What Direction Are You?
I apologize for the lateness of this blog.........
This summer I had the privilege of meeting a childhood friend in Raleigh, North Carolina for her daughter's karate tournament. Sitting poolside we were able to catch up on each others lives. My "sister" is in the education profession as well. Therefore we are able to discuss everything from latest trends in education to ills that continuously plague this profession. Seeing that my "sister" is a principal mentor where she mentors about eight principals in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. She shared information about an awesome training she attended called Compass Points: North, South, East, and West. This training was part of SRI (School Reform Initiative A Community of Learners). What intrigued me about this conversation is the importance of looking at character traits and how those traits may affect the dynamics of a learning community as well as our personal lives (Yes, this training is considered a personality inventory.). What intrigued me was the fact that cardinal directions were utilized for this activity. After reading the character traits of each direction, I could totally see the rational behind each description. For example, the South is "caring and likes to know that everyone's feelings have been taken into consideration and that their voices have been heard before acting." In my opinion, this is true of southern hospitality always wanting to make others feel comfortable and welcomed....The South.
If and when you all get some time, please take the time out to see what direction you identify with. Of course you may identify with more than one. But choose your most dominant direction. I am both North and South. However, my dominant direction is North (Just so happen I'm a Northerner by birth.)
For you administrators out there, this may be a good activity to share with staff when setting up learning communities. This activity forces individuals to recognize, adjust, and embrace others differences. This may be an opportunity for individuals not to take situations so personal when they understand people are dealing in their cardinal direction i.e. the bossy and direct co-worker who is simply operating in her "North."
Here is the link if you are curious http://schoolreforminitiative.org/doc/compass_points.pdf
Can't wait to read about you all's directions.
This summer I had the privilege of meeting a childhood friend in Raleigh, North Carolina for her daughter's karate tournament. Sitting poolside we were able to catch up on each others lives. My "sister" is in the education profession as well. Therefore we are able to discuss everything from latest trends in education to ills that continuously plague this profession. Seeing that my "sister" is a principal mentor where she mentors about eight principals in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. She shared information about an awesome training she attended called Compass Points: North, South, East, and West. This training was part of SRI (School Reform Initiative A Community of Learners). What intrigued me about this conversation is the importance of looking at character traits and how those traits may affect the dynamics of a learning community as well as our personal lives (Yes, this training is considered a personality inventory.). What intrigued me was the fact that cardinal directions were utilized for this activity. After reading the character traits of each direction, I could totally see the rational behind each description. For example, the South is "caring and likes to know that everyone's feelings have been taken into consideration and that their voices have been heard before acting." In my opinion, this is true of southern hospitality always wanting to make others feel comfortable and welcomed....The South.
If and when you all get some time, please take the time out to see what direction you identify with. Of course you may identify with more than one. But choose your most dominant direction. I am both North and South. However, my dominant direction is North (Just so happen I'm a Northerner by birth.)
For you administrators out there, this may be a good activity to share with staff when setting up learning communities. This activity forces individuals to recognize, adjust, and embrace others differences. This may be an opportunity for individuals not to take situations so personal when they understand people are dealing in their cardinal direction i.e. the bossy and direct co-worker who is simply operating in her "North."
Here is the link if you are curious http://schoolreforminitiative.org/doc/compass_points.pdf
Can't wait to read about you all's directions.
Very cool! Thanks for sharing the link. I'm all over the place, but I'm wondering if that happens to be typical of leaders, especially having to operate within the domain of other individuals (and their dominant directions). I like the idea of using this activity to foster awareness of others' personality traits, and I can see its potential for developing a balanced approach to leadership.
ReplyDeleteHey Charlie thanks for checking out the site!
ReplyDeleteYou said something that is absolutely true..."operating within the domain of other individuals"...not just school leaders but as a society there are times we have to "conform/negotiate" our beliefs to fit the masses (keep peace). There's nothing wrong with this. I like to call it having a thermostat attitude. You are setting the temperature (tone) in order to keep the masses feeling cool (valued and appreciated).
I know this activity will work well at team meetings. Working in a middle school setting there are times when we don't get each other. Quite a few chiefs and not enough indians.
Very true, and I think this is so important that we should even be teaching it to our students! This conversation reminds me of the book "Emotional Intelligence" that I read in my masters program. It highlights your same points and makes the case that those (soft) skills are more valuable and marketable than academic intellect. Check out the book sometime if you haven't read it already. Daniel Goleman is the author...great read!
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