http://jcottes.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/633949
To address this last question, Goleman in Primal Leadership offers that how people feel about working at a company can account for 20 to 30 percent of business performance. Getting the best out of people pay off in results and the leader plays a key role in managing that climate. Poor morale among front line service providers at a given point in time predicts higher turnover and a declining customer satisfaction of up to three years later. He adds that low customer satisfaction drives declining revenues. In addition, for every one percent improvement in service to clients, there is a two percent increase in revenue. This clearly implies that organizations should care about how their staff feels about the company in which they work.

As evident in the questions listed above, I am concerned about community and society. Canada is facing its tightest labour market in 35 years. In order for Canada to be competitive in the global market place employees will be called upon to be more productive with less human resources. This trend is more concerning in the increasingly rapid and constantly changing work environment that organizations face today. Bolman and Deal in Reframing Organizations state that organizations deal with complicated and uncertain environments by simplifying information and processes. They break complex issues into smaller more manageable pieces through specialization or division of responsibilities.

According to Senge in Presence, individuals “are out of relationship with all of nature because we’ve moved into a reductive kind of awareness that is based on alienation and separation.”

Perhaps we can find value in reuniting complex issues through new ways of leading and learning. Herein lies the opportunity to build capacity in the work-place and lead the way to building personal accountability in systems (complicated organizations) where accountability is typically diffused.

Without going into the implications or organizational systems on community and society, are organizations and the individuals that work for them, the venue in which to affect societal and community change? If individuals in those organizations were interested in positive outcomes for humanity, community or society were given the opportunity to impact these spheres through their work, perhaps this would contribute to a positive feeling about their company. The company is then creating a work environment to get the best out of people. In turn, business performance would improve. However, what is the leadership action if individuals in those organizations were not as interested in such positive outcomes for humanity, community and society?

- Written by Jennifer Cottes (From a larger paper on leadership learnings and self-reflection.)

References / Additional Reading:
Bolman, Lee G., and Terrence E. Deal. Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership. San Fransicso: Jossey-bass, 2008.

Bridges, Edwin M., and Philip Hallinger. Implementing Problem Based Learning in Leadership Development. Eugene: ERIC, 1995.

Goleman, Daniel, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee. Primal Leadership: Learning to Lead with Emotional Intelligence. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2002.


Lynch, Kevin G. Fifteenth Annual Report of the Clerk to the Prime Minister on the Public Service of Canada”. (Ottawa, Ontario March 31, 2008). http://www.pco-bcp.gc.ca/index.asp?lang=engPage=informationSub=publicationsDoc=ar-ra/15-2008/table_e.htm, accessed March 2009.

Quinn, Robert E. Building the Bridge as You Walk on It: A Guide for Leading Change. San Fransisco: Jossey-Bass, 2004.

Senge, Peter, C. Otto Scharmer, Joseph Jaworski, and Betty Sue Flowers. Presence: Human Purpose and the Field of the Future. New York: Doubleday, 2004.


]]> Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:00:00 EDT http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/633949 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/13188
A Thanks to Maja, Maitreyi, Titi and Mahmoud for their generous input. I can't wait to get the magazine by snail mail. Here's where you can find it on-line:

The online version of Women in Action No. 2, 2003, issue on "Young Women" is now available at http://www.isiswomen.orgor http://www.isiswomen.org/pub/wia/wia203/index.html. The print edition will be off the press by the end of December 2003.

Women in Action No. 2, 2003
Theme: Young Women

Here is my article:
Young Women's Participation in International Conferences in the New Information Society
By Jennifer Cottes
The information society, driven by the "new" information and communication technologies (ICTs), has a dangerous potential to further marginalise young women.
http://www.isiswomen.org/pub/wia/wia203/cottes.htm

There are lots of other articles in this mag. Definitely worth the read!

]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2003 15:41:00 EST http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/13188 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/10163 MS Swaminathan Research Foundation) speak on "Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural India and Conserving Coastal Mangrove Wetlands". He outlined for us some guided principles for using ICT to benefit the poor and to reach the unreached. In this case he spoke of generating awareness around managing Mangrove forests.

