It's 6 months post-graduation, and I recently had the honor of serving as a guest alumni on a panel to Concordia's Board of Regents and Board of Trustees. Being on campus felt like it was only yesterday that I was driving away after presenting my Capstone, and wondering as I looked in my rear view mirror when the next time I would be back. And at the same time, since that moment in the rear view mirror, my world's been turned upside down by a sweet little boy named Wesley, who turned 2 months old today. As I spoke to the crowd, I talked about the value I found in my journey at Concordia through the MBA program. My journey was what I made of it, but what happened for me was a true paradigm shift.
Going forward I've looked for opportunities to use my developed skills. Many times it has appeared as though I'm trying to identify existing opportunities to insert myself. I'm looking for a fit. But just as a key won't open a lock it doesn't belong to, I have come to a crossroads. To continue seeking to fit a new mold, or perhaps, and what challenges me, is to destroy the mold altogether.
Perhaps my path isn't one modeled from current opportunities, or to be replicated from a compilation of paths that have gone before me. Perhaps- that's not who I ever was, and perhaps... just perhaps it's time to fully embrace the unknown trail.
Trailblazing is a word I feel that's loosely used. It stands for a woman who went into a "man's world", and did "surprisingly well." It's used for someone who hit some cultural standard- one that hadn't been hit in their family's lineage. Yet in all these circumstances, and those like them, there is already a forged path, and it is the kind of journeyer who breaks some chain of tradition.
What if we become true trail blazers? What if we pursue the "original thought", even if Freud would disagree? What does that mean for our jobs, our families, the story to which we pour our lives?
I'm enamoured with administration. I have a thought that for nonprofits, Development is the cover of the book, and in addition to a well done cover, the content- the organization and the strategies have got to be page turning.
My pages just keep turning... and with a baby and return to work, the plot continues to thicken. I'm excited at what lies ahead, knowing irony, surprise, and trail blazing will all be sure to come.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Change
This week I got to see my friend who is in the cohort that is next up for graduation. I've shared many of my text books with her, and this week I owed her my Moon text. I was really happy to see her, and in many ways its been a fun part of my MBA getting together with her and another friend who is in the cohort behind her. We swap stories on professors and share how the program is molding and changing with each class that comes through. If I were to start the program now, I know it would be a very different experience than having been the first class to come through. I'm sure that it is a stronger program now, but I wouldn't change the opportunity I had to help shape that first year of the program, and really... how it shaped me.
It wasn't long before we both identified that common thought after such a rigorous plight- What now, or What's next? My "what's next" should be fairly obvious...
That's what 6.5 months of baby will do to ya...
Anywho... I have a hard time with "the same". Up until today I called it a problem with contentment, but really I don't think that's what it is... Life is dynamic... to think we can keep some sense of the same, to me feels like a dillusion... a static process to something that is ever shaping. Having a baby is a handful, and I know I don't know to full story of what I am getting myself into. At the same time I have all these skills and abilities and passions that I've acquired over the last two years, and largely I've thrown myself into community involvment to feel challenged and growth in the areas that I'm most interested in.
The answer is not there yet, but seasons change... I'm changed and continue to change... and I know life as I know it is about to change.
It wasn't long before we both identified that common thought after such a rigorous plight- What now, or What's next? My "what's next" should be fairly obvious...
Anywho... I have a hard time with "the same". Up until today I called it a problem with contentment, but really I don't think that's what it is... Life is dynamic... to think we can keep some sense of the same, to me feels like a dillusion... a static process to something that is ever shaping. Having a baby is a handful, and I know I don't know to full story of what I am getting myself into. At the same time I have all these skills and abilities and passions that I've acquired over the last two years, and largely I've thrown myself into community involvment to feel challenged and growth in the areas that I'm most interested in.
The answer is not there yet, but seasons change... I'm changed and continue to change... and I know life as I know it is about to change.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Reflections on the lazy CEO
About a year ago I was sitting in LAX. We had just finished our annual national park hiking trip in Yosemite. While my husband and I were waiting for our flight I had a chance to gaze at the planes, the different people, and consider the concept of going places, and where am I going? For the literalist, Austin, TX, but for the bit more creative, I knew my MBA graduation was now under a year away. Where was I going to go?
