If we buy Mark's logic, unless a person has actually been in charge of
running a series (s)he doesn't have the right to suggest some
constructive changes. I believe this approach, by a leader, limits
his/her effectiveness by closing off his/her openness to change and
fresh-air thinking.
I was a member of Atlanta's Team Solo (committee that puts on the Atlanta
Region SCCA Solo II program) for 5 years before volunteering to help Tere
Pulliam out as co-chair. During those 5 years I had suggested many of the
changes that I helped to implement as co-chair later. In every case my
ideas were poo-poohed as unworkable, pie-in-the-sky thinking. I think the
results of my "ideas" that were implemented in Atlanta over the past 3 +
years have spoken for themselves.
Believe it or not, I have actually designed courses and set up events for
National Tours as well as doing the same for 4 SEDIV divisionals, so I'm
not exactly sitting on the sidelines when I make some suggestions. But a
seemingly effective way to disparage your opponent's point of view is to
put that person down personally, call into question his motives, belittle
his/her experience or to call him/her names. Thankfully, though, most on
this list can see right through these kinds of tactics and make sane
decisions for themselves.
One thing I found very helpful while in co-charge of Atlanta's Solo II
program was to hear the constructive criticism in those years. I always
listened with interest. True, some were obviously off-base from the
beginning. But many others actually got implemented into the program for
the enrichment of the series. Only listening to the old-timers for advice
will doom a leader to keeping the status-quo in effect. Thinking outside
the box for unconventional solutions to problems can reap some huge
rewards. I was awe struck with the simple, pure thought processes that
lead us to unique solutions and well-founded thinking for problem
solving. Today, Atlanta's Team Solo, under the leadership of Barry Saney,
is a hotbed of creative thinking that, I trust, will continue to advance
Solo II there for years to come. It is growing well beyond my
personal-best creativity.
On Tue, 18 Jun 2002 23:48:12 EDT TeamZ06@aol.com writes:
> If having an opinion were enough by itself, think how much richer all
> our
> lives would be ...
>
> To put it in Evolution terms, I can watch a newbie drive erratically
> standing
> a distance off the side of the course, but unless I get into the car
> and
> observe firsthand what it is they're doing with their eyes, hands, &
> feet
> then I'm not really in a position to give sound advice on their
> driving
> techniques and what needs to be done for improvement. (I learned
> that from
> the master hisself, Jim McKamey). Yeah, you can theorize
> opinionated
> generalities like "make your inputs smoother", "look ahead", etc.,
> etc. but
> if it were that easy there'd be no need for anyone to ever attend an
>
> Evolution school. You got to get in there and get your hands dirty
> before
> you'll ever *really know* what to improve and how to go about doing
> it.
>
> I don't care what organization we're discussing; be it a business, a
> club,
> whatever. They all have their own culture of politics,
> personalities,
> history, etc. that is all too often overlooked and underestimated by
> the
> uninformed outsider looking in. It takes a lot more than having
> just an
> opinion to manuever your way through the inevitable cultural maze to
> inspire
> leadership and bring about change. Hey, but that's just my opinion;
> dirty
> fingernails and all.
>
> Mark
>
>
> In a message dated 6/18/02 9:45:40 PM Central Daylight Time,
> bthatch@juno.com
> writes:
>
>
> > Jean, How enlightening. Just when I finished getting chastised for
> having
> > an opinion because I haven't participated in many national, pro
> and
> > divisional events, lately. Thanks, Jean. I needed that.
> >
> > Your favorite "pundit" <vbg>,
> >
> > Ben Thatcher
> > http://ApexBenefits.biz
> >
> > A person does not have to have a championship or tours/pros wins
> to
> > express
> > and have opinions. Phil Jackson can't outplay Micheal Jordan, but
> he can
> > see
> > things to make him a better player-
> >
> > Jean Kinser Dana
>
Ben Thatcher
http://ApexBenefits.biz
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