LTG Blog

Oct. 24-25 DCAS Beyond Time Management Course

2011-09-26T20:10:21Z

Beyond Time Managaement: The Importance of Self-Care & Transformational Leadership in Times of Crisis

On October 24th and 25th of 2011 and again at the end of January of 2012 LTG will conduct a two day Management & Supervision Course for the The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). The two day course is offered in the Citywide Training Center Catalogue which is available for download.

Course Reference Number: C9322
Days of Training: 2 | Professional Credits: 1.2CEU/8CPE | Tuition: $250
Dates: Oct 24-25, 2011; Jan 30-31, 2012

The pressing fiscal demands and diminished staffing every agency confronts can cause a toxic work environment that leads to burn-out and illness as the seemingly unending urgency to agency life goes on and on.

This seminar offers a corrective to traditional models of time management and places at its center tools and techniques that help leaders engage in self-care on the job. By offering a model of transformational leadership based on 'leadership from within,' this seminar frames leadership in ways that build resilience, expands reliance on teamwork, and connects staff to "legacy work" that inspires and energizes even in times of genuine difficulty.

Activities, exercises and reflections will be offered throughout on addressing dynamics of urgency, burn-out, self-care, handling difficult staff, and how to heal while remaining productive.

For more information contact Citywide Training Center by calling (212) 487-5600 or send an email to citywidetrainingcenter@dcas.nyc.gov

SEMINAR OBJECTIVES:

Learn a new framework for assessing leadership and self-care through "leadership from within"

Examine your urgency index and assess levels of burnout

Learn ways to diminish anger and reaction first within yourself and then your staff

Examine the character-driven qualities within your work that help balance your approach to work

Develop an "internal strategic vision" that becomes a foundation to your daily work

Practice forms of self-care that emphasize resilience and personal mastery that can model such behaviors for your staff

Target Audience: Managers, directors, supervisors, and professionals who want to develop a leadership framework and leadership skills that can used for self-care, ending burn-out and provide a powerful model of "internal leadership" that diminishes stress while remaining focused on the tasks at hand.

Pro-Action Café Workshop At Hunter College

2010-10-07T15:52:13Z

On August 16th, LTG partner Liz Laboy co-hosted with consultant and trainer Kelly McGowan an exciting "Pro Action Café" workshop at Hunter College School of Social Work. This workshop is another example of LTG's growth and involvement in the newly emerging, democratic, and horizontal approaches to problem solving and team building that is at the heart of "communities of practice" created by Meg Wheatley, Harrison Owen, and others that places an emphasis on probing questions and the creativity of all workshop members rather than a few "talking heads" at the front of the room.

]]> At the workshop, the leaders introduced the key principles for a Pro-Action Café process. Building on both World Café and Open Space technologies, the co-leaders had participants reflect on a burning question confronting each of us in our work. Challenging all to work from their passion, they invited three volunteers to share their question that the rest of the group, meeting in randomly assigned tables of four, would respond to. At the conclusion, they then invited members who were seeking new approaches to their work to form their groups and explore through conversations whatever emerged.

The three groups ranged from activists working with Latino LGBT artists and writers, survivors of all forms of domestic violence, and international youth projects. Rather than outline a long set of issues, participants responded to three questions, moving from table to table every 20 minutes after each set of questions was answered:

What is the quest behind the (project/work) question?
What is missing -- what makes the work more complete?
What next steps will I take? What help do I need?

The energy created through this process was electric, moving from mild engagement to great enthusiasm for everyone. This approach works from passion, not problem, and focuses on just the right questions to elicit new ways of thinking. As everyone gets to participate through conversation, this seemingly open-ended process creates genuine interest from everyone. In turn, the evening ended with all three activists with action plans for clearer work, renewed excitement for their project, and a willingness to use Pro-Action Café with other friends and colleagues.

Liz and Kelly showed us all another powerful example of how conversation and dialogue, animated by three probing questions, can create genuine outcomes and teamwork suited perfectly for today's fast-paced 21st century.

Macro Practice in Social Work for the 21st Century

2010-10-07T15:51:12Z

LTG partner, Steve Burghardt has just published a textbook with Sage Publications, Macro Practice in Social Work for the 21st Century. Combining his earlier work as a community organizer and his recent years as an LTG consultant and executive coach with human service agencies, the book develops an integrated "macro meets micro" approach for social workers and community organizers. By using a story-telling approach at the start of each chapter that features two young organizers at the start of their careers and as they develop into a field director and agency executive, the work follows the life span of those who work in the field, arguing that a commitment to social justice need not end at the grass roots level.

