Dynamic Transitioning - The 7 Point Program

Welcome to CAADE conference attendees and any other new visitors. Link here for the 7-Point Dynamic Transitioning Program. A reading list will be posted shortly.

I'd also like to invite all of you to post your thoughts in the 'comments' section below and begin to interact with me and with each other. I'd love to see a community come together here on this blog to talk about change, growth, and transitions that you're dealing with currently. I'd also appreciate getting your suggestions on what you'd like to see here that would keep you coming back to the site. And what types of events I should be coordinating.

Some have suggested there be a place for you to post your experiences with Dynamic Transitions in your own life or in the lives of those close to you. I like that idea and will work on it. I don't have technical support for this blog, so it's all me. I'll do my best.

DO check out previous posts. There is good information that could be of use to you. Thank you all for supporting Dynamic Transitioning!

CAADE Conference Keynote

I'm giving the keynote talk at the 20th annual California Association of Alcohol and Drug Educators conference tomorrow afternoon in Anaheim, CA. It is an honor and I will be happy to welcome new readers to the website.

Getting prepared has been an enlightening experience and I will post more tomorrow night after the talk.

Learning Starts With YOU

The responsibility to learn new things, stay current, understand context, update skills - whether for your job or career, your personal and/or spiritual development - starts with YOU.

YOU are responsible for noticing your own strengths and weaknesses
YOU are responsible for improving your skills

The idea that it is someone else's responsibility to TEACH you is not responsible on your part. YOU want to take that initiative for two reasons: 1) because it's proactive and in your own best interest; and 2) because expecting others to be responsible for your development is a way to play the "victim". " I can't keep up because they didn't teach/train me".

Transitioning is not easy. You will need to be comfortable with a proactive role in your own life if you hope to transitioning successfully.

Learning starts with YOU. What are you doing TODAY to learn something new?

Lessons from Leaders

I was very fortunate to be in Corporate America at a time when a great deal of focus was put on employee growth and satisfaction as well as competitive advantage and revenue growth.

At both Wang Labs and Xerox Corporation I had the opportunity to participate in some of the best systems engineering, sales, and management/leadership training. I am very grateful for this and have used this knowledge in many ways throughout the years.

When I wrote the Dynamic Transitioning program I wanted to draw upon management and leadership concepts I've found especially useful over the years. One concept is that of "Followership" rather than "Leadership". It is alot harder than it looks to get people to follow you. Have you ever tried to get a group of people - whether in a charity group, a church group, a community group to buy into an idea you have? And once they've bought into the idea, actually execute on the plan? Not an easy task.

Good leaders need to know and identify good followership skills. Colin Powell is a highly admired leader and I'd like to highlight this from the General Colin Powell Center for Leadership and Ethics :

Hargrave Military Academy and the General Colin Powell Center for Leadership & Ethics are committed to developing our Cadets into leaders that:-
-Want to make a difference.
-Are not afraid to promote change.
-Will build a sense of community.
-Will take action when required.
-Have the ability to communicate a vision.
-Understand and seek responsibility.
-Make sound ethical decisions