Speaking to my LC VPs

Today we had a National Corporate Relations meeting with the Vice Presidents at Local level. It made me think of my own Local Executive Board Experience which seems like a decade ago, but in fact was last year.

The way my current Vice Presidents are really asking the right questions, seeing the right challenges and understanding the reality of the organization impresses me. Of course I like to tell myself that I have some bearing on that, but I am not so sure. I remember my own way of thinking only a year ago, when I was considering applying for the national board and in reality there were so many things I did not understand.

Instead the VPs I speak to now really have so much more understanding, experience and overall focus than I myself had. I am impressed and it makes me think of the wonders that are AIESEC.

In my opinion at least a couple of them should consider applying for the National Board next year. Of course, there are many things that impact an individuals decision when it comes to these things. And anyway, it should come from the persons passion and want to take the learning further. I guess we will see.

PS: Today I felt winter was coming in Oslo. I don't like winter, usually, but it contributes to making summer better

Local Committee visit

The last week I have spent in Bergen on the west-coast of Norway. As part of my role on the National Board of AIESEC Norway, I also coach one of our LCs. AIESEC NHH, Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration, is one of the founding Local Committees of AIESEC, which now spans 107 countries and more than 38,000 members.

Coaching an LC brings with it loads of challenges and also satisfactions. The idea is that you are a resource and the Executive Board must choose to use this to their best. As part of the role from the National Board I am responsible for tracking the Board and keeping them accountable to their plan and their goals.

This week has really taken a lot. The days have been 16-18 hours long and I have been delivering sessions to the EB as well as trainings to teams every day. In addition I have had individual coaching chats with all of the VPs - in addition to tightly talking with the Local Commitee President throughout.

Everything from strategic planning, to reviewing their team with them, to team management input, hosting LC meetings, trainings on AIESEC functions, sales, and actually tracking their recruitment for Exchange Participants this autumn - it has been quite a week.

I have great belief in their Executive Board. They are committed, creative and capable. It all depends on them however, whether they use that potential and release it. My dad once told me of his 1 x 1 x 1 theory, which I quite like.

The idea is that there are three factors which influence success. Each of the areas can be regarded as a number between 0 and 1, where 1 is the most and 0 is the least.

A: Talent for what you do (Talent)
B: Love for what you do (Passion)

C: Working hard at it (Work)

If one of the three is 0, then the total will be 0. It doesn't help with Talent and Passion for what you do if you don't actually Work hard. It doesn't matter if you Work hard and have the Talent if you don't have Passion for it.

I know the Executive Board here has the Talent. I I have seen passion for AIESEC in them as well. Now it's up to them.

This made me think of myself as well.. Do I have the talent, the passion and the work-rate to succeed this year? Doubt is creeping in, I feel.. On Monday we have team days of the quarter. It will be interesting to see what comes out of that. I know I need it.