Athenian “Mastermind?”

This past June I had the opportunity to participate in a week-long professional development program called the “Athenian Project.” Since then I have been trying to find the best way to describe this once in a lifetime event.

Should I focus on the “Socratic challenge” that I signed up to work on? The personal challenge and accountability project? The city-love that Peter Kageyama preaches? The evolving theme of healing civic democracy?

The Athenian Project is a professional development opportunity sponsored by the International City Management Association (ICMA). It was created after many members expressed the concern that there aren’t enough opportunities for senior career managers to gather, create new cohorts, learn new approaches, and ponder their legacies.

In June, 20 managers and ICMA staff gathered in Virginia to do just that. Some of the most amazing managers in the country attended. Some, like me, had served on the design team so we knew what to expect. Others took a leap of faith, believing that the power of the group would be transformational.

During the week-long session, we debated societal challenges relating to local government. We had many conversations about future goals – both personal and professional. We were collectively seeking a new well of motivation to recharge our careers. We also laughed, shared, and even sang around a campfire.

I listen to a LOT of podcasts, and hear many entrepreneurs talking about their mastermind classes. They talk about groups of leaders who navigate challenges together, sharing connections, networking, sharpening skills and learning to think bigger. Just recently it hit me – the Athenian Project is a mastermind class for local government leaders!

In his fascinating book When, Dan Pink talks about using “temporal landmarks” to start again. Landmarks used to navigate time can include the traditional ones like New Year’s Day, the first day of school, or a birthday. But temporal landmarks can also be events like week long retreats with amazing people. Pink notes that starting again can serve to relegate our old selves to the past, leaving us confident about our future, superior selves. These opportunities can slow our thinking, and allow us to deliberate at a higher level and make better decisions. This is just how I felt during the Athenian Project.

I am humbled to have been able to spend a week laughing and learning from my Athenian friends – I am confident that these relationships will endure for years. We plan to continue our work, teaching and writing about our challenges, and encouraging others to participate in the future.

So what am I doing differently after the Athenian project?

1. Keeping in touch with the Athenians.
2. Continuing to develop our Socratic challenge and pursuing my own personal challenge with my accountability partners.
3. Pondering legacy and succession planning with more intention.
4. Prioritizing time to work on big goals.
5. Tackling challenges that are long overdue.
6. Starting again!

Do you have a “Mastermind” group? If not, how could you create one of your own? If you cannot make the Athenian trip (or at least not now) can you create a cohort of your peers? Perhaps with colleagues in your organization who have similar goals, or those in other communities who have similar roles? Don’t be afraid to reach out – everyone likes to be asked!

Let’s practice, starting again!