Leadership, are we born with it or can we learn it, or both?
One of my passions is leadership development, how do we do lead and what do we need to improve? So I am here in room 208 of Baird Hall at SFTS for a one week course on Emotional Intelligence and ministry. Row Oswald is the teacher. He was an Alban consultant forever, and now engages church leaders this way.
He says, "Pastors don't get into trouble because they have the wrong footnote in a class. They get into trouble because they can't read the emotional cues correctly." This class asks for 20 people to fill out an online survey, and then I'll get the feedback tomorrow.
Others who have taken this course say it is transformative. I expect to have a clearer sense of my own personal and professional goals at the end of the week. One of my own goals already is to spend more time here on Soul Cafe, so let's have a conversation!
I bet my goals will be around several themes-- I'll write this now, and let's see where I am come Friday, OK?
My goals right now are
1. self care, which means to me exercise 5 days out of 7, for 30 - 40 minutes, as well as reading novels (not e-mail), and one eccentric thing a week.
2. Getting our two students settled in their new schools this Aug/ Sept.
3. Continuing to practice "self-definition," as a pastoral colleague and synod staff working with congregations in the call process, interim pastors, congregations in conflict, and candidacy. In other words, the more clearly I can state what I need and what I perceive, the more helpful that can be for the process.
I look forward to our converesation. It is sunny and 75 right now.
exercising body, heart, mind, and spirit
Hi Susan, The course sounds facinating. Thanks for sharing the issues being raised. You mentioned the leadeership need to read emotions. You also refered to your need for bodily exercise.
What might be loving exercises for one's heart, mind, body and spirit.
Research is being share that shows the need for continued brain research because brain cells continue to develop.
Research at the Heartmath Center is also is also suggesting the need for the exercise of heart knowing or intuition. Based on their research, they claim that the heart is a center of intelligence that perceives beyond our five senses. The heart often knows first and sends more messages to the brain than the brain to the heart.
What has been discredited as "merely emotion" may be more wise than our cognitive knowing. The balance of the two is probably the answer. "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God", may allude to that kind of knowing. Research is supporting the idea that heart coherance stablizes the functioning of a number of one's systems as well as the functioning of the brain.
Could our churches become the resource to cut health care costs in half? Dale Jamtgaard
leadership
Day #1- Emotional Intelligence - the capacity for recognizing our own feelings and those of others, for motivating ourselves, for managing emotions well in ourselves and in our relationships.
Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence
There are 12 folks in the class, + 2 facilitators--4 women, 8 men, 10 U.S., 2 from Ghana, age range from mid-30's to 70, Presbyterians, Episcopalian, Lutherans, UCC, RC, Seventh Day Adventist, Eastern Orthodox
We began with centering, and some meditation, introductions. At 4:00 we received our survey results, and at 5:00 the results from others who had filled out surveys on us. I had 15 people help out this way. So now I have 34 pages of analysis to process!
All of these folks are bright and engaged, and curious about what we can learn this week. Lesson #1- what is the feeling connected to that thought?
Leadership, Day 2
Tuesday, July 10, Emotional Intelligence and Human Relations workshop
We began this morning with a darkened room, a candle in the middle of the floor, lying on the floor, listening to music, then gentle stretches to wake up our bodies and to get us aware of them, then meditation, using the mantra, Be Still and Know That I Am God.
Some brain anatomy followed, and discussion of all the recent research on brains and emotions. Then we posted learning goals on the wall.
In the afternoon and evening we shared our "here and now," feelings, because behind every thought is a feeling, and if we are aware of those in the present moment, we can manage ourselves better. Our group is a safe place to practice that.
I have a lot to ponder, will write more tomorrow.
Day 3 and 4
Well, I thought when I started this, that I would have pieces of an agenda to share with you each day. It turns out that we have been spending the mornings getting grounded (stretches, rest, mediatation), + a content piece (diversity, community building) and then 3 sesions of conversation, btween 90 min and 2 hours EACH, practicing being present to the "here and now," especially our feelings.
And, of course, it is all confidential.
We have matured incredibly as community, touched places of deep pain, prayed together, offered forgiveness and care, and laughter, and honesty.
Please give me a few days to ponder this experience, and share my thoughts and feelings next week.
We end tomorrow at 12:45. I get to see good friends for the weekend, and fly home late Sunday night.
Thank you for your prayers.
Susan