Want to change the world? Learn another language

For the past 7 or 8 years I've been contemplating the relationship between leadership and language learning. I spent most of my late teens and 20s studying literature and learning other languages. Then I went on to teach Spanish for a number of years, focusing in on that one language, and learning more about Hispanic culture.

During my Ph.D. I delved deep into issues of leadership and educational administration.

I always puzzled over the relationship between language learning and leadership. I knew they were related in a profound and meaningful way. Figuring out how has become a quest over the past 7 or 8 years. The ideas, readings, research, teaching and life experience have begun to gel.

Last year, I had an article published in a newsletter for language teachers, "What Gandhi knew about language promotion". The response to that one little article encouraged me to keep working on the topic. This year I gave a presentation at the University of Calgary on the topic. The full-text copy of the paper for that presentation has been archived on the ERIC database.

A colleague has since asked me to submit an article to a journal she edits. I have prepared a draft and sent it off to her.

Here's a YouTube video (less than 2 minutes) that captures the key ideas that I've been looking into over the past several years:

Want to change the world? Learn another language.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3vTeqUgb9c

Calgary Police 5 km and half marathon

First 5 km race of the year for me this past weekend! The weather was cool and damp. The crowds were energetic and charged up.

We enjoyed running into Liesbeth, Zander, Karen and others we knew. We also saw Carla and Karin and Andra. It's a popular race, for sure!

I was happy to be back into an event, even though I did walk some.

Todd, on the other hand, had a personal best time, after training very hard, losing 10 lbs. and doing his first ever taper.

And so now the chatter has begun among the runners about what the rest of the season will bring for events, races and other chances to connect, test ourselves and enjoy the outdoors.

Thoughts on Education and Leadership

I've started a new blog called "Thoughts on Education and Leadership". I'm going to keep this blog for running-related posts and the new blog for professional posts.

And having said that I am happy to report that I logged over 100 kms in January! It was more mileage than August, September, October and November combined. Woo hoo!

I've signed up for a 10K in March and a half marathon in April, so it's time to start building those miles.

Garmin 310 - Issues with Software v.2.7

Urg! I just went for my best run since the half marathon in Edmonton last August. After the run I got in the car and turned off my Garmin, as I usually do for the trip home. It's a safeguard I learned to do after leaving my Garmin running while driving home. Sure, the stats look good, but my little car goes way faster than my legs! So I learned to turn it off and then turn it back on when I get home.

Only today when I turned it back on, it had completely reset itself. It started by asking me if English was my preferred language.

And my best run in months? Gone. No evidence of it anywhere. It wasn't saved on the Garmin. It didn't upload. Just. Gone.

Luckily I ran with T.M., so I cobbled together a manual upload of the run.

But the Garmin seems completely stuck in this endless loop. Every time we turn it off, it forgets everything that was previously saved - user profile, preferences, everything.

This all seems to be a result of a recent (and mandatory) software "upgrade" to 2.7. Anyone else out there having these issues, I wonder?

3 Key elements of leadership

Since graduating last June, I've revitalized my consulting business and have been working with clients here in Alberta and one in Sweden. It's been a wonderful adventure and I'm looking forward to making 2010 a spectacular year!

I've been trying my hand at making videos over the past few months. I've made 3 so far. You can see them all on my website at www.eatonintl.com.

The newest one is called "3 Key Elements of Leadership" :



It can also be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqW6CD2kyVM

Comments and feedback are welcome!

And after a long hiatus from running due to "Grumpy Knee" I am back at it again. I've signed up for the Calgary Road Runners Original St. Patrick's Day Road Race (10K) and the Calgary Police Half Marathon in April. Can't wait!