Vinoly was the architect on the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids. A uniquely designed building. http://www.vai.org/ Our USGBC student chapter toured the facility last week. Very cool.

cool

Hey Steve,

How does Friedman suggest a group proceeds with imagination and vision when a weak member or a weak leader acts against this?

Members are different from leaders. Healthy leaders will work at protecting the group dynamic from the weak person who is actually controlling the situation. This can be done in different ways. Sometimes it’s just a matter of remaining calm (non-anxious) and proceeding to almost ignore the person’s misbehavior (this demonstrates to the rest of the group how to react healthily). Sometimes the person must be asked to leave the group. This is best done when the rest of the group mostly understands the person is misbehaving and disrupting progress. This is all extremely tricky stuff and usually represents persistent calmness and direction over a period of time. The most important thing is to keep yourself calm and your eyes on what you as a leader are trying to accomplish. (something I have seen you do well over and over BTW)

Working under weak leaders is a different kettle of fish. In that case, I try to see the sabotage coming (which it does in all cases) and release myself from taking responsibility for things I cannot control and stay non-anxious but connected with people above and below me in the food chain.

This is much more to all of this, of course. Friedman’s books, Failure of Nerve and Generation to Generation, are both available as Kindle ebooks. The second is specific to church work. It’s subtitle is “Family Process Church and Synagogue.” I can’t recommend them too much to anyone in “helping professions” such as church work or health care.

I would be happy, of course, to talk to you about this…. even correspond on email about specifics… or whatever…

thanks for reading and commenting!

Amanda Palmer… Actually, I knew that she and Gaiman got married (last January?). They also did a brief tour together last month… I know this because I try to read his blog when I get time… If you haven’t read it, I think it’s really worth it. He writes about the very normal life that he and she and their kid(s?) lead on a farm in the Midwest. He’s also fun to follow on twitter. http://journal.neilgaiman.com/ And… I actually didn’t know who she is until I started reading his blog (they’ve lived together for quite a while before they married as I understand).

I figured you were on top of Gaiman. I check his blog periodically and follow both him and Palmer on Twitter. I have been a fan of Dresden Dolls (Palmer’s group) every since Jeremy and Elizabeth introduced them to me a few years ago. She is a helluva musician – incredible pianist. I also have been reading “American Gods” and quite enjoying it….. I asked Elizabeth if she ran into Palmer who apparently went down to the Occupy Wall Street demonstration in New York early on. Elizabeth she didn’t run into Palmer, but that she is a small number of degrees of separation away from Palmer and Gaiman and finds them a bit much these days even though she still admires them quite a bit.

The Rushdie/Gilliam chat was a fun morning read. A laugh out loud funny chat. Thank you!

Nick

Did you chek out the website at the end of the Imogen Heap video? Www.thedewarists.com. There’s some interesting stuff there. A television documentary series – travelogue and musicians.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Hadn’t seen the Facebook page. But that’s the group…

Well, ban money. That will fix all of the problems.

Wow. Neat post. I don’t remember that story of Grandpa keeping watch over police in Flint. Amazing.

[…] xmas credo #1 […]

Performance anxiety is a problem for many students who make presentations. This time of year students are doing their architectural presentations to a Jury of people who provide evaluations. Very stressful and actually a great learning experience. I have said that it doesn’t matter what the audience thinks, just do your presentation and not worry about things that you have no control.

Johnny Keene

Jonny Keen

I try to buy local, but you pay a lot more money for books and CD’s-I think local merchants should give discounts to loyal customers-peace Jonny Keen (Gingrich makes me want throw up.)

I imagine you are starting to look a little like Santa with the greeting beard these days huh? Just kidding. What’s with the last picture on your blog…. The woman with chains? Frankly I’m not sure how to take that….
=^)
Davidj

Damn spell correct I meant “graying” beard! That thing drives me bananas sometimes.

Are the chains the burden of obligation? Surely not.

Heh. I just like that picture of the woman in chains. I relate to her attitude. But don’t feel chained or anything.

You relate to her attitude? What is her attitude and how do you know?
Davidj
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