The third and last Project in Level 1 of every path is "Research and Present".
There is a lot to say about the word "Research" but what I did learn through the feedback I got is that different professions and people understand it in very different ways.
In this project, we are asked to research a narrow and specific subject we did not know before, or some specific of a subject we are passionate about and want to deepen our knowledge, then present a speech in serious or humorous or any other style, in an organised manner.
It is asked from us to use different ways to gather information: reading about it from truth worthy sources, interview specialists and so on. One of my evaluators reminded me "using one source is stealing, using ten is research" but mine was not that kind of research. Of course, it is important to tell from where your information comes and learn how to cite the source.
I had difficulty in verbal informal story to "cite" all my resources, also I did speak of some of them.
I am a scientist, with a PhD in Physical sciences, and would not dream to make research without applying and trying out and telling about the experience. I consider gather information only the first step, then try out your hypothesis, publish your results, do something original. That was a must in my profession when I was Research Scientist. And my personality ask for hands-on prove and discovery.
"I did earn my PhD degree, but did I learn from it?" that was how I wanted to begin, but did not as I though it meant boasting about my degrees. What I learned from my research done through four years to obtain a doctorate while working in a Research Institute? I learned that we can find the "new" and publish easier on the threshold between two domains.
What two domains to research? Pathways, of course that I wanted to find out more about. While beginning to speak about Pathways around me, I realised we are in a difficult Transition period. Here is my second domain I was looking for!
Transition and Pathways!
And, the transition in Toastmasters to the Pathways Education System.
I have never done so much reading, studying and researching then for this project, form the time I joined again Toastmasters, in 2009. As you will see later, it was fruitful and I am happy I did and will be able to use what I learned for long time.
Managing Transitions, William Bridges a book to re-read! Same author also Transitions.
There is a page with many videos on TMI web site about Pathways. Then there is a FAQ (frequently asked questions). Also a list of the three pilot districts and the Regions as they will come to get Pathways, one after the other. In plus, there is a the free Icebreaker project for all to try.
The first district pilot was D57 and its Chief Pathways Guide George Marshal. I did succeed to persuade him to give me an online interview: a week later we spoke for 30 minutes with each other from our homes. He even accepted to present at Witty Storytellers Online the 24th May, tell us about his experience and Q/A!
True, in my speech of only 7 minute I forgot to speak about what he told me in his interview, even if I incorporated it differently at the beginning, as those are also linked to different reactions to Transitions.
After having read all I could, I also begun to use and discover my path, as I wrote before, in other notes. For me, as I wrote, no possibility of doing a research without trying to apply it. Perhaps this is my kinaesthetic side, having to experience to fully understand.
Transition? I read again the book called Transition, I already knew 15 years ago from William Bridges, but now understanding more profoundly. So many of my old stories I could now rewrite after I understood the need of the three stages he tells about.
"First comes an END, grieved as we always loose something, even if we wanted it and even if it did not come upon us. Then comes a neutral transition period when we feel lost, in fog. Uncomfortable, we need to retreat alone, but can spark innovation, understanding.Only after we passed these stages come New Beginnings" Those are just broad outline of the book. Transitions, Bridges wrote first, is mostly about the Internal Transitions, internal changes we face - so many times in our life.
I discovered in 2017, his second book written for leaders, Managing Transition by W. Bridges and S. Bridges. How to help others go through the changes, transitions in organizations. I did buy a copy of it on Kindle and studied it. Yes! This applies even more directly to the Pathways experience. We have to inform, inform and inform! not tell "they will know when times comes" as we want it adapted and grow enthusiasm about it.
--- Very apropos now again! ---
That is when I decided to write this blog: My Pathways experience. Tell stories about it in different ways. So much to tell ! This post is one step forward.
So far I have told twice the story "Pathways and Transition" in my online clubs and thus got through my level 1 in the Visionary Communication path. Here is how I told it the 3 May in Witty Birds online pre charter club. The sound is a bit strange here. But in this speech, my vision was told the first to my online toastmasters pals.
I I am still waiting for a "Paper Award" but I got a badge of Level 1 already. The most important is : I finally got to see Level 2!
PS: I also learned later, you can and have to print your own Level certificate or the VPE prints for you.
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