So, I was struggling to figure out what to do for my video blog.... and here's what I came up with.
My sister sent me home with a guitar last week, when I was visiting her in Michigan. She's packing up from law school and moving doesn't bode well for guitars. I've always wanted to learn the guitar, and now I have a beautiful Ukrainian guitar, and some free time this summer.
So my post, not so much 'leadership' focused, but hopefully entertaining.
Here's my attempt at Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" after a week of fooling around with youtube clips to teach me how to play.
Hope you can suffer through!
Thanks for listening,
Markell
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Summer Internship Time!
Hey Fellow Fellows,
It's been a while. I apologize.
This semester has been packed to the gills, but I'm still loving it (check back in the week of May 3rd, when everything is due... I might have a different story)
This summer, I'll be interning at California Food Policy Advocates in Oakland. I learned about them in the fall, and really was swept away after an informational interview with a recent grad who is a Nutrition Policy Advocate there. I survived the hectic summer internship search, and secured my internship with them last week. Phew!
From their website http://cfpa.net a little about their mission and work:
I don't know exactly what project I'll be working on this summer, but most likely it will be related to School Lunch, School Breakfast or any of the programs affected by the Child Nutrition Re-authorization.
As for leadership skills and competencies I hope to work on, I always appreciate developing and strengthening my communication skills. Powerful written communication will be essential for policy advocacy, and I will be able to practice different writing styles this summer.
I also am looking forward to learning more about the state and federal government, and the awareness when working with them that is required for effective policy advocacy leadership. I will be able to observe and hopefully participate with some experienced advocates, and I am eager to learn the process.
Finally, one skill I hope to work on this summer, which I believe is particularly necessary when fighting for policy changes, is predicting how change affects others. Being able to successfully predetermine the different objections that groups and individuals might have, gives you a leg up in being fully prepared to fight, compromise or convince them that you understand their concern.
Should be an exciting summer!
It's been a while. I apologize.
This semester has been packed to the gills, but I'm still loving it (check back in the week of May 3rd, when everything is due... I might have a different story)
This summer, I'll be interning at California Food Policy Advocates in Oakland. I learned about them in the fall, and really was swept away after an informational interview with a recent grad who is a Nutrition Policy Advocate there. I survived the hectic summer internship search, and secured my internship with them last week. Phew!
From their website http://cfpa.net a little about their mission and work:
California Food Policy Advocates is a statewide public policy and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the health and well being of low-income Californians by increasing their access to nutritious and affordable food.
As California's only statewide anti-poverty program with a focus on hunger and malnutrition among low-income people, CFPA employs a variety of strategies to develop and implement public policies that recognize the value of adequate nutrition and its fundamental contribution to good health and development, education and productivity. These strategies include:
- Research that demonstrates the scope and nature of hunger in California and the efficacy of public and private food programs in mitigating it.
- Development and promotion of strategies and programs to meet the nutrition needs of low-income communities and individuals.
- Public education and advocacy to ensure the inclusion of nutrition in the formation and implementation of sound public policy.
- Technical assistance, training and support to low-income communities in their efforts to identify and overcome hunger and hunger-related deficiencies.
- Collaboration, through conferences, communication and coalition-building, among food program providers and other community-based organizations throughout California to facilitate their working together to mitigate hunger and poverty.
I don't know exactly what project I'll be working on this summer, but most likely it will be related to School Lunch, School Breakfast or any of the programs affected by the Child Nutrition Re-authorization.
As for leadership skills and competencies I hope to work on, I always appreciate developing and strengthening my communication skills. Powerful written communication will be essential for policy advocacy, and I will be able to practice different writing styles this summer.
I also am looking forward to learning more about the state and federal government, and the awareness when working with them that is required for effective policy advocacy leadership. I will be able to observe and hopefully participate with some experienced advocates, and I am eager to learn the process.
Finally, one skill I hope to work on this summer, which I believe is particularly necessary when fighting for policy changes, is predicting how change affects others. Being able to successfully predetermine the different objections that groups and individuals might have, gives you a leg up in being fully prepared to fight, compromise or convince them that you understand their concern.
Should be an exciting summer!
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Power of Food
How have you used food in a professional or personal situation to get something done or achieve a goal? THEN, share with us with a recipe or dish!
