Breaking out of the comfort zone

Anyone who knows me well knows that numbers and I are rarely on speaking terms. That probably goes for a lot of folks in journalism and publishing — when numbers weren't working for us, we turned to words — but it's certainly the case with me. And I suspect that to at least some degree that's the case for a lot of superintendents too.

Knowing that, you can probably figure out how I've reacted to some of the hard-core financial information that's been a part of the curriculum for the attendees at this year's Syngenta Business Institute in Winston-Salem, N.C., which heads into its final day this morning. Wide-eyed, with a "is-he-still-speaking-English?" look on my face would about cover it.

But when you really think about it, that's what this week's event is really all about it — getting folks out of their comfort zone. The 28 superintendents from around the country who came to the Graylyn International Conference Center for the event are some of the most-respected superintendents in the country. There's plenty of agronomic firepower hanging around this room. But to a person, this week's attendees will tell you that the topics being covered by instructors from Wake Forest University's School of Business — from the previously mentioned financial boot camp to staff management and leadership issues — are the kinds of topics that they often overlook when they're taking continuing education at national or regional conferences and the the areas where they need the most personal improvement.

They are getting plenty of opportunities to do that improving here, in a fast-paced, interactive manner. They've learned about balance sheets, cash flow statements, profitability ratios. They've discussed delegation. They've delved into the characteristics that make great leaders. They've thrown wadded up pieces of paper at one of their own (to rat him out, Patrick Daly, CGCS from Farmingham (Mass.) CC) in a unique lesson in positive and negative reinforcement. Tomorrow, they're taking on the art and science of negotiation.

In all, they've covered a remarkable amount of ground, learning about issues that they normally don't have time to pay even passing attention to during their normal professional lives. And even a numbers-phobic observer like myself has learned plenty over the past few days. I'm never going to be an expert on cost relevancy and budgeting, but I will know what to do and how to react the next time someone starts throwing wadded up pieces of paper at me.

Stay tuned for more post-event coverage here on the blog and in the January issue of GCM.

Comments

[Darrin Batisky]

I've enjoyed hearing your updates. I was part of the first SBI last year and the one they threw wadded up paper at! All in all your comments on spot on, thanks! Congrads on the promotion too, I look forward to meeting you sometime soon.

[David Phipps]

I too was there last year and have enjoyed the updates as well. Darrin, I must confess I was aiming at your head. :)