It’s been a couple of days between entries as I’ve been busy with my learning team-mates bankrupting a company. Yesterday we began a team assignment to run a business manufacturing power inverters over several years – the objective being to maximise the stock price. Fortunately for us, the exercise was not about winning, or about the intricacies of manufacturing, but about team dynamics. No secrets in the team room – the first few sessions were recorded for our coaches to provide feedback to us! What did we learn? You don’t need the pen in your hand to have power – but it helps! Our team dynamic was great and everyone was encouraging – doing the exercise over an extended period allowed different behaviours to surface, and we all got to know each other better. It was particularly good to see that the skills and leadership qualities we all have are transferable to areas where we are not experts, so none of us need to hide behind our particular specialist areas – we’re well equipped to lead anywhere.
At the start of yesterday, we all presented our Best Self Portrait which I mentioned in my Darden #1 update. This was a sometimes emotional journey but very insightful – it is amazing how often something you thought people didn’t notice had a big impact, even several years on. In my case, I was struck by the way that stories from family and friends were reflected in comments from work colleagues – us women are in the main very harsh judges of ourselves, and we can gain a lot from asking others what we do well on a regular basis.
One of the things I have noticed about the environment here is that it sits somewhere between the formal corporate world and the free spirited learning environment of my undergraduate days. There is something about Darden that pays homage to the underlying history of the University of Virginia but makes me feel like I am somehow experiencing a very modern learning experience. This afternoon we had one of our most compelling sessions yet. Somewhat surprising, given the timeslot in the “dead” zone of early afternoon. Our debrief on Donna Dubinsky’s experience at Apple, again early in a very successful life story, uncovered truths on how to deal with conflict – and the need for a “mission focused” rather than a “self-focused” mind set. I have the feeling I will refer back to the notes from this session over and over again as reminders to keep the “stupid” switch, which flips when we get self centred, angry and frustrated, firmly OFF… by trying to look at situations without emotion, and above all remember in all our interactions that people are human, not objects.
So I’ve adapted my main leadership learning of the day from this session, to compare leadership to surfing…. It doesn’t matter how beautiful the wave is, or how great the equipment, if you don’t paddle hard enough before the wave comes, you will never ride that wave.
No matter whether you succeed or fail, great leadership is not about the actual moment you make a decision, it’s how you set up to make that decision.
Still learning to paddle hard here!!
Eyes Up 