Effective Meetings

Self-Knowledge: The Key to the Universe

What if you could predict what you are likely to do in a particular circumstance? What if you could predict what your co-worker, spouse, or child is likely to do in a particular circumstance? Well, with a little knowledge, you can make a pretty good guess about what that person’s preference is. Of course, since a preference is just that – like being right or left-handed – you or another can always choose to do something else. But at least you’ll know what your inclination is, be able to recognize that inclination when it arises, and consciously choose what you want to do.

The most recent Bulletin of Psychological Type, published by the Association for Psychological Type, includes several articles on how knowing one’s Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI) personality type has been of use.

One author, Sidney Craig Courtice, talks about how type has added value to her relationship with her daughter.

Another, Andrea Boulanger Lowe, discusses her experience working with an organization that has a type vastly different from her own.

Chris Nichols discusses how, in mid-life, our non-dominant preferences can start to bloom.

Kathy Quinn discusses becoming comfortable being oneself regardless of others’ expectations, thanks to knowing type.

Kathryn Jarvis talks about how knowing type has created more acceptance in relationships.

And, in the article Self-Knowledge: The Key to the Universe, which you can read by clicking the link, I talk about how type has impacted my career choices and how I use my time and energy.

Contact me now by email me, phone 703-297-2224, or online scheduler to take the MBTI and discover how powerful it is for you!

Social Business Entrepreneurs – Good for Business and Good for the World

This coming weekend I am participating in, and facilitating a portion of, a conference for entrepreneurs from the Tibetan Plateau. The focus of the conference is on introducing these Tibetan entrepreneurs to possibilities of creating businesses that are profitable for the purpose of addressing a social issue. The non-profit organization Machik and the Tibet Sustainable Governance Program at the University of Virginia are co-sponsoring the conference.

If you are interested in social businesses, Tibet, investing in social businesses, or hearing cutting edge leaders talk about what is happening in sustainable entrepreneurship, join us on Saturday, April 10, 8:30am to 5:30pm, in the Abbott Auditorium, Darden School of Business, at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. Saturday’s program is free and open to the public. If you like, you can make a $25 donation that also covers your lunch.

I look forward to seeing you.

Open Space: Ultra-Effective Meetings

What if, instead of someone setting an agenda for a meeting, workshop, or conference, based on partial information and a limited perspective, and folks passively “showing up” for that event, you were able to access the wisdom of everyone in the room? What happens?

  • You cut out wasted time.
  • You remove the roadblocks sometimes presented by egos.
  • You accurately identify what is most important.
  • You spend your time working on what is most important.
  • You get results.

This is the power, the magic, of Open Space Facilitation.

I’ve been using Open Space since 2006, and have been consistently amazed at how effective the technique is for getting results and creating engagement, very quickly. Last year, Harrison Owen, the author of Open Space Technology: A User’s Guide began holding gatherings here in Washington, D.C., for local Open Space practitioners. Today, we gathered again. These meetings are always fascinating, because folks at the leading edge of thought and creativity are present. One of the topics we talked about today is how we best convey to others the power of Open Space. There are times clients blanch at the thought of holding a meeting without a pre-set agenda. “What? How will we get anything done?” I focus them on results. You want results? You get them with Open Space.  Once clients get to an event and see the agenda set, in the moment, by the folks with the expertise, hands-on knowledge, passion, and willingness to take responsibility for the topics presented, they tell me time and again that they are impressed by how everything falls into place and the results they get.

Minimal individual effort. Maximum results.

If you have an upcoming meeting, workshop, or conference for which you want results, give me a call at 703-297-2224 or email me to access the power of Open Space for yourself, your team, and your organization.