One of the most exciting chapters was written by LTG consultant Mohan V Krishna, who explored the use of the Internet as a vital organizing tool. By focusing on the explosion of "virtual organizing" after the defeat of Proposition 8 in California, Krishna goes on to analyze both the power to mobilize nation-wide actions that the internet provides as well as the possible limits in the creation of "virtual trust" and the implications for long-term organizing efforts.

]]> One of the most exciting chapters was written by LTG consultant Mohan V Krishna, who explored the use of the Internet as a vital organizing tool. By focusing on the explosion of "virtual organizing" after the defeat of Proposition 8 in California, Krishna goes on to analyze both the power to mobilize nation-wide actions that the internet provides as well as the possible limits in the creation of "virtual trust" and the implications for long-term organizing efforts.

Many of the actual leaders and organizers featured in the book have worked with LTG in the past, including Administration for Children's Services Liz Roberts, Casey Family Programs' Dr. William Bell, Harlem Children's Zone's Anne Williams-Isom, Harlem Streetwork's Caroline Strudwyck, and NY State Office of Family and Children's Services Commissioner Gladys Carrion. All of them are linked by their commitment to social justice regardless of the title or agency position that they hold.

The response to the book has been exiting as well. The following review by noted community organization scholar Robert Fisher is an example of the positive reaction:

A truly amazing book. It manages, as few have before, to cross over as both a textbook and a brilliant contribution to contemporary social work practice. As a textbook it's perfect for macro methods and community organizing courses. Burghardt's accessible writing style, his weaving of examples of students who become grassroots organizers and agency executives reflects his embrace of the broad range of macro social work, and his ability to explain complex macro practice issues are tops in the field.

But Steve Burghardt also brings his own special touch, based on a life's work in the field and the classroom, of emphasizing "the other side of organizing," that is, integrating micro with macro methods. Almost every macro subject, from cutting an issue to developing leaders, thinking strategically, and running a human service organization, also has its micro dimensions explored. In a profession where this dualism fragments understanding and where integrated practice books and courses usually minimize macro practice and theory, Burghardt blends the two, underscoring, for example critical issues related to self-development and self-awareness as fundamental to all macro practice.

If MSW programs with an integrated first year are seriously interested in integrating macro and micro, this text is the answer. But don't be fooled. It is even more than a paradigm challenging textbook. When I finished reading it — imagine that, actually reading a textbook, cover to cover — I was smiling ear to ear. It's packed filled with wisdom, insight, and experience, all delivered with grace, clarity, and commitment. As I said before, a truly amazing book!

— Robert Fisher, University of Connecticut. Author of Let the People Decide and co-author most recently of Contesting Community: The Limits and Potential of Local Organizing.

The Art of Participatory Leadership Retreat

2010-09-17T19:47:53Z

On June 16-18, 2010 in New York City, I participated in a training/co-learning retreat called ‘The Art of Participatory Leadership” which was called and hosted by Martin Siesta, Toke Paludan Moller, Tuesday Ryan Hart, Nancy Fritsche Eagan and Kelly McGowan.

The intention of this interactive training/co-learning retreat was to expand and deepen the understanding of what is possible when we create structures and practices that keep our primary purpose and passion in the center of our work.

This training was an opportunity for me to enter a learning journey that I have been going through for 2 years, with worldly hosts/trainers who have deep practices of participatory leadership. I began my journey practicing circle meetings with my business partners and then extending it to dream circle and congress of women circle meetings.

The business strategic and healing circle meetings are held every other week where our collective wisdom and intelligence are engaged to find best solutions on any issues we are having. We practice speaking and listening with intention and always tend to the well being of each other. There are principles and practices to the circle and four agreements that are kept. These agreements are:

Listen without judgment
Whatever is said in circle stays in circle
Offer what you can and ask for what you need
silence is also part of the conversation.

We are having the best business meeting we have ever had and we have been together for over 16 years.

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The Art of Participatory Leadership Retreat allowed me to explore in more depth other practices: Open Space Technology, U Theory, Story Telling World Café, Pro Action Café, Calling/Inviting participatory conversations, harvesting conversations in a way that serves the work. I also was able to explore the questions that call us as practitioners as we go deeper into the work. They are:

How do we work with what is?
How do we move from conversation to wise action?
How can we plan for and design harvests that help us go to the next level?
How do we connect and strengthen networks, collaborations and communities of practice that allows us to thrive and draw energy from each other?

