Workshop 1 DONE!

Well after the most excitingly collaborative process the UWS Library/MyVice mentoring pilot has begun! We launched it in a workshop at Frogmore house a couple of weeks ago and it was amazing.

Abby facilitated and we had guest speakers: sponsors Sue Craig (University Librarian) and Steve Marsh (School of Science and Health). We started out together doing the river of life exercise and then broke into groups for concurrent mentee/mentor sessions so that they could inspire and learn from each other.

After lunch we came back together for some more work on resources and toolkits. Getting to this point has been such a steep learning curve for every aspect of my leadership skills. I'm excited by my progress which is noticeable by the fact that I feel much more confident in my ability to do tough things.

Now when an obstacle is in my path I have skills to overcome it, not the least of which is not being scared of it. I also have the buoyant response to workshop 1 to spur me on. As we were leaving Frogmore House at the end of the day it was not just me that was walking on air, all the participants seemed to really get a lot out of the day and are looking excitedely forward to the mentoring process to come.

will add some photos to this post later 

Inspire workshop

The Inspire workshop in July could not have been more perfectly timed. We listened to Anthony Critchly talk about moving people from where they are now to where they need to be, focusing on the difficult conversations, because - let's face it - the happy ones are fairly easy to have.

The timing was so good for me because it gave me some skills and confidence to have some outside-my-comfort zone conversations as I worked on the ICVF Developer role. But I've got ahead of myself let's back up a bit to the EOI responses, which poured in - not just from the library but from other units too.

Well if felt like they poured in, it was actually only 22 but that's perfect, any more and the pilot would become too unwieldy. The next step was the matching and I will admit to being awed by the process. Christine and I helped but the lion-share of the work was done by the ODU experts, Abby and Kelly with input from Steve and Jenny from other UWS units. With pairs matched the applicants accepted and then came tricky bit  some of the pairs had concerns.

I met with them individually to see if it would be possible for them to continue and I was nervous. I took my notes from Anthony's talk in with me as a reminder but I didn't need them. 

These are the points that really helped

• focus on conversation that adds value
• I made myself available in whatever format they felt most comfortable
• used active listening to build trust and gain agreement
• kept discussion clear, simple and non-judgmental
• steered the conversation away from gossip

One other point that Anthony made that I didn't have to use in the conversations above but that I want to remember is that if I get angry the neurological emotional reaction only lasts for 7 seconds. 7 seconds that's how long my brain has me at it's mercy, so if I count those 7 seconds without responding I should be able to think clearer and respond more effectively. Comforting to know that Mum wasn't too far off the mark with her "count to 10 rule".

Oh and all the worried participants decided to stay so thanks for the wisdom Anthony Critchly.

EOI!

The day has arrived! Time to take the first step of my Inspire leadership action plan - send out the Expression of Interest.

It was on my action plan but it certainly was not only my actions that brought this about. I've developed the ICVF Innovator by identifying a need, exploring new concepts (new in the UWS context) and designing something new to meet the need - but not alone.

I've developed the Broker, influencing others to get behind the pilot - but not alone.

Focusing on the ICVF Deliverer has helped me set and communicate goals, delegate jobs and ensure they are delivered on time and anticipate workflow problems - but not alone.

Picking up on my theme? At the start of the Inspire project I was completely daunted, wit no idea what project to do and once I decided on mentoring - completely overwhelmed by the size of it. I did think I'd have to change my project, downsize maybe do some informal mentoring on my own, then I realised I am not an island!

I can develop the ICVF roles with the help of the Inspire program, the HMM modules AND clever people! I consider myself amazingly blessed to have this opportunity to give something to others through my working life and I am just starting to realise just how much I am receiving in return.

I was worried that the pilot might not get off the ground due to lack of interest but the EOI went out today and I have already had so many excited conversations from interested people it is so encouraging - I hope they ALL apply.