Benefiting at work from Brain Based Insights

Hi Ellen,

This is a personally meaningful one.

As a young man in my late 20's, I was selected as part of a Rotary International Group Study Exchange to South Africa. It opened my eyes to different ways of life, politics, business, and opression. It also provided the opportunity to make 59 speeches in 63 days and led to the start of my Presenting With Impact workshops.

When I returned, I became a very active Rotarian until I needed to travel regularely and live in different parts of the world. (And in those days, there weren't even female members).

With so many young people opting for fulfilling experiences, I would use your checklist as is. Rotarians offer the entire breadth of talent and experience available to younger adults who are looking for mentors.

"Service Above Self" could be the rallying cry for change, with "Self" being the organization. Founder Paul Harris would no doubt recognize that Service Above Self, at this juncture in history, means attracting and serving new members whose constituencies and interests didn't even exist in North America at Rotary's founding.

Many thanks, Ellen, for a heartfelt post with a brain-based plan.

Wow Steve, what a brilliant addition to my 2-bits! There are so many people out there who would benefit from the change you framed here so brilliantly! Thanks for weighing in Steve.

Rotary is unique and it could bring together so many more of our busy or struggling young leaders -- what an opportunity! Such change could energize all of us:-)

This idea had been cooking since I heard a talk at a 3-District Rotary conference a couple of weeks ago. It struck me that Rotary leaders said their numbers are dropping - and that young people are not joining. Then I thought of the structure of current Rotary meetings and saw how we could be so helpful to young business leaders - with a few tactics to pull it off.

Rotarians are pretty open if they catch any vision - so I wondered if they'd go for it. Just planting a small seed with your help, Steve.

I think Rotary is being overtaken by changes in trends. I'm not sure that many young people would still want to be part of it, unless they have Rotarian ascendants.

I was able to join Rotaract in my early 20s. Back then, I could already feel the politics of Rotary groups and some treat women differently as well (from being ignored to mildly harassed). If they still find it a challenge to open up, bring in, or even encourage/accept female members, how much so the youth.

I guess the Rotary that survives today and in the years to come are product of successive generations of older Rotarians. It has become like a political dynasty.

Nevertheless, they've done a lot of good things in the community and many have used their Rotary affiliations as a stepping stone for establishing themselves in the political field and some even got elected / appointed in high government positions.

Janette, thanks for sharing your thoughtful insights and the experience you have had at Rotary. As you suggested - the culture is changing - and yet organizations and bureaucracies are often created to sustain their traditions - even when these traditions get a bit tattered.

Yes, I agree with you also that Rotary does so much good and many of the people I trust most are Rotarians. They really do serve above self!

Wouldn't it be fun to see visionary leadership that could bring Rotary into a deeper alliance with young business leaders in a winning way? Better still, if Rotary encouraged the young leaders to impact that exchange -the culture would expand to include rejuvenated ways for both age sets.

People seem to bite the bullet for change far faster when lead by a visionary -- and when they have a part in shaping the renewed vision. In Rotary's case - it might be more of an additional arm -- with new approaches that would sustain growth and add younger business leaders - along with their fresh ideas... Now you have us thinking:-) Thanks Janette for this generous reflection.

I agree with your comments regarding Rotary. I think event the stodgiest old Rotarians agree that young people should be encouraged to be involved. The key is in the leadership of the individual chapters. Some 30ish young men who become presidents of those clubs like the "good old boy" feel and don't include women and minorities in the executive committee of the board. Women should show a willingness to be involved on committees within their chapter and then ask to be on the board.

Hi Claire, and thanks for stopping by. It takes radical vision for a new inclusion for effects of that vision to be felt across an organization. Some clubs include diversity far faster than others and I've written a great deal about habits rooted in the brain's basal ganglia that hold some back. I liked your positive suggestions here for women to get involved and take leadership when it comes their way. The next step - as I see it - will be to adapt Rotary culture to include a woman's way of knowing and leading. In similar ways the culture would adapt if younger business leaders found a better fit in our clubs. Some of those changes are listed in the article - and you have named others here. Thanks for the great input. Diversity makes us all rich when we do it well - and your insights help that to happen:-)

Sustainability is not just limited to our planet as climate changes. It is also critical for our communties to sustain and grow. Small businesses are the key to achieving this goal and making it possible for economic development to take place in any community. I agree that a new direction should be considered by the Rotary organizations to work with local businesses to show them how they can make a difference. For example, they can apply conservation and energy efficiency in their operations. What if we raised funds to help local businesses learn about the money savings ideas that can help them sustain and grow. As a result of such activities, the New members will automatically come to grow Rotary .
Ram

Ram, your comment adds yet another valuable angle to our discussion in this way. You are coming from a place of leadership - that sees and embraces change for improvement. Wow!

The one-size fits all in our country may be bringing a false sense of order and security to all of us. We'll lose against a competitive world - unless we return to the love for innovation, change and discovery. Your comments and this discussion allows us to see another possibility for all of these again! Thanks for stopping by!

