This is not the first time I have been in a circle with the Chinese…and I am sure this will not be the last.

It never fails to surprise the Chinese every time they arrived at my programs to find the seats arranged in circle. It also almost always embarrassed me when the Chinese will respectfully addresses me as “Teacher”or “Master”; a term which I blatantly declined in the beginning but grow to accept their culture of respect for the ‘elder’.

Beijing – the capital of Mainland China; a city of cultural and political sensitivity. I have been there three times and yet I know very little of her. Mind you, I never get the chance to visit Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall. But what I did experience are the thoughts of the participants and their stories, concerns, confusions and skepticism of concepts and theories from the West; how can you not with five thousands years of cultural evolution and wisdom.

After introduction to the program proper, I invited the 12 participants into the circle, we checked-in and I asked:

“Do you know why are we in a circle?”, followed by a long pause…

“So that we are able to see one another?” a brave lady breaking the silence…

“Sitting in this way so that we can hear one another clearly”, shared another.

“But who is going to take the lead in decision making?”, a senior looking gentleman voiced his concern…

I allowed a moment of silence and said: “May I suggest that leader will be in every chair, every moment and thoughts, every stories and reflections. For this program, there will be no need for decision making but practice thought leadership.”

I realized some heads nodding and also concerned expressions. But everyone continue to remain in the circle whenever it is being called and showed enthusiasm throughout the two days program.

As one of the participant commented at the end of two days:

“课程使我更了解自己，更清楚自己的管理风格。我愿意与下属分享培训成果，在实践中摸索更适合自己的方法。整个过程很轻松，更有益于我对理论的理解。”

In brief, the Circle enable this participant to observe, listen and speak as a way to know oneself by reflection.

The Circle empower the participant to trust the process and take courage to pass the learning forward.

The Circle encourage the participant to search the way most meaningful for oneself.

Have you been to a conversational circle lately?

Picture source: TaylorMiles via Flickr

再一次来到北京，我深感欣慰。

欣 － 北京的学生领悟性高，思考力强，警觉性深，非常考我的培训技巧与能力，所以能再次回来培训非常开心。

慰 － 小时候对华文的兴趣，还有师辈们的灌输与栽培确实让我万分感激。我对学生们说如果不是资政李光耀的政策，我可能没机会在这跟他们分享学习。

第一天结束前的Conversational Circle，大家分享了所学心得。当中的分享有：

“今天这课程的当儿感触很多，沟通与管理模式虽然易懂但不尽然易行。”

“现在脑海里一直浮现这‘悟’字，而这‘悟’不尽然代表懂了，反而多了些许问题，些许疑惑。”

“脑子里充满问题，但大多是正面问题，趋向怎么改进的疑惑。希望明天有更多反思的机会。”

我感谢大家的分享，感触。晚上迟迟未能入眠，写了以下一段。。。

用身体悟，能觉出学习之处，是进步。

用思领悟，能会出不懂之处，是勇气。

用心感悟，能道出心里深处，是幸福。

用灵彻悟，能让身心为一处，心领神悟。

 

北京的人，事与物都长让我陶醉其中。。。很期待下次的到来。。。期待。