{"id":11201,"date":"2012-12-14T19:05:35","date_gmt":"2012-12-15T02:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/?p=11201"},"modified":"2012-12-18T19:28:37","modified_gmt":"2012-12-19T02:28:37","slug":"support-starts-with-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/?p=11201","title":{"rendered":"Support Starts with Support"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"plant\"<\/p>\n

For every success story there are a thousand failures. \u00a0That\u2019s the reality of change. \u00a0The fragile seeds of\u00a0hope, innovation, insight and\u00a0ideas are everywhere, but the harsh environments in which\u00a0we live are often not conducive to their continued growth. \u00a0Just like a\u00a0delicate\u00a0seedling that needs nutrients, water and shelter from the elements, learners need plenty of support for\u00a0their\u00a0new ideas to take root. \u00a0Early, often and enthusiastic support is an under-appreciated and essential component of EVERY change. \u00a0 \u00a0Take ownership of this reality by both giving and asking for support.<\/p>\n

\"thumbs<\/a>Be aware that some of the people we love and respect may inadvertently crush these innocent hopes and dreams of change in order to \u201cprotect\u201d us for the pain associated with failure. For this reason it\u2019s important to reach out and build learning relationships with an extended group of supports to provide a more balanced set of opinions to consider moving forward. A diverse group of supportive relationships is also a key component of happiness based on research from Harvard\u2019s Shawn Achor.<\/p>\n

Your willingness to provide support for others is a subtle, yet powerful form of leadership<\/strong> that exists within us all. Never underestimate the impact that your words and actions may have on the growth of others. A timely smile, kind word or simple gesture is often all it takes to maintain the momentum necessary to overcome the inevitable challenges that we must overcome to make changes stick. The key is to be present when you do connect and be attentive to the downward shifts in someone\u2019s attitude or energy. Ask and encourage even if they say \u201ceverything is fine\u201d, because we know that is a code word for \u201csomething\u2019s wrong\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"supportive\"<\/a>I recently had a wonderful new connection with a 2 icons in the field of organizational change. Jim Kouzes and Ed Schein are both award winning authors with decades of successful consulting experience. Surely these\u00a0conversations\u00a0would greatly impact my professional growth. Yet in meeting with these gentlemen I\u2019ve walked away feeling that we each took something valuable away from our conversation. It reminds me that support and encouragement is a HUMAN need<\/strong> that is essential for tackling the many changes that lie before us all.<\/p>\n

This was reinforced again this week as I reflect on one aspect of teaching that I love most \u2013 creating a safe learning environment for new seeds of change to take root. This safety aspect addresses the human brain\u2019s basic needs that are best described in David Rock\u2019s book \u201cYour Brain at Work\u201d.<\/p>\n

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Too much stress and the brain kicks into \u201cfight or flight\u201d mode, releasing cortisol and adrenaline into the\u00a0David\u2019s SCARF model has provided me with great insights into how I can help every participant find an appropriate balance between comfort and challenge. By addressing these 5 stress \u201ctriggers<\/em>\u201d, I\u2019m able to create that supportive learning environment with amazing consistency\u2026bloodstream which drastically alters the chemistry of the moment. Excessive stress also shifts energy away from the pre-frontal cortex \u2013 the part of the brain responsible for conscious thinking and decision making. (Pretty important to the learning I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll all agree.) Conversely, not enough stress keeps the brain stuck in \u201cbusiness as usual\u201d mode. Without sufficient interest or intrigue the brain does not engage in re-sequencing of neuro-pathways that IS the physical change in the mind that leads to new thoughts or behaviors.<\/p>\n