So often we concentrate too much on the technology and not enough on the information. We need to focus on knowledge management if we want to benefit the poor. Some guidelines outlined for us were:
1) The technology must be user-oriented and user-controlled
2) Information generation must be “demand driven”
3) Content creation, rather than technology for access, should be a central focus
4) Value added information (knowledge) and a bottom-up process must be integrated for content creation

He emphasised that the best Knowledge Managers are local women. They are the ones managing the households and the livelihoods of their families. Therefore the technology must be gender sensitive (and socio-economic sensitive).

My fear is that youth have not been able to get this ground-level point, where the content is managed based in the NEEDS of young people working generate income of support their own livelihoods, especially, young people who are on merely trying to survive. Dr. Swaminathan also emphasised the importance of connecting the “scientist” with the poor. The scientist must be credible in the eyes of the local community to organise what knowledge is needed for local communities to succeed. Are there any youth-led ICT projects that achieve this? I sense that there are so many projects ideas, and projects that are started, but do not have the capacity to be fully implemented. This is often due to lack of funding, lack of mentoring and a lack of credibility.

It was great presentation and a great example of the need of knowledge communications for the poor. Visit Reaching the unreached: How can we use ICTs to empower the rural poor in the developing world through enhanced access to relevant information? for more information.
]]> Thu, 24 Jul 2003 18:46:00 EDT http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/10163 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/9602 Why an Egg?

A small town in Alberta called Vegreville chose a giant ukrainian easter egg (pysanka) as their monument. I grew up taking family trips out west to the mountains. This was a common stop on the road for me. What I didn't know was "Why?"!!
The town voted on the pysanka to symbolize the peace and security the Mounties offerings the area's pioneers and their descendants. As you probably have guessed, this area took in a large Ukrainian population, probably around the 1900's and earlier. What drew me to post this, was the innovation it took to design this in 1973 - new software and engineering and mathematical firsts. Who would have thought! As an 6, 8 or 10 year old, all you see is a giant easter egg. :)]]> Tue, 24 Jun 2003 14:56:00 EDT http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/9602 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/9525
Ahhh, the great north! Did anyone else see them?]]> Wed, 18 Jun 2003 09:38:00 EDT http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/9525 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/9483
After the wedding I am moving to Ottawa, so I've got my hands full with a 1000 things to do. Stand by for wedding pics!



]]> Mon, 16 Jun 2003 02:25:00 EDT http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/9483 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/9232 Just as I realised I missed my connecting bus, a Liberal Party van pulls up. "Hmmmm, maybe they can drive me work!" -I thought. Low and behold, Jon Gerrard, ( who is currently running for provincial premier) got out of the Van and was joined by three sign waivers carrying brochures,... first thing he did was walk straight up to me (the only person at the bus stop then) and shook my hand - "Good Morning, Jon Gerrard". I asked him to change the weather in Manitoba and improve the transit system,...hmmm, we'll see.
I don't think I will ever vote Liberal in my life time (although I think Chretien is doing a good job), but it was a neat suprise,... you never know what can happen when you miss your bus. He is a very bouncy and energetic man as he waived to drivers-by. - Elections are on June 3rd.]]> Fri, 30 May 2003 11:00:00 EDT http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/9232 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/9219 www.craigslist.com. The article boasted how its popularity grew by word of mouth and not marketing. Its simple layout and the fact that its free and lacks commercialism is the real seller. Check it out its got everything! Although, its mostly based in the US, it seems to be spreading to Canada and the UK. (I used it to look for cheap furniture, when I lived in Boston.)]]> Thu, 29 May 2003 14:37:00 EDT http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/9219 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/8974 Microsoft Tries Flush Away Its iLoo Snafu

hee, hee,... "iLoo",...iLoo?? like seriously! Perhaps we could put our time toward some REAL accessibility issues?]]> Wed, 14 May 2003 10:18:00 EDT http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/8974 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/8886 hmmm, get off my tush and back into shape! Gain vitality, flexibility, energy,...lose some weight, firm up and DRINK MORE WATER!!



