Training to Boston

I'm heading to Boston for meetings with folks at MIT and Harvard to discuss financial aid systems. I have an Amtrak train out of NYC at 6:20 and so am to taking the 4:38 out of Hamilton to get there.

The train was a little late and came in on the wrong track so the lemming herd had to rush to the grade level platform at the far end of the normal platform. Same situation for Princeton Junction where we are as I write this.

It will be a short trip coming back tomorrow but I will describe if anything noteworthy happens. So long for now.

Seven Survival Skills

I read a blog article recently on LeadingBlog that described seven survival skills for the new age. The material is from the book "The Global Achievement Gap" by Tony Wagner.

The article is located here:
http://www.leadershipnow.com/leadingblog/2008/11/hiring_the_right_skill_set_and.html

The seven survival skills listed by the author are:
1.) critical thinking and problem solving
2.) collaboration across networks and leading by influence
3.) agility and adaptability
4.) initiative and entrepreneurship
5.) effective oral and written communication
6,) accessing and analyzing information
7.) curiosity and imagination

By my count that is 14 but I suspect that "good at math," is not among the seven survival skills. The MBA's who led our economy into the crapper seem certainly to be lacking in that 8th skill. Well, maybe lacking in other important skills like ethics, responsibility, and accountability.

To this set, whether 7 or 14 I would immediately add the following:

8.) Zeal for learning and embracing new methods (mindmapping, managing strengths, leading by clarity) and new technology tools (MindManager, Basecamp, Collaboration Technologies). Maybe that is included in curiosity and imagination or facilitates the rest but it is important.

Please respond with your own ideas. A priority ranking perhaps? Other missing skills?

I tested this set out with my AST team and many people seemed to be in agreement so I think this is a good set to start with.

Now, the difficult part, what is ACTIONABLE? And How? This is especially tricky with training and professional development budgets being slashed during these turbulent times.

Lights on College Walk Entering Campus from Broadway & 116th

Columbia lights

Train layout, scene 3

Train layout, scene 2

Train Layout, scene 1

Wiki Workshop

I led a Wiki Workshop yesterday to prepare for movement forward into the social technology arena for a significant unit at CU. I followed the POST method described in the book "Groundswell, Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies" and the method seemed to be well received.

The POST method has you focus on People, Objectives, Strategy, and then Technology rather than leading with Texhnplogy aspects. There was still a tendency to want to focus on the technology but I led the group with determination to stay pure to the process.

I also used my favorite group facilitization tool, MindManager, but this time used MindManager version 8 and also used Connect for ease in access. These are great tools and are overtaking other personal productivity tools in the toolkit.

This workshop was the first session but I think we got off to a good start using the new methods and tools. I will chronicle more as this moves forward.

Early Mormong Train

It is Friday once again and I am catching the 6:06 train for the third day in a row. The truth is if I could manage getting up I would take an even earlier train even though I get wiped out pretty early in the evening. I have always liked seeing the sun rise.

Well, train rolling in so will close for now. Have a great Friday wherever you are.

Upgrading to MindManager 8

I am just completing conversion to MindManager 8 to continue to develop my toolkit for knowledge tools. MindManager has been the go to tool for many management and leadership uses over the past several years and I think the new features will be very helpful.

It appears the development has gone further into Connect online collaboration features seeming to provide a SharePoint-like experience for work groups that use MindManager as their unifying technology.

I am reviewing the online documentation and tutorials now to see what advances are offered. I will report further what I find. Write back if you have MindManager experiences of your own.

Training to Work on a Short Week

I am heading to work on Monday morning of the Thanksgiving holiday week. I think that I need this holiday and extended time away from work more now than any time previous. A little get-away time would be just what the doctor would order.

There is a lot swirling in my mind now but too much to share in these short posts to my blog, especially while finger-tapping from my iPhone.

I did run across a very new iPhone application called Ocarina that turns the phone into a musical instrument. You blow into the microphone port and press buttons on the touch screen and you get a pretty good facsimile of the real ocarina.

A very near aspect is that the developer has included a way to use the GPS to allow others to hear players from around the world. A globe shows on the screen with music streaming up from featured players. Truly a very cool use of technology.

I imagine it is only a short time until other wind instruments make an appearance as iPhone apps. Can't wait for that flugelhorn that I have always wanted!

Enjoy the day.,,

Saturday Morning

It's Saturday morning and I am easing into the weekend. With a very tough week behind it's important to get some relaxation and recovery. We took it easy last night watching Kung-Fu Panda and having a combination of hot and corn dogs (yum).

I don't know precisely what the day has in store but the rumor is that there will be a BJs store marathon. Wish me luck.

I hope everyone has a good weekend.

Wondering...

Either we are a free enterprise capitalist country or we are not, right? Are there degrees between free enterprise and government provided? An inbetween democracy and socalism? These are difficult confusing times.