On November 4, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama issued a challenge to every citizen of the United States. In a world of hope, his message will be answered by those beyond the barrier of borders or the positions of the past.
Barack Obama said,
"This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other."
Thanksgiving is celebrated in the United States on November 27. I invite every one of you to find a reason to give thanks and share it with another person. I encourage you to reach out to others in your family and community so that no one will be lost or alone for at least this one day. Individual acts of caring and kindness do not require government programs, formal organizations, or economic stimuli.
I challenge you to act NOW!
Showing posts with label caring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label caring. Show all posts
Friday, November 7, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Love and caring in the workplace
A short story from Idaho about creating a more flexible workplace...
Last spring (2007), I asked the State Librarian to risk sending a team of 10 to the Pegasus Systems Thinking Conference in Seattle. She agreed and we invited four young librarians from around the state and six of our staff to form a team, study the five disciplines (from Peter Senge's book "The Fifth Discipline), and attend the conference. Following the conference in November, the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICFL) Pegasus team initiated conversation cafes for our staff to "create space to have conversations that matter."
About a third of our staff attended the third café last Wednesday (another third were snowed out)! The group chose to talk about creating a more flexible working environment. After sharing ideas someone asked, "Could we consider what am I willing to do to make a flexible environment at ICFL?" Below are the notes scribbled in pen, crayon, and pencil on the butcher paper tablecloths. We have posted these papers on a wall in our commons area for all staff to see and discuss.
I AM WILLING TO:
Own own problems
Change from me to us perspective
Listen + communicate + collaborate
Be more aware of differences between I can't and I won't
Speak my truth
Open my mind
Trust others to do their jobs
Ask for what I need
Quit keeping score
Flexible in response to others needs
Do things I don't like to do to grow and learn
Look at my actions to be a better person
Share information but not gossip
Allow people to do job their way
Be available
Streamline tasks
Use technology appropriately (don't overuse e-mail) See others' views
As I looked at these commitments, I was struck by the simplicity, love, and caring. Not one comment requires management intervention, a policy change, a new structure, or more money. Even deep within a government bureaucracy people are talking (and acting) for positive change.
Last spring (2007), I asked the State Librarian to risk sending a team of 10 to the Pegasus Systems Thinking Conference in Seattle. She agreed and we invited four young librarians from around the state and six of our staff to form a team, study the five disciplines (from Peter Senge's book "The Fifth Discipline), and attend the conference. Following the conference in November, the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICFL) Pegasus team initiated conversation cafes for our staff to "create space to have conversations that matter."
About a third of our staff attended the third café last Wednesday (another third were snowed out)! The group chose to talk about creating a more flexible working environment. After sharing ideas someone asked, "Could we consider what am I willing to do to make a flexible environment at ICFL?" Below are the notes scribbled in pen, crayon, and pencil on the butcher paper tablecloths. We have posted these papers on a wall in our commons area for all staff to see and discuss.
I AM WILLING TO:
Own own problems
Change from me to us perspective
Listen + communicate + collaborate
Be more aware of differences between I can't and I won't
Speak my truth
Open my mind
Trust others to do their jobs
Ask for what I need
Quit keeping score
Flexible in response to others needs
Do things I don't like to do to grow and learn
Look at my actions to be a better person
Share information but not gossip
Allow people to do job their way
Be available
Streamline tasks
Use technology appropriately (don't overuse e-mail) See others' views
As I looked at these commitments, I was struck by the simplicity, love, and caring. Not one comment requires management intervention, a policy change, a new structure, or more money. Even deep within a government bureaucracy people are talking (and acting) for positive change.
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