So, since I used to be a pastry chef, everything involved food! As some one who loves food, I love feeding people. Starting four years ago, before my sister moved from SF to Michigan, we started what has now become an annual tradition. The Pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving. That's right, a Thanksgiving feast before Thanksgiving! About two weeks before to be exact (what?! no one would come if I had the dinner after T-day!). This year my roommates and I served three turkeys and countless dishes to over 60 people. Having grown up with a large family, I wanted to show my friends how awesome a large Thanksgiving can be, surrounded by loved ones and good food. We took care of most of the food, some people brought a few pies (and with the 5 I made, it looked like a state fair when we were all set up) and the rest of the guests brought plenty of wine. My Dad had grown up in Texas and was a big fan of sweet potato pie, which is what I grew up eating. Of course I ultimately decided it is far superior to the heavy gummy pumpkin stuff, and honestly - I've converted quite a few folks over the years. I just have to make sure I have plenty of sweet potato pie!
The Far Superior Sweet Potato Pie
Here's the recipe for 2 (9" approx) pies. Sorry if I explain too much, I find it easier to over explain so you'll know what to do! And trust me... you'll want two pies.
Pie Dough (for 2 pies - single crust)
2.5 cups All-purpose Flour
1 tsp Salt
2 Tbsp Sugar
14 Tbsp Butter (1 3/4 sticks), cut into 1/2" cubes and put back in fridge to stay cold!
8-10 Tbsp Ice Water
In food processor, pulse flour, sugar and salt until combined. Add half the cold butter, pulse until the mixture is like coarse sand. Add the remaining cold butter, and pulse until the butter is in pieces no larger than small peas, about 10 1-second pulses.
Dump mixture in medium bowl. Sprinkle 8 Tbsp Ice Water (but don't add the ice to the mixture) over the mixture, and with a rubber spatula, use a folding motion to mix. Press down on the dough with the broad side of the spatula until the dough sticks together, adding up to 2 Tbsp more ice water if the dough will not come together.
Flatten the dough into two 4-inch disks. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 2 days before rolling.
Remove the dough from the fridge, and let sit for maybe 20-30 minutes, until not brittle, but still chilled! It'll soften up as you start to roll it out, and it's much easier to handle if it's cool. Roll out on lightly floured surface to about 12 inch diameter.
Ease the dough into the pan, taking care not to stretch it (it'll shrink if you do!). Cut off the over hang, leaving about 1/2 inch, fold it over, crimp edge together, make a pretty pattern. (you can probably find a video about this).
Put dough lined pan in freezer for at least 30 min - chilled hard! Then line pan with foil, and fill with beans, pennies or pie weights. Bake 375 deg for 23 min until dough looks dry. Then remove foil, and bake a few more minutes until light golden! (you can always cover edge with foil if it looks like it's getting too dark brown...
the fillin' for sweet potato pie (2 pies)
3 # sweet potatoes (just weigh at the store! and get a little extra to account for the skins..)
3 Tbsp butter, room temp
5 Eggs
3 Yolks
1.5 cups Sugar
3/4 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 tsp Cardamom
1/2 tsp Salt
3 Tbsp Bourbon
1.5 Tbsp Molasses
1.5 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 c Whole Milk (yes whole - just buy a pint)
Start this while the pie dough is freezing....but don't forget to throw the pie dough in the oven at some point so you have it cooked when the filling is ready. timing's not critical, but if you overlap it right, it goes much faster!
Prick the sweet potatoes well, and microwave covered with a wet paper towel (the steam helps them cook faster i find) for 10 minutes, about 50% power. Keep cooking a few minutes at a time until a knife goes in easily and they are completely cooked! Then let sit a few minutes, slice open, careful, they're really hot!!! Then as soon as you can pick them up, scrape out the flesh, or cut off the skin however you prefer. I press the sweet potatoes through a potato ricer to help smooth out the texture, but you can mash them with a fork (this is better than using a mixer or processor which will make them gummy..) The hot potato mash will melt the butter easily.
In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, yolks, sugar, nutmeg, cardamom and salt. Add in the bourbon, then molasses, then vanilla extract, and finally whisk in the milk. Gradually add in the liquid mixture a little at a time at first to the sweet potatoes, whisk gently until combined well.
Pour into the two pre-baked - lightly golden - shells. Bake at 350 (preheated!) for about 45 minutes, until the center is no longer liquid, but still a little jiggly. Watch the edge of the crust, and you can cover it with a little foil if necessary. Let the pie cool on the stove top or wire rack until room temperature (about 2 hours)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Some Advice to Give
This week's prompt:
What advice would you give a younger person who wanted to know how to become a successful leader and professional?
The most important thing that I try to remember is that every opportunity, and every interaction is a chance to lead. Your actions are powerful whether you are with classmates, the lowest member on the totem pole, or managing an important project. Remember that you are always watching yourself, and you know if you are living and performing up to your potential.
What advice would you give a younger person who wanted to know how to become a successful leader and professional?