I decided on the fly (insert ba-da-bum-ching for my pun) that someday I'll be a CEO, and so I better begin preparing myself as if that's really the track I am on.
My friend, Ben Haley, a fellow student in my cohort told me about an article his prior CEO had written. I asked for the link in May, and have waited to read it for a time that I could really sit down and READ it. So here I am in August, post graduation, and I finally have had a chance to read it for the first time. The article is titled: The Lazy CEO. (For your convenience, I've provided the link here: http://texasceomagazine.com/tag/joel-trammel/).
Last Sunday, after leaving church, I contemplated Christian leadership. There's the running joke in many churches that the right answer in Sunday School is always the first person to say "Jesus". Through the school years and into adulthood I find this concept prevails. In Sunday School you still find the people with the "right answers", and there's this obligation to "help out" the teacher by providing an answer, a fix, to the questions they pose to the class. We're taught to be problem solvers, in a pretty direct, non facilitative way. Silence is awkwardness, and to the outgoing helpful student, you think you do a favor to all to close the silence with a nice pretty bow. And the answer is "Jesus".
But Jesus and his leadership wasn't a pretty bow. I loved how in the story about the Pharisees and writing in the sand that Jesus could have just called all of them out on the crap they've pulled as they attempted to stone a woman for her infidelity. Yet he was directly subtle. His response was empowering to dialogue. He didn't GIVE the answer. By how he engaged in dialogue (writing in the sand), he empowered each one to turn, drop the stone, and be a bit less knee jerk reactive. It wasn't a pretty bow, a flat fix it answer... but talk about effective to the core.
And let's flash sideways (a LOST reference to any fellow fans) back to Joel Trammel's article on the "Lazy CEO". There's again this idea of empowerment... of direct subtlety. Joel does a great job of showing engagement beyond the fix it mentality prevalent in so many organizations today. We're all taught to be problem solvers. To focus on what I bring to the table. We want to shine. We want to be the one with all the answers.
For many Christian leaders, having all the answers means embodying the answers. Joel focuses on employing the right answers, and then as CEO utilizing vision and proper context to fashion the proactive response. This may come through a direct answer, but more often then not, there's an empowerment undertone that's directing the tide of culture and innovation.
There's still room for me to grow. Sometimes more than I'd like to admit. My MBA has done more for me than to feel equipped with pat answers. I know there's a whole orchestrating to leadership that I'm much more aware of now.
I look forward to the day and opportunity to serve as CEO, but for now, the best practice is subtle leadership directly from the position God has currently equipped me with. Rather than fault find with systems or co-workers or be the one who has to shine or seek approval... there's a way to continue to challenge myself and my organization for better without the office usual suspects of gossip or complaint. There are opportunities to encourage and empower those around me to achieve their best and gain a vision for what that means in each of their specialties. I don't have to feel insecure or threatened by those that shine. To have subtly played a role in their success is the greater achievement.
I decided on the fly (insert ba-da-bum-ching for my pun) that someday I'll be a CEO, and so I better begin preparing myself as if that's really the track I am on.
My friend, Ben Haley, a fellow student in my cohort told me about an article his prior CEO had written. I asked for the link in May, and have waited to read it for a time that I could really sit down and READ it. So here I am in August, post graduation, and I finally have had a chance to read it for the first time. The article is titled: The Lazy CEO. (For your convenience, I've provided the link here: http://texasceomagazine.com/tag/joel-trammel/).
Last Sunday, after leaving church, I contemplated Christian leadership. There's the running joke in many churches that the right answer in Sunday School is always the first person to say "Jesus". Through the school years and into adulthood I find this concept prevails. In Sunday School you still find the people with the "right answers", and there's this obligation to "help out" the teacher by providing an answer, a fix, to the questions they pose to the class. We're taught to be problem solvers, in a pretty direct, non facilitative way. Silence is awkwardness, and to the outgoing helpful student, you think you do a favor to all to close the silence with a nice pretty bow. And the answer is "Jesus".
