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Newsletter 3, 2007:
Stories To Use In Coaching
"To be a person is to have a
story to tell." - Isak Dinesen
There are six types of stories that
will serve you well in your efforts to influence others.
If you would like a later newsletter to outline background to each of the
story types below, please let me know.
I. Who I Am Stories
II. Why I Am Here Stories
III. My Vision Story
IV. Teaching Stories
V. Values in Action Stories
VI. "I Know what you are Thinking" Stories
In past newsletters (The "Pearls
of Wisdom" series) I passed on a few excellent stories that I found
useful when relating to others, especially when trying to influence
groups. This story is one of the teaching stories. It may
prove useful to you in talking about change.
In the next column you may purchase a complete workshop program
(booklet + PowerPoint presentation) that you may want use in your
professional development programs, especially if you are addressing the
issues of change and change management.
The Monkey with the Wooden Apples
There once was a happy monkey wandering the jungle, eating delicious fruit
when hungry, and resting when tired. One day he came upon a house, where
he saw a bowl of the most beautiful apples. He took one in each hand and
ran back into the forest.
He sniffed the apples and smelled nothing. He tried to eat them, but hurt
his teeth. They were made of wood, but they were beautiful, and when the
other monkeys saw them, he held onto them even tighter.
He admired his new possessions proudly as he wandered the jungle. They
glistened red in the sun, and seemed perfect to him. He became so attached
to them, that he didn't even notice his hunger at first.
A fruit tree reminded him, but he felt the apples in his hands. He
couldn't bear to set them down to reach for the fruit. In fact, he
couldn't relax, either, if he was to defend his apples. A proud, but less
happy monkey continued to walk along the forest trails.
The apples became heavier, and the poor little monkey thought about
leaving them behind. He was tired, hungry, and he couldn't climb trees or
collect fruit with his hands full. What if he just let go?
Letting go of such valuable things seemed crazy, but what else could he
do? He was so tired. Seeing the next fruit tree, and smelling it's fruit
was enough. He dropped the wooden apples and reached up for his meal. He
was happy again.
Letting Go Of Wooden Apples
Like that little monkey, we sometimes carry things that seem too valuable
to let go. People often carry an image of themselves as "productive" -
carrying it like a shiny wooden apple. But in reality, their busyness leaves
them tired, and hungry for a better life. Still, letting go seems crazy.
Even their worries are sacred apples - they prove they're "doing
everything they can." They hold onto them compulsively.
This is a hard thing to see. We identify so strongly with our things even,
feeling pain when our cars are dented. How much more powerfully do we
identify with our beliefs and self-ideas? Yet they don't always feed our
souls, do they?
And we become tired of defending them.
How else could the story end?
The monkey might be found dead of hunger, under a beautiful tree, with
fruit within reach, but still grasping his wooden apples.
I chose to end it with him letting go, because only with open hands can we
receive, and with open minds, can we truly hear.
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Merit Selection Reminder
Click
HERE to link to Newsletter #1, which gives important information about
the differences in the promotion process for Principal positions and all
other (associate administrator) positions.
Workshop
Dates
(Principals, Appl.
Writing)
Brisbane (Alderley) 19 Feb
Brisbane (Mt Gravatt) 20 Feb
Gold Coast 21 Feb
Sun Coast 26 Feb
Toowoomba 28 Feb
(Principals, Interview
Skills)
Brisbane (Alderley) 19 Mar
Brisbane (Mt Gravatt) 20 Mar
Gold Coast 21 Mar
Sun Coast 26 Mar
Toowoomba 28 Mar
(Assoc
Admin, Appl. Writing)
Brisbane (Alderley) 23
Feb
(Assoc Admin, Interview
Skills)
Brisbane (Alderley) 23
Mar
TRAINING
MATERIALS:
Our materials take the effort out of quality
professional development, allowing you to deliver the goods at a realistic
cost.
Change Management Program
Learning Objectives:
Change is a permanent feature of all
organisations regardless of sector or size. However the ability to harness
and manage change to bring about a positive outcome for the
organisation is one of the main challenges faced by all leaders - it
is also the greatest source of competitive advantage.
This comprehensive Change Management learning package will help all
organisations and schools come to terms with
change and also enable department heads and staff to manage change effectively.
Program
Description
What is
Change?
·
Drivers For Change
·
The Change Adept Organisation
Types of Change.
·
Incremental
·
Planned
·
Transformational
Dimensions of Change.
·
Leader-Driven
·
Process-Driven
·
Improvement-Driven
·
Organisational Renewal
Preparing For Change.
·
Pressure For Change
·
A Clear Shared Vision
·
Actionable First Steps
·
Developing Belief
Resistance To Change.
·
Why Change Doesn't Work
·
Reasons For Resistance
·
Dealing With Ambiguity
Leading Change.
·
Why Do We Need Change Leadership
·
Change Leadership
·
Fighting Complacency
Communicating and Implementing Change.
·
The Transition
·
Communicating The Change
Implementing Change.
·
Stakeholder Involvement
·
Leading From The Top/Delivered From The Bottom
·
Measured and Monitored
·
Coping With Change
Change Failure.
·
Why Does Change Fail?
·
Are
You Ready For Change?
Program materials:
31 page workbook (MS Word) and 71 slide PowerPoint.
Cost: $55.00 incl GST.
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