Group Dynamic

Alan Feirer's thoughts on leadership issues

Archive for the ‘Biographical’ Category

Leaders stay sensitive this time of year

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This is a “rerun” from last year; some events of the last month have convinced me to share it anew:

We’re just a couple weeks from the Winter Solstice, the shortest darkest day of the year. A contrast to the holiday season, it can exacerbate hidden internal sadness in those around us.

I love Christmas music.  But not all of it at the same level of love.  I prefer minor keys, obscure pieces, and bleak moods that reflect peace and/or sadness.  ”God Rest Ye Merry” is a good one, as is “‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime.”  There’s a lot of good stuff in the French, Celtic, and British choir traditions traditions that are haunting.

Two favorite Christmas music albums are “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “If on a Winter’s Night…”  The latter comes from Sting, who hits on a major theme of this time of year in the liner notes:

…I have an ambivalent attitude towards the celebration of Christmas.  For many, it is a period of intense loneliness and alienation… Winter is a time of darkness and introspection… [and] the gravitational pull of home that Christmas exerts on the traveller.

Walking amid the snows of Winter, or sitting entranced in a darkened room gazing at the firelight, usually evokes in me a mood of reflection, a mood that can be at times philosophical, at other wildly irrational; I find myself haunted by memories.

This can be a joyful and jolly time of year; so many lights and happy music and gatherings. But many folks are like Sting; haunted by memories of sadness exacerbated by the short dark days and the contrast with the flaunting of joy.

Enjoy the season – the lights, music, gatherings, festivities – but please stay sensitive. And allow yourself to feel the melancholy, too.  That can add to the beauty.

Happy New Year.

Written by Alan Feirer

December 12th, 2012 at 8:06 am

Group Dynamic Primer Conclusion: Art’s Triangle and the Handwritten Matrix

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WARNING:  This post is nothing but a story, though you will find usable content at the end.  Also, it’s over 700 words.  If you’re a long-time loyal reader, though, it’s required reading.  (If you’re new to this blog, this is really the last thing you ought to read. I suggest starting here.)

As mentioned at the outset of this series, many Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Alan Feirer

November 7th, 2012 at 10:09 am

The Group Dynamic Primer. Chapter Zero: Rock-Bottom

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1996

I was despondent. Poor me. “My people” weren’t engaged.  They didn’t get me; they weren’t loyal, they weren’t receptive, they were leaving me, and it wasn’t my fault.  They just needed to give me more time, to get to know me…

Except… Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Alan Feirer

September 5th, 2012 at 2:50 pm

What’s your space program?

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OuterSpace-beach

We’ve always heard that the space program has done more for us than explore space, the moon, and Mars– but that we have NASA to thank for some other, “accidental,” by-products: Teflon and Velcro come to mind — and I use those daily, I think.

What’s your space program?

In other words, what crazy big projects Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Alan Feirer

August 15th, 2012 at 3:01 pm

Do leaders “pick on the people they really like”?

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When I was in 6th grade, my music teacher, Mr. Jones, played us some “Switched-On Bach” – Bach performed on synthesizer. That was pretty cool back in 1980. If you’re over 40, I bet you know what I’m talking about. It actually got me really interested in “real” Bach music; I’m a fan to this day.

Mr. Jones was a real advocate, and fed me more to listen to, and encouraged my unusual (for a 6th-grade boy) passion for Baroque music. Until one day… Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Alan Feirer

May 23rd, 2012 at 7:17 am

Blog rerun, plus…

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It’s Wednesday – blog day – two tidbits for you:

This rerun.

This appearance in the witty and whimsical blog of eigthsevencentral.

(It explains a bit about why I’ve been pretty busy this week…)

Written by Alan Feirer

April 11th, 2012 at 5:40 pm

Posted in Biographical

Frame! (kind of a book report)

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The brilliant folks at Manager Tools–specifically, Mark–have recommended this book highly for years.  I read much of it a while ago, and recently picked it up to re-read it.

In 300 words, here’s why it’s Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Alan Feirer

March 21st, 2012 at 12:53 pm

“Where do you get that energy?!”

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Frequently, people ask me that question.  Those who ask are usually witnessing me in a professional situation; if they saw me after the alarm goes off, there’s no way they’d ask that!

But it’s true- if we lead, we have an Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Alan Feirer

March 14th, 2012 at 11:31 am

Leaders share, abundantly

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In an earlier post, I wrote of the value of picking up the phone to ask for help, information, or other assistance from fellow professionals.

What do you do when you get that call?

Share.  Abundantly.

In my former Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Alan Feirer

January 25th, 2012 at 1:03 pm

“…miscommunications” part two…

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A few weeks ago, I shared an unusual incident involving an appliance installer, and the Facebook discussion after I shared it online.

After the post, there was a bit more discussion, and I also finally offered my thoughts on the issue.  This week, I’ll Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Alan Feirer

January 18th, 2012 at 10:57 am

’tis the season to be sensitive…

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We’re just a few days past the Winter Solstice, the shortest darkest day of the year. A contrast to the holiday season, it can exacerbate hidden internal sadness in those around us.

I love Christmas music.  But not all of it at the same level of love.  I prefer minor keys, obscure pieces, and bleak moods that reflect peace and/or sadness.  ”God Rest Ye Merry” is a good one, as is “‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime.”  Lots of good stuff in the French tradition.

My two favorite Christmas music albums are “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “If on a Winter’s Night…”  The latter comes from Sting, who hits on a major theme of this time of year in the liner notes:

…I have an ambivalent attitude towards the celebration of Christmas.  For many, it is a period of intense loneliness and alienation… Winter is a time of darkness and introspection… [and] the gravitational pull of home that Christmas exerts on the traveller.

Walking amid the snows of Winter, or sitting entranced in a darkened room gazing at the firelight, usually evokes in me a mood of reflection, a mood that can be at times philosophical, at other wildly irrational; I find myself haunted by memories.

This can be a joyful and jolly time of year; so many lights and happy music and gatherings. But many folks are like Sting; haunted by memories of sadness exacerbated by the short dark days and the contrast with the flaunting of joy.

Enjoy the season – the lights, music, gatherings, festivities – but please stay sensitive. And allow yourself to feel the melancholy, too.  That can add to the beauty.

Happy New Year.

Written by Alan Feirer

December 28th, 2011 at 10:12 am

“I just hate miscommunications.”

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Yesterday, while working in my home office, workers from a local store came to install a new appliance.  I overheard a shocking conversation that struck me as inappropriate.  I selected a typical excerpt, and posted it on my personal Facebook page to see what conversation would ensue.  I was not disappointed. This was an interesting exchange that touched on Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Alan Feirer

December 21st, 2011 at 8:40 am