CONNECTING

YOUR DOTSShaping your life story andHelping others find theirs

CONNECTING YOUR DOTS

What our session looks like:IntroductionsAgenda

The Danger of a Single StoryQuestions for connecting your dots

Seeing the connectionThe final picture

INTRODUCTIONS

Barb Wilson

INTRODUCTIONS

Barb Wilson

INTRODUCTIONSINTRODUCTIONS

WandaKirkpatrick

WandaKirkpatrick

INTRODUCTIONS

SynergyIntellectual, emotional, creative,

social, and spiritual resourcesFind ways for those resources to

enhance and amplify each otherConnect the dots of your

passions, strengths and life experiences

THE DOTS

SO WHAT’S HER STORY

The Danger of a Single Story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg

One person’s story and connecting her dots.

Listen carefully, we all have a story.

SO WHAT’S YOUR STORYThe Danger of a Single Story

Where do you see the speaker connecting the dots?

At what point did you connect your life story to the speaker?

What did the speaker do and say that shows she understood her dots and her story?

WHERE YOUR DOTS CAN BE FOUND

Discovering synergistic opportunities starts with asking questions.

ProcessQuestions quiet and reflective

writingShare at your tableReport out

REFLECTIONS TO CONNECT YOUR DOTS

Reflection 1

What are your natural skills, talents, and fascinations?

What instincts or inclinations have you followed, which have paid off for you?

REFLECTIONS TO CONNECT YOUR DOTS

Reflection 2

What have been the most influential experiences in your life?

What unique and unusual life experiences have you had?

What have you taken away from your memorable experiences?

REFLECTIONS TO CONNECT YOUR DOTS

Reflection 3

What knowledge and perspective can you draw on from your family heritage and cultural background?

In what environments do you feel most alive, energized and at ease?

CHECK IN

Discussion at your table Are you starting to see any

patterns, trends, or dot connections?

Do you recognize how your personal story impacts how you think, decisions you make, and values you hold dear?

REFLECTIONS TO CONNECT YOUR DOTS

Reflection 4What personal relationships,

professional connections and social networks are you a part of?

Which do you enjoy the most?What moments of your current life

bring you the most satisfaction?What qualifies as fun to your even

if it feels like work to other?

CONNECT THE REFLECTIVE DOTS

As you continue to look at these factors you will begin to see a series of dots that define who you are and how you are naturally wired.

Share with you table.

DO YOU SEE ANY DIFFERENCES

Are there differences at your table in personal story?

Where do these differences come from? How do they impact your leadership?

What should your response be knowing these differences exist?

THE DYNAMICS OF DIFFERENCE

THE DYNAMICS OF DIFFERENCES…

How can you use the differences of others to:

Build your team Create a ‘circle of trust’ – safety, trust, open-

minded Interact with parents Communicate effectively with staff

Discuss…

THE DYNAMICS OF DIFFERENCES…

Do you see places where you need to continue to think and reflect to get a clearer picture?

What questions are unanswered?What additional questions do you

have about your life?

THINGS TO CONSIDER

ACTIONS STEPS

Identify two to three actions to take in the next six months to:Fill in the dotsLeverage your dotsIdentify more dotsShare your dotsHelp other clarify their dots

HELPING OTHERS FIND THEIR STORY

Now that you have a clear picture of your story:

what do you need to help others find their storywhat opportunities do you have coming up in the next six weeks

to make time for story tellingwho do you need to know more about to improve your work and your leadershipwhen will you do this – think

proactively

VALUING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Your perspective matters Leverage your position to value others’

stories Video clip

BRINGING IT TOGETHERUnderstanding your own story

allows you to better understand others.

When you know your own story, you can coach and assist others in understanding their unique story.

‘Connecting the Dots’ is just one way to coach others.

LESSONS FROM A LIFE COACH

Think

Choose

Act

Win

Katie Larsen, 2012

THE CLEAR PICTURE

The picture that forms when you start drawing lines between your own life dots will soon become a map for a future so compelling and so promising that you will want to live it for real starting now.

Founder and CEO Lifetime Fitness,Bahram Akradi