About La Bomba de Tiempo, shared leadership and listening

So yesterday I was here: http://www.ciudadculturalkonex.org/web/actividades.php?codigo=29 and I am not sure where to start to express the excitement I feel after having been amazed by “La Bomba de Tiempo” yesterday. In short, the group consists of around 15 guys, they are playing drums and they are awesome! The beauty was that it was all improvised, invented and created on the spot. What amazed me was that all happened as the leadership was rotating. Thus, a very practical application of shared leadership. As the leadership was rotating, every individual where contributing their creativity as they where leading, but also assuming responsibility to follow as they were following. Shared leadership is “not about not” having a direction, it is just about having different people assuming different roles at different times, but all assuming the responsibility for the whole. The application of when these dynamics really works where articulated beautifully yesterday.

It always amazes me how well music, sport or other similar articulations serves as brilliant metaphors for how organizations and societies could work more creatively. About a year ago, I was attending a conference in Ireland where the highlight was a Danish conductor using conducting as a leadership development tool. As you were conducting you got feedback on the way you were leading musicians’ based on how it sounded. The key message was around the importance to listen to the responses of the organization as you are leading it. The metaphor was brilliant because you got the feedback incredibly fast. In real life it is important to recognize the delay effect the feedback has, but the key learning is really to remember to listen and follow the effects of your actions even though they are distant in time.

From one perspective the body works really well to articulate the same point. We can live our life as we want until our body indicates that we are not living in harmony with it. We might get fever or feel stressed. These are just symptoms of a lifestyle which clearly has not been in harmony with all aspects of our personality. Sometimes, we just get a cold, a signal from the body that something is wrong, our actions on that symptom will ultimately determine if we will recover fast or becoming even sicker. It is really from this perspective I have come to understand the for example the issue of climate change. Our nature is indicating that it has fever. The sickness of the nature is articulated through natural disasters, e.g. flooding, hurricanes etc,. The symptoms of our natural fever are causing humanitarian disastrous, such as poverty, starvation and a rising food prices just to mention a few. I believe using the metaphor of our body, something everyone can relate to, as a tool to explain the issue of climate change in combination with the importance of listening to the feedback on our actions, immediately helps me to understand the issue and how it connects to me, the “La Bomba de Tiempo” helped me to understand the role I need to play.

I realize I disappeared in a larger conversation here, however, after the concert we went for a classical Argentinean asado (bbq) as we had enjoyed the food we came to realize that we didn’t have money enough to cover the bill. The Spanish got a test and the restaurant eventually allowed us to come back tomorrow to pay. Amazing and for sure unique for the environment here. As I wanted to leave my driving licenses as a proof that I actually would come back the person just said he trusted my to return today, which I certainly will!

Tonight I shall look forward to be playing football. 9 Argentineans and me☺

About starting School in Spanish, re-connecting to Buenos Aires, Tango and transportation!

So, a few days have passed and some of the dominating thoughts are around the beauty and the pain of Buenos Aires, the challenge of studying in Spanish and the phenomena Tango.

Without being entirely sure if I understood the history of Tango correctly, Tango, as I understood it based on my current level of Spanish, origins from Argentina. Influenced by “El Lunfardo”, the language, Italians and many different cultures the dance was borne here to later disappear from Argentina. The components of language, “amor” and cultures got expressed in a dance, which was considered to “vulgar” to be respected in Argentina. Thus, it disappeared to France and other European countries to later return and be super popular again here in Argentina. It is really incredible to view the beauty of the dance. People are dancing it everywhere and yesterday I appeared on a tango class. Divided by the feeling of being nervous and excited for trying it prior, I have to conclude after, that it is a challenge, however, looks harder than it is and definitely easier than salsa, at least on the beginner level. What amaze me is how it connects people to enjoy, perform and learn around an expression which carries such an interesting history. Understanding the history of Tango, other types of expressions amazes me as well, such as art, other dances, sculptures, and music. All these are just different types of expressions of something which more often than seldom carries a great dept which it becomes interesting to understand. I know, not rocket science, but a bit of a realization these last few days.

Buenos Aires got 37 000 taxi cars!!!! The cost of getting around here is very affordable. I travel by bus, metro and taxi. The people working with getting people around typically work 12 hours a day, 6-7 days a week. If they can afford it they get max 2 weeks vacation annually. However, the infrastructure is very ineffective. I have not yet decided what I think about this, however, something happens within me every time I am listing to the stories of the taxi and bus drivers, recognizing that the service they provide works really bad because of the traffic situation, however, they are dedicating their lives to it. Having touched upon the humanitarian issue, I leaving out the issue of the pollution it is causing due to old cars and buses and the amounts of these. I have the feeling that this will be a recurrent theme because it is somehow bothering me quite a bit.

