First Session

We met as a group for the first time this morning. We numbered 8 plus Neil, our guide.  The group is diverse covering various industries, geographies, age, experience, and interests.  All seemed eager to listen, participate, share and get to know each other.

After introductions, we perused the course outline and settled into a discussion of deepening our understanding about leadership and our selves.  My notes highlighted:

• Leadership is about developing more leaders, not followers.
• Leadership is aware
• Leasdership asks questions

An extended description of the personality types of the Enneagram Personality System was presented by Neil.  Based on the presentation and the results of our pre-workshop test, we each revealed to the group our "type" with supporting anecdotal background evidence.  To my surprise, no one admitted to being a Type 8, which is regarded in the system as a natural leader.  The types present included loyalists, reformers, helpers, motivators, and fellow enthusiasts.

Our session ended with some relationships within the Enneagram system and the levels of functionality within each type.

Our homework is to observe ourselves, our observations and reactions and to read up on personality types.

The atmosphere of the group felt open, safe and without pre-judgement.  There was a nearly eerie, yet welcome lack of the natural competitive, ego-centric machismo that often hangs in a room when nine unfamiliar men meet.  Though I do not know my companions I feel a basic level of trust among us and am eager to get to develop personal relationships with each of them.

First assignment

My first assignment in preparation for Leadership as a Practice was to complete a RHETI survey through The Enneagram Institute.  The  145 question survey took me a little over an hour to complete with only a few distractions during my session.  Out of 9 personality types, I scored highest as Type 7, The Enthusiast.  My score of 27 points for this type was 5 higher than the next highest score for Type 3, The Achiever.

The description of The Enthusiast seems accurate enough for me:

"Generally, Sevens are excitable, spontaneous, curious, optimistic, eager, outgoing, future-oriented, adventurous, variety-seeking, quick, and talkative. 

Sevens get into conflicts by being scattered, distracted, restless, impatient, thrill-seeking, escapist, over-extended, irresponsible, demanding, and excessive. 

At their best, Sevens are appreciative, bountiful, thoughtful, accomplished, versatile, receptive, grateful, content, quiet, and passionate."

I believe that I am optimistic, future oriented, a seeker of experiences, and generally outgoing.  I do get distracted easily and am sometimes scattered.  I am patient, though I can be restless.

Introducing Leadership as a Practice

Welcome to the Leadership as a Practice blog.  My name is David Harmanos.  I have enrolled in a one-year cohort program with The Center for Intelligent Leadership (TCIL), entitled "Leadership as a Practice"

I have decided to blog my experience to give me some introspection and give others insight into the program.

I met with Neil and Chuck, the partners of TCIL last fall to see what TCIL had to offer.  We had an excellent reciprocal interview and they recommended this one year cohort program.  It is my understanding that we will meet once a month with a group of approximately 8 other cohorts to gain deeper understanding of our individual styles of leadership, communication, drivers and filters.

I am enthusiastically looking forward to our first workshop.  I hope you enjoy my blog.