Grounding, Generosity, and Gratitude
December 3, 2024
Every two years, Solution Tree invites all of the PLC at Work® associates to a weekend retreat for learning, networking, and fellowship. This long weekend re-grounds us all in the work, refreshes and reinvigorates us, and generally provides a great time of learning and connecting with incredible educators from all over the country (and Canada).
And this year was one of those years for a retreat: Chicago in October.
While the learning was incredible–imagine spending such quality time with the likes of Bob Eaker, Jeanne Spiller, Anthony Muhammad, Janel Keating, Mike Mattos, and so many more–the networking and fellowship were equally rejuvenating. Let’s start with some highlights from the learning…
The Work
I’ve only experienced two retreats, but in those two, I have really appreciated the work to re-ground ourselves in the underlying principles and processes of the PLC at Work® movement. Our mission is to “advance the work of the authors.” And in order to advance that work, we must constantly come back to the seminal works of those authors to ensure fidelity to that work.
The PLC at Work® process gets results, but only if all elements are part of it. Sometimes folks like to pick and choose what they like and only do those elements. But just like a tried-and-true family Thanksgiving recipe, deleting some parts and adding others to your own liking won’t give you the same results. And so, as associates, we must constantly come back to that work, gain new insights, clarify our understandings, and refine next steps.
One of the virtues that I have appreciated about Solution Tree is the self-effacement and humility shown by all associated with the organization. This humility is shown most clearly through a willingness to learn. Though surrounded by some of the most influential educational leaders of our time, those same leaders are engaged in learning, themselves. They show up to spend a weekend learning, and even when they are presenting, they share new learning. They explore new possibilities. They gain new insights. They are learning, and this is quite remarkable in a world where knowing “the answers,” and confidence in that knowing (even when not knowing), seems to be prized above all else.
Networking and Fellowship
One of the other virtues that has impressed me with Solution Tree is that of generosity. Generosity of sharing learning. Generosity of service. Generosity of refreshments. Just a general generosity of spirit.
When I think of how the company treats us, it’s how I think any excellent organization should treat people. A welcoming spirit infuses every aspect, as no one considers themselves “above” anyone else. All smile. All say hello. All introduce themselves to each other. All chat in line for food, or sit with anyone at mealtime, or walk together to evening entertainment. You get the picture…
This year, for our Saturday evening entertainment, they rented out the entire back half of The House of Blues. We were treated to an incredible meal, entertainment from a children’s choir from an after-school program (Uniting Voices), and then deuling pianos. And holy cow did those pianists deul! Any song. Any genre. They produced. And, as an aside, I was pretty surprised at the overwhelming nature of the requests being country music. Which, as a country fan, myself, was fun.
Takeaways
Aside from the grounding of the work and the modeling of how to treat people, a key takeaway from the weekend was that of gratitude. I’m grateful for Rick DuFour and Bob Eaker taking the research and putting it into practice some 40 years ago–then taking that practice and publishing their work, just over 25 years ago. I’m grateful for Jeff Jones and Solution Tree taking the work and ensuring that it becomes more than a passing fad. I’m grateful for fellow associates who are working tirelessly to not only be grounded in the work, but to refine our practices so we can transform learning for students throughout the world. And I’m grateful to be a small part of that family.
Questions for Reflection
- What grounds you in your practice?
- Where does generosity show up in your world?
- How might you model that same spirit in your interactions with others?
Do you have a story you’d like to share?
Comment below
(or email [email protected])
Know of someone who would appreciate this post? Share it with them!
Interested in New Posts?
(I won’t spam you–just once a month)
