Tuesday 29 November 2011

It's not always about leadership

I recently came across this video on YouTube which suggests that we shouldn't neglect the importance of the "first follower" in the success of a movement or change. I like the idea that it's not always about leadership but that people being willing to step forward and be the first follower are also key. We tend to focus a lot of learning on "Leadership" and this video has made me wonder if perhaps there shouldn't be more on "following" as well. As they put it so eloquently in the video ...."When you find a lone nut doing something great have the guts to be the first person to stand up and join in." How many times in an organisation do we recognise and reward these key "first followers"? I suspect the answer is - not enough.

Sunday 27 November 2011

My first Geocaching Travel Bug

I was recently over in America visiting IBM's Learning Centre in Armonk (New York State).   I stayed one night at the Holiday Inn Express in Fishkill and visited the geocache  in the Van Wyke Homestead Van Wyke Homestead, Fishkill
where I found Sparky the travel bug. Sparky


 Sparky and his cache

Sparky was keen to travel around and see National Parks so I thought he could come back with me and see some of the lovely National Parks in the UK.

Sparky at Newark Airport
So he joined me on a British Airways flight back from Newark to Heathrow Sparky flying from Newark to LHR

Last week we tried to place him in a cache but it turned out to be a bit small and damp - definitely not the quality of accommodation that Sparky had become used to on his travels so far.  Today however we headed up onto Twyford Down and the "Bear Necessities of Life" Cache where he will have the company of lots of bears until he moves on to his next destination.  Sparky joins Cache GCQFR5

I've subscribed to his profile and will now watch with great interest to see where he gets to next.

Bye bye Sparky - it was good having you stay with us :-)

Sparky making new friends before continuing on his travels