- Why did you choose this goal?

Although, its really unlike me,.. I haven't excersized regularily since a couple months before the Youth Employment Summit. Being buisy with that threw me off! Then I came back to cold Winnipeg and became a winter hermit!

Now, my brother is getting married in June and I want to look especially radiant for the pics! (I am already a month into my challenge and I have actually been pretty consistant with my level of activity and eating habits - so Kudos for me!)

- What actions/choices/sacrifices will you make to achieve this goal?

Jogging every second day. Weights when I am watching TV. More veggies and quit the chips and dip habit!!


- Any message to other members who are participating in the Health Challenge?

I KNOW how much better I feel when I am active, as opposed to a couch potato or an internet freak,... shutdown the comp and get outside! Its Summer! (for some of us anyway :))

]]> Wed, 07 May 2003 16:54:00 EDT http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/8886 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/8870 http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNewsstoryID=2685335


This article in Reuters mentions that girls (women) are no less interested in technology than boys (men), however, they are finding that technology courses are marketed more towards men – hence the real reason for the gender gap. I have wanted to write something on gender and technology for sometime now. I took electronics as a three-year vocation in high school. Back then, I was destined for a career in Electronic Engineering or Computer Programming/Analyst and I was even specifically pegged to be a project manager for a local public utility company. My teachers had high hopes for me in electronics. I was the only female in the class AND I had really high marks. After I graduated, I even enrolled in the DeVry Institute of Technology.

But, as you know, I chose international development as a career path. Why not electronics? Just when it came to pay tuition. I said nope!

The male-dominated environment turned me away from it. While in electronics, I faced sexual harassment. I was marginalized, singled out from the rest of the class. And I probably marginalized myself, rather than to have to deal with rude comments, noises, and typical teenage male humor. My teachers (who were all male) acted differently around me than just with the guys alone. (Being the first female in the program, I don’t think they knew how to deal with me,…looking back.) And even though, I “told on” the sexual harassers and even though, I had a confident “I can do anything boys can do” attitude, and although I really enjoyed electronics, I still consciously chose NOT to pursue a career in electronics. I did not want to have to deal with working in a male dominated field.

In international development there are still these issues deal with. I can deal with gender issues, in relation to poverty especially. However, I cannot deal with having to defend myself (or feel like I have to) to group of men, every day for 8or more hours for my entire career. It’s too personal and very tiring, especially considering I didn’t have a passion for creating “things” for the private sector.

So where am I now? It has been 8 years since I graduated. I am not really convinced that the men in trades have warmed up to women in the office. Many are just scared of doing something that will get them into trouble. They still don’t get it. (I use “they” very generally here. My apologies.)

The Good News: We are getting there. For at least three years following my enrollment, a female signed up for electronics! The male teachers/tradesmen are very welcoming of female students and are learning about gender challenges as they go. Most men are sensitive to this. It’s the odd “rotten egg” that just ruins it.

For the record, I would do it all over again. I may even decide to go back to a career in technology,….if I am not already??
]]> Tue, 06 May 2003 15:02:00 EDT http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/8870 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/8277
I am finding it hard to carry on with regular day-to-day activities when there is a war going on. I feel shameful for having my regular worries, like paying bills, or conflicts among friends and family, or merely whether I can be somewhere on time.

I am hooked on CNN. I was watching CNN when the “shock and awe” was anticipated. Then it happened – the reporters just stopped talking, for eight minutes, at least. My mother and I were silent as well as we stared at the TV and not knowing even how to carry on a conversation. What is worse is what we don’t see. What is the truth on the ground?

