Guatemala – This Is Just The Beginning!
After two days of training I thought I had it figured out. Yea, right! First thing, I lose my trusted interpreter. Then I am told I will be teamed up with someone. OK – This will take me outside my comfort zone for sure. I was just getting comfortable with the process.
Then it struck me like a blow to the head. This is exactly what I have been training on. Growth takes stretching. Did I mention the presentation also would be reduced by an hour because of our schedule for the day? This all happened within an hour of our presentation. Solution … Adapt and Overcome.
I couldn’t have asked for better results. Anai was able to work with two of my team mates and they both let me know later that she had done a great job for them as well. Our translators did a great job and allowed me to meet some more great young kids making a difference in their Country.
Oh yea, what happened to me … Well I ended up teaming up with my roommate, Bob DiGiacomo and we teamed up with some of our closest friends on the team, Bob and Nancy Kittridge, to go speak to two groups at a local fire station.
I was the only one of the four of us that had not served in the fire industry but compensated with telling stories about working close with our public servants. I was accepted right away.
Some of these firefighters came from as far away as 5 hours. You can imagine the typical distractions in a fire house. Bells, flashing lights, fire trucks blasting out of the station. We even lost one guy after one of the alarms. Bell and light went of and away he went – fast.
My first two days of training went without a glitch. Today was full of challenges and worth every minute of it. Once we got into the exercises, these guys, and two women, seemed totally engaged. I didn’t have to understand the language to see that there were some real conversations taking place.
One thing I did with each group this week was ask them to close their eyes and picture their children (or loved ones, but most actually had kids.) Then after about 10 seconds of silence, asked them to visualize the world they would like their children to grow up in and remained silent for about a minute. This was a very powerful exercise each time and I think it let the participants know that this was not just another “how to” of “self-improvement” training. This would be different.
After the training the atmosphere seemed electric as these public servants realized their lives had changed and so will their Country and they will be part of that change.
During the second half of our discussion I noticed that a little boy had come into the room. As it turned out, he was the son of one of the female firefighters. You can think what you want, but I know it was a higher power that brought that little guy into our room.
He and I had a great conversation for a few minutes and even though we were only able to understand a few of each other’s words. We laughed, smiled and high fived just like I did with my kids when they were that age.
As we closed out the presentation, I could not help myself but to walk over and stand with my new little buddy and did my best to get out these words. “You see this little guy? This is why we are here in your Country. You have an opportunity to create that world that you saw with your eyes closed earlier this morning. Will that be worth the commitment to do what you have to do to make this happen for this child and all the children of Guatemala? I believe in all of you and I believe you will do it.”
I believe in that moment, every person in that room got it. Many of the participants wanted pictures and some even wanted email addresses so they could stay in touch with us.
I find it difficult to hold back the emotion as I reflect on what happened a few minutes later as we were getting ready to leave. I felt a tug at my shirt and as I turned around, there he was – my new little friend. The future of Guatemala with his arms stretched out in the universal language of “I want a hug.”
I dropped to by knees and embraced that little guy. The station Chief was nearby and gave me the gift of a lifetime by grabbing the camera out of my hand and to create a permanent record of the defining moment.
Earlier this week I posted the following thought … “How do you put in words something you have never done before, that made you feel like you never felt before, in a place you’ve never been before, with people you’ve never met before?” Today I received the answer to my question. You don’t use words.
Guatemala changed this week and “La Transformación está en mí” has just begun!
- Click here to read Day 1
- Click here to read Day 2
- Click here to read Day 3
- Click here to read Day 4
- Click here to read Day 5
- Click here to read Day 6
***********************************************************************
Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith 6/15/13 photo by author © Building What Matters 2013
Guatemala – An Outward Experience For An Inward Journey
All the lessons learned yesterday made this morning run much smoother. As the news spread about the work we have been doing, additional requests were received for more. Several team members pulled double duty today to accommodate the requests for additional transformation.
As my translator Anai and I entered our transport vehicle this morning, the driver told us we would be headed to a record store and sure enough, after about 30 minutes, we arrived at Casa Instrumental.
We walked into the office area above the showroom to await our coordinator and I honestly was unsure who we were to be training today. Our coordinator greeted us and directed us out a back door.
What came next was the last thing I expected. We entered the instrument academy. The most amazing school for music I have ever seen. We saw individual rooms for every kind of instrument. Sound rooms with more electronics that I had ever seen in one place and décor so full of color and life that it made you feel like you were on a movie set.