But Jesus and his leadership wasn't a pretty bow. I loved how in the story about the Pharisees and writing in the sand that Jesus could have just called all of them out on the crap they've pulled as they attempted to stone a woman for her infidelity. Yet he was directly subtle. His response was empowering to dialogue. He didn't GIVE the answer. By how he engaged in dialogue (writing in the sand), he empowered each one to turn, drop the stone, and be a bit less knee jerk reactive. It wasn't a pretty bow, a flat fix it answer... but talk about effective to the core.
And let's flash sideways (a LOST reference to any fellow fans) back to Joel Trammel's article on the "Lazy CEO". There's again this idea of empowerment... of direct subtlety. Joel does a great job of showing engagement beyond the fix it mentality prevalent in so many organizations today. We're all taught to be problem solvers. To focus on what I bring to the table. We want to shine. We want to be the one with all the answers.
For many Christian leaders, having all the answers means embodying the answers. Joel focuses on employing the right answers, and then as CEO utilizing vision and proper context to fashion the proactive response. This may come through a direct answer, but more often then not, there's an empowerment undertone that's directing the tide of culture and innovation.
There's still room for me to grow. Sometimes more than I'd like to admit. My MBA has done more for me than to feel equipped with pat answers. I know there's a whole orchestrating to leadership that I'm much more aware of now.
I look forward to the day and opportunity to serve as CEO, but for now, the best practice is subtle leadership directly from the position God has currently equipped me with. Rather than fault find with systems or co-workers or be the one who has to shine or seek approval... there's a way to continue to challenge myself and my organization for better without the office usual suspects of gossip or complaint. There are opportunities to encourage and empower those around me to achieve their best and gain a vision for what that means in each of their specialties. I don't have to feel insecure or threatened by those that shine. To have subtly played a role in their success is the greater achievement.
Monday, August 6, 2012
And the Post We've All Been Waiting for...
Graduation Day 8.4.2012
After two intensive years, the day has finally come- Graduation.
It's like after typing that sentence, I just feel done... like there's nothing more to say, or perhaps I just want to sit there, staring at those words to really soak it in.
Of course it hasn't fully sunk in... after all we do have two more weeks of class to finish out our capstone presentations. And, hearing from my other classmates we all still have guests in town, and I'll be the first to say between graduation parties and guests and other commitments, I haven't stopped running for 3 days straight.
That too, after determining to take a weeks vacation right before graduation. Matt and I called it our Babymoon, and we enjoyed 7 days in beautiful Mexico. It has always been important to me to find that work-life balance, and it was a great time to spend together away from the pressures of work, presentations and deadlines. We swam with sea turtles, laid out in the sun, kayaked, rappelled, and he even zip lined. All this to celebrate our monumental year where he graduated from Texas State as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology and we found out we were pregnant and now my graduation.
We also celebrated with a party at our house. Nearly 50 people packed into our 1600 sq ft house, and we had a desserts bar catered by my friend Paige Morgan of Paige's Bakehouse. Since I missed the pinning ceremony at Concordia while I was in Mexico, I dedicated my pins at my party. Pins went to my wonderful husband, to those who provided me scholarships and then to my mentors, Teri Hill, Dr. Edna Rehbein and Scott Alarcon. We then passed around cake pops to everyone, counted to three and everyone bit in to display a blue center- We're having a boy!!!
In a few closing posts I hope to evaluate more about what my MBA means to me, and even update how our capstone presentations go. For now, I'm just going to focus on finishing strong, and trying to keep my 4.0 in these last two weeks, when my mind is thinking about preparing for our little one, and trying to not fully check out... seeing as how I've already walked and all. Guess all that's left to do is as the title of one our texts said- to Walk Out and Walk On.
Friday, July 13, 2012
An MBA that is Music to my Ears
This week we had special guest, Dr. Matt Hinsley, Founder and Executive Director, Austin Classical Guitar Society visit our Entrepreneurship and Innovation class. Matt began the class with what had to be one of the best starts we ever had... a personal concert in classical guitar fashion.
