This blog covers my travels over the spring and summer of 2009. Here’s where I’ve gotten to.
May in Massachusetts was productive. I found someone to rent my house for at least a year, and someone to rent my studio for the summer and take care of my cat, meaning I’m free to continue my travels.
Professionally, I am now re-certified to lead the Bigger Game Experience (www.biggergame.com), an experiential workshop that helps individuals and teams bring innovation and change into their lives and work. I am also now a trained Shadow coach – meaning I can literally walk with my clients through their days and be their “thinking partner” as they grapple with the decision-making, internal and external change processes, personalities, politics, and myriad other challenges of being a senior-level leader. This is work I’ve wanted to do for a long time – I’m ready!
On the spiritual front, I had a divination with a shamanic colleague, Malidoma Patrice Somé (www.malidoma.com), who confirmed that it’s past time for me to be in partnership. In fact, it is already starting to happen – my Massachusetts days were filled with old friends and new, helping me get the house and studio ready, helping me on various stages of my journey, helping me with my cat. And now, here in London, I’ve received unexpected offers of help and support as well. And, my goal is to ramp that up and enter into deep, lasting partnership, both personal and professional.
The dance gathering in NYC was amazing (www.frankie95.com). Much as we all missed him, it was heartening that Frankie received a well-deserved full-page obituary in the NY Times. The 1700+ attendees that came in from all over the world more than did justice to his legacy of how humility and service honors that which you love (for him, the Lindy Hop). If you ever get to see two pastors dancing in a pulpit (a first for both!) because the music and the impact of the deceased on the rest of the congregation was too compelling not to, you’ll know you’ve lived to witness an impact both amazing and powerful. Their response to the outpouring of love for Frankie was a profoundly human response.
Now in London, I find myself in an unexpectedly appealing place (Brockley, southeast London) for my first month. I arrived on June 10th, and am sharing a flat with a woman from a Corporate Social Responsibility listserve (groups.yahoo.com/group/csr-chicks/). Coincidentally, a very dear colleague and one of my favorite dance partners each live right around the corner.
I’ve been offered two house-sitting opportunities (one for the remainder of July and one for August) and I haven’t yet started setting up visits to see old friends outside London. I had my first couchsurfing experience in Toronto, June 4th to 7th, which means I now have that to fall back on for any gaps in my schedule.
This lifestyle I’m setting up is unusual, to be sure – certainly not the settled suburban life I grew up in. And, it works for the work I do. I meet people when I travel, and the work develops from there.
Yes, I’ve had mornings where I get a lurch of panic, wondering if I’m crazy – the lurch of any risk-taker or entrepreneur.
However, things have come together nicely, and the work opportunities look ready to multiply. There’s lots of good energy around this trip, lots of reasons for hope and optimism. There’s strong local community here in Brockley, and I’m reconnecting with coaching, dance, and personal development communities. This morning I coached a colleague and was reminded of how much I love the work I do. I am blessed to be of service to good people, and helping him re-energized me and refueled my awareness that what I do is needed in the world.
So, I’ll close with the overview that I developed yesterday of what I offer.
What I do is help savvy leaders start and build their businesses
My services include:
1. Coaching – Developing you so you can start, build, or expand your business
o Shadow Coaching – being your real-time thinking partner
o Business Artists™ – helping you identify your true life’s work
2. Consulting – Pragmatic and tangible contributions to new or growing organizations
o Operations – what’s coming in, what’s going out, and what’s happening internally in between
o Business Development and Strategy – taking the business to the next level
3. Facilitation for teams
o Bigger Game – an innovation and change model
o Catalysts for Change – a “by invitation only” retreat for senior-level, international executives
That’s what I most love bringing into the world.
Until next time, blessings on you, your loved ones, and your work in the world.
Deborah
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Deborah Huisken, PCC
Dancing Star International
Services for savvy leaders who are
starting and building businesses
VoIP: +1 617 275-5706
UK cell: 0798 521-4520
Deborah@DancingStar.com
www.DancingStar.com
Partnering internationally with executives,
entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and other
Business Artists™ to tap untapped talent
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