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Issue 13, September 2009
Inside this Issue
They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.
Andy Warhol
I struggled with this article; its essence resonates with me but I’ve had a hard time putting that into words.
I believe conversations can be much stronger than just the sharing of words between people. Conversations empower us to connect with others on a personal (human) level. But it’s a skill I fear we’re losing because of the increasing reliance on technology to communicate.
An amazing woman called Sark createda poster entitled How To Be An Artist (a copy hangs above our fireplace at home). One of the snippets from that poster is ‘Invite Someone Dangerous to Tea’ (dangerous in the sense that we’re wary of them for some reason, not that they may actually harm us!)
Imagine the possibilities for personal growth, change, learning, by having an honest conversation with someone who challenges us: our beliefs, our attitudes, our ethics, our morals, our actions.
The ‘love’ in my title is about the purest form of love - that of one human being for another; no barriers or pretences, no gender, race, colour, religion, bias, enmity, suspicion, fear. Just a genuine respect for another person and the strength to accept their difference from us as perfect and valid in every way.
If I asked you to pause right now, to close your eyes and imagine a conversation between yourself and someone who you see as ‘dangerous’ – how would that look in your mind’s eye? What questions might you ask? How would you feel? How could you create a space for that person to be completely honest with you, without fear of recrimination or judgement or scorn?
During a conversation with friends last week I spoke of my desire to help initiate some honest conversations. Now I have this image in my head of 120 people sharing dinner under the stars up on our old tennis court. I have no idea who they are, where they come from or what they do, but I am excited about the possibilities from so many conversations taking place among a diverse group of people.
What can (will?) you do to initiate and sustain an honest conversation with others – one that leaves each of you more complete than before you started?
Would you like to be a part of such a conversation but you’re not sure how to go about it? I’d love to know/ help (grahame@magicallearning.com)
Grahame
Last newsletter we asked you to share what you would love doing to increase your talents.
We got no responses..... none.
Zip, zilch, zero, nada, niks, asgje, ei mitään, tidak ada, faic, nic, dim....
You get the idea L
We did have problems with our mail server for a couple of days, but we thought we’d get a few responses at least.
But perhaps we’re not making it easy enough for you to respond?
Or maybe we’re asking the wrong competition questions?
The prizes are sufficient incentive?
Whatever the answer, we want you to be excited when this newsletter arrives in your inbox (yes, you can be that AND have a life), but we need to know more about what you really want to see and read.
So this month we thought we’d try something different.
This month we’d like you to tell us what you want to see in your newsletter.
More articles?
Tips on learning?
Suggestions for other courses we should be running?
Great recipes we’ve discovered or interesting people we’ve met?
A bio on a different member each month?
There are no right or wrong answers – only honest ones.
Let us know what you prefer to read, what you want to see in your newsletter.
Email club@magicallearning.com by cob Friday 16 October 2009.
We have a number of programs starting over the next month or two:
Nationally-Accredited Programs |
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Starting Friday 25 September |
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Starting Friday 25 September |
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Starting Friday 25 September |
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Starting Friday 25 September |
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Starting Friday 16 October |
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Starting Wednesday 28 October |
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Starting Wednesday 28 October |
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Starting Thursday 29 October |
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Starting Thursday 29 October |
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Non-Accredited Workshops |
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28, 29 and 30 September |
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Tuesday 13 October |
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Wednesday 14 October |
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Thursday 22 October |
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Friday 30 October |
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Friday 6 November |
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For more information about these and our other programs, please visit magicallearning.com, email us at learn@magicallearning.com or telephone 02 6273 2221.
It is never too late to be who you might have been
George Eliot
New Government Speeches and Reports
For those in the APS here are some resources that might be helpful for you to have a look at:
- Terry Moran (Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet) speech to IPAA on 15 July 2009 on the Challenges of Public Sector Reform.
Click here to download this speech
- Better Practice Guide on Business Continuity Management – Building Resilience in Public Sector Entities.
Click here to download this speech
For those in Queensland Public Service here are some resources that might be helpful for you to have a look at:
- The Right to Information Act 2009 came into effect on 1 July 2009 (replacing the Freedom of Information Act 1992).
Click here for more information
- Queensland Treasury have released the Financial Accountability Handbook.
Click here for more information
If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it
Jonathan Winters
NON FICTION
The Three Laws of Performance by Steve Zaffron and Dave Logan
Picking up where Jim Collins left off in Good to Great, Zaffron and Logan identify the critical changes required by organisations and their people to generate some truly incredible results.
This not just another trendy book with tips on positive affirmations to improve your life. The authors believe it is a blueprint drawn from human behaviour – and they may well be right!
The Six Thinking Hats by Edward De Bono
First published in 1985, this book continues to outsell many more contemporary tomes.
Providing excellent insights into ‘structured creative’ thinking, Six Hats provides some great tools for anyone looking to get more from group workshops, brainstorming sessions – in fact any critical thinking environment.
Issue 13, September 2009
Magical Learning Pty Ltd. ACN 104 320 550. 45 Melbourne Avenue Forrest ACT 2603 AUSTRALIA
Telephone: +61 2 6273 2221. www.magicallearning.com