We soon found out that we would be training teachers, managers and human resource staff at the most prestigious instrumental music academy in Guatemala.
The theme followed much like yesterday. High engagement and high emotion. The response was similar as well. An incredible need for mentoring and leadership with everyone we worked with.
Some of the participants were hesitant to partake in the interactive part of our training. With a little encouragement, they finally made it to the front of the class. I asked them when we were done if they had been scared? Yes. Did they learn something about themselves? Yes. Were they glad they did it? Absolutely!
Again, with an absolutely incredible job of translation by Anai, we witnessed transformation right before our eyes. Several participants approached us afterwards to thank us and shared a unified new attitude of achievement. “We will do this. We will change our Country. We will not let you down.”
I explained to them that their focus needed to be not to let themselves down. Not to let their families, friends and co-workers down. They understood what I was saying.
After the training session, we were able to tour some more of the facility and found out that the Guatemalan version of American Idol was filmed at this location in their auditorium. We were actually able to see some of the contestants practicing for the taping next week that will be aired on local television.
It has added so much to this experience to see the environment that the locals live in every day. Part of me will remain with the people of this Country forever. The images etched in my mind will not be forgotten, nor will the lives we have seen changed.
Our team dinner tonight, was again filled with great stories of change and a soccer ball signed by the entire team that was presented to John. “I will put this in my office where I can see it every day to remind me of the greatest leadership week in my life,” John stated as he held the ball in his hands. He added that this week has been an “outward experience resulting in an inward journey.” I couldn’t agree more.
Tomorrow, we train in the morning, followed by a stadium event with attendance predicted in the thousands celebrating transformation. That will be followed by an event outside of the City which we are told is one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala.
We do it one more time tomorrow. It will be difficult to sleep tonight knowing that the world will change again for so many once again tomorrow and that I will be blessed to be part of it.
“La Transformación está en mí.”
- Click here to read Day 1
- Click here to read Day 2
- Click here to read Day 3
- Click here to read Day 4
- Click here to read Day 5
***********************************************************************
Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith 6/14/13 photo by author © Building What Matters 2013
Guatemala – The Word Of The Day “ESPERANZA”
I find it hard to explain what happen today. I am not going to say it was great, incredible or unbelievable even though those words probably describe what took place.
The truth is I don’t know how to explain it. How do you explain something that you have never done that made you feel like you’ve never felt in a place you’ve never been with people you’ve never met?
Today I realized what significance really means. Lives were changed today, including mine.
For about three and a half hours, I trained on laws of growth and personal values with the objective of training about 35 leaders that have committed to bring these ideas and skills to hundreds more.
My only worry going into this first session was that I would be able to connect with these people that did not understand the language I speak. I could not have asked for a more capable and passionate translator. When I met Anai this morning, I immediately was put to ease.
Anai, a twenty one year old college student who lives just outside of Guatemala City, told me she wants to get her masters degree in language translation in Chicago and then return home so that she can help support her family. That was all I really needed to hear.
She was amazing. Somehow, we moved through the material like we had been practicing together for a long time. I found it interesting how much different communication is when you have to depend so much more on body language to connect with your audience.
Have you ever had the complete attention of someone you are speaking to even though you know they don’t understand a word you are saying? Let me tell you, it is extremely powerful!
Our preparation time paid off and I know that those future agents of change not only understand the responsibility they have as leaders now, but also that the hope, or ESPERANZA, of transformation in Guatemala is now reality. I heard so many amazing stories from my colleagues, many of them describing adversity that was overcome during the process.
Failure was not an option for us today, and I honestly believe this Country will refuse to fail as well. The outside world has showed up and believed in them and they now believe in themselves. They will do this.
We finished up with cheers of “La Transformación está en mí.” Everyone in that room left a different person than when they arrived. I believe this is the beginning of something much bigger than what will be accomplished this week.
Upon returning back to the hotel, we found ourselves in the company of several of the orphans that we had brought gifts for. No words can describe the light in the faces of these kids as they took turns selecting from the mountains of crayons, stuffed animals and coloring books.
The picture is of me with some of my new friends. These boys were some that traveled four hours to be here today. How was your day?
We finished up the day with a team review of the events of the day. More amazing stories shared by some of my teammates. Then John Maxwell stepped to the podium. You could see and feel the emotion within him as he told us that today was one of his finest moments. The feedback already received included a request by President Pérez Molina asking John to train his entire cabinet.