Initiating on a rather critical note about the city, I must continue sharing the gratitude I feel getting to know and live here. Buenos Aires is a mix of a top modern western city and a poor Latin city. It never sleeps for the good and the bad, but the people here are really extraordinary nice. Seeing these both sides of life, all the time, every day, creates a feeling of gratitude for what I have, but also a feeling of frustration, not being able to do more for the prosperity of Argentina.

I have also started school at Universidad Di Tella. Tomorrow I am about to enjoy my first presentation in Spanish. I shall look forward to that. Generally, the learning of the Spanish has accelerated, but I am still challenged and that is super exciting! I am about to become legal in this country and it is almost, almost, that I have enjoyed organizing the practical details around my stay here because it is yet an opportunity to learn the language!

Tonight, Louise, a very dear friend of mine and the sister to the girl I love is arriving - I am looking forward to that!

About Obama, a hero or an enabler?

As I have been following the debate and excitement around the inauguration speech of Obama I am asking myself if we are having the right expectations on him as a person, leader and president. I am currently reading the book, “letters to my father” by Obama. Obama is a personal inspiration for me and I do believe it is hard to imagine what his presidency can do for the world. There is a burning need in the world for his leadership but are we expecting Obama to save us, or activate us? What I admire with Obama is that he has managed to connect people around a vision larger than us. Lets say he has made us connect around an opportunity of living in a world in harmony with all aspects of “its” personality. A world where the natural and the financial systems are cured from its current fever, poverty is reduced and more people are empowered and enabled to be great. A healthy world with healthy people where no one has to loose for another to win, where the “whole is greater than the sum of the parts”. (Obama during the election campaign)– this dream is incredible. Now, the question is, will Obama’s presidency make this happen? It could. But for which reason? Will Obama heal the world in a heroic manner, or does it require the awakening of the leader within us? As I am writing I recognize that my language is appearing a bit arrogant, that is not my purpose. It is just that whenever I am having a conversation about Obama I am always leaving it with a bittersweet aftertaste. At one hand I am happy and inspired that the people are appreciating the thoughts and opinions of a person I personally find incredibly inspiring, on the other hand I feel disappointed because I feel that Obama has somehow been misunderstood. Obama is not there to do the work for us, but hopefully empower us to be great!

I believe there is a shift in the world. My dear friend Jarda usually refers to this as a “global movement” where individuals engage in the co-creation of a new future, which is “not dependent on where we are today…” What Obama can enable is for this movement to accelerate, however, I do not believe he is the hero, that will make it happen. I believe a paradigm shift has already taken place, from heroic, “one man”, leadership to a more co-creative leadership. The role of the leader becomes to enable an environment where leaders can thrive. As opposed to dictate how followers should behave and act, the role of the leader becomes as a facilitator. Thus, let us capitalize on a paradigm shift, which in parts of the world already have taken place, cultivate that movement and see the role of Obama as an enabler for people to connect around similarities, learn from each others differences and allowing more people to be great. The victory of Obama must not bring us back in time, but must active the leader within us to take actions larger than ourselves. To conclude, Obama is not the hero appearing in the world, but he is inviting the people, a generation, needing to be great, to be great. Thus, as opposed to be a hero that will change the world, Obama is an enabler of people, individuals, you and me to be great so that we together can change the world.

Obama, Obama, Obama!!!! Now I feel happy screaming his name again, relieved after having written my thoughts on his presidency. Supporting Obama from my perspective means to take responsibility beyond myself and enable as many as possible in my surrounding to be great.

Acerca de Chile, Valparaiso, Vina Del Mar, Santiago y Rapel

I am not yet ready to post in Spanish, however I am getting there, so for now, a heading in Spanish is what is representing my current comfort and level of the language.
So, an incredible travel has come to an end. After having been stretched emotionally and physically on my way towards Aconcagua, my wishes for Chile was to recover, relax and recharge. Said and done, the last week was about discovering Chile, Valparaiso, Vina Del Mar, Santiago and Rapel.

