Zombie Apocalypse Whiparound

[Candace Burckhardt]

Hey!

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about group dynamics and individual strengths. One of my client's mentioned the other day that he was not a leader because he wasn't like another more outgoing client, and I was able to have a long conversation with him about how leadership looks different for every person. Finally, it clicked for him and he said, "It's kind of like how each person would have a different role on a zombie apocalypse team!" 

I have been thinking often of this analogy as it relates to each of us as leaders and more specifically as I have been thinking about the idea of putting a board of directors together. 

So, my questions are as follows:

1) Who would you ask to be on your zombie apocalypse team? Why would you want that person by your side? What strengths do they bring? 

2) How are things going with the board of directors assignment this month? 

Best wishes, 

Candace 

[Amy Berkhoudt]

Candace!

This is a GREAT whiparound idea and so fitting for the progression of whiparounds we've had so far. This makes me think really hard about the types of people that bring synergy to a group setting. I appreciate Reality Check for their thoughtfulness in creating our Check group (Moses, Miriam, etc). I'd like to have each of you on my board... but that might be against the rules. Jess?

The Food Academy is in the process of officially gaining 501c3 status and we've had to vet all possible board members. I'm going to write out our process to maybe help you think about your process.

1. Look at our current directors and map out their strengths, weaknesses, and communication styles

2. Look at our organization and map out the core competencies and values

3. Choose categories of people that might best serve our board: 1 entrepreneur/creative steering wheel, 1 community organizer working within the direct community of our students, 1 heavy-hitter (Executive Director of United Way, etc), 1 community member (as a representative of whom we hold ourselves accountable)

4. Designate people that best fit these categories. Ask them to be on our board

This Zombie Apocalypse idea is great. For my Theory of Change/Zombie Apocalypse team, I would choose categories as such:

1. Person: Someone with a seriously sensitive "Bullshit Detector"
Purpose: to call me out when my ideas stray from my vision and to hold me accountable to the community when I call myself an "ally" to my community and they do not

2. Person: A really fun/optimistic/cheerleader person who is also good at prioritizing

Purpose: I can be a real negative Nancy sometimes and I forget about having fun while doing serious work. My only Strengthsfinder "Execution" strength is Restorative. This means I make things work by looking at what's wrong or what the problem is and then I try to fix it. This can be a real time-suck if I am not valuing the good things that are happening in the project and working on how to make those even better.

3. Person: A real type-A person

Purpose: Type-B people (myself) suck at execution without type-A people

4. Person: A politician (for strict rhetoric)

Purpose: I'm strategic and highly critical. I can't sell an idea even if I believe in it with all my heart. It's the biggest problem with having an open mind to everything.

Thanks for the whiparound, Candace! This was really helpful.

<3

amy

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Amy Berkhoudt

Cell: 808 283 3335

amy.be...@gmail.com

 

Program Co-Director

Detroit Food & Entrepreneurship Academy

http://www.detroitfoodacademy.com

[jesse.f...@gmail.com]

Hey y'all (I'm in San Antonio this week for work and couldn't resist..)!

I'm not quite so knowledgeable in the Zombie Apocalypse arena, especially because the last time I watched anything Zombie-related I had nightmares for about 3 weeks, so I'm glad Amy went first and made it a little more applicable to real life.

I think I'd need a few people hiding out with me in my basement:

1. Someone who's good in a crisis: I have a tendency to get a little frustrated/overwhelmed/stuck in negativity when situations become hard or frustrating, and often have difficulty moving forward. Sometimes I'm a little too easy on myself and tell myself I'm human and allowed to be frustrated, which is fair to an extent, but I think this holds me back a lot as a leader (and potential Zombie defender). I'm pretty good at reaching out in these situations to people who are a little more action-oriented from the get go, so I try to make sure these people are never too far.
2. A glass half-full person: similar to Amy, I tend to approach situations pretty critically. To be honest, I consider this one of my greatest strengths because I look at a situation and immediately think of how I (or others) could make it better, but sometimes this leads me to overlook all of the things that are going well, which is a reality check that is generally much needed.
3. Someone I trust: this is just how I operate. I need to know I have someone in my court that is reliable and knows me really well- it gives me a really strong sense of security, so this is invaluable.

Perhaps I should line all of these people now..I imagine a Zombie Apocalypse is the kind of thing that happens without warning.

In terms of my board of directors, Jess helped alleviate some of my fears around this and point me in the right direction, so I'm feeling grateful for that. I'll let you all know when I have some people officially on board (literally).

Hope you've all had a nice week!

Love,
Jesse

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

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From: Amy Berkhoudt <amy.be...@gmail.com>

Sender: Checkw...@googlegroups.com

Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:29:23 -0400

To: Candace Burckhardt<candaceb...@gmail.com>

Cc: Checkw...@googlegroups.com<Checkw...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: Zombie Apocalypse Whiparound

[Jane Keir]

Hi Friends!

I've gotta confess that I am feeling very behind on my board of directors assignment. I have been very busy trying to finish my TFA assignments so that I can get my teaching license and be qualified to teach next year (all of my assignments are due in 5 days). Also, my dad has been very sick and he needs surgery so I've been expelling great amounts of energy fighting with Kaiser to get him the care he deserves. I have the day off from work tomorrow and plan to catch-up on my Reality assignments because I will working with my Chevrutah on Saturday.

Zombie Apocalypse reflection! Yay! I love it!

