Career Basics Course: Week 9, Day 42

"A true leader has a long-term vision and the short-term plan to work on it. [they are] prepared to put the organization, the country, before [their] own needs. That sense of sacrifice is needed."

"There are more wars in the world today because there is a lack of feminine leadership to unite people, overcome differences and bring home to us the purpose we are all born for!"

"A good leader is satyadarshi (truthful), samdarshi (equanimous), priyadarshi (pleasant personality), pardarshi (transparent) and doordarshi (farsighted)."

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Go On A Research Trip

A RESEARCH TRIP is the perfect way to build mission alignment or to sharpen a skill on your to-learn list. It is distinct from a solo trip, which is about inward thinking. On a research trip, you are going outside of yourself. It is about widening your perspective, bringing in new information and venturing toward the outside world.

A research trip has little to do with the overall results. It is about the new experience of pursuing a question and opening yourself to meet new people along the way.

It is about directionality. The word "directionality" has a sense of hope, of forward momentum. The word itself doesn't claim any direction is the right way. It simply expresses motion. On a research trip you need directionality. You are building momentum.

The Exercise

1. Even the simplest questions can lead to unexpected insights when filtered through the lens of a research trip. Choose one question to focus on throughout your trip.
2. Whether it is a trip you already planned or a special place related to your question, decide on a trip destination. There is no need to travel far.
3. Research as much as you can before your trip. Look for historical examples of how people have answered similar questions.
4. Once you arrive at your destination, take notes. Pay attention to the people that you meet. Interview people. Ask your questions and be open to whatever information you find. Research trips often take unexpected turns -- go with it.
5. Share your results with your friends and peers. Take the time to synthesize and understand your results and record any new questions that arise. Sharing your results is a great opportunity to reach out to someone on your list whose careers you admire or to a future mentor.

Note: This is

• Way 18, if you reference the 2018 version of the book, which I have, ...
• but doesn't match up easily if you're looking?in?50 Ways to Get a Job: An Unconventional Guide to Finding Work on Your Terms.

For me, ....

1. How might we co-create with placed-based and mission-oriented institutions, flexible, responsive and adaptive cultures/structures to serve as catalysts to launch and (re)set career, learning, life and purpose trajectories? (inspired by Aaron Kuecker and Blythe Taylor )
2. How might we listen deeply to our friends, family and colleagues to support -- as invited and welcomed -- the intergenerational needs of women and girls in Chicago and Palestine? (inspired by Fathi Anayah and family)
3. How might I invite and welcome a collective of individuals and communities to (re)launch -- in partnership and collaboration with others as yet defined -- the Teachers Design For Education initiative. (inspired by Renee Albrecht-Mallinger
4. How might we bring to fruition the vision of Tri Cosain: Weaving inspiration, learning and career (inspired by Scott Downs )
5. How might we explore a breadth of approaches to connect individuals and families in Chicago with loved ones who are in prison? How might we listen to and understand the needs of individuals and their families upon a person's return home, having completed their time. (inspired by ... names withheld)

I will keep you updated on how this unfolds.

Peace and blessings.

Gerald Doyle

A Happy Tuesday (on Sunday) ... Week 9, Day 42!

All the best for the remaining portion of the weekend ahead; amazing that we've reached Week 9 -- albeit a few days later than anticipated. We're very grateful for those who have reached out across these weeks. And, we're about to embark on Week 10.

Three cheers to those of you who have landed and others who are gaining interviews and traction; remember, we're all in for everyone and we will not rest until everyone has set themselves squarely on a path that's right for them at this moment.

We are welcoming several new individuals who will continue throughout the remaining 2 weeks of Career Basics Course as Contributing Respondents. They are:

Kennan Carnegie, SHRM-CP - a Chicago-based human resource enthusiast with a deep commitment to the profession to help organizations co-create employee experiences that empower and enable individuals to thrive at work and in life -- improving retention and employee engagement, increasing innovation and invention (and implementation), where everyone thrives and flourishes Zoe Hatch, MSHR - a Chicago-based health-care human resource professional having just earned her MA at Pepperdine University , Zoe's empathetic approach aims to co-create and advance organizations where an attention to wellness and wellbeing improves the healing process for patients and their families as well as the staff and community that provides for their care. Will McKelvain - an undergraduate at 美国芝加哥大学 and a member of Psi Upsilon Fraternity , Will is exploring the study of law and ethics to build strong communities within corporate and civic organizations Mark Falenchuk - an undergraduate at 美国芝加哥大学 and a member of Psi Upsilon Fraternity , Mark is exploring the fields of energy and construction finance at the regional economy and global level to help nations achieve economic stability and freedom to intentional chart their course and destiny

And, our continuing team include:

• Caila Howell?... a business/digital marketing professional and education advocate. We're delighted that Caila has joined us in this journey.
• Kathleen O'Brien 欧凯林?... a mission-motivated, people-oriented and a collaborator between and among cultures. We're delighted that Kathleen has joined us in this journey.
• Lap Gong Leong, a writer, author and political commentary who shares his thinking and writing regularly, most recently authoring,?Uncovering Sensibilities: rethinking axioms in the world of work for autistic people.

All the very best to everyone. Much peace.

Gerald and?Al Nunez