Wednesday Night Observations

[Clyde Davis]

Brothers*,

 

I mentioned at the meeting last night, after Andrew's unexpected departure, I felt as if the rug had been pulled out from under me. Then, after the meeting had adjourned, I witnessed an interchange between two RT members that, without intervention, could easily have come to blows. So, there I was, nonplussed and flabbergasted, completely present and disbelieving reality, all at the same time! Quite the experience, indeed. As Jeffrey said, we had a bomb thrown at us to start the meeting, and as I observed, a riot break out at the end. (I do so love a meeting that isn't boring....)

 

So today, I spoke with an old friend, and took some time to reflect on what just happened. I feel compelled to share with you some of my thoughts in hopes that I can set an example of doing my own work as a value, rather than speculating, projecting, spinning my wheels in anger or pointing fingers. I want to do what I can to help us all move on and not stay stuck overlong in this place of unfamiliarity and shock. (Perhaps this email will not be boring, either....)

 

 

Firstly, now that I have allowed myself time to feel my feelings and have my reactions, I want to commend Andrew for gifting us with the most provocative piece of facilitation I have witnessed in the past eighteen months! He said very succinctly and powerfully "We're done, we will not provide you with further services, you are not following our lead any longer, we're not interested in your feedback, we will not subject ourselves to further abuse, and we're leaving."

 

Putting that in my own words, I now believe I heard "You are ready to move on, you don't need us any more, you have the tools you need to create a successful future for yourselves, you are already moving ahead on your own, we're not going to stick around and run the risk of being blamed if you don't succeed or clung to for leadership when you're uncertain, see you later."

 

Rather than feeling angry, or spending a lot of time and energy trying to figure out what I don't and can't know, I'm feeling challenged. I feel like taking up the gauntlet and moving forward in power and confidence. I know this organization is moving in the right direction - I feel it in my bones. I will not be distracted by the surprising behaviors of a few individuals, and I will stay the course. And I want you all with me, side by side. This experience can pull us together, if we let it, or it can easily pull us of course.

 

 

Secondly, I was aware of several things going on in my consciousness during the heated exchange I witnessed after the meeting. Among them were fear, helplessness, impatience, embarrassment, and a strong desire to be somewhere else. I attempted to intervene, but my style was no match for the energies being wielded. Stronger personalities did finally prevent blows from falling.

 

After the fact, I remember filling out the Visioneers questionnaire before the meeting, and one of the topics dealt with what I thought was the most important thing I learned from the visioning experience. That thing for me was the exercise that had me write down what jazzed me up about the organization and what pissed me off about the organization. The awareness I came to was they were both facets of what my passions are, what my core values are, what I care most about. How about that?!

 

What I am choosing to take away from my witnessing the altercation is the question "What is the passion, the core value, the caring that is hiding under the anger?" Other questions I must ask myself also come to mind: "If and when someone pisses me off to the point of blows, am I aware of what it is that so deeply moves me that I am willing to fight for it?" And "Am I willing to admit that the man I find so infuriating is actually providing me with an opportunity to reacquaint myself with what really matters to me?!" And especially "Can I release that man from my anger and use that energy to manifest my passions?!"

 

 

Thirdly, after a conversation with Jonno today, I am convinced that the extra meeting he proposed for institutionalizing policies and procedures could be better spent as a process-focused meeting. Every time I attend a RT meeting, the five-minute check-in doesn't go far enough to create the safe and nurturing group field I want to feel. No matter how urgent the agenda, a meeting seems productive only when I feel safe, acknowledged and respected. That doesn't seem to be happening for others, either. I believe it's necessary to dig deep into the sludge that mires the RT down and keeps us from working together, from experiencing synergy. And that will only happen if we don't have a business meeting.

 

 

Lastly, after the meeting ended, and before the confrontation occurred, Lewis called the TLT together to ask me if I can function effectively as Shadow Chair while I am deeply involved as a TLT member. My answer is no. I have committed to find a successor, someone to step in for me while my energies are participatory rather than observatory. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Good catch, and thank you for your attention, Lewis.

 

Wow. Some very profound stuff for me here. Thanks for indulging me. I feel much more like I do now than I did an hour ago. Hope you do too.

 

Clyde

 

*P.S. No offense, Maggie

[Ballard Pritchett]

Friends, I sit in Juba Sudan surprised and not surprised. I feel sad and regretful that the vision and transition process is not at a peak of joy and energy as you enter this weekend.  Had I been still involved with the recent conversations about using the swim lanes or not, I would have found myself in yet a third place from the two sides.  I am full, full of honor for the TLT, and am inclined to trust your emerging judgment as stewards.  I feel in all integrity and truth that as a "guide" rather than a "coach", I would come at the matter of leadership differently than what I think I have imagined.  I look forward to reconnecting with you all upon my return.  Blessings. Ballard

Sent from my iPhone B Pritchett 

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[Andrew Hogan]

All,

I am sorry to hear that there was nearly an altercation after the RT meeting on Wednesday evening.

To be clear, our completing was absolutely not Kado's fault nor anyone else's fault.  We urge you not to look for someone or something to blame or to blame us.  There is no blame needed, required, or that is appropriate -- this project has been an unqualified success and all of you would be well served in acknowledging yourselves, each other, and all those who contributed to this amazing journey and process.  This is and continues to be a job well done with extraordinary results and has well laid the foundation for your future.

We were complete with our piece of moving your organization to what is next, the future you see for yourselves.  What is next is to continue the work and enroll others to join in.  Enlisting the guidance of others to take you through the next steps is very wise and would serve you and your organization well.  Your organization is full of amazing talented, wise, skillful, and experienced people who could do this -- I suggest you put the word out to your community of talented organizational development folks.

{hint} You may want to consider (and here was the rub for us -- which you may or may not take as a gift} that when receiving assistance from others it works far better to acknowledge and say thank you versus attack, defend, judge, moan or groan, et cetera.  Our experience and it seems to be a pattern of this organization is to do far more of the later versus the former.  For us the constant "_________" removes the joy, pleasure, satisfaction, and willingness to continue to contribute.  We love our work and love contributing and when given the fuel of acknowledgement and appreciation would give all that we are able.  We take great pleasure, joy, pride, and satisfaction knowing that we did extraordinary work for Inner Gold and all of you and that you and Inner Gold have a real chance of creating a future that will serve so many in a great way.

Our one piece that we had left to do as requested by the TLT was to moderate / facilitate  a very short Q&A piece on Sunday which can easily be accomplished by the many talented people within your organization, on the RT, and/or on the TLA.  You have extraordinary talent among you who can and will do an excellent job at this small piece of work.

Again, it was an honor and a gift for us to be your guides through this process.  We know you have what you need to continue moving forward.  We deeply desire and hope that you continue on your path that you all created through the Visioneering process.

With love and gratitude,

Andrew

===================
Andrew Hogan
Visionary Leader

Master Coach, Facilitator, & Trainer
Visioneers
aho...@govisioneers.com

 

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