Rick...
thanks for your response. I've been monitoring this conversation during
the last few weeks while I've been engaged in putting my theories into
practice...but I simply didn't have the time or energy to comment.
I don't know most of the contributors (or lurkers) on this list. I have
had the opportunity to form some meaningful relationships with a few
colleagues by meeting them through this list, though. I've been
subscribing now for about 3 years, while simultaneously completing a
graduate program in organizational leadership. In my opinion, most of the
most critical learning opportunities I've had in this past 3 years has
been as a result of the contributors to this list...and the need for me to
"think" about my responses (before I posted them...which did occur a few
times (-; ).
I've become relatively convinced through my readings, relationships and
the posts to this list that most theories seem to be a rationalization or
conceptual statement of observed practices or outcomes. Which is to say
that practices become theories. John Denton's comment concerning the
plethora of leadership theories is an example of this...as most leadership
theories are ways to explain the people, behavior and outcomes associated
with people who are considered "leaders."
The most important characteristic of this list (after I've left all the
other ones I once subscribed to) that keeps me coming back is the "dialog"
that occurs (though it's asynchronous, it's very much a profound
conversation at times). Listening to others, seeking to
understand...speaking when the spirit moves me--I guess these are the ways
in which I attempt to engage with others. I've had several "off-line"
meetings, telephone conversations and e-mail exchanges with list
subscribers over these past few years in which we've pursued some topic of
common interest. These other connections have been valuable to my
continuing growth, as well.
The second most important characteristic of this list has been the delete
button on my e-mail browser. Lately, it's been getting a bit more of a
"quick" work out than usual, as I have been consciously deleting rather
than reading some of the threads currently running. Cynicism, sarcasm and
"sour grapes" have a limited shelf-life in my "scanning" time. There have
been a lot of those, lately. It does take some effort to turn cynicism or
sarcasm into an open, contributing thought. However, if the spirit moves
me to make a comment dripping in cynical or sarcastic sentiments, I sit on
it for a few days and reread it. I usually delete them at that time. If
not, I sit on it again for a few days...and then delete it, or I modify it
into something that I think may add value to the conversation.
Personally, I plan to continue subscribing (listening and learning) for a
long time to come. I have noticed that we've been through this cycle
before...and that the people who don't seem to fit here tend to go away
after awhile. I attribute this to Rick's skillful moderating...and to the
culture of learning that I've found from the vast majority of contributors
and listeners to this list.
Thanks to all of you who have contributed to my growth and
development...and thanks to you who made the right decision to say nothing
until you could say something filled with the spirit of learning.
warm regards,
Doc
------------------
"The salvation of the world lies in the human heart." -Vaclav Havel
Richard Charles Holloway -
P.O. Box 2361, Olympia, WA 98507 USA Telephone 253.539.4014 or 206.568.7730
Thresholds <http://www.thresholds.com>
Meeting Masters <http://www.thresholds.com/meeting.html>
[Host's Note: Thanks, Doc. I appreciate your msg. ..Rick]
--"Richard Charles Holloway" <learnshops@thresholds.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>