I've always tried my best to stay in charge and maintain control... it wasn't until today that I realised what we needed all this time wasn't control, but freedom
Peter
With Y2J we are trying to create leaders, not robots.
Robots need to be told what to do
Leaders need to be able to think freely and creatively about what to do
Robots need rules (see I Robot, The 3 Laws)
Leaders need the independence and strength of mind be able to break the rules when they are not working
Robots need to charge
Leaders need to breathe
Project Codename: Banana Split
Today Anhar told the group about our decision to split the group into two. There were mixed feelings toward this, but unmistakably a lot of sad, little faces filled the room. Half could see the sense in it, and half wanted the group to stay as it was. We could both see clearly it would be better for all involved to split them into two groups. Instead of 12 weeks, it would become a 20 week program, with more time spent on each participant to boost their personal development.
However, something we didn't plan on was the group calling for a quick discussion on this as it would largely affect them. Quietly bemused, this was when Anhar made a bold move, telling them we would leave the room and let them decide amongst themselves and go with whatever they decided. Only condition was it had to be a large majority vote. We knew that essentially:
1 large group = more fun
2 small groups = more personal development
...and we also knew which side we needed to win. But I think Anhar must have spotted something I didn't to have given them the freedom to make the choice themselves.
As we stealthily pressed our ears against the door, we could hear the two groups arguing back and forth the advantages and disadvantages of each option:
"...more time to spend on each of us individually"
"...the amount we learned today, we could have learned in half the time with a smaller group"
"...don't forget, we come here to learn how to get jobs"
We re-entered the room in time to catch the tail end of the debate, where, as someone called for a vote there was a clear winner.
"All who want to split into 2 smaller groups, raise your hand..."
...I made a mental note to high-5 Anhar later.
Today some demonstrated leadership
Others demonstrated foresight
But every single one of them showed their ability to work as a team and make a majority decision prioritising the good of the whole group.
We've spent literally tens of hours creating material and workshops plans, and yet one of the best outcomes so far in the program has come out of something spontaneous. Although we ended up in the in the same situation as planned, the journey there was different. I thought we would need to convince them this was a good idea, instead they convinced themselves.
In future, we'll be sticking a lot less rigidly to our workshop plans, and just going with it.
Wednesday - Bowling for Columbia
We took a well earned break from workshops to go out bowling. We split into 3 teams and slapped a box of celebrations on the table for the winning team. A picture is worth a thousand words so:
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Good times...
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