Last week was the annual SIETAR USA conference. I had a fantastic time — it was full of interesting people with whom I connected and full of stimulating conversations from which I learned a lot. I’m stuffed.
As a sample: I attended a presentation by Dr. Allan Bird on the Global Competencies Inventory, which is a well-research and tested inventory. I’m sure I’ll write more on this as I decipher my notes. I also attended a presentation by Mijnd Huiser on his Model of Freedom. It is his way of reconciling Hofstede with Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner and is an interesting way of looking at cultural dimensions and how they intersect. And I attended a workshop by Dr. Christopher Deal on bridging the academic/corporate divide, which turned into a good discussion that may turn into an ongoing dialogue (certainly an internal one, at least).
For instant gratification, I learned a fabulous trick for tacking up papers on the “wall” (see my post on the SIETAR blog to learn how). I almost didn’t go to this workshop because it was after lunch on the last day. The description said “experiential” and I know someone who didn’t go because of that. As for me, I knew that unless it was experiential, I would fall asleep.
Next year’s global conference in Grenada has a lot to live up to, and I’m looking forward to it.
