Goddard Space Flight Center Leadership Course

Jim and I enjoyed facilitating an Advanced Basic Elements Temperament workshop at Goddard as part of their Leadership Development in Management Excellence (LDEM) course.  We had updated the “shadow” temperament presentation to make it clearer and more practical and both felt it came across much better.  As usual, we will continue to tweak at it as we go forward.  The participants appeared to find the material useful and we invited them all to join us on our blog, and on our Facebook page to continue the discussion on temperament.

JazzFest 2011 & Temperament

Perfect 78 degree weather and a nice breeze brought out a mammoth crowd for Sunday’s JazzFest in New Orleans.  The last day of the first JazzFest weekend (it starts up again next Thursday – Sunday) was topped off with the likes of Pete Fountain, John Mellancamp, Kenny G, John Legend, and — Tom Jones!!  It’s not unusual…for the occasional “old-timer” to play JazzFest (Tony Bennett played 2 years ago) but ole Tom was a rockin’ with an updated temp to many of his familiar songs (e.g., Delilah, Green, Green Grass of Home, Fall in Love, etc.).  While my Water wife had every intention of staying for just a few minutes then heading off to see John Mellancamp, she wound her way to the front and joined the hordes of dancers who were groovin’ to ole Tom.  She told me later she had chatted with some women who came to hear Tom Jones just “for a laugh” but got hooked into his music and dance steps on stage.  For a 72 year-old, ole Tom still has the pipes and had a great backup band too.  As an Air, I stood back at the edge of the crowd and tried to figure out ole Tom’s appeal.  Pipes, style, dance steps, sweatin’ like a hog — I don’t know.  But realize this…there were still women who threw underwear at him!!  Incredible!  Hope I look as good at 72!

“Bounce Back” Radio Show Interview

Yesterday I was interviewed by “Bounce Back,” an audio magazine that focuses on practical and innovative how-to relationship advice.   The host, Dr. Donna Marie Thompson, was a delight and focused her questions on how temperament can enhance personal relationships.  She had read our book and asked, for example, about the “Platinum Rule” (i.e., treat people not as you want to be treated but how they want to be treated).  We also discussed the matching of partners by temperament and the challenges of having a partner whose dominant temperament is your shadow.  The show is scheduled to be broadcast on May 9th.

The Business Authors Radio Show Interview

An interview yesterday from the Business Authors Radio Show focused on how temperament can be applied in a business setting.  We chatted about how each of the Basic Elements of temperament (i.e., Earth, Air, Fire & Water) each had its strengths and weaknesses.  Of special interest was the shadow temperament and how it if typically the cause of our relationships problems with our boss, co-workers, clients, partners, etc.  The show should be broadcast on May 15th and 16th.

Leadership Course at NSWCDD

Just completed a 10-day leadership course sprinkled over 3 months for the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, VA.  Twenty-seven great participants studied a variety of classroom leadership models, including temperament.  In addition, projects were required that had participants interview a number of leaders outside the Navy (e.g., political, police, non-profits, etc.).  Final project presentations were made in front of a VIP audience including the NSWCDD Captain, Technical Director and senior managers.  A job well done by all the participants on this very important course.

The Taxman & Temperament

Happy Tax Day!  I’m getting the impression that the decision-makers at IRS, the banks, and the credit card companies who have to work today are all Earth’s!  Trying to pay my taxes using two credit cards is a real nightmare.  Having the extra weekend to get everything in order did help however most banks were closed and any questions that one might have for them had to wait til today!  And the cues for calling about anything concerning your taxes today are long — quite long!  This is not a happy tax day for all those Fire’s who waited until the last-minute to handle what they thought was a pretty straight-forward task.  All the Earth’s, of course, planned early to pay their taxes and wouldn’t have dreamed of waiting til this last weekend to complete their returns.  Water’s who wanted to “explain” their particular situation to their banks or credit card companies probably handled it early as well.  Those Water’s who are waiting patiently on the phone to reach an operator may be struggling a bit today.  Let’s all be a bit more “Earth” about our taxes next year!!

NASA Leadership Course & Temperament

Today, Jim Harden and I completed a full-day of temperament training for 24 scientists, engineers and other professional staff at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.  One of the more interesting parts of the day was when participants sat in their “shadow” temperament groups to discuss their personal challenges with other participants from that same group — but who viewed that temperament group as their “dominant” temperament.  Conceptually, the shadow temperament is a bit difficult to grasp for many.  We present the concept as both negative AND positive.   It may be perceived as negative when it results in our projecting our anger, blame and judgment toward others (although our projections are actually reflected back on us!); and, it may also be perceived as positive when it results in our identifying some “hidden” qualities we possess but have yet to discover or acknowledge.  All in all an exhausting–and exhilarating day!