Global Transformation, Palm Beer, Song for the Season

Global Transformation comes to Rotterdam

Having itself been transformed from a pile of Luftwaffe rubble to a vibrant, edgy, and youthful global port, the Dutch port city of Rotterdam proved a fitting venue for last weekend's European Summit for Global Transformation.

To be sure, the title appeared on the surface to be grand. Among the seventy-plus attendees was an eclectic collection of organizational change consultants, academics, entrepreneurs, coaches and social activists from around Europe, with Dutch and expat Americans prominent in their numbers.

But within this group was a shared commitment to turbocharge our own leadership abilities to operate more effectively on a larger scale. Most-though not all-had some background in transformational learning--a form of education that, to simplify, involves distinguishing fact and one's own opinions of fact--a concept which while seemingly obvious is one that often requires years of intentional practice to master and transmit effectively to others.

Much of the event involved listening to pros who have taken transformational learning or practice into unlikely places--like Capt. Kari Granger of the US Air Force Academy, and others who have worked in Exxon Mobil, the European Commission, the launch of the Xing and Neo social networking sites and the British Council.

But most of the value came out of the spirited discussions between participants, particularly given the commitments of each of the participants. My commitment is about "freedom of speech--experienced not merely as a legal right, but as a practice and responsibility".

But some of the other participant's commitments rubbed me the wrong way, namely those about the environment and peace. Those two issues have never inspired anything other than skepticism from me. In the space of the conference--and in engaging with "antagonists" with years of experience in transformational rhetoric (continually distinguishing between "fact" and "opinion", I was stunned to recognize the basis for my antipathy to environmentalism (my opinion that it's a cheap way to be anti-American) and towards pacifism (that it's a socially acceptable way to be anti Israel and anti-semitic).. In realising these things, I have not become a pacifist environmentalist. But the mistrust disappeared from conversations on these topics, as did the defensiveness.

As transformational events like this unfold, the conversation among likeminded participants grappling with the scale of our commitments and the extent to which our own failings make us unlikely to achieve them can yield some striking insights--insights which once internalized in turn make success more possible.

One brutal insight in my case was that of my resistance to using the methodologies of others in my work rather than trying to invent my own stuff and get credit for it. While it didn't come as a surprise, what it's opened up is the opportunity to learn from people far more effective and successful than me and create something completely new in the process.

Unleashing 70 participants back in the world renewed in their vision and operating with a clearer sense of what it would take to fulfill our commitments may not bring global transformation. But it could. As Margaret Mead once said, "never underestimate the ability of a small group of committed citizens to change the world. It's the only thing that ever has."

Palm: A Great Home for a Great Beer

When I lived in Holland last year, the best thing about the local beer scene was the country's Benelux proximity to Belgium. And the one Belgian ale that is universally available in the NL is Palm. So, when the social club at my new workplace offered up a tour of the Palm Brewery in Steenhuffel, Belgium, it was "do not pass go, do not collect 200 Euros."

No, Steenhuffel isn't the Brew Jerusalem (I accord that status to Ingelmunster, West Flanders, home of Van Honsebrouck's Brigand and Kasteel brews). But Palm is iconic--in its own way, like a Guinness of the Low Countries. When I mentioned the Guinness parallel to the Brewery's tour guide, he bridled in a manner reminiscent of the brewery's Belgian Draught Horses, the Benelux's answer to the the now Belgian Budweiser Clydesdales. "No, we don't want to be the next Guinness--we want to be what we are, do what we do." But what they do is magnificent. Palm Speciale, the anchor brew at Steenhuffel, is a red-amber ale at a quaffable 5% (standard beer strength like a Bud or Heineken), but with a deep, rich and resonant flavor mildly redolent of hops and evocative of slightly roasted malt.

Palm brews other stuff-Dobbel Palm, a slightly stronger version for December (a month requiring more alcohol than other months). Royale, a special brew commemorating the brewery patriarch's birthday that remained in the rotation, and the Steenbrugge range of abbey-style brews. But to steal a phrase, Speciale remains "the original and best", and the brewery is certainly atmospheric and inviting.

Song for the season

Not being Christian, I don't exert myself much around this season's festivities. But as a gift to my readers, I would like to present my favorite song, Love is the Answer, in a You Tube video where a faulty mike has him miss the first few lines. Still, it is rich and authentic. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u37z8W5w8Do

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