Howard and Barb, February 2025

Hi Barb, 

Summer is a time for action, for sports, trips, gardening, and so on. But it's also a time for reflection and rest.

I got an unexpected block of reflection time recently, when I learned my dear friend, Howard, age 93, was actively dying. 

Howard and his wife Lucetta were like parents to me. So I drove to Madison, WI, the next day and stayed present in the hospice suite until Howard quietly drew his last breath five days later. 

I'm profoundly grateful to have been there, to share back the support and love they showed me over the last 45 years. 

I'd like to share with you two questions that emerged during this time of reflection: 

• Before I came to Madison, indeed even before I was born, Howard and Lucetta were setting up organizations and systems that have profoundly impacted my life. What would I do if I didn't need to know the fruit of my own actions?  
• My last conversation with Howard was about forgiveness. He said, "Most people don't know that forgiveness is why we are here. And, if they know it, they don't practice it."  He had forgiven everyone for everything he could think of, and was truly at peace. What if I could forgive everyone everything, now?

Next week, I'll get a dose of rest, as I head to northern Wisconsin for the 34th time, to hang out at a family camp. I won't be grieving alone, as many people at the camp knew Howard well. 

And, I'll be leading several discussions about water quality, which is central to why I do what I do.

How about you? How have reflection and rest helped you or your groups? 

Write back and share a short story with me. I'd love to hear it.

Warmly,

Barb Bickford

Short and Fun Networking Workshop
-- 5:30 to 7:30 pm / July 17, 2025 / Sak's Sports Bar, Shoreview, Minnesota / no cost

Networking can connect us with people, knowledge and resources we wouldn't find on our own. At its best, networking creates webs of trusting relationships that benefit everyone involved.

But many of us struggle to network effectively. And how we network can actually turn people off! 

Join us on July 17th to practice micro-skills of networking that will both help others feel at ease and will grow our networks in a healthy way. 

I offered to lead this event because by practicing these micro-skills, I lost my fear of networking (LOL). You can too!

This event is for anyone interested in organizational development. If you are always looking for ways to improve things in your workplace, that would be YOU.  Members of the Minnesota Organizational Development Network (MNODN) will be happy to connect you with resources to help you.  

Register on the MNODN events page.  See you there!

Brushstrokes of Becoming:
A Creative Day Retreat for Women in Mid-life Career Transition
-- Saturday, August 2, 2025 / 9 am to 4 pm / Stillwater MN / $247

These days, many women are either changing their jobs or careers or they're seriously thinking about doing it, so their life can be either more manageable or more fulfilling or, ideally, both.

But there's a lot of uncertainty in the air. Uncertainty can lead to obsessing, which doesn't help in the long run, or to forcing a solution, which could land a person in a position that doesn't fit.

And, there are those who have already lost their jobs or been given a new role.

To support women navigating these challenges, we're offering Brushstrokes of Becoming: a creative day retreat for women in mid-life career transition on Saturday, August 2, 2025, in Stillwater. 

Curious? Learn more here.  Or jump here to register. 

PS -- if this retreat isn't a fit for you, who do you know that is in a role or career transition?  Please let them know about the retreat, by forwarding this email or sending the link to them. Thanks!

Transitions and New Beginnings weekend retreats -- save the dates!

Here are upcoming Transitions retreats that are open to the public: 
-- February 4-8, 2026 in Sun City West (near Phoenix), Arizona
-- April 17-19, 2026 at St. Anthony's Spirituality Center, Marathon City, Wisconisn

Reply to this email if you are interested in either event, and pencil in the dates in your calendar.

We also offer 1-day Transitions events on demand. Do you know a group of 6 or more people who might want to examine their personal or collective transitions? Let me know.

Related blog posts
-- Embracing life transitions   
-- 37 meeting reflections to open and close your meetings

Our upcoming events, workshops and courses

Make time for reflection in your meetings

Reflection in meetings is sometimes seen as a waste of time. People often resist it because they think "we are here to DO SOMETHING!" 

But according to the good folks at Session Lab, "Reflection activities help counteract this by slowing things down just enough for clarity, alignment, and connection to emerge."

In other words, reflection can lead to thoughtful decisions and more effective actions.

Here are some ways to weave reflection into your meetings: 

• After asking a (every) question, suggest that people think quietly for a minute before answering, This gives both introverts time to access their ideas and extroverts to focus on one most helpful idea to share.
• At the end of a meeting, take a few minutes to discuss what could be done to make future meetings better.  Ask simple questions like "What worked? What didn't? What could be done differently?" 
• Alternate active decision-making with reflective activities like the Liberating Structures What So What Now What, Drawing Together or Appreciative Interviews.  (Want to practice Liberating Structures before leading them? Check out Learning LS)

Session Lab has many more suggestions about including reflections in meetings. Read them here. 

Want even more tips? Access Ten Tips to Foster Online Engagement.

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Photo Credit: an anonymous hospice center staff