The most important thing that I try to remember is that every opportunity, and every interaction is a chance to lead. Your actions are powerful whether you are with classmates, the lowest member on the totem pole, or managing an important project. Remember that you are always watching yourself, and you know if you are living and performing up to your potential.
What would you tell them about how to get the most out of school experiences?
You're only in school a limited amount of time, and I say get your money's worth. Granted you need to have excellent time management skills, and maybe some extra energy, but take a full class load, get to know professors, get a graduate student research position or graduate student instructor position. Seek out opportunities that others might not know about. Be proactive! No one is going to hand you an education full of experiences.
About how to stay healthy and sane?
About how to stay healthy and sane?
Schedule it in the calender. Seriously.
About personal/work-life balance?
Take time to be with friends, and when you set work down, set it down. Prioritize relationships with friends and loved ones, and make time for them, not just by waiting to see when you have the time. Commit to spending one on one time with people close with you, and even if you see them not as frequently as you would like, they will appreciate the sincerity of your efforts.
About personal/work-life balance?
Take time to be with friends, and when you set work down, set it down. Prioritize relationships with friends and loved ones, and make time for them, not just by waiting to see when you have the time. Commit to spending one on one time with people close with you, and even if you see them not as frequently as you would like, they will appreciate the sincerity of your efforts.
About finding their own path?
Listen to what interests you, and don't be afraid of creating a winding path. Not everyone can pick a career at 18, and the importance of forging a path is tying in all the places you've been with your interests and skills.
About pursuing their dreams?
About pursuing their dreams?
You must remember that you don't know if you can do something unless you try. Yes we fail, but we learn and keep going, and can only surprise ourselves if we give it a go!
About finding and learning from mentors?
About finding and learning from mentors?
Notice who you are fascinated by, good chance they'll be interested in you too. See who likes talking with you and has an interest in what you do.
About what to watch out for?
Listen to your mind. Don't get sucked into someone else's idea of your career or interests. Listen to your body. Take a break if you get stressed or burnt out.
Listen to your spirit. Make sure you are driven and passionate about the work you are doing. If that isn't there, you won't last long.
About what to watch out for?
Listen to your mind. Don't get sucked into someone else's idea of your career or interests. Listen to your body. Take a break if you get stressed or burnt out.
Listen to your spirit. Make sure you are driven and passionate about the work you are doing. If that isn't there, you won't last long.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Say What!?
So this week, we are allowed to write about any topic leadership related but it needs to be controversial, and thought provoking!
My question to you is why do successful leaders often fail in government? We are certainly at a critical point in US History to see if Obama can overcome the barriers to effective leadership in government, and and advocate for the changes he wants to make. Robert Reich talked about some of the errors and successes that past Presidents have made, particularly with Health Care Reform attempts, and gave examples all across the spectrum; Johnson was successful in passing Medicare, although his economic advisors tried to dissuade him, because he left the details up to Congress. Clinton on the other hand, made some critical errors; he took too long (allowing big pharma and insurance to form an opposition), and he handed Congress a finished bill with a bow on it leaving them feeling like they didn't contribute.
So how can Obama be a successful leader? How can he make progress with Health Care Reform? Should he lower the bar, and settle for something that is an easier win? Should he be advocating more for the explicit changes he wants? How, in such a bipartisan country, can we be united in change?
This week, I am asking a lot of questions. I can't type this pretending I know the errors of past politicians or solutions to ensure future success. Robert Reich talked about how successful leaders prevent their team from making the Four Fatal Work Avoidance Mechanisms (although I don't think he titled it so dramatically). These work avoidance mechanisms don't take much energy from the opposition and are powerful impediments to progress. Here they are, and corresponding rebuttals:
Denial - you can't just ignore the problem, it exists and is real.
Escapism - it IS your problem, and affects you.
Blame - it is no one else's fault, lets look at the root of the problem.
Cynicism - we CAN do something about it. we CAN make progress.
Are these the holes that political leaders get trapped in? How can leaders, in politics or otherwise, overcome these barriers?
I'll keep you posted if I figure anything out!
My question to you is why do successful leaders often fail in government? We are certainly at a critical point in US History to see if Obama can overcome the barriers to effective leadership in government, and and advocate for the changes he wants to make. Robert Reich talked about some of the errors and successes that past Presidents have made, particularly with Health Care Reform attempts, and gave examples all across the spectrum; Johnson was successful in passing Medicare, although his economic advisors tried to dissuade him, because he left the details up to Congress. Clinton on the other hand, made some critical errors; he took too long (allowing big pharma and insurance to form an opposition), and he handed Congress a finished bill with a bow on it leaving them feeling like they didn't contribute.
