When I work with groups through my team building program, making suggestions for strategic planning, creating new ideas, and helping to create action plans, change seems easy. At least, easy for me. That’s because I’m guiding and suggesting plans for someone else. It’s so easy for me to drive or fly home from a program feeling self-satisfied, knowing I’ve made a difference for a group needing a catalyst to evolve…
After The Flood
After the flood and the unexpected devastation to our community, Nashville residents pulled together quickly to help each other. I’ve lived here almost twenty years and I thought I’d grown accustomed to ‘southern hospitality’ and friendliness. But the response we created as a group of citizens surpassed even our own expectations. I am reminded that generosity and positive thinking is contagious. I’m not going to tie this into a metaphor…
One Hand Washes The Other
One Hand Washes the Other – Maybe with all the talk of H1N1 I’ve got hand washing on my mind. But more likely it’s the inspiration and business I continue to receive from people, friends and competitors alike. Have you ever referred a potential client to someone who competes with you because you weren’t able to help that particular client? I did this recently and about two weeks later the…
Autumn In New York
Not officially autumn yet, but as I walked through the streets of lower Manhatten on a cool evening last week I wished I’d had a fall jacket. Fall has always been a time of reflection for me and this year the reflection has been particularly strong as I leave my daughter to begin her first year of college in New York City. Of course the family text messages have been…
Back To School
Back to school time brings back memories and stirs emotions; a potent mix of summer heat, recent summer adventures and the promise of fall with new beginnings. As I plan to head up to New York soon I’m reminded of the past, and excited about what’s in store for the future. My daughter is beginning college in NYC and I’m getting ready to visit some wonderful clients there who are…
Ain’t No Cure For the Summertime…
You finish the sentence, could be the summertime blues, as the old song goes. It could be the summertime fun and adventure…or a little of both; perhaps sitting in the office restless, dreaming of that magical summer experience we’ve all had at some point. At some point every summer I look at this picture and remember that feeling of total freedom, being in the moment and loving it. Recent Fun:…
Apples or Oranges
Apples or oranges, they’re both wonderful, but different of course. I recently worked with two corporate groups as a facilitator for our musical team building program. One group came to us at the end of three days of intense meetings and they were looking for a fun, collaborative way to draw their time together to a close. By the time we started brainstorming and writing their company song, the beer…
Team Building with Affinion
Do you ever have days like this. It was my goal to write the June newsletter first thing this morning…here it 4:30 pm and I’m just getting started. It does feel like summer, 88 degrees in Nashville and sunny. Maybe that’s the problem! Well, onto the news. We recently worked with The Affinion Group and as usual, I believe I learned as much as our clients. This was really fun. I…
Marathon Team Building
I really meant to write this on Sunday morning, my adrenalin was still flowing as were my emotions. But time does slip by and here it is Tuesday evening. Now the thinking part of my brain has kicked in, yikes! I’m left with the memory of the feeling, but not the feeling itself. When we have an experience that bonds us with a group we long to maintain the wonderful…
Partners in Policymaking
Every program has it’s own challenges. I was honored to be chosen to facilitate a team building event for the Partners in Policymaking annual reunion. Partners is an organization of people with disabilities, both physical and intellectual. This is a wonderful event, a weekend in which people are educated to advocate on their own behalf for equal access and legislation. I was careful in my preparation for this program, working…
Team Building Relevancy
Your team has certain dynamics, some great, some good and some not so good. Don’t forget the personality and productivity of your team mirrors that of the individuals who make up the team. Building a more productive team requires positive, experiential group activities like our program, Team Building Through The Art of Songwriting. The building experience mirrors your daily corporate team activities. During the process of writing a song with…