http://disqus.com/by/jeericson/enFri, 16 Jan 2009 13:06:44 -0000http://www.angelamaiers.com/2009/01/welcome-to-the-neighborhood-.html#comment-5168559<p>Thank you Angela. I look forward to sharing and learning. Here is one of my<br>favorite quotes on gaining wisdom:</p><p>"The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second is<br>listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching<br>others." Solomon Ibn Gabirol</p>jeericsonFri, 16 Jan 2009 13:06:44 -0000http://www.angelamaiers.com/2009/01/welcome-to-the-neighborhood-.html#comment-5159289<p>Hi Angela. I've enjoyed reading your blog over the past few months. I've found many things I've been able to use in my work and in my life. I've been involved in the leadership and organizational development fields for over 30 years. I've worked for Wilson Learning, Pillsbury, Carlson Companies and founded Covey Leadership Center, Minnesota, as well as a business lecture series called The Masters Forum. If you look at the speakers we've had over the last 21 years, you'll see the names Stephen Covey, Jim Collins, Peter Drucker, Ken Blanchard, Judith Bardwick, Scott Adams, Dennis Prager, Rabbi Harold Kushner, Alex Haley and many others. After listening to all these folks, I've decided that for all the big ideas out there, that there is only one that matters - the ability to form deep, lasting relationships. I've also concluded that the way this happens is through significant conversations where we share our stories with others and listen to theirs. My blog at <a href="http://www.conversationkindling.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" title="www.conversationkindling.blogspot.com">www.conversationkindling.bl...</a> is meant to give people ideas for these kinds of conversations. Our last speaker, Nadira Hira, a writer for Fortune Magazaine, and an expert on Gen Y, said that the one thing these kids are missing when they come into the workplace is the ability to communicate personally with others - especially face-to-face communication. I think it might be worthwhile for teachers to use some of the things I've written to encourage their students to hold these kinds of conversation. Thanks for taking the time to have a look-see. Take good care. Jim Ericson</p>jeericsonThu, 15 Jan 2009 23:50:50 -0000