@TisForTraining 300: Preview and Invitation to the Dance

As we look forward  (on December 2, 2021) to recording Episode #300—where have all those years gone?—of Maurice Coleman’s fabulous T is for Training podcast for trainer-teacher-learners working in and with libraries, I think, with gratitude, of all that Maurice and that community add to my life and to the lives of so many others.

Initiated in 2008 when Maurice decided—correctly, as it turns out—that a podcast might be an effective way to “replicate the vibe and comradery I felt at conferences where I was surrounded with brilliant members of my ‘tribe’ of trainers, computer folks and other gear/near/cool folk heads.”

T has always been more than a podcast. It’s a virtual meeting space…and I hope you’ll join us, via TalkShoe, for the recording of this episode Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT: https://app.talkshoe.com/episode/16483204. Drop in to say “hello.” To tell a story about how T has has a positive impact on you and the learners you serve. Or to simply tell Maurice how lucky we are that he so consistently provides a forum for creative, transformative conversations for trainer-teacher-learners. (To see a longer version of this piece, please visit my Building Creative Bridges blog.)

–Paul Signorelli

@TisForTraining 299: Creating Space and Grace

Previous guests – Elaine Biech and Rita Bailey – joined the T is for Training, along with Tonya Wilson (LInkedIn) to talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Paul Signorelli reports that those three did a “fabulous session at the ATD conference in Salt Lake City a couple of months ago.” They joined Paul, Maurice Coleman, and Jill Hurst-Wahl and began with the question, “What do people get wrong with DEI?” That led into a lively conversation, including talking about mandatory training, using what we know about managing change, bringing bias into the light, and much more. Grab pen and paper to catch the wisdom in this episode.

You can listen to this episode on TalkShoe or wherever you get your podcasts. Our next episode will be our 300th show! Please join us for that on Dec. 2.

It’s critical: Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

Seeking real understanding affirms the other person and what they have to say. That’s what they want. That’s what we all want — to be understood, valued and affirmed. – Mike Greene (2014)

Resources:

• • Center for Global Inclusion
  • Marcus Buckingham
  • The Art of Mindful Facilitation (book( (paid ad)
  • Biased (book) (paid ad)
  • This article – a cautionary tale – was mentioned after the recording stopped, “Vera House confronts racism and opens a rift with high-profile backers of domestic violence agency.” (2020, paywall)
  • Added 11/19/2021: Vera House Looks Within to Acknowledge and Address Systemic Racism (2020, no paywall)

@TisForTraining 298 – If you sleep mow the lawn, you’re screwed

On this T is for Training, Maurice Coleman and Paul Signorelli talked with Jared Bendis. Jared talked with the T crew for episode 297! He is a person with many interests and many skills – artist, teacher, game design, virtual reality, photography, interactive & new media- which made him perfect for a follow-up conversation. Grab pen and paper, and take a listen!

The next T is for Training will be on Nov. 18 at 9 p.m. ET and episode 300 (wow!) will be on Dec. 2.