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The Kids with Cameras in the Merle Hay Mall

April 28, 2007 by Liz Leave a Comment

Get Creative

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It happens at banks. It happens at hotels. In this story it happened at a shopping mall.

The assignment was that students were to phorograph examples of specific attributes of creativity. Students were sent in groups to several malls in the same city.

Someone thought she was in charge of the world. the Merle Hay Mall. She stopped the students and sent them away. They were told they had been belligerent in HER MALL. Here’s a quote about it.

My students were incensed by her accusations. For starters, groups at other malls did not have run-ins with mall security. If questioned, they explained the assignment and the guards did not hinder them. Second, belligerence (like beauty) appears to be in the eyes of the beholder, because they felt harassed by the guards from the second they came into the mall. Third, the individual store owners from whom they asked permission were thrilled to have their store featured in an assignment about creativity. And finally, I went back to the mall and photographed their posted code of conduct myself. There’s no mention of a photography ban listed anywhere.

The question was: How would I respond to that if I were the teacher who made the assignment? Please remember that I have the benefit of hindsight and knowing what’s already been tried.

This lady is obviously a high-structure person. She sees things running one way and gets thrown terribly when something new gets added to the mix — no matter what it is. She’s probably read about terrorists taking pictures of buildings too. She added two and two and action was her defensive response.

I would have put the problem to the students as a question of creativity. How might we use creativity to get to the solution we want? This could be fun.

Looking at the problem from another angle. What would make someone hold onto the keys to the mall so tightly? How might we creatively get her to give them up with a smile? The answer lies in making her feel generous and important. How hard is that?

Let’s say that we invite her to lunch or for an interview with the class. Maybe we ask to meet with her at her office. I would dress in my best business clothes and bring two or three students dressed similarly. We’d ask her to explain her responsibilities and the breadth and depth of her “kingdom.” We would show appropriate respect for how hard she works.

Then we’d ask if we could take a few pictures of her. Would she mind helping us with our project? How might we work together to get this done? It would certainly be a feather in her cap to be an ambassador to the local school. I would see to it that folks knew about it. Perhaps she would like to send someone to watch the students work?

Yes, this would take extra time to get past the barriers, but it would be such a life lesson. The kids would be learning how to use their creativity to solve a problem that meant something to them and get a chance to “outsmart a grownup” too.

Who doesn’t like to “outsmart a grownup” –especially a cranky one who’s been on a rampage like that?

I bet those kids would come up with a better solution than this in even less time than I wrote this post.

After all, their teacher is the guy who wrote the book, GUST. He could guide them, much better than I ever could.

Click to the “Bloggy Tag Button” to see who tagged me.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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Filed Under: Bloggy Questions, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, bloggy-tag, Carpe-Factum, Merle-Hay-Mall, Timothy-Johnson

SOB Business Cafe 03-02-07

March 2, 2007 by Liz Leave a Comment

SB Cafe

Welcome to the SOB Cafe

We offer the best in thinking–articles on the business of blogging written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the titles to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are

Logic + Emotion shares a thoughtful discussion.

Thought Bubbles


Lorelle on WordPress offers a revue of reviews on WP plug-ins.

Random WordPress Plugins: Rotating Banners, Header Art, Images, Quotes, and Content on Your Blog


Design Your Writing Life continues the conversation about who decides we are writers.

Who says you’re a writer?


Carpe Factum worries about our childishness.

Does Your Inner Child Need a Diaper Change?


SuccessCREEations has been studying the financials.

How to Make Blogging Make Money For You


Spooky Action offers some thought-breaking statistics.

STATISTICS SHOW EATING ICE CREAM
CAUSES MURDER


Related ala carte selections include

Business Blogwire has a new initiative to improve 100 blogs.

Pass The SOAP: Improve Blogs With The Scratch One Another Program


Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like. No tips required. Comments appreciated.

Have a great weekend!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Filed Under: Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, Carpe-Factum, Design-Your-Writing-Life, logic-+-emotion, Lorelle-on-WordPress, Small-Biz-Survival, Spooky-Action

SOB Business Cafe 12-08-06

December 8, 2006 by Liz Leave a Comment

SB Cafe

Welcome to the SOB Cafe

We offer the best in thinking–articles on the business of blogging written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the title shots to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are

The Publishing Spot offers a way to find balance.

I dont think Id be sane if

Success Begins Today finds a way to include people in optimum performance.

Optitasking at Work

Blogopreneur asks questions worth considering.

Who Do You Define As Authority Today?

CypherHacks explains how to do tricks with Adsense.

Display adsense in certain posts in WordPress

Carpe factum suggests you don’t take the bipolar express.

The Bi-Polar Express

Creative Think offers ideas on how to loosen up.

Loosen Up

Related ala carte selections include

Orbit Now is offering a great service.

Why I want to be your mentor

Converstations asks Steve Farber to explain what OS!M means.

Without OSM You Got Nuthin

Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like.
No tips required. Comments appreciated.

Have a great weekend!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Filed Under: SOB Business, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, Blogopreneur, Carpe-Factum, Converstations, Creative-Think, CypherHacks, Orbit-Now, Steve-Farber, success-Begins-today, The-Publishing-Spot

SOB Business Cafe 09-29-06

September 29, 2006 by Liz Leave a Comment

SB Cafe

Welcome to the SOB Cafe

We offer the best in thinking–articles on the business of blogging written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the title shots to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are

No One’s Listening writes authentically about the decision to be heard, and yes, Yas, I do agree.

Anonymous No More

Extreme Leadership wants to know your story of greatness.

The Greatness Paradox

Seth’s Blog reminds us of what we once didn’t know, but always should remember.

Discovery

Carpe Factum asks whether your organization is suffering from severe lack of accomplishment.

Accomplishment Apnea

The Tlog has sound advice on protecting our hard work.

How to Stop People from Stealing Your Blog's Content

Related ala carte selections include

Ramblings From a Glass Half Full has a question about vocabulary.

Don Nice Guys Really Finish Last

Seb’s Random Thoughts outlines the good, the bad, and the ugly of a highly successful podcast series.

Podcasting - Start to Finish - In 10 Months

Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like.
No tips required. Comments appreciated.

Have a great weekend!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Filed Under: Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, Carpe-Factum, Extreme-Leadership, Ramblings-From-A-Glass-Half-Full, Sebs-Random-Thoughts, Seths-Blog, The-Tlog

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