Urgency, Emotional Intelligence, and Encouragement in Community College Entrepreneurship

Today the Maricopa County Community College District came together for a dialogue day (aka a workshop) titled "Entrepreneurship Across the Curriculum."    It was good!!   Ahhhhh ... refreshing!

Often when I attend academic gatherings, the word "entrepreneurship" is the only thing entrepreneurial about the gathering and, although I often say I'm practicing biting my tongue, I usually end up saying something suggesting a need for a sense of urgency if we are ever going to become entrepreneurial as organizations or help students discover and develop their own entrepreneurial mindsets and skills.  I also tend to say things that pick on higher education such as asking, "do we want to support the stereotype that if you can't do it, teach it?"  

I'm making a claim here that it IS a sign of emotional intelligence to speak up with frustration when something of importance is not occurring (justifying my comments that aren't always appreciated?) .. and, today, I did offer my rant of "Know,Think, DO!" but being with this group of people in an interactive workshop lowered my blood pressure and my typical rant evolved into appreciation for the encouragement that the event provided.  The three preconditions for innovation were present:

1)  Creating time and space in people's lives for reflection, ideation and experimentation.

2)  Maximizing the diversity of thinking that innovation requires.

3)  Fostering connection and conversation - the "combinational chemistry" that serves as a breeding ground for breakthrough ideas.

If we can create these experiences for our co-workers and students, we can make "entrepreneurship" experiential and real - not just the word of the day.  Thank you to MCLI, Bruce McHenry and Kishore Dash for inviting me to speak at today's event and for the three preconditions we all experienced together!
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Need a Keynote Speaker?  How about Olenka Cullinan (Founder of Rising Tycoons)

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Want to see what Club Z is up to?

https://www.facebook.com/ClubZPVCC/

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Social Entrepreneurs ... Children's Cancer Network

Today at the Arizona Biltmore, the Children's Cancer Network (CCN) held their annual fundraising fashion show Inspirations:  Dreams & Destinations.   The founding story of CCN reminds us that social entrepreneurship can begin with any of us ...

When Jenny was a teenager, her brother Jeff was diagnosed with cancer.  Jenny took action and started a service project through the Chandler Flower Girls that would grow and become CCN.   Jeff is now a "multi-time cancer survivor" and the family continues to lead the organization with Patti (mom) serving as Executive Director while Steve (dad) serves as Board President.  

The Luttrell family and generous donors and volunteers have helped many.  The mission and values of CCN?

We support children and families throughout their cancer journey with programs and services designed to provide financial assistance, promote education, encourage healthy lifestyles, and create an awareness of issues they face related to childhood cancer.

To volunteer or donate to CCN:
https://www.childrenscancernetwork.org

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To visit Club Z at PVCC and consider your role in social entrepreneurship, contact students through their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/ClubZPVCC/

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