Valparaiso, by some articulated to be one of the most dangerous cities in the world by night (Based on my experience I do not echo that statement): One of the most impressive cities I have experienced so far in South America, partly because of its importance for Chile, and Argentina, being a port for important and export, but mainly because of what I will remember, i.e. watching the national dance of Chile, "Esquinazo", walking down the streets, being amazed by the structure of the city, its people. Being lost after having eaten dinner and being saved by a “micro”, a bus, which took us to safer grounds. Adrenaline, and curiosity are the key words I will take with me.

Vina Del Mar, a vacation paradise for Chilenians and the last few days for me and my love. Beaches, swimming in cold water, cooking good food, being, walking, caring and running were some of the components of the experience. A general feeling of being content and just enjoying were some of the dominating thoughts which shaped the experience.

Santiago, a city which needs to be rediscovered due to lack of time, however, what amazed me during my short time there was as opposed to other major cities in South America, the incapacity and the lack of structure around the bus terminal. Chile as a country is one of the most developed in South America but the bus terminal had the worse structure I have seen so far. Maybe that is significant for some of the countries here. Without drawing conclusions, I am recognizing that parts of the countries are incredibly well developed and working really well, but there is always something in the vivid picture, far from details, which is a challenge for the country and thus holds it back. The bus terminal in Santiago is just and example of this, there are many more. My question is, when the first country in Latin America will get all the determining details into place to be an inspiring and role modelling country for the region as a whole? I do recognize that this is a very generalizing question and not fair because of my lack of experience in the region, however, these are some of the thoughts and questions emerging as the day passes by.

Rapel – Francesco and Carlos, the lagune, the “moto”, the open arms of the family, the inspiration, the good food, the warm water and the relaxing atmosphere are some of the important components of my experience there. The very fortunate is Chile gathered around a laugune, which appears to be the paradise on earth. It was indeed and I am grateful towards the family who invited us to their home and made us feel like we were home. The stay there also reflexes the gap currently existing in the country, but also that in the calmest water it is possible to find quite dirty fishes. During a “city tour” by boat I saw incredible wealth and so in the middle of everything – the mafia house and drug producer. Everyone knew about it, but nothing to do about it, just be amazed by the house, the warning system built up and the general knowledge about the neighbors of how to deal with them. Indeed very interesting!

To wrap it up – the past week was really about recover, relax and recharge in a very different country compared to Uruguay and Argentina. The coming week will be about starting school, in Spanish and reconnect with Buenos Aires. I shall look forward to that.

About handing in my master thesis - Acts that influence Consensus - a study on speech acts that individuals use to influence consensus

The beginning of my Latin experience became the end of writing master thesis experience. I wrote together with a dear friend of mine, Aron Lindberg and looking back at the process, it was painful at times, but in the end we really managed to hand it a paper worth putting our names on. We involved many people in the writing process and we received their harsh feedback and encouragement with gratitude and it really help lifting the thesis. For everyone contributing to the thesis, weather you know it or not, thank you very much!

Below, find the abstract: Acts that influence Consensus - a study on speech acts that individuals use to influence consensus

Groupthink and peer pressure are phenomena involving consensus that influence individuals to act against the best of their knowledge. The bankruptcy of Enron in 2001 is an example of the consequences of groupthink and peer pressure. Through understanding how individuals contribute to the creation of consensus, individuals are enabled to take responsibility for their contribution to social phenomena. A theoretical framework consisting of theory on mental models, dialogue and communicative action is developed in order enable analysis of empirical data using perspectives that are supported by previous research. A focus group with AIESEC Sweden's management team, which was conducted to ground our research in empirical data, is described. The focus group transcription is analyzed through qualitative content analysis and application of the theoretical framework. Seven (7) categories of speech acts are identified and analyzed according to which modes of dialogue they involve: externalization and/or combination. The speech acts that constitute each category are interpreted as either communicative or strategic action, using Habermas' distinction. This study strengthens the case for intentionally designed dialogue processes through which individuals can emancipate themselves from social structures imposed on them. Further research is recommended on specific principles and processes of dialogue that enable communicative action.

After minor adjustments the thesis will soon be available here.

About Climbing towards Aconcagua -our inexperience became the experience

I am writing this time from an Internet Cafe close to the beach at Viña Del Mar, Chile. Thus, after having taken a night bus from Mendoza, my new destination is Chile. Two days have passed after returning from the three days expedition towards Aconcagua, I conclude that it has been one of the toughest but also greatest experiences of its kind in my life...

I want to use this space to write about some of the learnings, personal and practical going forward. The overall theme I guess is that our inexperience contributed greatly to the experience!

Climbing mountains is very similar to living life- you have up and downs, but below are some of the key discoveries the mountains gave me this time...

