Reflection on Learning

My virtual online doctoral class stepped into the real classroom this weekend when I joined my seven classmates at school in Alameda all day Saturday and Sunday. These are fantastic people who have interesting areas of potential research. The first time we met, back in January, we had an informed discussion about uprisings in Egypt and several of my classmates had actually lived there. Hearing first hand from the challenges and opportunities of life in the Middle East was inspirational. I was able take the experience back to my classroom on Monday and help my students in Executive Leadership contextualize the revolution.

Our final class paper is a reflection on our learning in this course. For the past six weeks this course has encouraged me to reflect on my pursuit of a doctorate. Why am I compelled to earn this degree? What I realized is that although I am passionate about developing team leadership in creative enterprises, I have discovered that I am a “do-er” as opposed to a researcher.  

Ironically, my Professor just said to the class that Amy’s research study focus is so clear and she knows what she is talking about, that it will probably not change over the next few years. What I need to do is pursue my area of interest but in a way that fits into my lifestyle – doing as opposed to researching.

Here’s my area of interest:

What is going on that is causing me to do research?

Problem Statement:

Creative teams require effective leadership in order to be able to accomplish both artistic and business goals.  

What do I want to know from conducting this research?

Purpose Statement:

Identify effective leadership practices that support creative teams in accomplishing both artistic and business goals.

Assumptions

A1: There are effective team leadership practices.

A2: Creative teams require effective leadership to accomplish both business and artistic goals.

Research Questions

RQ1: What are the leadership practices that will be effective for creative teams to reach both artistic and business goals?

Qualitative?

RQ2:  Are effective creative team leadership practices identical for reaching both artistic and business goals?

RQ3: What are the constructs of effective leadership in creative business teams?

Reflections on the Year of Amy

Tonight over dinner my friend Hisun said she often thinks about my statement that this is the Year of Amy. Officially that year came to a close on March 8. That was essentially the anniversary of me being out of my marriage for a year. I promised myself that I would take that year to reflect on me, what I want, my values, my friends and family, and my personal development.

I am in a happy place. No challenge is too big. Panic goals are pulled into stretch goals.

Recognizing that the marriage was not working for me was a giant step. Bringing it to a close was so disappointing as it felt like failure. In comparison to these major life choices little things like presenting a training session on the 33rd floor of a London skyscraper was peanuts (although looking at the photo on this blog link does get me a bit woozy). Applying and being accepted into a a Doctoral program was another huge step...which resulted in me being in Statistics which is even more surprising. But I'm doing it.

Now I've hired my friend Simone to help me build my consulting biz plan. She is an amazing coach. In just one session I've gained so much more clarity on what where I've come from and where I'm going. Strategic planning for a strategic planning consultant.

More to the point - I've learned to love and value ME over the past year. As Drew Barrymore says in the Feb/March issue of BUST magazine quoted from Harper's Bazaar, "I've been single for months now, and I've turned my attention toward my passions, my friends, and the causes I believe in. It's about learning who I am, not through a man but for myself." Notice she has set a moving-towards as opposed to moving-away from goal. Digging it Drew.

Closing Out the Old and Preparing for the New

I took some time yesterday to reflect on 2008 in preparation for starting 2009.

2008 was a year of significant and powerful life choices. I took a huge step to move into a healthy life for myself and moved back to the States on my own. Certainly not easy but I do not regret my choice.

I was also was accepted into a Doctoral program which was a goal I set upon returning to San Francisco. That is a huge commitment of several years. I plan to use it as an anchor for my work.

All this was possible because I clarified my core values. Yesterday I took some time to reflect on these again. One that I have difficulty with is recognizing when I am in an unhealthy relationship or situation. My tendency is to try and make it work by increasing my tolerance for discomfort (aka weirdness). Looking forward to 2009 I am going to be more aware of this and be more precious with my time and my value. This is especially important with grad school starting in just a few days.

As for specific goals I need to take some time to reflect on these. As I've mentioned before I have my goals posted on my bedroom wall. There are a few to add and some that have been met. I see it as a life in progress.