Published: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 1:48 PM PDT in the Novato Advance

Ignite Event in Novato

Free show draws leaders with passion to speak

There was an electric current in the air at Inn Marin last week as the first Ignite Novato event, a Project Team of NCOC’s Leadership Novato, drew a full house. Fire indeed. Ignite, an international phenomenon, draws from local storytellers, adventurers, experts and creators who share their passion with others – all a breathless five minutes, complete with PowerPoint illustrations. Their motto: Enlighten us, but make it quick. To warm the 150-member audience, MC and Team Member Candra Canning engaged them in an icebreaker. The room was charged with a common culture of sharing. It’s what the rest of the evening and its speakers doled out, reducing six degrees of separation to less than three, two, one.

For Lori Sebastian, who watched the audience lean forward on each five-minute roller coaster ride, the night was a box of candy with none of the icky orange filling. Every speaker offered a gift unwrapped enthusiastically, expertly, passionately:

Alice Cochran is an organization effectiveness consultant in the nonprofit sector. A Dominican University leadership trainer, she unveiled Roberta’s Rules of Order and answered the questions, “Who is Robert?” and “Why are we still following his rules?”

Russ Colombo, President and CEO of Bank of Marin, aspires to fun. In cycling attire, Russ described in passionate detail why “Triathlon Training is Three Times the Fun.” His universal message of inspiring fitness: If I can compete in triathlons, everyone can.

Alyssa Aubrey is a certified equine-guided educator and co-founder of Medicine Horse Ranch in Tomales. In passionate prose and beautiful photos, Alyssa, an expert horsewoman, celebrated the power of 1,000-pound beasts to aid in powerful transformational human learning with “Horse Sense for the 21st Century.”

The youngest presenters, Anthony and Eddy of Hanna Boys School, spoke to “Second Chances.” Both came to Hanna from urban jungles to turn around and recognize they have a great deal to offer the world and much to be thankful for as they move into adulthood.

Sister Marion is the poster child for fitness at any age. This Dominican sister, celebrating her 60th Jubilee of vows and 50 years in education, began long-distance running in midlife. The Boston Marathon, the cover of “Runner” Magazine, a naturally gifted runner, she continues her physical training at age 81.

Dr. Jim Kovack was a middle linebacker when not in medical classes at the University at Kentucky. “When Genetics and Athletics Collide” depicts a time in the not-too-distant future to allow biotechnology to aid in target strengthening. Not just for athletes, but everyone. Did I mention he’s President and Chief Operating Officer of the Buck Institute for Age Research?

Jane Howard has a cushy job, in a sense. She illustrated the commitment to vibrant, effective workplaces and workers as authentically themselves. Easy when there is a commitment to the vision. Cushy because she’s Chief People Officer for Joie de vivre Hospitality, a collection of 38 boutique hotels, three in Marin County.

Peter Pelham hasn’t lost his accent. Then Manchester England native corrects Yanks’ version of soccer. It’s football to the rest of the world – “The Beautiful Game.” Haven’t been to a World Cup? Go! Monday through Friday, Pelham is a Bank of Marin executive (and former President of the Novato Chamber of Commerce).

Sebastopol citizen Marcus Badgley is a visual designer by day. This night, he implored those who resident in the canyons and shadows of the Native American Miwok tribe to call forth the wisdom of these diminished people who predicted our difficult times. He performed on a non-traditional diggery- doo.

David Kelly, part of what USA Network dubbed the “winning-est American adventure team” has raced and adventured in, through, over, and around 50 countries on six continents. His simple “Do Cool” philosophy: Do cool things. In cool places. With cool people.

Barbara Travis is a Blue Star Mother of America, part of an organization of mothers of children serving in the military. Her son is a Navy Seal preparing to deploy. She chronicled the joys and heartbreak that come with reaching out to American soldiers and their families.

Cheryl Paddack says don’t wait for good fortune to descend upon you. Set the goals and put into action, review the road and work to make goals a reality. She’s in a good place to model this personal mantra – as Executive Director of the Novato Youth Center, a non-profit community volunteer and organizer, board member and wife, and mother of two teens.

Jeff King believes in Positive Deviance, a concept this educator embraces. He helps teachers look at challenging students differently and employing unique techniques to reach them. Jeff’s day job? He’s principal of San Jose Middle School in Novato.

Michael Ent is Pastor of HOPE Christian Fellowship, a church startup here in Novato. “How I Lost My Religion” challenged Michael’s audience to convert “ought-tos” of organized religion with a more personal, meaningful relationship with the Christian Gospel. Keep, he said, what works for you.

Ignite Novato Team: Gary Butler, Candra Canning, Pam Conklin, Jim Petray and Chazmith Newton. Sponsors included: Burr, Pilgher, Mayer; Bank of Marin and in-kind assistance and hosting by Inn Marin. A project of Leadership Novato.

Ignite Novato. What’s your gift?

Thank you to Novato Advance, Marinscope Newspapers
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What can we learn from our messes?

A quote from Robin Roberts yesterday at the Women’s Conference in LA.  She said that is what her mother told her as a child and that is the reason that she went public with her whole breast cancer story. Her honest sharing during the struggle endeared us and helped so many people heal along with her. This is a great reminder that sometimes sharing our messes and frailties is so much more authentic than having things all buttoned up.  I’m going to reflect today on the messes that I have created, the lessons that I have learned and enjoy the freedom of the truth.  How about you?

Photo from SwellWomen, Maui

From Outrigger Canoe Paddling

1) Focus. Keep your head in your own boat.

2) Blend. No matter what the stroke, the timing, the technique, a master paddler can “blend” and contribute.

3) Alignment. Apply the power at the same time, in the same direction (an organization, a team, a family).

4) Details. Everything matters, training, technique, and nutrition, what we say to each other, before, during and after.

5) Attitude. If you have an issue or problem, keep it to yourself, otherwise it spreads to the other paddlers and the whole boat loses their mojo.

6) Reflect. First look in the mirror. Mind your own technique, attitude, and  business before you offer your input or opinions to the team. Or as my brothers said to me when I was a kid, “when you are perfect, you can criticize others”.

7) Lokahi. Unity.  Amazing results are effortless and fun!  Some call it flow.

The word lōkahi in general means balance.  However, the Hawaiian concept of lōkahi encompasses much more.  It explains that the body (ke kino), the mind (ka mana‘o), the spirit (ka uhane) and the world (ka honua) are all interconnected and affect each other.  Without any one of these four elements, balance is impossible.   It is the essence of Hawaiian group consciousness, the belief that harmony within the group will insure the cohesiveness and survival of the group and that group members are interdependent.http://www.healthhi.hawaii.edu/

I was lucky enough to help the amazing team at Ingram Barge to ignite their teams at four Leadership Retreats early this year.   I’ve never met a company who did more to walk their talk. They have values, integrity, heart and true family values. I shared a climbing story which they used as an analogy for achieving their own objectives. They launched Sustainability Summits for 2009 and are  looking honestly at their business and reducing their environmental impact. They are exploring what it means to be green in the transportation business. Who knew that the quiet giant in Nashville, Tennessee would be so darn serious about doing the right thing. The best companies take the time to step away from their business and establish big summits for the team to achieve.  But companies like Ingram Barge take the time, effort and money to involve the hearts and minds of their teams and to show them what it means to everyone on the team. Involvement and true commitment… yes even in these times Now , more than ever. Kudos to Ingram Marine Group and to the entire leadership team. They are a company to watch. www.ingrambarge.com.