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I really appreciated the perspective that Dr. Hinsley had to share, especially regarding his background. When Dr. Hinsley was in undergraduate school he talked about the many times that people encouraged him to major in something other than classical guitar. People were talking about how there isn't a viable future in the arts. Dr. Hinsley then set out to do a dissertation focused on the disconnect between the sustainability of the arts and our culture. He even pursued an accredited mentor to guide him through the dissertation, who was in full support, but surprised Matt when before he graduated. This man pleaded that he not continue a career in the arts, and instead put his mind into law school.
After discussing his background, Dr. Hinsley shared about the connectivity of nonprofits in the arts and the value of connecting with community, youth, patrons, and donors. Each of his perspectives embodied the heart of passion he shared for his service, and he did so in such a polished manner. One can tell this man is well thought out, as he discussed even the nuances he instructs his staff to never begin an email without a salutation to ensure the value of the message is upheld.
What I took from the night is a glimpse, hopefully, down the road from my own journey. I believe in pursuing life and the passions you are gifted with. It would be easier in life to find a viable and sustainable career. To go with what seems safest in the long term of building a resume and what is guaranteed to provide a sustainable financial future. This is smart, and has its own rewards, but it's not what holds me. I didn't pursue my MBA so I could just find the next bigger or better thing. I did it so I would be well equipped to push the limits.
Dr. Hinsley is a great example of what goals I am aspiring to. He's not just all heart and following his passions. He's pursuing the best with smart and calculated moves. He's strategically embracing and moving his passions forward and to a place where it betters the lives of youth, patrons, donors and the community. So often it seems that the nonprofit world can contain great people with a passion to do something. But how they do that something is everything. We must be calculated. We must be founded, well rooted, and smart about how we advance the mission of the disenfranchised.
Business school and theory are all great. It's important to know. What I appreciate about my experience here, is I'm learning how that all works within the systems we have. These systems are flawed, often unpredictable. They are within the confines of human socialization. I'm thankful to have the educational experience that provides this balanced perspective.
I really appreciated the perspective that Dr. Hinsley had to share, especially regarding his background. When Dr. Hinsley was in undergraduate school he talked about the many times that people encouraged him to major in something other than classical guitar. People were talking about how there isn't a viable future in the arts. Dr. Hinsley then set out to do a dissertation focused on the disconnect between the sustainability of the arts and our culture. He even pursued an accredited mentor to guide him through the dissertation, who was in full support, but surprised Matt when before he graduated. This man pleaded that he not continue a career in the arts, and instead put his mind into law school.
After discussing his background, Dr. Hinsley shared about the connectivity of nonprofits in the arts and the value of connecting with community, youth, patrons, and donors. Each of his perspectives embodied the heart of passion he shared for his service, and he did so in such a polished manner. One can tell this man is well thought out, as he discussed even the nuances he instructs his staff to never begin an email without a salutation to ensure the value of the message is upheld.
What I took from the night is a glimpse, hopefully, down the road from my own journey. I believe in pursuing life and the passions you are gifted with. It would be easier in life to find a viable and sustainable career. To go with what seems safest in the long term of building a resume and what is guaranteed to provide a sustainable financial future. This is smart, and has its own rewards, but it's not what holds me. I didn't pursue my MBA so I could just find the next bigger or better thing. I did it so I would be well equipped to push the limits.
Dr. Hinsley is a great example of what goals I am aspiring to. He's not just all heart and following his passions. He's pursuing the best with smart and calculated moves. He's strategically embracing and moving his passions forward and to a place where it betters the lives of youth, patrons, donors and the community. So often it seems that the nonprofit world can contain great people with a passion to do something. But how they do that something is everything. We must be calculated. We must be founded, well rooted, and smart about how we advance the mission of the disenfranchised.
Business school and theory are all great. It's important to know. What I appreciate about my experience here, is I'm learning how that all works within the systems we have. These systems are flawed, often unpredictable. They are within the confines of human socialization. I'm thankful to have the educational experience that provides this balanced perspective.