I am hooked on these processes and I’m learning more every day as I practice with others. If you are interested in the Art of Participatory Leadership through the Art of Hosting (AoH) and Harvesting conversations that matter join the AoH email list and visit http://www.artofhosting.org. Please give me feedback on this blog.

Video Conversation #2.2 - How To Talk About Race ...

2010-06-11T16:49:26Z

In this video, Liz Laboy asks Steve Burghardt "How do you talk to white people about race?", and about his relation to W.E. B. Du Bois.

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Don't hesitate to comment and/or send questions you would like the partners to answer.

Video Conversation #2.1 - Understanding Race ...

2010-05-29T20:25:11Z

In this video, Liz Laboy asks Steve Burghardt about how he, as a white man, handles the complex issues associated with Race, Power and Privilege.

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Don't hesitate to comment and/or send questions you would like the partners to answer.

Book Video Conversations #1

2010-03-18T21:22:20Z

We in the human services field continually call upon ourselves to be there and do for others. In being with others who are experiencing struggles and hardships, we come in contact with situations that can affect us deeply.

In their book Stories of Transformative Leadership in the Human Services, LTG Partners Steve Burghardt and Willie Tolliver offer us guidance and tools for taking care of ourselves so that we can reconnect with our highest intentions. Actively committing ourselves to lifelong learning, the authors say, is a key to fostering a culture of inspiration, innovation and openness in our organizations.

]]> The core of being committed to our lifelong learning is our "commitment to being". How can we cultivate daily practices at work and at home, with coworkers and with our friends and family, that allow us to be with ourselves in a compassionate way?

In this first video, LTG partners Liz Laboy and Steve Burghardt discuss practical guidance offered in Stories of Tranformative Leadership in the Human Services for nurturing compassion and openness towards ourselves. In doing so, we can come back to work each day renewed and even more open and responsive to the people we serve.

Don't hesitate to comment and/or send questions you would like the partners to answer.

A Night of Renewal: Keeping the Conversation Going

2010-03-17T16:10:22Z

One of the most frequent requests LTG partners Willie Tolliver and Steve Burghardt receive is on how to keep talking, listening, and responding to the dynamics of race, gender, sexuality and class as they appear in our lives, both at work and at home. Listening to the requests, LTG organized its first "Night of Renewal" on February 9th.

That over 35 people showed up that evening while the first hard snowfall fell outside is a testimony to people's yearning for and interest in this kind of conversation. Using a World Cafe format to start, Willie and Steve soon found the room abuzz with expressions of connection and insight as people spoke about why they were there on this windswept night. Seeking connection with others, feeling a need to let go of anger, and a desire to heal by listening and sharing were the kind of themes that folks quickly discussed. People who had never known each other were sharing personal stories of real intimacy that made people laugh sometimes, cry sometimes, and sometimes do both.

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Both LTG partners spoke of their own struggles, helping remind people that there is no "exalted place" that one finally arrives at where one no longer has to re-visit these issues in a deeper and deeper way. Instead, as Willie said, "true liberation is not freedom from struggle but to engage with struggle, each and every day."

A genuine sense of relief conducive to healing and re-generation was in the room--relief to be connected and not be alone, to know that staying with these tough issues was what helped each of us to grow rather than stagnate. As Steve said towards the end of the evening, "As Paulo Freire wrote, 'to be fully human is to be incomplete.' What a relief!"

People soon were buttoning up their coats and adjusting their scarves for the snow that was about to greet them. As one attendee remarked, "Hey, it's okay to go out there...I got warm enough here tonight to last for a while!"

Let's Keep the Conversation Going on Race, Power and Privilege.

A Gathering Of Change Makers

2010-03-16T23:03:22Z

On February 4, 2010 the Leadership Transformation Group, Upstream Consulting (Kelly McGowan) and the NYC Art of Hosting (Martin Siesta and Nancy Fritsche Eagan) co-hosted a gathering of change makers. The event was a conversation and workshop for 60 invited guests admired for their work making change in their communities and organizations and for their support of other change makers.