This was the one, however, that brought everyone to their feet. “Once you get a taste of significance, you will never settle for success.” Today we were significant. Today, Hope or “Esperanza” is no longer what might change this country. It is what WILL change it. Tomorrow, we do it again. Can’t wait!
***********************************************************************
Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith 6/13/13 photo by author © Building What Matters 2013
Guatemala – Yesterday Ended At Midnight, Today Is A New Day!
I have come to the conclusion that stating the “today was incredible” will become quite redundant so I will just get to it.
Today was the first day that we had the opportunity to really connect with the local residents that are helping out. This morning we finalized the training we will be doing and then spent the second half of the morning with our translators.
It was quite the site to see over 150 local translators enter our room to a standing ovation. The local residents and Government have done nothing but show us an immense amount of gratitude and appreciation since we arrived. It was our turn to show our appreciation.
You could see the emotion in their faces as we honored them for their efforts and willingness to give of themselves in this massive effort. As we paired up and began to go over the procedure for coordinating the same message in two languages, we could not help but inquire into their story. What brought them into this process?
As you can imagine, they all had different stories that brought them “into the room” this morning. These volunteers ranged from professional translators to 17 year old high school students that have been prepping for this huge task for weeks.
I was surprised at how well almost all of them spoke English and the young man, Rodrigo Hernandez, that I connected with was no different. Rodrigo is a 23 year old college student studying to be a surgeon. He has been translating at his church for a few months and works at a call center at one of the local telecommunication businesses.
I listened intently as he shared the journey that put us together. His mother, also a translator, has been translating for several years and I wish you could have seen the look on her face as I told her how impressed I was with her son.
I found it very interesting that the common theme amid these bi-lingual partners was not that they were concerned about translating our words, but translating our emotion. I understood immediately as Rodrigo described what life has been like for him growing up in Guatemala.
This country is so incredibly passionate about the potential change about to take place and the next three days. I believe it will be unlike anything most of us have experienced before. I won’t pretend to know what it has been like for the people we will be speaking to but they will know that I believe in them and in their cause to change a Nation. They will know that as well before I head home later this week.
The day ended with an eye-opening trip across town to the Presidential Palace. About 400 people, including our team, gathered to hear from Guatemalan President Otto Pérez Molina, Guatemala Próspera President Manuel Espina and John Maxwell. The atmosphere was intense as a picture of transformation of a Country was painted by these three men.
We were able to view a good portion of the palace and the rich history of this Country only reinforced our desire to make a difference. It was almost surreal, at least for me, to be an acknowledged guest to such a momentous occasion.
This day is engrained in my memory for several different reasons but I think something the President Pérez Molina said put everything in perspective for us. He closed his speech by making the following statement; “The best way we can say thank you is to show you the transformation.”
Take a minute and think about that statement coming from the President of Guatemala. He wants to say thanks to us by improving his Country. That is what I call leadership!
***********************************************************************
Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith 6/12/13 photo by author © Building What Matters 2013
Guatemala – “Transformation Begins With Me”
I know before even starting this post, that I will fail in adequately describing the emotional impact to the team today. If the importance of this undertaking were not clear before today, it is now.
Along with great training from John and the EQUIP team, we were blessed to hear stories from some of the locals regarding their anticipation for what will transpire later this week.
Earlier this week people lined up along the streets, cheering on those completing the Guatemala Próspera March that began in Atlanta weeks ago. Mother’s running out to hug some of the walkers telling them they had been praying 20 years for this emphasis on leadership to be brought to their homeland so their children could have opportunities that were once only a dream.
Honestly, this is all somewhat overwhelming. The only real examples of support I can compare to in the United States is when we have joined together after some major disaster of tragedy involving the loss of human life.
I believe that what is going on here in Guatemala is about the loss of human life. Not in the sense of what you think but in “life” that represents the basic rights we enjoy in the US and other Industrialized Nations.
That life, as most of us enjoy it, is not the rule here in the Country of Guatemala, it is the exception. Imagine if you woke up tomorrow and were told that your country is about to be transformed into something that you have only heard about, something better than anything you have ever experienced before.
That is the attitude of the Guatemalan residents. Thousands wait to see the impact of this transformation. The chant of “Transformation begins with me” or to correctly represent it “Transformación esta en mi”, is becoming the war cry of the people. The Government is being transparent and asking to be held accountable for this change. Think of the implications of that in itself.