Friday, July 6, 2012
The end is just the beginning
Graduation is now more than a light at the end of a long dark tunnel. It's technically a month away from two days ago. Now technically we have two weeks of class required after that, so there's 6 more weeks of MBA as we know it.
This has been a tremendous experience for me, and I am so thankful I decided to take on this additional challenge the last two years. I've gained remarkable friends through the program, learned far beyond what I ever would have gained in the work place, and have the confidence to know what I can specifically bring to a team. I've identified my strengths both personally and professionally, and I am eagerly looking for opportunities within my work and volunteering to utilize these skills.
I'm so glad for the experience, but also eager for it to come to a close. I've been putting together agendas for my capstone team's meetings, and on this last one, I outlined what projects remained that we didn't have completed yet. There were only like 4 projects left. We put together a suggested timeline, and I'm hopeful that we will have absolutely everything ready to go and completed by Aug.3rd.
August 3rd is a special date for me... as I've mentioned in a prior post, there's a new development on the way for the Keeter's, due Christmas Day. I've been very conscious about mentally finishing school out before I really dive into anything baby related. We've not talked names, we haven't picked out nursery themes, we've been holding for Aug 3rd. August 3rd is our second sonogram, and supposedly when we find out if we're having a son or daughter. For me the 4th will not only mark graduation, and the following celebration, but it's when we will share with our families the sex of the baby. For me this will be such a celebration. It will be the marker of completing the race. Of working to put both my husband and me through school, of finalizing a chapter of a successful run at an MBA (currently, still holding onto that 4.0), and the real marker of the beginning of Matt and my next chapter with starting a family. I'll be learning how to balance who I am as an advocate for community and some one's momma. I'll get to balance thoughts from innovation and entrepreneurship to names and nurseries. Really, as I finish out school, I get that feeling after you've finished packing and are just about to head out on a big trip. The tools are there. Everything's prepared- now it's time to go. The journey's just beginning.
This has been a tremendous experience for me, and I am so thankful I decided to take on this additional challenge the last two years. I've gained remarkable friends through the program, learned far beyond what I ever would have gained in the work place, and have the confidence to know what I can specifically bring to a team. I've identified my strengths both personally and professionally, and I am eagerly looking for opportunities within my work and volunteering to utilize these skills.
I'm so glad for the experience, but also eager for it to come to a close. I've been putting together agendas for my capstone team's meetings, and on this last one, I outlined what projects remained that we didn't have completed yet. There were only like 4 projects left. We put together a suggested timeline, and I'm hopeful that we will have absolutely everything ready to go and completed by Aug.3rd.
August 3rd is a special date for me... as I've mentioned in a prior post, there's a new development on the way for the Keeter's, due Christmas Day. I've been very conscious about mentally finishing school out before I really dive into anything baby related. We've not talked names, we haven't picked out nursery themes, we've been holding for Aug 3rd. August 3rd is our second sonogram, and supposedly when we find out if we're having a son or daughter. For me the 4th will not only mark graduation, and the following celebration, but it's when we will share with our families the sex of the baby. For me this will be such a celebration. It will be the marker of completing the race. Of working to put both my husband and me through school, of finalizing a chapter of a successful run at an MBA (currently, still holding onto that 4.0), and the real marker of the beginning of Matt and my next chapter with starting a family. I'll be learning how to balance who I am as an advocate for community and some one's momma. I'll get to balance thoughts from innovation and entrepreneurship to names and nurseries. Really, as I finish out school, I get that feeling after you've finished packing and are just about to head out on a big trip. The tools are there. Everything's prepared- now it's time to go. The journey's just beginning.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Grace for the Moment
Tomorrow's class includes a deliverable of a paper to discuss what's next after graduation. I've been putting it off a little because I have to be honest and say, currently I really don't know. Through my MBA program I've seen a real transition in my thought process. I came in as a doer/ postitioner, looking for that next challenge that would lead to the next opportunity. Throughout the last two years, I've been challenged by the idea, that what I do really flows out of who I am. This statement I am about to make may not make sense to anybody else, but- who I am is a state of being present, rather that the eye that is always planted in the future.