The event, held at the Hunter College School of Social Work in New York City, was led by Chris Corrigan, a “change practitioner/professor at large”, and First Nation activist engaged in supporting people committed to change in South Africa, North America and other parts of the world.

]]> The participants, most of whom did not know each other, entered the room with quizzical yet eager looks on their faces. Mr. Corrigan dynamically started the day facilitating a World Café. The World Café is an innovative yet simple methodology for hosting conversations about questions that matter. The World Café, along with Open Space Technology and Circle Meetings, was one of several self governing facilitation tools used at this event. These tools for conversation are frequently used by LTG in its trainings and consultations.

On this day, the question posed to these change makers was, “What is going on in your world that makes it important for you to be here today?” People spoke in groups of four about how their lives were so full and, at the same time, there was often no room for them to care for themselves. Most of them felt that self-care was very important and that they needed support in cultivating healthy self-care practices. As the participants moved between groups, they linked their conversations and experiences, cross pollinated ideas, and discovered new insights and new ways to increase their capacity for effective action in their organizations.

The day provided opportunities for change makers to build community and learn together. Participants left the gathering enthusiastic, joyful and ready to bring more clarity and focus to their work over the next six months in their organizations and communities.

The Women's Leadership Revival Tour NYC

2010-02-18T19:35:17Z

The Women's Leadership Revival Tour and international speaker and author, Margaret (Meg) Wheatley are coming to New York City to facilitate a stimulating and inspiring conversation on the value, power and gift of women's leadership.

Wheatley is the author of the classic and widely influential, Leadership and the New Science, Turning to One Another, and Finding Our Way. Meg is President emeritus of the Berkana Institute, a global charitable leadership foundation, dedicated to serving life-affirming leaders and to supporting women's leadership in our inter-generational global community since 1991.

We invite you to participate in a full day of learning and development on March 25th from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm at the Riverside Church in New York City. The Women's Leadership Revival Tour has already been held in Toronto, St. Louis, Vancouver, Louisville, Seattle, Boston and other North American cities. The proceeds of the tour support the work of women who courageously step into leadership in their communities and organizations.

]]> This event will focus on how women's leadership, in New York and all over the world, is vital to our communities, work environments and societies. A few women from all walks of life will say a few words about their own experience of leadership.

We look forward to seeing you at this exceptional event. We will leave revitalized, with renewed clarity of purpose and energy.

For more information and to register please go to the Berkana Institute.

Defining Leadership for Social Workers

2010-02-01T00:56:24Z

an article by Robert Schachter, DSW, LMSW, Executive Director, NASW-NYC

Our work is so important, we might call it "sacred"; the daily grind is so great, the meaning may be lost.

The value of recognizing emerging leaders at the Chapter's Third Annual Awards Dinner was underscored by Willie Tolliver, Associate Professor Social Work at the Hunter College School of Social Work. Dr. Tolliver was asked to relate the idea of emerging leadership to the publication of his new book, written with Hunter Professor Steve Burghardt. The book is titled Stories of Transformative Leadership in the Human Services.

]]> Significantly, the book's subtitle is "Why the Glass is Always Full". We are so used to seeing things in routine ways that when Dr. Tolliver was introduced at the dinner, the book's title was mistakenly given. The glass was described as only "half full". The tendency to see things as we expect them to be is what this book is trying to change.

Whether we are optimists or pessimists, viewing our situations as half empty or half full may not be sufficient distinctions in the world of social work. The conditions of the work are so challenging that they too often lead to demoralization and a breakdown in our relationships. Professors Tolliver and Burghardt demonstrate that something more is possible, and this can be the basis of leadership.

Moving away from traditional writing for the profession, stories are shared in the book to make reality live.

One story about how funding and other work pressures play out in an agency feels painfully familiar. A second story about how staff in another agency reached for and achieved something more fulfilling is inspiring. More importantly, this experience may be within our own reach.

NASW-NYC does not ordinarily do book reviews. However, improving working conditions and supporting leadership is a Chapter priority. For more material on working conditions, go to www.naswnyc.org.

Do you work in child welfare?

2009-11-06T15:18:27Z

How has LTG helped you to "Hit Issues Head On"?

Since 1997, The Leadership Transformation Group has been facilitating supervisor management trainings, workshops, retreats, leadership forums and trainings and continues in its desire to heal the adults who work with children and families in child welfare.

