Readings & Reflections
November 2021
Week 1
“During November’s meetings, I’m going to refer to and ask you to read in the attached paper of mine, entitled “Wise Organizations?” in which I am asking about what we call “Wisdom.” The point here is that the members of this exploration, you, are called upon to bring care and listening of a particular kind in your conversations, and one way we could speak of what you are being called to bring is “wisdom.” Originally this paper was addressed to computer scientists who were attempting to think how to build software that would help people act more wisely in their work in organizations. Eventually, I will rework it so that it explicitly addresses a wider audience. For now, I am confident that this community will be able to make sense of what it is saying.”
- Chauncey Bell
Questions for the Break out Rooms 11/3/21:
Explore how you might express what matters to you with an internal motivational narrative.
Ask each other 5 why’s if needed until your small group members land on the internally motivated narrative that is meaningful for them. You know they have it when they’re speaking from their heart.
Reflect on, with whom are you sharing conversations that express internal motivation? With whom are you not? With whom will you invite into this world going forward?
Week 3
“Preparing to Lead Investigative & Design Adventures”
Review Fernando Flores’ “Assessments Liturgy” and Peter’s Practices to support yourselves in receiving assessments.
Fernando Flores’ Assessments Liturgy
A: “I have an assessment for you.”
B: “I would like to hear it.”
A: (Makes the assessment)
B: “Thank you for the assessment.
I can see why you might say that.
It is only an assessment, and it could be grounded, or ungrounded.
I have (or have not) given you the authority to make assessments of me.
And, I am open (or not open) to further conversations with you about that.
Thank you.”
A: “You are welcome”.
Peter’s Receiving Assessments Practice
1. Ask for confirmation of understanding. This step can help you move beyond the other’s words toward their intended meaning. Am I understanding you to mean...? It seems you’re saying X...am I on track with you? Confirmation alone—when given—helps assure both parties that their resonance is not an illusion. Importantly, confirmation is not argument and is best communicated by a genuinely inquisitive tone of voice.
2. Ask for clarification. Especially when you sense dissonance—something doesn’t quite fit your understanding or expectation or seems somehow inconsistent with other statements— clarification is essential. Help me understand what you mean by... Say more about that... Please clarify for me... Clarification questions often open further conversation that is unexpectedly fruitful for both parties. I’ve found it helpful to allow the pace of conversation to slow enough for reflective silences.
3. Conduct a minimum of 2 explorations with at least 2 people in your life that are important to you. Use the following format.
“Who Am I For You?” Explorations
The Set-Up
· Invite someone to engage in this exploration with you.
· Create a safe place for them.
· Listen from the background you’ve trained in about receiving assessments.
· Listen Keenly. Listen for the Gold.
· Follow this script.
· We recommend taking thorough notes.
The Script
Explorer: (Example Invitation)
“I’m in a personal inquiry and development course. And we have an assignment to interview people to learn how we are seen by others. I really want to make a difference with the people in my life, and this can give me important insight to do so. May I interview you?”
If YES,
Explorer: Start with an acknowledgment:
“Thank you for being willing to have this conversation.”
If NO,
Explorer: Start with an acknowledgment & thank them for their friendship
“Thank you for listening to me, and please know I value our friendship whether you choose to do this with me or not”
Explorer Creates a safe space:
“I want you to feel safe in saying ANYTHING you have to say. REALLY.”
Explorer Questions:
1. What would you say are my strengths?
Anything else?
2. What would you say are my opportunities for growth?
Anything else?
3. What does everyone know about me?
4. What can people always count on me for?
5. What can people not count on me for?
Optional:
If I were on the cover of a magazine, what would the tagline be?
If I were to disappear from this community, what would be missing?
End with an Acknowledgement:
Thank them and acknowledge them for who they are for you.
Follow on Comments by Chauncey Bell
“Soliciting assessments about our strengths and weaknesses from those close to us, from people whose judgment we trust, and digesting those assessments is a fundamental ingredient in our development as public figures, as people committed to being responsible for our participation in our worlds. Please get to work! Do the “Who am I” exercise right away!”
Moreover…
“In our conversation on Wednesday, as I was speaking about “responsibility” and talking about the Mussar tradition in Judaism, Shirah corrected me. I had mentioned the Hebrew word Anavah. She correctly translated the word as tantamount to “humility”. In the tradition of the Mussar masters, the place where all responsible action begins is with humility. Without humility we cannot learn, teach, or much more. In teaching us to start with humility, the masters caution us to interpret humility not in the sense of the prevailing common sense of self-abnegating humility but in the interpretation of humility embodied for example by Abraham and Moshe, whose humility was constructed from interpretations that as humble men they would take care of what they had been granted in life as responsibilities.”
Follow on Comments by Shirah Bell
“To tag on to what Chauncey has said, humility can be defined as occupying your rightful space, neither too much nor too little, while leaving room for others. So, we need to recognize our strengths, use them appropriately and recognize that it is not about me. They are given by God and it is my job to recognize them and use them for the greater good. No false humility “oh, I am nothing” and no arrogance “I did it”. Rabbi Simcha Bunam of P’sish’kha used to say, “Every person should have two pockets. In one, [there should be a note that says], ‘for my sake was the world created.*’ In the second, [there should be a note that says], ‘I am dust and ashes.’** One must know how to use them, each one in its proper place and the right time. For many make the mistake of using them in their opposite applications.” I invite more conversation among us, what you see about “humility” in your life.”