Throughout my MBA, we've had incredible guest speakers. The President of American Airlines, Founders of Golfsmith and Founders of Impact Austin. In each of these sectors, the story that connects each of these individuals was that they were fully present and did what they were currently tasked with to the best of their abilities. They didn't have their eye on the next promotion or what their company or organization would be in the distant future. They sought the full allocation and utilization of their current resources. And it was on that platform that they embraced "what's next".
This last week took a bit of an unexpected turn for me. I had been serving in a voluntary position for a local organization, and at a recent board meeting I was presented next year's slate of officers. It was to my surprise that the only name not listed was my own. As quickly as a chairman can say "all in favor" and the crowd responds "Aye", my involvement was sealed. I received several calls from other board members and upcoming leadership (I am blessed with such caring and supportive friends). What appears to have occured is one group was tasked with the 3 year appointments, and another the 1 year appointments. Individuals in both groups made the assumption that I was on the other's slate.
Immeditately, I was hurt, feeling my involvement or services were no longer needed, and I wasn't given a heads up as a courtesy. However, over the weekend I've found grace and peace in where God is leading. I sense change all around me, like David Crowder's song that talks about God's love like a hurricane. There have been opporutnities recently presenting themselves, such as the conversation I recently had with a Supreme Court Justice. I have to believe that God knows what I see as opportunities that I would find it near impossible to walk away from, and then help me release those so I can be present and ready in the moment for the next thing He brings to my journey.
So perhaps a starting place for my paper isn't what is in the future so much is taking the time to be present. To fully invest in the opportunities life presents us, and in those "opportunities" to fully embrace and extend grace. To know in the moment how we respond to pressure and awkward circumstance, so that in the future we can be better leaders. To revere the times when life can provide pain or hurt, to know it only deepens our human experience and allows us to connect with others in ways we wouldn't have been able to previously. And largely, to be at peace with the abiss of the future- the beautiful enigma, which we can try to shape and craft with our skills, tallents or labels of plans. To sit and rest in the hurricane of what may be, finding grace for the moment.
Throughout my MBA, we've had incredible guest speakers. The President of American Airlines, Founders of Golfsmith and Founders of Impact Austin. In each of these sectors, the story that connects each of these individuals was that they were fully present and did what they were currently tasked with to the best of their abilities. They didn't have their eye on the next promotion or what their company or organization would be in the distant future. They sought the full allocation and utilization of their current resources. And it was on that platform that they embraced "what's next".
This last week took a bit of an unexpected turn for me. I had been serving in a voluntary position for a local organization, and at a recent board meeting I was presented next year's slate of officers. It was to my surprise that the only name not listed was my own. As quickly as a chairman can say "all in favor" and the crowd responds "Aye", my involvement was sealed. I received several calls from other board members and upcoming leadership (I am blessed with such caring and supportive friends). What appears to have occured is one group was tasked with the 3 year appointments, and another the 1 year appointments. Individuals in both groups made the assumption that I was on the other's slate.
Immeditately, I was hurt, feeling my involvement or services were no longer needed, and I wasn't given a heads up as a courtesy. However, over the weekend I've found grace and peace in where God is leading. I sense change all around me, like David Crowder's song that talks about God's love like a hurricane. There have been opporutnities recently presenting themselves, such as the conversation I recently had with a Supreme Court Justice. I have to believe that God knows what I see as opportunities that I would find it near impossible to walk away from, and then help me release those so I can be present and ready in the moment for the next thing He brings to my journey.
So perhaps a starting place for my paper isn't what is in the future so much is taking the time to be present. To fully invest in the opportunities life presents us, and in those "opportunities" to fully embrace and extend grace. To know in the moment how we respond to pressure and awkward circumstance, so that in the future we can be better leaders. To revere the times when life can provide pain or hurt, to know it only deepens our human experience and allows us to connect with others in ways we wouldn't have been able to previously. And largely, to be at peace with the abiss of the future- the beautiful enigma, which we can try to shape and craft with our skills, tallents or labels of plans. To sit and rest in the hurricane of what may be, finding grace for the moment.
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