Our facilitators have been trained to think outside of the box when using our curriculum and to use teachable moments whenever an issue arises. Whether it's a complaint about a situation in their unit, the department or they need information on how to handle a complex issue, the LTG facilitators have been there to assist them in any way.

In these trying economic times, I am asking facilitators and training participants – How have we helped you to stay the course and continue to remain positive at work and at home?

Locating Transformative Leadership

2009-11-06T15:09:22Z

The potential for leadership is never far - if we look honestly within ourselves and view others as they truly are.

From schools to non profits to large public sector agencies, there are leaders throughout the fabric of organizations. Many of these people do not have fancy formal titles or hold high ranking positions. Much of their work may go unnoticed and unrecognized. Many of their voices are rarely heard until we take the time to listen. They are the janitors, the front desk staff, the computer technicians, the cooks, the administrative assistants, the van drivers,... They are people who can create the pulse of an organization and who, through many years of dedicated service, have come to know what an organization is really about and can help shape where it is going.

Transforming front-line leadership in times of uncertainty

2009-10-25T17:53:24Z

No organization struggling to survive in today’s economic climate, whether supportive housing agency or housing development corporation, can do so without utilizing the talents of all its staff…and yet few do.

Using lessons from their recent book, LTG Partners Steve Burghardt and Willie Tolliver offered tools to do so at a workshop at the Annual Affordable Housing Conference of the Neighborhood Preservation Coalition of New York State in Albany. They explored how we all can undo racial tensions on the job, end daily crisis management, and move from competition among team members to genuine partnership.

Working in child welfare agencies, I have seen examples of genuine partnerships and teamwork between managers and front-line staff. I have also seen managers miss critical opportunities to nurture the talents of their front-line staff.

How have you and your colleagues tapped into the talents and leadership potential of all of your staff, especially your front-line workers and support staff?

Cyber Love… I Think NOT!!!

2009-07-24T17:02:43Z

Is it just me or do u feel the men of the millennium or for better clarification men that fall between ages of 25-38 have replaced normal one-to-one human on human communication with that special someone with the current ever-so-popular technology based form! i.e. Texting, instant messaging and emailing.

Now no disrespect to you 40 plus-ers, I stop at the age of 38 only because I've found (have a 40 year old sister who will vouch for me) in the exception of a rare few (men & women alike) beyond that age bracket just can't seem to get the system down. I mean you don't understand the smh's and the ROTFLMAO's and you sometimes even take LOL's out of context. Now please, try not to take what I just said as an insult or like I'm calling you old and out of touch but instead take it how it was intended, as a compliment. I mean really, because you dudes still know how to pick up the phone and speak through them like normal human beings. You know the way God okay maybe not God but at least as Alexander Graham Bell intended.

Ok, back to the point I'm trying to make... Who doesn't love the occasional impromptu, off the cuff & out of the blue, virtually unexpected, "Hey babes how's your day goin?" Or quick reminders like “Our date is still on for tonight @ 8 right?" Or even the totally rare, "Just thinking of you" text, email or IM? But c’mon Fellas don't get too comfortable and start using cyber talk as your main form of communication with your lady or should I rephrase that, your better half. Your lady friend can get a text but your better half, your baby, your boo, your girl, your main squeeze should rate and were not asking for much, at least one 3-5 min phone call a day. At LEAST!

]]> I'll be the first to admit that yes I am a cyber-addict; I mean I only wrote a page and half blog highlighting just that. But having a text conversation with your homegirl at work or church or being enthralled in a to-the-death bejeweled match with yourself is one thing but when it comes to my sweet thang I don't know about you but sometimes I JUST WANT TO HEAR HIS VOICE!!! Now is that too much to ask for?

Ladies were not totally out of the way of blame here either because we accept & settle for this minuscule form of communication and that's where we are wrong because as long as we continue to honor and contribute to this behavior it will not change for the better, I can only see it getting worse for the wear. For example getting that first I love you in the form of a text, anniversary E-cards, digital birthday gift certificates and before you know it a texted proposal. Yes I’m talking about a marriage proposal. LADIES WE DON’T WANT THIS!! Take it from me I’ve already got dumped via text message and it was no fun at all. I mean not only did he QUIT me but I didn’t even rate a measly phone call!
In conclusion, Ladies speak to your man and explain how this issue makes you feel and after that if he still refuses to give good old fashioned communication a chance the next time you see him in the flesh and he puckers up for a smooch give him your A... I mean your phone to kiss. Well, you get my drift.