On my zombie team:

1. Really sexy men who are totally into me and dedicated to keeping me alive and safe from zombies! What's a zombie apocalypse without romance...I mean I'm pretty sure that work will be canceled so there's gotta be something fun to take up the time!

2. All of favorite girlfriends and guyfriends so that I have tons of people to do the thriller dance with and hang with!

3. A dear friend with a castle, filled with weapons, on an organic farm, near the beach in Hawaii so that we stay safe from zombies, eat well, and enjoy the waves.

Did I take this too literally...;-)

I think for my team I need:

1. A subject matter expert to tell me what has been done already so that my project is unique.

2. A person who knows how to design websites because I want to design a sex education curriculum for middle school students that can be accessed online (maybe). I'm changing my theory of change topic back to sex education.

3. A person who can help me to meet my deadlines (I get creative and then distracted at times).

Until next time!

Jane

[Marker, Jessica]

Wooohoooo! LOVE this question! Particularly as folks are assembling their board of directors! Get it, Candace!

 

I don't know why, but for this question, it's easier for me to think of people I already know that I would want on my team, rather than attributes (at least that's where my head is at), so I'm going for that approach.  I'll also note that I think WE would make an ALL STAR Zombie Apocalypse team with our diverse set of loves, skills and talents, but since that's pretty obvious, I'll force myself to go external :)

 

1) LesLee, my manager (hands down the best manager I've ever had).  She is crazy analytical, really, really smart and a strong knack for design (all things that she balances me well with) - she also just gets people and is a really strong developer of people.

 

2) Antonio, a teammate, who is so grounded in equity, justice and humanity.  He sees the next horizon so clearly, speaks with incredible conviction.  He gets me and pushes me to be a better me (always).

 

3) Andrew Mandel, for his leadership talents, consistent ability to fight for what's right, his risk-taking abilities, and kick-butt knowledge of musicals and showtunes (very important in times of crisis).

 

4) Kelly, a best friend, who is one of the bravest/ferocious women I know.  Her integrity is full in tact and her adventurous spirit, no-nonesense approach to what's fair and just would serve us well - I also think she's the one that would be doing most of the front-lines physical combat! :)

 

5) Rabbi Sharon Brous, who is currently one of the most inspiring people I know - her position on humaniarian rights and efforts gives with me completely and her ability to make real and concrete the challenges and suffering of so many, and call others in to action is a must for my team :)

 

6) Michael Franti- to provide the tunes to get us movin' and shakin'

 

This also is making me want to email all of these people right now to let them know they are on my zombie apocalype team... can't wait for their responses! ha!

 

Shabbat Shalom, y'all!

Jess :)

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From: Checkw...@googlegroups.com [mailto:Checkw...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Jane Keir
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2013 5:44 PM
To: Jesse Fetbroth
Cc: Amy Berkhoudt; Checkw...@googlegroups.com; Candace Burckhardt

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[Nicole Wellman]

Hi, all!

I apologize for the delay in my response. Spring quarter is really ramping up here with assignments and presentations due.  Before I go into my awesome Zombie team, I wanted to share a few life updates, so you guys know where I am at: *I am graduating with my Masters in June! (Wasn't sure of my timeline before just over a month ago, but decided to try to finish all my requirements within the last two quarters. It's going well, and I'm on track for graduation on June 16th!) **Moving to LA for the summer (mid-June to mid-August) to do an Education Pioneers Fellowship (placement organization to be determined)***And- Tom, my partner in crime, gets to go on REALITY Pro this summer as well (Sheila and Tom will have to be friends!)

OK, on to my Zombie Team. Actually, like Jesse, I know hardly anything about zombie teams. Never been a zombie show or movie watcher, although I do think Jane's 1st Apocolypse team sounds fun. Instead, I will inform you of who is already on my Board of Advisors, and who I still would like to ask/persuade...

On the Board:

Jess: As we all know, Jess is very good at questioning. Jess, I am excited to have your excellent listening skills, passionate, yet calm demeanor, and extensive knowledge of the teaching profession and teaching and learning issues.

Richard, My Check Mentor: Richard is super optimistic and positive, but also wants answers.  He likes to tell me to "Do it today". Which is really great for my super analytical self. He also brings 20 years of corporate law, a roladex of contacts that respect him, and LOTS of knowledge as an avid volunteer.

Amy Witt, Former REALITY Checker: Amy is a great "disher" of advice. She doesn't stray away from asking hard questions and getting to the bottom of things. She's analytical and supportive. Amy will bring us optimistic folks back to reality with her knowledge of non-profits, funding, and experience with her project.

People I would LOVE to ask to be on my team, but either haven't gotten up the courage or have been waiting to fully commit to my Theory of Change:

Dr. Faverty- My current Ed. Finance professor whom I have taken 2 classes from. He is a former superintendent, current community member, and lover of people. He loves the saying, "It is what you think it is" and advocates for looking deeper into the way we structure our education system. He won't be afraid to CHALLENGE me and his extensive knowledge of education would come in handy!

"Teacher and/or Parent from the Community"- Would love he/she to be honest, detail-oriented, and dependable.

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Amy-Thanks for giving us the rundown on how you're thinking of your organization's board. That was helpful.

Jane-I hope your dad starts feeling better soon!

Jesse- Great detailed rundown of the qualities you want on your board. It helped to have specific skills and traits to picture.

Jess- Thanks for bringing it to real people. It made me really start to envision a team.

Candace-Thanks for the whip! :)

Have a fabulous rest of your weekend! <3

Nicole Wellman
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wellman...@gmail.com
(602) 377-2910