Women have become a very integral part of Rotary, not only in our Rotary District, but throughout the Rotary world. Beginning 1 July, of our 66 clubs, 29 of them will have female presidents. A study by a group of yourng people interested in forming a "young Rotarians" club in our area showed that we had about 4200 Rotarians in 1984 and that was before women could be Rotarians. Today our District has aproximately 2600 members. Imagine where we'd be without the service and leadership women bring to our organization. However, unfortunately there are still clubs that subscribe to the good ol' boy network excluding both the young and members of the opposite sex, but those are tpically the struggling, ineffective clubs. In order for our organization to counter the decline in membership of all service clubs, we need to be embrace the suggestions that Ellen makes in this article.

John, I agree wholeheartedly with these thoughtful insights. Thanks for stopping by!

On a larger note - I am personally thrilled with the challenges you will tackle in the coming year as District Governor.

Rotary is fortunate to have you at their helm, and the rest of us are out here rooting for you all the way! Thanks for the stats - which show wonderful growth and a few places left for the rest of us to nudge improvements along to make Rotary all it can become. All the best to you and Maureen in your new roles!

Reading this exchange of ideas has reminded me of Stephen Covey's 'Seven Habits of Highly Effective People'. Rotary "is" undergoing a paradigm shift, away from the 'good old boys network' and into something better. That's the great news. The question becomes; how fast it can make it. Covey's book is now 18 years old and when it was first written, GM was the largest corporation in the world. GM isn't even the biggest auto maker anymore. Dinosaur brains have a tendency of going extinct over time. The inability to change will make any organization cease to exist. Information creates value and this has to be one of the keys to our success. Rotarians at one time only exchanged information at meetings now it can be done at the touch of a keypad. Speed, agility, and the free movements of knowledge are what will attract young leaders. We have to communicate our value in what we have in our group to those outside our group to make us relevant as a resource people will want to join. Just one small task at a time... We do believe in diversity, we do practice service above self, and we can change along with our communities to make this a better place for our children.

Tim - what an interesting comparison to Stephen Covey's 'Seven Habits of Highly Effective People'.

You are so right that Rotary "is" undergoing a paradigm shift, away from the 'good old boys network' and into something better. I also agree that the it's great news. But - the question becomes; how fast it can make it?

What a powerful thought -- "Dinosaur brains have a tendency of going extinct over time."

In my field I too notice daily that inability to change will make any organization cease to exist.

However when I look at deep thoughts like this one -- I hold out hope that we can change by teaching one another and learning from people like you and others who generously added insights to this discussion.

One would expect Rotarians - like the new district governor to simply defend what Rotary is. Instead we find here an amazing circle of ideas - from leaders who see the good and choose to make it far better. Wow -- it gives great hope to a fine organization! Thanks for showing us that lovely light, Tim!

CHANGE....is tough for SOME people to deal with! So many times in organizations you constantly hear "but this is the way we have always done it!" Some folks are not open or interested in hearing another person's ideas. After you tune someone out a few times they give up & stop offering suggestions! After awhile they give up & drop out of the organization. Then people stand around and wonder why? In some folk's minds Rotary is definitely still a "good ole boy's club!" I've been told to my face the Rotary Club I belonged to did not want women as a part of it's membership. How uncomfortable does that make you feel sitting down for lunch every week with those individuals? Now I also realize they were not speaking for everyone in the Club but....that comment was made to me in 1989 and I haven't forgotten it! Rotarians do wonderful work for their communties and for the World; ie the beautification projects, PolioPlus, wheelchair foundation, & the clean water project to name a few. I'm proud to be a Rotarian and I believe we need to open our hearts and minds to, for lack of a better word, the strangers we invite to our weekly meetings and ask to become members of Rotary.

What an amazing and inspirational story -- yet with a compelling tune to change and reflect and change again. It's almost like the flash...pause...flash...pause of a light house and it is constant because people like you are behind it!

Thanks for stopping by and moving our hearts higher and our minds deeper:-) fellow Rotarian!

I am writing about my experience as a new female Rotarian. I did an internet serach to verfiy the meaning of the good ole boy network and luckily found your article and the blog entries which echo a lot of my thinking. I have not finished this at all but I would like to include your thoughts in the final and will send to you.
Yes, I was the daughter of a Rotarian. I was a Rotary exchange student. I have lived overseas most of my adult life and recently returned to the States and was asked to join. I thought I knew what I was getting into but it has been a tough learning experience. There has been total resistance to change and a complete lack of interest in any new ideas. It is not age, race or gender that is the problem. The new members who want to join the good old boys club have no problem with this it is those who want change , just may not see it. THey are not interested in changing anything or even entertaining new ideas. I am not sure where I am going wtih this. I will persist until I am sure that change is not possible in this organization. I will keep you posted,

Betty

Draft Article follows on what I believe diversificaiton is really about. Comments welcome. Many thanks!

