Wk 4: Reading - The Art of Possibility - Response to Patricia Ort

Wk 4: Reading - The Art of Possbility - Response to Patricia Ort

Original Post by Patricia Ort
Week 4 Reflection on Chapters 9-13 of The Art of Possibility

Of all of the Zander's ideas, I think the concept of not blaming others, or yourself, for things that don't go the way you'd like is probably the most challenging. I don't know if it is a cultural thing or just a human thing to assign blame, however, we seem to start doing it pretty young. The fine difference in thinking that Ben Zander speaks of when he says we should be the board, not the chess piece, takes some practice.

As always, the Zanders made me really think about how a person could change their mindset in this way. When Ben Zander speaks of apologizing, he does it in a completely different way than I, at least, am used to. I think it is a good idea to apologize to others when we've offended or hurt them. But Ben's approach also includes not blaming himself. In the letter he wrote where he gave himself an A, he admitted his faults but didn't really say he was sorry to the violinist directly. He also didn't ask her to come back to the orchestra, although she did.

As usual, I spent some time thinking about how this might apply to working with the at-risk teens in our program. If, as Zander says, this approach allows you to turn relationships into effective partnerships, how might that work at our alternative high school? Right now, we are planning a totally different concept for next year. Rather than teaching in our own little boxes, the English teacher, the math/science teacher, and I (social studies/computers teacher), are going to team teach using a project based learning model. We are especially interested in building relationships with the teens who enroll in our program. Reading Zander's thoughts about "being the board" really fits the conversation about how to build good relationships with our new students.

I'm a creative person, so I really liked the thrust of Chapter 11. I think most people are happiest when they are creating. There is a special energy that fills you up when you are working in synergy with others, making something new and different and exciting. I think my colleagues and I feel that way, when we are not being distracted by things that seem to have gone wrong at school or are trying to find someone to blame for the situation. Hmmmm. I am glad we are reading this book at school. I think a shift in a positive direction would be very good right about now.
Posted by Pat Ort at 11:03 PM

1 comment:

Brett Wilson said...
I think perhaps one of Zander’s most powerful statements is this, “I have come finally to the realization that relationships with my colleagues, players, students and friends are always more important than the project in which we are engaged, and that indeed, the very success of the project depends on those relationships being full of grace.”

Over the past year, I have valued relationships more than ever before. I started attending a new church about year ago whose direction focuses on three short summaries of the Bible: truth, relationships and community. Through this, I have begun to appreciate and work towards having strong relationships that are indeed, full of grace. What joy and liberation that comes when you are willing to share in this kind of relationship! It quickly opens us up to a world of possibilities, as Zander says.

I think that in your situation, teaching at an alternative school, of how powerful of a position you are in to build relationships with those who truly need a healthy relationship that is full of grace and possibility. I wish you the best as you take the challenge of Zander’s words and prepare for next year.

May 25, 2011 10:23 AM

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