I ask you to take a moment and just picture what it would be like to live in a country with 360,000 orphans. That number, as a percentage of the population, would be millions in the United States. A country that has 140,000 people added to the workforce every year with only 20,000 jobs available. A country that has been praying for years for change that will allow those with the desire, to have an opportunity to succeed.
There is not one person in this Country that matters any less than you or I. They deserve a chance. They deserve to have someone believe in them. They deserve a reason to believe in others. THEY DESERVE HOPE!
Tomorrow we meet with our translators and coordinate the training that will begin on Thursday. This I know, my life has already been transformed and in a discussion with some of my fellow coaches tonight we agreed … we have already accomplished so much but have not even started. This is just the beginning. Tomorrow starts now!
I know some of this may be hard to understand and this really has been a “you had to be there” experience.
But this I know, when I look into the eyes of those that I will be blessed to train this week, I can only hope that they can see my heart and that I can see theirs. This week I am not an American and these men and women won’t be Guatemalans. We will all simply be people sharing this planet that want to be part of the solution.
The solution starts with the Hope that is already here. Now it’s time to go from relevance to significance. That will only come from within. “Transformation Begins with Me” or as I now refer to it, “Transformación esta en mi”
***********************************************************************
Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith 6/11/13 photo by author © Building What Matters 2013
Wheels Down in Guatemala City – Time To Enter The Room
When I left you yesterday, I was hanging in LAX waiting for my flight south to Guatemala City. About seven hours later the pilot’s voice came over the cabin speakers; “We are now beginning our descent into Guatemala City.”
My two hour nap on the plane was over and I could tell immediately that the sun was up high enough that I would be able to see the ground once we dropped below the cloud layer.
A few minutes later, there it was … Guatemala City. I knew right away this was unlike anywhere I had been before. I could clearly make out the densely populated neighborhoods with lots of metal and plywood roofed structures. Debris piles at numerous locations and scrap vehicles seemed to make up much of the open space.
The thing I remember though was how green everything was. Unlike the various locations I have been to in Mexico, Guatemala City looked “alive.” Despite the clear evidence of poverty, there seemed to be a ray of hope within the landscape.
Clearing customs went fairly smooth and off to the hotel we went. People everywhere, old red school buses for mass transit and narrow streets, much like Mexico, but I still sensed something different about this place.
Paul Martinelli, President of the John Maxwell Team, recognizing that we are on the maiden voyage on multiple levels with this process simply offered up the following advice; “Something will not go as planned this week. Stay the course and enter into the spirit of suspending the requirement to know how.” In short, be prepared to navigate around the bumps in the road as necessary.
John Maxwell provided his insight and wisdom for much of the afternoon and evening and shared with us how genuinely excited the “power” players in this Country are that we are here to help.
Today’s focus was on Values Based Leadership. Using Abraham Lincoln as an example, John taught on five of Lincoln’s values.
COURAGE
Anytime we consider a significant change, we know a few things. It won’t be easy. Some people won’t like it, and most importantly, it won’t happen without taking a chance.
GOLDEN RULE
You know what it is. Treat others as you want to be treated. Certainly there is great disparity in who holds the wealth in Guatemala. The family’s that control the majority of the wealth are willing to change their perspective and see things from the way they look on the other side of the fence.
HIGH STANDARD
The leaders of Guatemala recognize that the standard of living needs to be raised for the entire country, not just the elite. As John has described it, “We want to raise all the boats, not just the yachts.”
COMPASSION
Living conditions are difficult for millions in Guatemala. A compassionate view and a sincere desire to make life better today that it was yesterday is a concept that has been accepted wholeheartedly and that compassion has provided some common ground for all the residents anxiously awaiting this transformation.
COMMITMENT
This is probably the one thing that stuck out for me today. We heard from several people involved in this great undertaking and one thing is very clear. The powers to be in Guatemala and the team I am part of are without any doubt, committed to see this through to success. There is no talk of failure. Only of the great things that are to come.
This transformation will not happen in a day. It will happen daily and the 1 in 7 educators of Guatemala that we train this week, are committed to taking these concepts to the remainder. This is what will provide the transformation. As it should, the transformation of this Country will come from within.
As it was suggested today, we are all pioneers in this effort. That statement reminded me of a question I heard a while back. “When was the last time you did something for the first time?”
***********************************************************************
Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith 6/10/13 photo by author © Building What Matters 2013
