I managed to get to DC this week despite the weather in the Midwest and East Coast. I suspect my success had something to do with learning, a long time ago, that I make more progress with the airlines if I call with solutions in mind, as opposed to calling the airline and hoping they quickly arrive at a solution. In the case of this week's travel, I proactively identified alternative flights that would most likely avert travel delays and had many seats available. In addition, I called the airline as soon as I noticed we didn't have a plane at the gate and asked that they ‘back me up' on another connecting flight rather than wait to miss my connection and risk no available seats on the next flight out. Did you know that airlines can hold a back up seat on an alternate flight for you, in addition to your confirmed seat? You have to request this as it doesn't happen automatically. Unfortunately, they can only hold a single back up seat but that's better than none at all.
I ended up getting to my destination earlier than planned because I had to catch red-eye flights to get ahead of poor weather. I think I may be getting too old for red-eyes. Or perhaps the planes are just too full to get good sleep. Either way, I was ready to sleep before 7 PM last night, and that's Eastern Time!
Today contained a number of Zoom meetings. I particularly enjoyed the WebANR that covered Patrick Lencioni's “Five Dysfunctions of a Team”. If you missed it, be sure to look for the link on the Learning and Development website. The topic included some math as well as some images that I suspect Mark Bell will use in a presentation sometime soon. There was also reference to a reading that I think I will look into: The Six Thinking Hats by Edward DeBono, despite not being much of a reader. If anyone happens to have this book, I'd like to borrow it. No, I don't have a library card, nor do I even know where there is a local library. Please, don't make me go to the library!
The WebANR was timely. I first read Lencioni's work when I participated in LEAD21, a leadership development program. The LEAD21 program included a number of the concepts that Dana covered in the WebANR. Now I am heading to a LEAD21 Alumni Event. Keni Thomas, Army Ranger (Retired) involved in “Blackhawk Down” and country music artist (www.kenithomas.com) provided the keynote address for the Alumni Dinner/Graduation Ceremony for the current class.
Tomorrow is a full day Board meeting for LEAD21 before I trek back west. I don't anticipate travel delays. Just in case, I have downloaded all of the Annual Accomplishment documents I need to read and review in preparation for next week's meetings. And I have an extra change of clothes as part of my back up plan should I be incorrect about the travel delays.