Educating the Dragon

One of the best things I like about my job is the fact that my boss listens to me. If there is ever something I don’t agree with or if I come up with an idea for doing something she listens. She may not agree with me and she may not change structures and systems to suit but she does listen. Take it on board and offer me construction feedback as to whether me ideas and opinions are of merit, or not.

That level of communication is essential in business but it appears sadly lacking in the public service sector.

Whether someone works for the hospital or a school sharing of opinions and ideas seems to be frowned upon, or in some cases feared.

Whilst at ULearn09 I asked for people’s reaction to something that was spoken about. Some people didn’t want their opinions shared. Others feared ‘fallout’ for people close to them or the institution they were representing.

I am concerned for this culture of fear exists in our society. What a lost opportunity to add to the debate.  Perhaps even affect change for the better.

Why is that people feel like they are not allowed an opinion. Or is it they feel that their option is of little value.

Here’s a little story I’d like to share.

When I left the conference venue for the very last time this year I had
run up the road as I realised I had not packed from the morning’s crazy
start. I asked reception to call me a taxi while I stuffed all of my clothes
and gear into my bags. It was a mad drive through the city as the taxi driver
thought I may well miss my flight. Got myself lost on the way to the domestic
terminal and had to backtrack.
Phew, managed to check my bag in, in time and even had opportunity to
chat once more to Keamac.
I thought all is well, I have plenty of time, let’s finish our conversation
so it was not until boarding time did I make my way to the gate, only to
discover the metal detector and x-ray machine (There was not one coming
from Napier) I got binged, as you do. And I went though the gate, apologising
to all and sundry.

“Yes, sir” says the security guard. ” We just need to check the penknife
in your bag.”

Oh no! In my rush I’d forgotten to swop it to checked luggage.

“It’s a little too long, sir.”
Well, could I put it in this other bag and go check it?”
“That’s an idea, sir, but you’ll have to hurry.They won’t hold the plane
for too long.”

I legged it, as fast as I could to check in. Stood in line behind the 3 slowest
people in the entire counrty.
Finally got my bag checked.
Met the same 3 slow people as the queued for the bag drop off.

And again legged in back through security.
Half jogged/walked across the tarmac and into the plane.

“I’m so sorry,” I announce to the whole plane.”You’ll not believe what just
happened to me.”

I am then met with a wall of sound. “Oh look it’s Simon, from Sitech”
“Might have known” “Slow coach”
“I’m sorry, I say, blame me, not the brand.”
And I sit down. Buckle up. and Act like the best passenger in the
whole world.

At the Blogger’s Stand this year delegates were offered the opportunity to purchase both the easispeak microphone and the Vado pocket video camera. I was playing around with one and captured various people and did a very impromptu interview. You can tell by my babbling all the way through. I thought Chris said some interesting things and so I thought I’d share our conversation. Have a listen and please feel free to comment and discuss around any of the points we raised in our chat.

Have just recorded – Or rather, not recorded a podcast with Andrew Cowie from Peace Foundation.

I say not record because I forgot to press the record button when I’d finished using the Easispeak microphone and it did not save.

Anyway, the Peace Foundation has been running since the ’70’s and is predominately running ‘Peer Mediation’ through the Cool Schools Programme.

Andrew is here with a question:

“How can technology support the mediation process?”

I said that you’d all have a think and either drop by the blogger’s cafe or leave a comment.

He’s after ideas as well as product.

Sat in the Bloggers’ Cafe this morning. And it was busy! Hundred’s of people all wanting to connect to the internet. Unfortunately there was some sort of glitch that is above my pay grade that went awry.

I was chatting with someone about it saying “When I came in this morning at 7 it was working, but when 900 people try to connect at once it doesn’t like it.”

“Yep,” he says. “Just like school. Schools great until the kids turn up.”

LOL. Well I did.