Themes and images
At Greenlights this week we've been exploring themes and images for next year's Crossroads Conference. All sorts of themes and images are being bandied about - good abstract/organizational constructs to be paired with visual imagery that makes the idea come alive in fun ways. We've talked about underwater, navigation, mountain climbing, muscle-building images. Quite fun, and it led me to think about what visual image fits my transition work these days.
There are days when I feel like an elf in Santa's workshop, pounding nails, checking lists, organizing closets, and moving things down the assembly line. There are days when I feel like a bookie in "The Sting", figuring out odds, tallying up numbers, and focusing on details. There are those long days when I feel like a contractor at the end of a home remodeling job - looking at the punch list of things to be completed, re-done, or re-thought before announcing the job is complete. The day
s I like the most are when I feel like a symphony conductor or a ballet master, marveling at the talent and the harmony around me.
Each day seems packed with things to do, and I haven't even begun to organize exit strategies. I have an illusion that the week between Christmas and New Year's will be my winding down time, but I am beginning to suspect that this is not realistic.
Even as the Transition Committee is working hard at identifying the next ED, they are making noises to indicate it may take longer than I would like. So I find myself working in three distinct work worlds - the everyday world of management at Greenlights, the consulting work I do for Greenlights, and preparing for my immediate post-ED work teaching at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Three different foci - three different sets of tasks, expectations, languages, and team members. Slightly dizzying, but challenging!
So what image/theme fits with these daily preoccupations about present and future endeavors?
What feels most correct today is a Bach "invention" - those musical pieces that are characterized by a variety of small themes weaving together, with new motifs coming in and out of the music at different times, and a few discordant bars to remind you that things don't always proceed merrily along.
Good image fo me - and it reminds me that when the days feel too overwhelming, I can always retreat to my piano bench and enjoy classical comfort.
There are days when I feel like an elf in Santa's workshop, pounding nails, checking lists, organizing closets, and moving things down the assembly line. There are days when I feel like a bookie in "The Sting", figuring out odds, tallying up numbers, and focusing on details. There are those long days when I feel like a contractor at the end of a home remodeling job - looking at the punch list of things to be completed, re-done, or re-thought before announcing the job is complete. The day
s I like the most are when I feel like a symphony conductor or a ballet master, marveling at the talent and the harmony around me.Each day seems packed with things to do, and I haven't even begun to organize exit strategies. I have an illusion that the week between Christmas and New Year's will be my winding down time, but I am beginning to suspect that this is not realistic.
Even as the Transition Committee is working hard at identifying the next ED, they are making noises to indicate it may take longer than I would like. So I find myself working in three distinct work worlds - the everyday world of management at Greenlights, the consulting work I do for Greenlights, and preparing for my immediate post-ED work teaching at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Three different foci - three different sets of tasks, expectations, languages, and team members. Slightly dizzying, but challenging!
So what image/theme fits with these daily preoccupations about present and future endeavors?
What feels most correct today is a Bach "invention" - those musical pieces that are characterized by a variety of small themes weaving together, with new motifs coming in and out of the music at different times, and a few discordant bars to remind you that things don't always proceed merrily along.
Good image fo me - and it reminds me that when the days feel too overwhelming, I can always retreat to my piano bench and enjoy classical comfort.
posted by Deborah Edward at 4:21 PM
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