This is a very different war from a technology standpoint. In a positive way where technology (wireless and internet) has played a role in rousing up civil society and in a negative way where it has helped further the extremity of the bullying by the US on Iraq rendering this ILEGAL war even more unfair. (big sigh)

I am not sure what I think about anything right now I am just overwhelmed and sad. I am also scared for my New Yorker friends. Just weeks ago I was walking through Grand Central Station and feeling clausterphobic and scared in the massive underground transportation system. Its so extensive it is hard to get above ground in a hurry and I understand their fear. You are likely to get trampled on if people panic.

My next posting will be more optimistic, I promise. But I think it was therapeutic for me to write this.
]]> Wed, 26 Mar 2003 01:02:00 EST http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/8277 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/7496
Later this week I will attend a WSIS regional meeting at the University of Manitoba. I am looking forward to seeing who the participants will be. I feel like I have been away from Winnipeg so long, I don’t really know what are the latest “hot topics”.

Stay tuned!
]]> Thu, 30 Jan 2003 01:19:00 EST http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/7496 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/5995 Today, I managed to spend time in the thematic session, ICTs for Youth Employment, and really feel what was actually going on. The “YES” language is being used everywhere. The same language I have written, and re-written in so many letters. The content we have written, for the web site, and I have uploaded. Did we do this? Did we bring all these people together?
Initiatives are being launched left and right: YCDO - Youth Creating Digital Opportunities, DPYI – Digital Partners Youth Initiative, and NIIT’s / Virgitech’s initiative for an IT literate city of Alexandria - this in the ICT session alone.
Anyway, I am starting to ease in and enjoy myself and appreciate the purpose of the Summit, and at the same time envisioning the next 10 years, and beyond. How will YES impact the world? How will all these initiatives being launched at our Summit flourish? We’ll see. I am young and a new member of the international development community and there is so much to look forward to.
]]> Mon, 09 Sep 2002 16:55:00 EDT http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/5995 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/5832 Alex is beautiful - I hope to see you there and meet all the faces of people who now an abstract email address.
]]> Thu, 29 Aug 2002 08:15:00 EDT http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/5832 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/4864
July 4th was just a day off work for me,..sort of. I was up at 6:30am, went to Starbucks and wrote a paper for work until about 4 or 5 pm. But, when I returned home, and turned on my TV, the news was dominated by the spectacular show in Boston for the 4th of July. They declared the Boston show to be the centre of the nations 4th of July's celebrations.

Headlines were crazy in Television: "3 Shot in LA - Was it Terrorism?,... find out at 6:00!" Well, it turns out that carefully analysis has proven that: "No, it was NOT terrorism",... oh the cliff hanger. People NEVER get shot in LA! Because of Sept 11th, the flying zone was restricted to five miles away from the fireworks and show area,... not even the Good Year Blimp could come near,.. but you saw it not too far away.
Well, back to the show: The world renowned POPS band was playing at the Esplanade (a stage along the Charles River, downtown). Who are they? I asked the same thing. They are the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Barry Manilow was going to sing a few songs with them.
So thats it I decided, forget work, I GOTTA GO!,.. for Barry of coarse. "Copa, Copa Cobanna!"
I met friends at the famous "Cheers"(otherwise known as the Bull Finch), outside the Public Garden (which was closed, by the way, for security reasons), we watched Barry Manilow on TV. I had the Bartender make me a Caesar and bellow "CANADA!!!!" - it was great. Around 9:30, we headed down to the Esplanade where Barry and the POPS band were playing. Fireworks started at 10 and went for a half hour, as the symphony played throughout.
For the last 10 minutes of the Fireworks, you heard President Bushes voice echo throughout the city the same message that is played over and over again from September 11th. "Today, America, we were attacked...." then "Amazing Grace" played on Bag Pipes, again echoing through out the city. For the finale... "America the Beautiful". Throughout America the Beautiful - the fireworks shot out hearts and stars and the most beautiful SHOWER of sparkles that fell back down to the water. - Truly a great show!

Touching even,... America has a way with its people...

That's the Canadian report of the 4th of July!

