Learning in teaching

You could say teaching is learning in disguise.

The reason is simple: when you teach, you are making effort to transform ideas, particularly those that are ethereal into something more tangible, which makes you looking for great examples, research more or simply involve the class by asking questions. After this, the idea that you knew will have been transformed; in other words, you have learnt even more about that.

Many years ago, I went to a special 15-day course in India. When I arrive there, however, they had a lack in co-facilitators and I was asked to step in… That means, I really didn’t seat much during the course, as I had to help others to learn things that I was learning at the same time! The benefit was visible for me, as I was able to assimilate very difficult concepts because I had to invent new ways to explain them.

That does not mean you will just start teaching anything with the hopes that you will learn; you do need some basics for that and a good methodology, but it would help a lot if you teach more, share more and contribute more to others’ personal development.

Just be aware and at the end of a class, formal or not, check: What did I learn?

Expatriates: is this a new species?

Sometime ago, I wanted to promote a program with expatriates. With WHAT???

Yes, expatriates… And it is not a new word, it has been in use at least from the 18th century, but it has got a peak in its use in the last few years, simply because there are too many of us.

Yes, I am an expatriate…

And we are not, as some people understood, a person without a country (easy to get confused for those who speak Spanish or Portuguese). Neither are we part of a different species… We are people, OK, but a good comparison would be trees without fixed roots or free birds.

Expatriates go to another country because they have a job to do – an important difference in relation to an immigrant, who is moving to stay; after the job, the expatriate individual goes back to their country or to another one, but the immigrant will stay there until the end.

Why am talking about this? Because I feel it is a very important challenge the world in general is ignoring, with thousands of people roaming the planet without roots…

Our human society is a tree society since we are prepared from childhood to have a family, a stable job, settle somewhere, etc. Uprooted humans (a possible replacement for expatriate?) go against that general education.

And that is wonderful! As an expatriate, I feel I pollinate the world by taking experiences, points of view and values from one place to another, challenging the status quo and proposing changes to the environment where I live or go.

I thank every place for their kindness, lessons or the space to grow and although I am aware one day I may have to go from this place, I know that place will stay in my heart, in my awareness and as part of my personality.

Your life is a big adventure! – Reason 82

Someone said once that we are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience[1].

For a leader, that human experience is really an adventure!  Leaders can impact so many people and their own adventures; this is why it is so good to be a leader.

Being a leader is not about being the boss, mother or president; it means to be able to navigate in this adventure in such a way that at the end, there will be the pleasure of a fulfilled duty and the legacy you leave behind.

Just let your inner leadership flows through you and your life… And welcome the adventure of being a leader!

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[1] Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a French philosopher and Jesuit priest.

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)

Lives always make sense – Reason 81

Most people do their best to get on with everyone around, at least those people who matter.  This is done because they are pertinent in their lives: they create an impact or they can support the person in their development.

Leaders will see every life as relevant and meaningful.  After all, if this person comes on her or his way, there is a reason, maybe even a secret behind their presence.

They have come to teach or to learn.  Perhaps, they have come to get something or to give something.  It is even possible they have come to create problems, so that the person may grow even more.

It seldom happens they have come so that the leader creates problems to them and in this way, they can grow even more.

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)

It is the only way to truly satisfy your debt with the planet – Reason 80

Muhammad Ali drew the attention of a generation: on one hand, due to his skills in sports, but on the other hand the person behind those skills was formidable.

Besides fighting for rights of all kinds – including his own[1] – he promoted several causes and quoted at some point a statement all leaders have in their hearts: Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.

The world has given each of us so much; leaders know it and they happily help others, by going beyond limitations and live in practice the leadership within, by giving benefit to many people and inspire others, then a person can be up to date with his own duties in relation to the world.

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[1] He refused to be draft into the military, due to his religious beliefs.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)

The world needs lasting meaningful changes – Reason 79

Everyone goes through so many changes everyday: weather, people’s mood, our own mood, news, tastes, etc.  It seems people are caught up on a spin that never stops.

Leaders on the other hand manage changes without getting trapped.  The changes are generated from their own decision, will and reflection.  Even when they come from outside, leaders take the change into their hearts and minds, processing them internally and acting according to their plan in life.

It means changes promoted or generated by a leader have significance and they are deep with their effects lasting longer.  Those changes impact others by making them to adapt deeply from their own reflection instead of reaction.

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)

You share your secrets and deepen relationships – Reason 78

As a person relates to others, willingly or not, he shares secrets that are not told openly, but are necessarily present and important for a person’s life.  They may be a family recipe, hidden fears or a wonderful way to sleep better, but the essence is to share something valuable to others.

In The Art – and science – of sharing a secret[1], Jessica Gross explores the topic, focusing on the benefits of sharing those secrets.  And that is why, to be a leader is a good thing.

Beyond the movies portrait of leaders hiding deep and sensitive secrets from the public, leaders know secrets are valuable not because of its effect, but for the intimate link with personal lives.  When they share them, they do with an open attitude, knowing the relationship being created deepens even more.

Leaders are like teachers, stimulating the other person as a student of life, to research and develop his own secrets.  The effect is a very strong relationship, based on trust and loyalty.

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[1] The article is at this address: https://ideas.ted.com/the-art-and-science-of-sharing-a-secret/

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)