When I first heard the term “war play” I was repulsed and unsure what it encompassed. Had I ever played like that as a kid? Do I today? What about rough and tumble play? This sounded like fun, but ….These issues often come up for parents and educators with respect to childhood play and they can be controversial. But, are these types of play worthwhile for adults?
Yes, that’s what I’ve come to believe. Stories have no power – we have the power. Human beings have the power to listen with a more nuanced ear…
Poor Goldilocks – she was just trying to find the right bowl of porridge, the right rocking chair, and the right bed. And it was all just right, until it wasn’t.
Poor Chicken Little, the sky wasn’t falling and she was the last to know. There are leaders like this. There always looking for the problem . . .
There’s nature, and then there’s NATURE! I haven’t been planning to evacuate because of a hurricane, flood, tornado, or a wild fire! The truth is that in light of … the final twelve days of the challenge offered up some new or re-learned understandings around communication, change and personal leadership:
I had a disappointment this past week … a little project that didn’t go off as I expected. I couldn’t have been more prepared, and yet there I stood – surprised in the actual moment … I knew enough to be present, to carry on, to do my best with what I had to work with. The thing is you don’t know what you don’t know until you know it. Change happens, play helps.
Can we listen to all the stories as if we were holding a bouquet of wild flowers tenderly in our hands? I believe truth can be found in all accounting. Here are five playful questions that might attune our ears – as a listener and a leader – in a more helpful way …
When leaders give themselves the time and space to walk the land – literally – we come to know the territory. If we follow our curiosity, wonder and playfulness – all kinds of opportunities present themselves.
I’ve been wondering what it would be like if dogs owned people, and how that turn-a-bout would change things for us two-legged humans. I knew my invisible beagle, bill (small “b”) would have some insight on this topic, and in a recent conversation he shared his thoughts, and I came away with a laugh or two and a few informal lessons in personal leadership.
Leaders make a lot of decisions, learn from the actions they take and grow. Here are three lessons from Jack and the Beanstalk for your consideration …