After the Fireworks we went to Little Italy for Gellato, to end the night... the temperature was about 35 Celcious at 10pm!... the ice cream was well deserved!
]]> Fri, 05 Jul 2002 11:28:00 EDT http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/4864 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/4040 Okay, that was the background info. :P I had such a great time! Dr. Seragledin gave us a wonderfully entertaining history lesson of Egypt. He began with Aristotle and finished with....well, today. It felt short, as his speech was sweet, funny and interesting....definitely not your average academic speech, with tendencies for boredom. It also happened to be his birthday, so everyone surprised him with cake and flowers and of course "Happy Birthday".
The dinner party was a challenge, no less. There were so many people from the Center for Economic Development who were interested in learning about YES. Being in the office so much, I hardly get the chance to communicate what I know. It was good practice, especially given that these people have good knowledge if the International Development Community. I also found myself to be very bashful regarding my responsibility to develop our Knowledge Resource web site.
There was also a new reason to be grateful that day. In New York, just hours earlier, Poonam Ahluwalia, the Summit Director, and Suzanne Mubarak, the Summit Co-Chair, met with Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations. It resulted in a press conference with about 50 different press personal attending. Kofi Annan had announced that he will attend the Summit! Poonam said that the room was full of energy and the sense of commitment to creating youth employment was vibrant.
I love my "job" and the energy I get from it. The most valuable thing I have learned so far, is that any individual can accomplish anything when there mind and heart is put into it. PASSION!

]]> Sat, 11 May 2002 16:56:00 EDT http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/4040 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/3600
Unfortunately, I missed the Boston Marathon. Dratt!!! But I was busy working hard at the YES Secretariat. Writing letters for support, inviting participants and helping youth create networks for youth employment in their communities. So my day was not a complete loss. :) I did, at least, get to celebrate the marathon, with my Bostonian friends. The weather is great here, so we had a BBQ on a friend¡¦s apartment porch. Later in the evening we went on the roof and enjoyed a wonderful view of the city. Both a man and women won the marathon. Both are from Kenya.
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/106/sports/Street_sweepers+.shtml
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/106/sports/Rop_s_win_puts_Kenyan_men_back_in_power+.shtml

Well, we have our own race her at YES! We have a 147 days left to bring everything together! And it is definitely coming together! My old professor of International Relations emailed me today and gave me wonderful tidbits of information on being a tourist in Egypt. He warned me of a possible ¡§Culture Shock.¡¨ No doubt this will be the case, as this often comes with travelling. I anticipate I will be entirely too busy to actually, take in the culture to the greatest level. Never the less, his advice on Egypt has gotten me bright-eyed about more than the Summit itself.

Well, back to Boston thinking! There is a lot to do yet. Must focus, stay motivated, motivate my team, and make things happen!!

We just released our scholarship contest for the Summit:
http://www.takingitglobal.org/opps/...r.html?moid=416 ]]> Tue, 16 Apr 2002 16:23:00 EDT http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/3600 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/3341 I hope everyone who celebrates Easter, enjoys the holidays!
:)

]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2002 12:44:00 EST http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/3341 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/3228 - working on schematic for GKR
- got in touch with Ukraine
- respond to Vandana in India for support on the GA db
- wrote tons of letters to India for YES2002 and 2003
- LEARNING TONS! MEETING REALLY COOL PEOPLE!
This is just the begining!
]]> Thu, 21 Mar 2002 16:34:00 EST http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/3228 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/3225 ]]> Thu, 21 Mar 2002 15:59:00 EST http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/3225 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/2577 Getting furhter involved with TIG can give this back to me! Only now I don't need to travel, I can communicate on my computer.
I haven't figured out my path of involvement yet. I don't know what's out there. But, as I learn more, and "meet" more people I hope everything will snowball from there.
I look forward to connecting! :P

]]> Fri, 01 Feb 2002 12:25:00 EST http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/2577 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/2570 Thu, 31 Jan 2002 15:12:00 EST http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/2570 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667 http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/2569 Cheers!]]> Thu, 31 Jan 2002 14:58:00 EST http://jcottes.tigblog.org/post/2569 49.8833333 -97.166666749.8833333-97.1666667