Land the Luscious Learning

Land the Luscious Learning ... with reflection and evaluation of your Project.

In last week’s blog we learned from children through their illustrations and views on community. This week we invite you to the land of luscious learning from a different lens... that of project reflection and evaluation.

We created a learning journal full of questions for the coordinators of the “Community Through the Eyes of Children” project and were enriched by the succulent gems of wisdom that they expressed. We have not included their responses here, but have included some of the questions so that you can take the time to land YOUR own learning around any project that currently has your attention.

Reflect on the objective:

How would you describe the purpose and objective of the project?
On a scale of #1-5, was the objective received? Describe.

Reflect on the process:
What got done? How did it get done?
Did the objectives and priorities remain the same through the process? If yes, how did you stay focused? If not, what emerged to change them?
Who was involved? (place a star beside the name of any person or organization that was a surprise contributor/participant)

Reflect on:What communication, resources and activities were needed to make this happen?

Reflect on accomplishments:What do you want to celebrate? What went well?
What were the most valuable parts of the project?

Reflect on learning and name any challenges:
What challenges, if any, arose? How did you handle these challenges? What have you learned?

If an organizational partner or colleague wanted to do a similar project, what advice would you give them?

Reflect on impact. Build on what you’ve created:
Where do you think the time and energies should be focused if this project was repeated?
If you could expand on this project in a “secret wish” kind of way...what would happen?
What impact did you notice (add detail for all participant and target groups)?

Often projects take a great deal of time, energy and resources. Once you are finished you may feel like taking a breather and letting it all go. Perhaps do that for a time... then come back to tap into the wisdom you hold. This will provide you with reflection, completion, possible next steps and a format to articulate the process to others.

So...what project have you been a part of that could use some luscious learning?

Village Raising Questions:
How will you tap into the learning of a project?

What different approaches might you take to capture coordinators learning from participants learning?

When your project is complete...what questions still arise?

RTV# 35 ChargeYour Group B.S. Meter! Oh Yeah!

A Year of Raising the Village Week #35: Charge Your Group B.S. Meter! Bestow growing feedback.


Whether it is in a collaborative, a family or an organization, relationships can benefit from a little “call it like it is...if it comes with the good intent to call out the potential and growth in yourself and others that is.


In the book Awakening Corporate Soul, Klein and Izzo write a section on what makes an organizational group into a community. One of the interviews they conducted had a particularly eye brow raising success factor, a healthy B.S. meter (YES – how refreshing is that!). In this case the healthy B.S. meter refers to bestowing growing feedback. Here are some tips gleamed from the pages that speak to the giving and receiving this kind of feedback:

• Offer feedback frequently - so it becomes expected and familiar



• Know each-others professional and personal goals and help each other clarify these in times of lack of focus



• Appreciate each others' stories (including hopes, fears and goals)



• Give frequent heartfelt praise (filter out false compliments)



• Have an agreed upon commitment to growth –for group compassion and maturation



• Try a lively mix of intensity, honesty and humour (& be able to laugh at self)



• Understand that how we see self – is not always how others take us



• Practice feedback that includes both strengths and challenges... and all that lies in between. Leave out sugar-coated criticism



• Present open space – where people can speak without fear of judgment or attack
  

Your turn, think of an organizational group (or relationship) that you would like to bring a “community” feel to via a healthy BS meter. Use the above steps as a guideline in your feedback and start out simply.
First think about your admiration for the other person you are about to administer the voltage test with. Seep in (and ask permission to share to cut down on the "threat" or "here we go" response):

• What are the amazing qualities I see in this person?



• What might be holding them back from stepping fully into their potential?



• What could they acknowledge in themselves? Where might they grow? What feedback do they have for themselves?



• What impact are they having? impact on others?

And then, be ready to receive your feedback in return. Oh yes, this meter must be transferred both ways our village raising friends!

Imagine how healthy groups can be with this level of transparent communication and dedication to growth!
Village Raising Question: What are some good BS meter questions and phrases? How do YOU frame healthy feedback?

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