Refreshed, re-invigorated and renewed

Happy New Year. Refreshed, re-invigorated and renewed (a little bit of Neil Kinnock-like alliteration there), I am ready for the fray. Up for the challenges of 2012: keen to create fresh opportunities from adversity in our fractured public sector market; enthused by a new piece of work for The Open Channel with a district Council keen to develop its leadership potential and capacity; and available to work with clients old and new who feel the need for some appreciative visions and strengths-focused support. 


I had a fine piece of news about the power of strengths work only a day or so ago. A client of mine had got so much of value from a Strengthscope profile and feedback session that she had bought the same service for two of her relatives. One of them had been trying repeatedly to gain a foothold in her chosen career without immediate success. Just a few days after receiving her Strengthscope profile and feedback session she was coincidentally called to interview for her highly preferred and much competed-for role. During that interview she was able to speak authoritatively about her strengths and talents (as well as her skills, knowledge and experience) and was offered the role. Feedback from the interview specifically highlighted the part played by  knowing and recounting her talents and strengths. A wonderful result and another example of the importance of distinguishing between what we learn, know and practise and those activities that give absorb us, provide energy and allow us to show our true potential and talents. 


We are passionate about the power of strengths work with individuals and teams and the long-term sustainable benefit of developing appreciative visions and actions. Why not make 2012 the year you leave behind problem-focused, deficit-centred approaches and make the move to the leading-edge world-view and associated methods of appreciative inquiry and strengths-focused change?   


To finish, here's a poem to sustain us through the short-daylight hours of January :


The Guest House
By Rumi
Translated by Coleman Barks

 
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
Some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honourably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.