Eugene Eric Kim
From Reproductive Health Leaders Network
I'm the principal and cofounder of Blue Oxen Associates, a company devoted to making the world a better place by understanding how to collaborate more effectively and by applying and sharing that understanding as widely as possible.
Don Lauro took the above picture of me at Creating Space VIII, which is where I first met Cheryl Francisconi. I also met Kathy Toner through Don, and it was through Kathy's interest and encouragement that I got involved with this wonderful, worthwhile project.
I occasionally blog about my work on collaboration, and I often post pictures of my life and my work. If you're part of this community, I would love to hear from you; please don't be shy!
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Success Scenarios (January 1, 2011)
It's January 1, 2011, and there is a noticeable shift in mindset among the LDM leaders. Graduates of the different population health leadership programs are starting to think of themselves as members of a living, evolving community, and they're starting to act that way as well.
There has been a measurable increase in interactions within the community. People are simply keeping in touch more often. Surveys, Social Network Analysis, and anecdotes confirm this, and there's a (possibly quantifiable) sense that leaders are starting to say "we" almost as often as they say "me."
This we-ness is starting to manifest itself in more concrete ways. For example, leaders are starting to organize their own gatherings, ranging from the small and informal to the large and cross-regional. Most of the leaders pay their own way to attend these gatherings, even the ones requiring significant travel. The majority of these interactions are happening in-country, although we're seeing a growing desire for more cross-country interactions as well.
Leaders are sharing stories about their work, their experiences, and their ideas more proactively. A number of newsletters have started to emerge, many of which are being written and produced entirely by members of the community. There is also a thriving web site on the Internet that collects and disseminates these stories and experiences, text, audio, and video. Those without easy Internet access are not excluded from these stories, as it is accessible via cell phones, and the content is being redistributed in paper and other forms.
Most of the stories being told are about individual experiences, although we're starting to see some stories about collaborative experiences -- learnings from others, new collaborative endeavors, and so forth. One of the most interesting collaborative outcomes has been an explicit statement of community values, which started as an ad hoc exercise between five leaders in three different countries and has received a number of contributions from other leaders since. Inspired by these values and conversations, one leader created a logo, which has been widely embraced by the community.
The community is also experiencing some growing pains. As the interactions increase, so have conflicts between community members. All of these were resolved, and most of the community feels that it is stronger and better as a result, but there are lingering hurt feelings. Moreover, as happy as many people have been with the consequences of a closer community, they are recognizing even greater potential, and are starting to want much, much more.
Upcoming Events
ILA 2008
Spring 2008 Trip
Tentative plans for my trip to Africa in late winter 2008.
Wednesday, 2/20 Cheryl Francisconi travels to Nigeria to work with dRPC and others on LDM program.
Monday, 2/25 Eugene arrives in Kano.
Tuesday, 2/26 Eugene, dRPC, and Cheryl meet to discuss OE project and networking and collaboration issues.
Wednesday, 2/27 Meetings with fellows, others on the OE project.
Thursday, 2/28 Meetings with fellows, others on the OE project.
Friday, 2/29 Eugene and Cheryl travel to Ethiopia
Saturday 3/1 Eugene, Cheryl, Haddis, and Bekalu meet to discuss program, perhaps Yemi?
Sunday 3/2 Rest day -- show Eugene around Addis, etc.
Monday, 3/3 Meetings with Network Focal Persons -- somewhere out of Addis?
Tuesday, 3/4 Meetings with Network Focal Persons -- somewhere out of Addis?
Wednesday, 3/5 Meetings with Network Focal Persons -- somewhere out of Addis?
Thursday, 3/7 Possible India trip.
Agenda:
- Learn, learn, learn
- Meet as many Leaders as possible
- Help initiate face-to-face collaborative processes
- Social Network Analysis iteration -- data collection + analysis
- Possible usability analysis/ethnographic studies/IT training