Delving Diversification – the real Paradigm Shift Needed in Rotary

A formerly all male civic club is proud of its track record in membership diversity. Over the past ten years with the change in club policy to be more inclusive of all races and gender, the faces of members are have changed from white to mixed sea of paint chips . From just suits and ties to suits and skirts. The majority of such clubs have a mere peppering of skin color and skirt. It is there nonetheless and increasing yearly with enthusiasm in the membership reports.

On the surface diversity is often thought to be a visible trait and can be judged as such. It is commonly defined by one’s skin color, race, gender, age, culture, religion, country of origin, and or language. But diversity may be more complex than superficial traits. Regardless of one’s physical attributes, the concept of diversity seems deeper. Delving deeper below the surface, diversity is also about different ideologies and the acceptance, not merely tolerance, of different ideologies.

With this in mind, how does an all male professional club, aka ‘ the good ole boys’ (GOB) transform itself into a inclusive democratic body of diverse members? We should all keep in mind that such restructuring cannot be achieved overnight. The civic club is a non-profit organization but it is not unlike the private corporation undergoing similar changes. However, more often than not, some non-profits resist such an undertaking and changes in operations to become more inclusive fall by the wayside. The structure of the club remains the same. Committee selection may not make a point to reach out to assure the total diversification.

The new diverse members may or may not sense a difference in ideologies. The new members who accept the GOB ideology most certainly will not experience a feeling of exclusion for obvious reasons. GOB principles operate on a professional networking of like minded businessmen, who see everything , including the golf game as a way to learn the inside scoop on latest news, stock tips, mergers, new clients, etc. as a way to improve their bottom line. Rarely would an individual who questions business practices, who challenges the status quo be a part of such a tight group.

For civic groups concerned about the deeper diversification, ask yourselves:
What changes in operating procedures were put in place to strengthen inclusiveness? Were committee restructured to accommodate the change in membership?
How does your club assure that the new diverse members feel included?
What opportunities are present to evaluate their participation in the club?

Betty -what a brilliant and thoughtful comment about the changes that could enrich Rotary -- or any group and about the deadpan difficulties of making these happen. You raised many of the reasons here brilliantly. I tackle the problem of change in several posts at this site - from the brain's own resistence to new neuron pathways. There are tactics that work well - and when that happens the brain literally rewires for the changes.

At the moment I am working with several huge organizations who are creating change in spite of the barriers and I the energy among workers has become electric for all of us!

It takes the kind of thoughtfulness you bring to issues to create a segue through which change can occur! I would love to hear your progress and to support you in any way I can at http://www.brainbasedbusiness.com/

Do stay in touch and thanks for the offerings you bring to the problems of change in any organization!

Thanks so much and I am so glad to make your aquaintance this morning Ellen. I assume that you are not a Wizard of Oz so I have a few more comments and in doing so I beleive that I have stumbled upon something important that would dismantle the center cirle of power in Rotary...

Keep in mind that I am well aware also one's level of frustration in an organization's resistance to change (especially the optional civic affiliation of one’s choice) probably depends on one's available time to devote to making change happen. Most Rotarians have big families, jobs, and large public and social life outside of Rotary and like the club just fine the way it is. Perhaps if I had a bigger life, I would not care so much.

In general, for most Rotarian, across genders, the common adage, if it is not broken, don't fix it, applies. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. Maybe though, in the past they received the same reaction after making their first suggestion to the leaders: "Who has time for that??” I don’t buy that for a minute that change requires more time.
In fact the opposite is true, any (positive) change in this day and age should be less burdensome than past practices, and add to efficiency.

Rotary International is on board but the local Rotary Clubs at the local level act as if they are not hooked up electronically when the entire world is. If the local Rotary Club was interested in incorporating knowledge management principles as is done in the private sector (for how many years now?), encouraging information sharing, making information electronically accessible to all members, standardizing report formats, this would not only same time but WEAKEN THE CENTER CIRLE OF POWER IN THE FORMER MALE CLUBS, wherein all the information remains.

I think I just found the key to change and that this would put the local Rotary clubs in the 21st Century.

Thanks for your comments and ideas, Liz. My work in MITA is about Brain Based Change -- and I've been in this work for 30 years - and could not imagine any other work:-)

Over the years I encounter may share of barriers to change - and since I work with brain based tactics - I have also enjoyed more than my share of amazing breakthroughs - thanks to bright people who inspire change.

The common thread I find though, is twofold. People who initate lasting change in an organization tend to: 1). inspire people around them in how they deeply value others of all ages and cultures. And 2). apply skillful tactics which (in my firm are known as smart skills) and they leave people on all sides of issues with a genuine takeaway from changes created.

Change is fun and when well done by any of us -- it sparks delightful energy among many talented people. Have you found this in skilled change agents also?

The key in your Rotary group might be to create a proposal for change that shows how you'd be willing to work with other leaders there - in a way to benefit the club. Few people turn down a clear benefit:-) and I know that my own club would accept a thoughtful plan with open arms:-) Thoughts?