Appreciate the journey, but make sure to reach your destination. One of the things I am working on in my life is to always appreciate the journey, trusting that by mastering every single aspect of the journey, it will help me to reach the best destination. The mountains helped me to tell a new story, which I guess I have lived by in the past as well, but it was very clear up there - every step is important and matters greatly, however, never give up until you have reached your destination. Thus, the key discovery here is really the balance between the journey and the destination, trusting that each are equally important. In my case, as I reached the destination the first day, I collapsed, not being able to move in 4 hours because of complete exhaustion The reason for my collapse was too heavy luggage in combination with a stomach problem leading up to the trip. The collapse wasn't at all dramatic, however a physical strecth which I haven't experienced before. The air up there is so thin and dry so it really requires a fit body to at all cope in those conditions. A key learning - Every kilo counts, "keep it simple or light" . The food we brought was almost as heavy as a person travelling for 14 days towards the top of Aconcagua.
The Now - being present. One of the things I am working on every day is to connect my heart, mind and will in the space of the now. I do believe life is about balancing the past, the present and the future, where I try to learn from the past, live and act in the present because that is the only thing I can impact and get inspired by the future. However, I have never experienced a better learning environment for practicing the power of now, than in the mountains. Every time my mental space was disconnected to my physical space, I twisted my foot or was close to fall. I did injure my knee and hip a bit (nothing serious), only because of few disconnections between my mental and physical space. Coming home, I was physically exhausted, but so refreshed. It was three days of presence, one of the strongest and longest experiences in my life in that space, incredible.The question I ask myself now is how I can recreate such a powerful learning environment, every day in my life. Without going through my practices, I will follow up on this point going forward at this space.

Power from within and the beauty of my relationship - another learning is the balance of finding strenght, power and clarity from within, but also be strong as two withins. Many people go up there alone, I had the pleasure of having my love enriching the experience. Activating strenght within yourself will only support 50 percent, in order to succeed you need to become one with your surrounding in my case with the nature and my relationship and then activate the power from within. My relationship thrived through this experience. The experience tied us stronger than ever before and it is with gratitude and respect I am looking back at this experience together.

The nature and the Stars - Incredible!!!! When I articulated above that this expedition is one of the strongest of its kind I am relating it to other strong natural experiences I have had. I am a regular skier, I love scuba diving, I have hiked in the alps and in general I love doing sports connected with the nature, but I have never experienced a stronger and more powerful scenery than up in Aconcagua. The heaven at night can only be compared with an experience I had in Milan where I visited an artificially created sky, thus, of course incomparable. I will upload a few picture of the general scenery in a few days, however, picture cant capture the beauty, it has to be experienced. There is an opportunity to visit Aconcagua, take the picture but not being in the nature over night etc. I believe that could be compared to the difference between snorkeling and scuba diving. As you snorkel, you look at something, a new world, the underwater world, however, when you dive, you become one with that world. It is the same here, as you visit the part you can look at the top of Aconcagua, however, in order to be one with the scenery and the nature, you need to hike towards it. Recognizing our experience, these three days where enough, even though I am looking forward to at some point returning to reach even higher.

It is with great respect I got to know climbers and how they care about the nature which has been created to what it is today for 1000s of years. People living for these and similar experiences. It was amazing to visit your life for three days and be truly inspired by your journeys. Also, it is with gratitude I am seeing how well you have treated the nature around Aconcagua. It is also with gratitude I want to thank Marcello, a man who could be a story himself. I chose to call him, "the mountain man". In short, he prepared a great dinner for us as the wind took our risotto.

Love the choice - All in all, every aspect of this experience is a choice and it has to be. For example, the water in confluencia, the first base, caused bad stomachs. Having a bad stomach as I arrived there, but being forced to drink 4-5 liters of water which taste really bad and is causing more stomach pain was a stretch, however, I had to chose to drink it, recognizing that it was key to at all cope up there. In the end of the day, it all comes down to the beauty of your choice. Or that the temperature at night became minus degrees and I had a sleeping bag managing 12 degrees plus, where just two examples where I could have chosen to give up and fly a helicopter back, but had to decide to live it through. A choice I have not regretted for a second, not at that time and not now...!

Above, some of the learning's from my hike towards Aconcagua under the theme of "our inexperience became the experience". After having taken the night bus to Chile from Argentina and spent 3 hours by the border, I ask myself, what consequences does it have for the relationship between Chile and Argentina that it takes three hours to cross the border? It is not in frustration I am asking this question, but out of curiosity.

Emanuel