Global Transformation Experts

Last week I was in Rossignano, a small town in Tuscany, Italy for a workshop about Safety Culture. For the reason that an Energy Multinational Company asked Zhimble to deliver these workshop as part of a Safety Culture Program. Furthermore, this takes us across most of Europe. In the workshop we use Hearts and Minds modules and Transformation work by Gita Bellin & Associates. Furthermore, we touched upon the subject of brainwaves and how we can develop the skill to be able to choose, at will, the state of consciousness that is most beneficial for any given circumstance. Above all, it was  a wonderful experience, to deliver transformation related to safety to a Management team of a power plant in Italy!

Rossignano Solvay

The power plant situates on a large industrial site in Rossignano Solvay. It has been there for over 100 years. Furthermore, the adjoining village was built around the factory. We met very warm people, it was highly fulfilling for us. Grazie mille, molto soddisfacente!
The support of two amazing interpreters made the language barrier completely disappear. Even more, having multiple languages, Italian, English and Dutch gave us the opportunity to learn. Specifically about the different nuances and the origin of specific words.

David

After the workshop, we took the opportunity to visit the Accademia Gallery in Florence. It is the home of the amazing statue ‘David’. An incredible example of mastery of sculpting. The level of craftsmanship almost seems to be not of this world. The statues that Michelangelo did not finish (il non-finito), called “The prisoners or Slaves” also struck me. It is ‘as if’ the human being has always been locked inside the marble just waiting for the sculptor to set him free. Perhaps it is not ‘as if’. Transformation optima forma.

Global Transformation

Finally on the way back from Rossignano, we saw that snow is beginning to fall in the Alps. Seeing this remarkable view, I realised that Zhimble is truly about Global Transformation.

This week brought me to Chalkida and Athens, Greece, for a Safety Culture and transformation workshop.

Greek Economy

As we all know, the Greek economy has gone through some massive storms, leaving the country and the people in an economic struggle. Unemployment is huge (18,6% Sept 2018). Especially with people aged 15-24 (36,6% Sept 2018). Very visible outside on the terrace, young people were just hanging out together all day, killing time.

The workshop

In the workshop, people were eager, had a good level of understanding of the English language. And, already from the beginning of the workshop, whenever someone did not understand something, the others stepped in to assist without the need to ask. This relying on each other had far greater meaning which I was unconscious about at that time, but was soon to find out.

During the evening, people were very hospitable, warm and caring, served amazing food. Beginning the meal with a glass of Tsipouro on ice. It is always a great gift to breath-in a bit of the local culture.

An ah-ha about Reliability

During the second day, working with the Four pillars Trust, we had a small misunderstanding. Looking at reliability, all people considered themselves to be quite reliable. Being surprised I said, “But you are late after the breaks, sometimes you say yes and do something different. How can you call yourselves reliable?”. They were clearly hurt by my remark. They explained: “What we call reliable is; you and I know each other now. When you call me in a week, or a month when you are in Athens and need help, any of us will come. (Note, all people live at least 90 minutes away). This was an ah-ha experience for me. Where I tend to look at reliability as completing tasks as expected and meeting agreements, in Greece, people rely on each other to be there when it’s needed.

The workshop ended with life-changing intentions, not just professional, but also for their personal lives.

On the way back, I realised it really touched me to bring this work to Greece. I will be back.

Βαθιά ευγνώμων, σας ευχαριστώ

Deeply grateful, thank you.