Giants #9 -Suzanne Bailey

Giant #9

Suzanne Bailey

“if I have seen further [than others], it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

1675 letter by Isaac Newton:

When I first joined National Staff Development Council in the 80s, at my first preconference was with Suzanne Bailey.  What a gift!  Suzanne, as a former special services teacher. was a learner and trainer extraordinaire.  Some of us attended her sessions every year. The reason: she always brought up-to-date business and education practices, displayed on blueprints, and with action-oriented processes to share.

I still have several artifacts from here work and have used them in many situations:

• Using stories and metaphors to increase retention. One of my favorites is choosing at category for existing state e.g. animal, vehicle, game, song, flower, etc.  (elephant). Then, choose a desired state (monkey).  What are the attributes of a monkey (agile, creative, etc.).  Now, what will it take for you to move from an elephant, slow, heavy, etc. to a monkey? [no offense to an elephant, they have attributes too] That is your action plan with the goal of a desired state.
• Gameboard of Change – a seven-step process to facilitate change including barriers and boosters. This creates steps to initiate and sustain change.
• Gardening Metaphor – using a tree, in four quadrants, for seeds of change, starting to bloom, full bloom, dying, compost heap which feeds the roots (values). I have used this as an assistant superintendent in an urban district for curriculum specialists, in many schools, and for my personal learning plan.
• Mapping the organization to align systems change. An active participation sculpting the organizations so people can view various parts of an organization and see different perspectives.
• Visual Dialogues to facilitate conversations leading to better understanding. Picture cards, nature views, people from various cultures, etc.
• Presentation skills. Amazing micro strategies to create better learning. She had participants sit beside her to see the audience as she saw it.  She taught us to look for nonverbals, presentation hand gestures, and creating community.
• Outcome Mapping for specific steps (knowledge, skills, and applications). What is the goal, what does the group need to know in order to accomplish that task, how will you participate, and what do you need to know so your influence is a positive force.

OK, I could go on.  You get the idea.  I am forever grateful for the combination of current and future learning strategies that have served me well over a career.

Suzanne introduced me to Angeles Arrien’s work which I previously wrote about.  She was a gateway to elevating my learning.  Art & Bob brought Suzanne in for one of our yearly sessions.  She called me a synthesizer.  I believe she was correct.  WHO KNEW?