Semaphora
Jean Gamester
  • About Jean
    • Testimonials
  • One to One
  • Groups
  • Organisations
  • Research & Education
  • Articles
  • Contact
  • About Jean
    • Testimonials
  • One to One
  • Groups
  • Organisations
  • Research & Education
  • Articles
  • Contact
  • Home
  • /
  • Uncategorized

Ways of being in new beginnings

Today’s the first day of the next period of my teaching life.  This week I start to get to know the students I’ll be working with over the next six to nine months.

I have been thinking about what I tend to seek to do as we start to build those relationships.  Just like when I’m getting to know people in new project, programme or client teams; connection and safe spaces are on my mind.

Source: Jean Gamester

In my corporate life, I’ve worked in some spaces that seem to be set up to be deliberately combative, to bring out the competitive edge in people. There has been that sense of if you want to win, someone has to lose.

I was struck a number of years ago by ideas of hostile and safe spaces and ways we respond to them[1].  Some places can make us feel threatened and on edge, other places make us feel safe. 

The problem with the threat is that it has physiological impacts – our hearts and breaths go faster, our muscles are tenser and cortisol starts rushing through our bodies[2].  Great if you want to run quickly away from predators.  Not so great for long term physical, emotional or relational health. Not so great for open minded learning.

When we feel safe and social, however, we are able to broaden what we are able to take in through our senses, we are more open to learning and connecting.  It is not just more pleasant, it is, I propose, more effective.  We still need some energy, some drive to keep going, to do the work, meet the deadlines but I prefer this drive to come from within, than from an external sense of threat.

Recently I found myself returning to Maslow’s hierarchy[3], when I was writing about project management teams for a new microcredential.  I wasn’t so keen on returning to Maslow, it seemed a bit “old hat”, but I was really struck by just how much the ideas resonated with the kinds of environments I have been reflecting on.  When we feel physically safe and that we can belong, we can start to move towards self-actualising, becoming the best version of ourselves.

So what does this mean for the relationships I hope to have with all the students I will work with over these coming months? 

I want us to feel safe to say when we are struggling, to know there are no silly questions – just things we want to find out.  To accept it is normal for new ideas and skills to take time to become embedded – to be able to reflect on what we’re learning.  I hope we feel like we are really seen as people, and to feel the joy of discovery.

This way, I hope, we can create a safe and social space for all of us to learn together. 


[1] Bradbury, H. (2017) ‘Relational Action Logics’, in Cooking with Action Research Resources: For Self and Community Transformation. Website Alchemy, pp. 171–177.

[2] Porges, S. W. (2018) Dr. Stephen Porges: What is the Polyvagal Theory – YouTube. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec3AUMDjtKQ  (Accessed: 17 February 2020).

[3] Maslow, A. (1954) Motivation and Personality. New York: Harper & Row.

Posted on October 2, 2021 by Jean. This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.
Three ways to stay fabulously, virtually, connected
Self-Leadership – an unexpected discovery

    jeangamester

    Light filtered through a mini web universe Light filtered through a mini web universe
    A world inside a world, outside yet inside A world inside a world, outside yet inside
    Noticing loving gentle rain. Yesterday a soft day Noticing loving gentle rain. Yesterday a soft day here in Nashville.
    Finding a way to the water in the heat Finding a way to the water in the heat
    The breath of a breeze - all they need to explore The breath of a breeze - all they need to explore
    From a safe protected space, great things may grow From a safe protected space, great things may grow
    Can you see the crow standing in the treetops? Can you see the crow standing in the treetops?
    Just looking about at the river today Just looking about at the river today
    Translucent wings, just blending in, mesmerised. Translucent wings, just blending in, mesmerised.
    A morning chat. Wonder who she is talking to? A morning chat. Wonder who she is talking to?
    If this was a door to another dimension, where wou If this was a door to another dimension, where would it go?
    High river banks for the days when the water’s h High river banks for the days when the water’s high
    Transitioning from turbulence to calmness Transitioning from turbulence to calmness
    That exquisite shell! Maybe her way is made easier That exquisite shell! Maybe her way is made easier by the rain?
    Are leaves starting to break down and fall down ea Are leaves starting to break down and fall down early because of the heat we had?
    An eye up high. I wonder what it sees there? An eye up high. I wonder what it sees there?
    The way ahead was strewn with thorns so I found an The way ahead was strewn with thorns so I found another way
    When the light catches you right, become a star When the light catches you right, become a star
    Amazing blooms but no time to dally, there could b Amazing blooms but no time to dally, there could be cats up there!
    A nut bat? Ready to take flight in the wind :-) A nut bat? Ready to take flight in the wind :-)
    Load More… Follow on Instagram

Semaphora and Jean Gamester

All about change - enabling organisations and individuals to change successfully, to develop greater capacity to transform with resilience and purpose.

© Semaphora 2012-2021

Semaphora Consulting Limited is a company registered in England and Wales, Number 8202868.
Its Registered Office is 6a St Andrews Court, Wellington Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3WT.

Powered by