other noteworthy points:
Handle doubts ... "You fake it until you know it." In other words, develop a belief or a habit that says, "Things always work out for me."
"Managers like all people appreciate being asked to help."
"What is the harm in asking for help?" Except one's pride, or ego, or fear of being turned down.

Homework assignment ... watch ourselves and our behavior to sharpen our saw to network, eg.
To reply to email more promptly; instead of texting or emailing--pick up the phone and call the person.

Pizza Night and Sharpening the Social Saw

It seemed a long time ago that during our practicing of Habit 3: Put First Things First that in responding to Roger's question about the one thing each of us might do that would make a big difference toward our life purpose that I said:

"To look for and join a non-profit volunteer organization that serves others."

After looking at several clubs and on Roger's invitation and encouragement, I finally joined Rochester Kiwanis West.

It has already opened many opportunities for me to sharpen my saw on the social networking dimension. I have learned about community projects like:

Coyote Ridge Summer Camps, Highway Clean Up, JM 4-H student of the month, etc.

I have also re-connected with some old IBM friends who are playing significant roles in local businesses and higher education programs. I guess I must be making progress in Habit 7 in the social/emotional area.

And if you are looking for an opportunity to do Habit 7, here is opportunity to join us at our fundraiser night on September 22 and contribute to worthwhile humanitarian causes, such as:

Head Start ● Child Care Resource and Referral ● Ability Building Center ● Christmas Anonymous

Read Around The World ● Crisis Nursery ● Kids Against Hunger

Pizza Night

Rochester West Kiwanis Fundraising Event

Join the Rochester West Kiwanis Club

For an evening of fun and great food!

Pizza Ranch

1580 2^nd Ave SW

Stewartville, MN

Monday, September 22, 2008

4:30pm – 9:00pm

A portion of the evening’s profits and all tips will help the Rochester West Kiwanis Club to support the area’s children and youth through programs such as:

Head Start ● Child Care Resource and Referral ● Ability Building Center ● Christmas Anonymous

Read Around The World ● Crisis Nursery ● Kids Against Hunger

9/4/08 LPG Logistics Planning Meeting

We used today's LPG meeting to discuss logistics for our evolving LPG. The following action plan was agreed upon:

1. Changing meeting time for LPG. Starting with the next meeting, LPG will meet on the second and fourth Friday every month.

2. The next four meetings will have the following agenda:

1. 9/12: Jingdong to lead Session 2 of Habit 7: Sharpening the saw. (in the meantime, a reminder to all LPGers :-) ... "be mindful of doing this habit, look for opportunities to sharpen your saw eg. put together an education plan, are you spending time to renew each of the 4 dimensions: physical, mental, social and spirtual? are you making a commitment?).
   
2. 9/26: Team discussions and brainstorming to re-align the team ... to be facilitated by Donna, topics include: mission statement of LPG? And what do we study and practice after 7 Habits? Meeting will be open to all LPG members but Advisory Members should be there.
3. 10/10: Fall Kick off meeting LPG: Open to all LPG members, Might want to invite guests, We will present vision statement of LPG and the proposed detail of fall program
4. 10/24: Fall LPG starts
   

3. We will be using the lobby conference room. We will use Roger's call in conference number.

4. Team agreed on using the following web collaboration technologies:

1. Google blog for indepth reflection of LPG topics
2. Google web (a kind of wiki) for more static content for LPG
3. Facebook and its Leadership Practice Group group on Facebook to establish a community presence on the fastest growing social networking platforms. Goals include: reaching out to wider network (that was how Tracy found us), "Sharpening the saw" on this fast growing collaboration platform (it's up to you to learn as much or as little as you want or have time for .. but you will generally be pleasantly surprised to find a lot of friends and most likely your tennage kids already on facebook). So, at least please make sure you have access on Facebook. Think of it as your action for shapening your saw on web 2.0.

5. News. Gilma said that she is still looking to start an LPG chapater in Brazil but it would be outside an IBM context. Things are really changing fast and very hectic at IBM Brazil. She said when she gets to a point of forming that group, she would look for help from LPG Rochester. Al thought that it would be a great experiment for LPG outside IBM or any company as it meshes with the vision that LPG is not just about work, it is about living a total effective life.

6. Misc. Within IBM, there are two distribution lists: ANG-LPG which contains LPG extended members, LPG Core which as the core members. We should make sure that advisory members have admin access to the distribution list. At certain time, we should make a point to update the list. Maybe after kickoff.

See you all on 9/12 for Session 2. Sandra will send out invitations. Thank you Sandra!

Labor of Patience

How would you like to make 100 dollars in three hours of doing nothing.

Imagine the offer ...

You get to have drinks, sit in a nice room, enjoy the artwork on the wall, watch and appreciate actors who perform various shows with great dexterity. At the end, you will have a nice meal and get to have conversations with loved ones that are deeper than anything you have done for a long time and meet some really nice people. And yes, at the end you will have earned the equivalent of one hundred dollars.

Sounds too good to be true. And what is the catch?

Last night, my wife, my daughter visiting from Chicago and I went downtown for a quick bite to eat. One thing about Rochester downtown is that on the night before Labor Day, the town is really quite quiet, especially so on a Sunday night. Many restaurants seemed to know that it would be a slow night and were closed. But this new restaurant we wanted to try was open and it got benefited from little competition downtown on a Sunday night. Benefit was not the right word, it was caught unprepared.

After quite a wait, when we got to our table, the owner confided in us that they are really understaffed tonight. "We had no idea on a Sunday night and on a Labor Day weekend, we would have a full house," he said, "Service was going to be slow."

We said OK. We smiled we understood. We have been too slow restaurants before, we could be patient.

Time ticked by. More than two hours later, the owner gingerly came and told us, "We have a slight problem."

They had to prepare more ingredients for our order and it would take another 2o more minutes. To make up for the inconvenience, he would give us a 50 dollar credit for the next meal which he promised would be quicker. He also gave us a choice whether we would stay for another 25 minutes or not as they finish preparing the ingredients for our meal which he would give to us free.

We looked at each other and decided why not. We had no place to go. The place is nice. In the last two hours we sat at the table, we we had settled into a pretty good conversation about politics, work, life and books--things that as a family we seldom found time to talk about.

Finally, when our meal did show, it was delicious, maybe we were just hungry. And we were the only customers left at the restaurant. Looking around, there just us us three and the people who ran the restaurant left -- it was as if we had become their family.

After we finished, the owner and we had a good conversation. We found out he came from Mexico. and had worked at Dell in Austin. He found out I was retired. He took my wife's business card. We got to know a new friend. He was very sorry about the service. He was sincere, nice and warm. I am sure that his restaurant will get better once he gets a feel for the traffic. We had a great meal for free and also got a 50$ couple to come back.

So, that's how you can make 100 dollars for just being kind and patient for three hours, in other words for doing nothing. Besides, we really had no place to go to anyway and might as well appreciate what the universe had to offer.

And that was probably a spiritual act.