The Art of Possibility

In this book on page 26, I found an anecdote on Michaelangelo. It reads, "Michaelangelo is often quoted as having said that inside every block of stone or marble dwells a beautiful statue; one need only remove the excess material to reveal the work of art within. If we were to apply this visionary concept to education (in our case leadership) ... all the energy would be focused on chipping away at the stone, getting rid of whatever is in the way of each child's developing skills, mastery and self-expression."

What it says to me that if we put in the context of leadership development, is that we're already leaders and that we have some things to get rid of as it gets in the way of mastery and self-expression.

This book is a quick read as each page provides inspiration and anecdotes to what stops each and everyone one of us from realizing our potential.

If you're looking to get inspired, then read it. I highly recommend it. Again, the book is called The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander. And if you need more, then you can watch the YouTube speech from the 2009 World Economic forum in Davos.

Regards,
Gil Gido
NAAAP Seattle
President

The “Invasion” left lessons

On May 22, NAAAP-Seattle partnered with the Executive Development Institute (EDI) and Qwest Pacific Asian American Network (PAAN) for a 2010 Leadership Together Educational Forum entitled “Invasion of Social Media - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly!”

Charlie Harger, Technology & Social Media Reporter for KOMO Newsradio and President for Bohado Media, spoke to 75 attendees on using social media for professional and business development.

EDI board member and the forum’s organizer, Elaine Kitamura, said she impressed by the number of attendees as well as the breadth of diversity in age and race in the audience.

The event’s sponsor, Prudential, was pleased with the outcome.

“I thought this event was terrific,” said Joneil Custodio, Prudential’s West Coast Diversity Manager and former NAAAP-Seattle PR/Marketing Chair. “My favorite part was hearing actual business owners sharing real life concerns about the use of social media with the audience that really proved the level of safety and comfort created here tonight.”

Social media, literally, brought many to this event.

Liz Shaiken, a development officer at the Wing Luke Museum, learned about the event through NAAAP-Seattle’s Facebook, along with Jeannette Roden, also with the Wing Luke, and Chakrya Lim of Red Lion. For Shaiken and Lim, it was their first time to an EDI event.

“It was a great intro for small businesses,” said Shaiken. “But I wish it showed good and bad examples of how social media is being used in business.”

“I thought it was good,” said Lim. “Though I thought it would be more on personal branding.”

Personal experience with social media varied widely among audience members.

“The content was a big basic,” said Roden, a NAAAP member. “I wish they had delved a bit deeper into the topic.”

“I still have so much more to learn,” said John Tang, EDI board member. “A few things Charlie mentioned, like putting a post up a day, I didn’t realized I could brand myself that way. I just post every now and then but now I’ll try to post more consistently.”

Vichai J. Lim, a Partner at New York Life, was invited to the event by with NAAAP-Seattle member Vanessa Diego.

“I learned a lot,” said J. Lim. “I might look into Facebook. People invite me all the time. I have to learn more about social media.”

Harger also imparted some warnings about social media.

“I learned that I shouldn’t spend too much time on Facebook because I might get addicted and Facebook might start charging me for use!” said Yuwen Dai, a NAAAP-Seattle member.

Colleen Yamaguchi, EDI board member and EDI Navigation coach, said she wished the forum focused more on how social media could be used as a strategic tool for leadership development.

The most important lesson learned?

“Don’t be annoying!” said Yamaguchi.

Photos: Top: Hang-Ping Chen (left), Starr McDonald (seated); Middle: Colleen Yamaguchi, Joneil Custodio, David Eam, Amy Duong; Bottom: Charlie Harger, Technology & Social Media Reporter for KOMO News radio and President for Bohado Media, lectures

Hammering away for Habitat for Humanity

Thirteen NAAAP-Seattle volunteers came from far and wide- Lynnwood, Kirkland, Bellevue, Seattle-and sacrificed an entire sunny day to volunteer at the West Seattle Habitat For Humanity site.

On June 12, NAAAP-Seattle partnered Habitat Young Professionals (HYP)-Seattle. With guidance from the Vajra Allan of HYP, the volunteers were divided into three different teams, working on two houses.

Tasks included prepping and cleaning the interior; installing building paper and house wrapping; and painting the undersiding of the eaves.

“We got to challenge ourselves by trying new things - whether it be putting on Tyvek insulation or using a different kind of staple gun,” said Theresa Ip Froehlich, the coordinator for this NAAAP-Seattle event.

The Energy level was high! Everyone was willing to participate. Not even two malfunctioning vacuum cleaners and plumes of dust prevent the volunteers from getting the work done. Tasks were assigned according to experience and comfort level.

So, volunteer Seng Jiunn said, “I did nothing but push the cart around!”

“The ladies, Samantha [Fu] and Claire [Xiao] are the ones that really step up the game,” added Seng. “I think we got everything done in about 2-3 hours time. Just amazing.”

The event was a truly collaborative effort. NAAAP-Seattle volunteers even prepared the delicious sandwiches for lunch. As they ate, they discussed with HYP the impact of Habitat for Humanity. NAAAP-Seattle has been coordinating volunteer opportunities with Habitat for Humanity for years.

“The most fun part was seeing the tangible results of our physical labor, visualizing a family moving in when they take possession of the house, and working together with others as a team,” said Theresa.

By the end of the long day, Vajra exclaimed, “We got a lot of work done!"

“The Habitat staff supervisor said that our accomplishment far exceeded his expectation,” Theresa noted.

To find out more about volunteering with NAAAP-Seattle, please email Community Service Chair, David Eam, at david.eam@naaapseattle.org.