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A Mental Table Setter
This is the introduction to a conference keynote speaker! At the recent American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Great Ideas Conference, board chair, Susan Neeley, introduced Alan Gregeman (left). His session’s title was so interesting… The Necessity of Strangers: New Insights for Unlocking the Brilliance in Yourself, Your Organization, and the World Around You.
I had the great experience of both presenting and just enjoying the conference as an attendee.
This presenter introduction was a great reminder of how we as trainers and educators, should thinking about preparing trainees for their learning experience. Hearing the table setter metaphor at the beginning really made me focus on the ways that other presenters started their 60-minute sessions.
A few practices I witnessed:
- Sharing that 50% of the workshop would be instructor-led and 50% would be audience participation;
- Jumping right in and not telling the participants what to expect at all;
- Promising a specific number of ideas that would be gained and then small group conversation;
- Empowering people with role-playing to learn a few coaching tactics – and asking people to be courageous and make mistakes in the safe zone of the learning environment; and
- Providing a 5-minute snapshot of the entire session to make sure people knew the flow and what to expect throughout the program.
Those tactics really helped people engage… or vote with their feet and attend another program if it didn’t meet their learning styles or expectations.
All in all, the Great Ideas Conference is a good investment in networking and professional development. Thanks to the entire ASAE Team for their hard work to provide a terrific, rejuvenating conference in Orlando!
On a more personal note, the conference body recognized and thanked the ASAE Chief Learning Officer, Anne Blouin, for her years of executive leadership. It’s bittersweet to have a friend leave the association and the industry but it’s so wonderful to see her follow her passion of world-wide travel in her retirement! Kampai (cheers in Japanese) my friend!
Strategy Work: On Sweating the First Step…
I facilitate leadership development workshops and strategic planning sessions for work, volunteer activities, and for my own learning. At the end of most sessions we develop goals. You know, the “SMART” ones – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.
The clients usually end up with great goals which are tough but achievable stretches for them to accomplish as individual leaders or as a whole organization. A final document is usually created with a colorful cover page with cool graphics and a dramatic title such as “OUR FUTURE.” They think the hardest work is done now that they have a document in hand after months of tough thinking and planning work.
But, most have found that the first step is often the most difficult. They get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work ahead of them for their preferred future. They find other compelling work taking precedence. They allow uninvited emails to consume their time.
The first step makes them sweat. Which actually, is a good thing. It means it’s important to them. It’s the work they need to do to improve as a leader. To grow as an organization. It means other people are going to hold them accountable for their many intentions.
This blog feels much like that overwhelming first step. This first contribution might not be the most earth-shattering piece, but at least my blog isn’t blank now.
Come back for more splashes of creativity, insights gained from cool clients, helpful resources to empower yourself and others on your team, and food for thought… no action required.