ARE:A Renewal Enterprise

Learning the Hard Way (is still learning)

  Phew! After six months of thinking, writing, creating, producing, and preparing for our 2009 "Treasure in Clay Jars" tour, we can say that what we feel on the day after our kickoff is mostly relieved! The fact that it happened at all in this kind of time frame is nothing short of a miracle. According to the 50 or so folks who participated in that first workshop (held yesterday in Chicago), it didn't just "happen"; it was, in fact, pretty good. But it wasn't good enough, as far as we're concerned. We spent several hours pouring over the evaluations last night and debriefing the event. We heard some good things and some hard things from our guests and from each other; we're going to share both with you.

What kind of toy are you?

After Daniel Pink finished his last book he confessed that the experience taught him a lot about himself, including what kind of animal he is: tortoise, not hare – morning lark, not night owl.

As the ARE team finishes up an unbelievably intense period of collaborative thinking, writing, and producing – we've just spent six months of absolute craziness writing the first 7 books in the brand new Renewable Organization(TM) for Faith-Based Groups series – we have to agree. This kind of creative marathon kicks your butt! And it either teaches you some stuff – or it kills you. We're happy to announce that we are alive and well and ready to kick off our 2009 "Treasure in Clay Jars" tour this week! But we have learned some stuff.

So, what have we learned? A lot. We learned that google.docs and other online tools have made collaboration easier than ever (all 7 books were written this way). We've learned enough about the publishing business to start our own publishing house. We learned that the only kind of advertising that matters much anymore is personal and relational. We've learned that we all need a lot less sleep than we thought we did! And, ala Dan Pink, we've learned what kind of...toy... this team is:

Seriously – You Should Laugh More

 We teach people that working playfully is a good idea. It makes work more enjoyable, it raises the sense of safety that provides for space to be creative, and it helps build trust. But many of us still assume that laughter and fun are for after work and that a workplace filled with laughter necessarily means that people must be goofing off and not getting their work done. But the truth is, some workplaces filled with laughter have the healthiest workers and the most productive people!

Lessons From Jimmy Fallon

All over North America we see people doing what is expected and bombing when they do it. Rather than shaping their work around the gifts and talents they bring, using practices that bring life and excitement, and working in ways that are fun – these leaders choose to do the routine in routine ways. And whether these leaders are leading a church or a business, when they stop creating and risking and start to simply meet expectations, then their leadership no longer provides life – it is just painful to watch.

Being Productive Over the Summer

 Summer is a time when many organizations move into a “pause mode.” Using the school year as a model many groups expect summer to be a time when people will be using more of their vacation time and so take it for granted that there will be some coasting for a few months. In fact, in organizations where this pattern exists, many people look forward to the change of pace and they lower their expectations to match. Many of our clients find themselves in this annual cycle.

But what if the mindset was a bit different? Summer is officially upon us but there is still work to be done! How can you take advantage of this time to both enjoy the summer and all that it brings and still get more done this year than last year?

License To Change

Do you have what it takes to bring change to the organization you care about? According to the work of Dominic Abrams, a professor of social psychology at the University of Kent, you have an extra special opportunity to bring change if you are a new leader. New leaders have what Abrams and his team call an "innovation credit." 

People who are already members of a group, including leaders who have been a part of the system for awhile, are expected to conform to the group's norms. In other words, they're expected to do things a certain way just because 'that's how we've always done them.' 

But new leaders have a special license to shake things up, at least at first. In fact, people expect them to. Often, groups will bring in new leadership because they know they need it and it's harder for old leadership to make it happen. 

Live Long And Prosper!

How does the geekiest franchise in TV and movie history produce a box office winner? And JJ Abram's Star Trek was a winner on its opening weekend. The official website declares it "the number one movie in America!" It's getting more good reviews than bad ones. No movie has ever had a bigger opening in IMAX. And the Trekker on our team (i.e. a fan who doesn't dress up like her favorite character unless it's Halloween...that would be a Trekkie) plans to see it at least a second time before it leaves the theaters. Maybe even a third.

How did this happen?

Here are a couple of factors we think are probably contributing to the success of what is, basically, the overhaul and redevelopment of this franchise (something many of our clients and friends are dealing with in their own organizations!):

Laughter For The Long Haul

Mayor Hazel McCallion of Mississauga, Ontario - the sixth largest city in Canada - has been elected 11 times and has served for 31 years in that office. She is 88 years old. Rick Mercer of CBC's the MercerReport interviews Mrs. McCallion about her life in public service (Rick - What's your secret? Hazel - Take care of your people!) in this informative and hysterical video (click below). Hazel doesn't say it directly but it's clear that one of the keys to her success is the ability to work playfully! The clip is 6.3 minutes long but worth every second. Be sure you watch long enough to find out what Hazel's only regret in her personal life is. It'll make you laugh out loud and give you more than a few things to think about. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy.

Go Play. Your Brain Will Thank You.

Daniel Pink, the author of A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The Future, argues that we have moved from the Industrial Age, through the Information Age, and are now entering a Conceptual Age where the ability to detect patterns & opportunities, create artistic and emotional beauty, tell a good story, empathize with others, elicit joy, and tap into the innate desire people have to find meaning in life will be equally important as the ability to manipulate information, think analytically, and employ logic in the pursuit of your goals. Pink describes "six senses" that he believes are the key to success in work and life today. One of them is a particular favorite of ours: Play.

Hope is in the Marinade

This article was written by Bob Machamer who is a new member of the A.R.E. team. He is full of energy and ideas and we think you will get some great things from his article as you get to know him. Welcome Bob! Here's what Bob wrote:

One of my favorite meals which my ninety-seven year old mother-in-law enjoys preparing for me on special occasions is eye of sirloin marinated in a magnificent blend of spices. I am not a culinary expert, yet, even I know that this is really good. If you are a leader then you probably already know that the ‘marinade’ you choose to soak in will influence you and those around you.