November 2009 E-News

“Fail It Forward”

NE CORNER
About eight years ago, when I heard the phrase, “let no pain go unused,” I
was inspired.  Recently I heard a parent state, “I do not want my child to
be  exposed to failure.”  I was sad.  Failure and pain are vessels for
opportunity and growth.  Imagine a world without failure and pain, how would
we progress?  How would we learn?  Over the past year we, at Next Element,
have failed and experienced pain along the way.  We are grateful for both
because  we  grew,  and  we  learned what  mistakes to not make again.
Sometimes,  maybe  even  most times, failure and pain are difficult to
experience.  We wish for a quick reprieve.  My challenge for myself, and for
you,  is to use the pain!  Use the failures!  Because within these two
vessels are the stuff success is made of. -JK

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I
succeed.” – Michael Jordan

PCM NUGGET
One misconception about PCM is that once you learn it you are now a perfect
communicator.  Not  so.  What PCM does teach us is that we have many
opportunities to fail, and in practicing, we eventually will “get it
right.”  For example, say you use the wrong channel.  You could see this as
a failure, or you could see it as a learning opportunity to use the right
channel next time.  Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect.
Recognize the mis-communication and try-try again.  The fact that you
recognize a miss is the first step toward hitting your target next time, and
you’ll begin to experience more consistent successes as you practice.  A
failure is simply a gift to start being more effective.  Failure is only
harmful when it is not recognized! -JK

“This has been very helpful in learning why communication fails and how
to make it work better.” – Aubrey Patterson, Respiratory Care Supervisor,
Wesley Medical Center, Wichita KS

BIG NEWS
We are excited to announce a new collaboration with Bethel College in the
building of an adventure course!  NE will assist in the training of
facilitators, Leahy & Associates will provide a facilitated build, and in
the end, NE will have a course available for our clients.  We are truly
grateful for everyone’s support and hard work to make this dream a reality.
Thank you to all the Bethel College athletes, students and staff for their
hard clean-up work started earlier this month. For more information, click here.

WHITE PAPER
Are there patterns of behavior and attitudes that are incompatible with
growth  in  your organization?  Read about “Setting Your Corporate
Prisoners Free.”

BOOK RECOMMENDATION
Written by one of most successful leadership gurus of our time, “Failing
Forward” is a book about how to fail often and fail well.  John Maxwell
argues that the difference between average people and achieving people is
their perception of, and response to failure.  Maxwell outlines 15 steps
that anyone can apply to turn mistakes into stepping stones for success.
Those interested in self efficacy theory will see obvious parallels between
failing forward and high self efficacy – not to be confused with high
self-esteem, which actually correlates with a poor response to failure.
-NGR

UPCOMING EVENTS
PCM® Core Competency Training – Nov. 9-11
Advanced PCM® Conflict Resolution Seminar – Nov. 12-13
(registration deadline for the above two seminars is Nov. 2nd)
Process Facilitation, a PCM® Seminar – Dec. 7-9
Facilitating Self-Efficacy – Dec. 10-11
Leadership Communication, a PCM® Seminar – Jan. 13
Process Parenting, a PCM® Seminar – Jan. 23

Visit our website at http://next-element.com/services/seminars
for details and registration information on all our seminars.

HOT WING UPDATE
This message from our friend Mary Duke Smith, warmed the cockles of our
hearts…  “Every time I see buffalo wings on the menu, I think of you
guys…personally, I’m a grilled, not fried, girl, but I love the hot hot hot
sauce…See you soon I hope – and thanks again!” …Thanks Mary Duke!

NE ON THE ROAD
Society for Teachers of Family Medicine Conference in Kansas City, Nov.
5 – 8, Nate will be presenting with Dr. Terry Mills.

Nov. 26, enjoying the Holiday with our families.  If we eat too much, we’ll
be out on the 27th too.  Happy Holidays!

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