So how can Obama be a successful leader? How can he make progress with Health Care Reform? Should he lower the bar, and settle for something that is an easier win? Should he be advocating more for the explicit changes he wants? How, in such a bipartisan country, can we be united in change?
This week, I am asking a lot of questions. I can't type this pretending I know the errors of past politicians or solutions to ensure future success. Robert Reich talked about how successful leaders prevent their team from making the Four Fatal Work Avoidance Mechanisms (although I don't think he titled it so dramatically). These work avoidance mechanisms don't take much energy from the opposition and are powerful impediments to progress. Here they are, and corresponding rebuttals:
Denial - you can't just ignore the problem, it exists and is real.
Escapism - it IS your problem, and affects you.
Blame - it is no one else's fault, lets look at the root of the problem.
Cynicism - we CAN do something about it. we CAN make progress.
Are these the holes that political leaders get trapped in? How can leaders, in politics or otherwise, overcome these barriers?
I'll keep you posted if I figure anything out!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Essential Leadership Skills
What do you think are the key skills leaders in public health need in order to be successful, and why?
Public Health Leaders need to have the skills that make all leaders successful; being driven and organized with the ability to unite, motivate and inspire people. Successful leaders show empathy and humility which breeds trust within the group or organization. In addition Public Health Leaders need the knowledge base to know whom to partner with, and which resources to value. Public Health endeavors are becomingly increasingly interdisciplinary, and current leaders need to be in touch with the other disciplines and their perspectives.
What skills are you most interested in developing over the course of the fellows program?
I am interested in developing my ability to establish personal relationships with those I work with and lead. I often prioritize efficiency; however, I understand that people like to feel that they are valued and interpersonal skills are extremely valuable for establishing that rapport.
Public Health Leaders need to have the skills that make all leaders successful; being driven and organized with the ability to unite, motivate and inspire people. Successful leaders show empathy and humility which breeds trust within the group or organization. In addition Public Health Leaders need the knowledge base to know whom to partner with, and which resources to value. Public Health endeavors are becomingly increasingly interdisciplinary, and current leaders need to be in touch with the other disciplines and their perspectives.
What skills are you most interested in developing over the course of the fellows program?
I am interested in developing my ability to establish personal relationships with those I work with and lead. I often prioritize efficiency; however, I understand that people like to feel that they are valued and interpersonal skills are extremely valuable for establishing that rapport.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Art of Storytelling
by Markell Lewis
"The Great Stories are the ones you have heard and want to hear again.
The ones you can enter anywhere and inhabit comfortably.
They don't deceive you with thrills and trick endings.
They don't surprise you with the unforeseen"...
"You know how they end, yet you listen as though you don't.
In the way that although you know that one day you will die, you lives as though won't.
In the Great Stories you know who lives, who dies, who finds love, who doesn't.
And yet you want to know again.
That is their mystery and their magic."
- excerpt from "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
The ability to tell a capitvating story is a powerful tool. It is both a way with words and cadence, as well as with editing. Not telling too much, just enough, leaving the audience guessing, wanting, waiting, and being a part of the story itself.
I've never mastered this, never even really conciously attempted to unfortunately, but the art of storytelling is a powerful tool for leaders. Captivating your audience, drawing them into your cause, plucking a string in their heart. As I move forward on my journey to becoming a Public Health leader, I hope to make a conscious effort to work on my storytelling. How to frame an issue and connect with my team or community. I've always loved telling stories, recounting a funny moment at the store to my friends, and I would like to think of myself as rather adept at engaging the listener. However, I will now think of storytelling as a powerful leadership tool as well.
I was able to be a part of an amazing day and half workshop on digital storytelling, put together for the Public Health Leadership Fellows, and taught by the Center for Digital Storytelling. We all found our stories and our voice, in a circle of trust and affirmation, and these stories came to life as we learned the software and edited our videos. It was truly an amazing experience and would encourage others to learn more about this fascinating and powerful medium. Not only did I get to see my fellow fellows' final products, I was able to be there with them, along their journeys, as their stories grew.
There are many reasons for why I am here today, and sometimes a single memory can illuminate it all. I hope you watch my video below, and get a glimpse into why I am here as a fellow, why I'm interested in Public Health Nutrition, and why I want to change how people eat.
"The Great Stories are the ones you have heard and want to hear again.
The ones you can enter anywhere and inhabit comfortably.
They don't deceive you with thrills and trick endings.
They don't surprise you with the unforeseen"...
"You know how they end, yet you listen as though you don't.
In the way that although you know that one day you will die, you lives as though won't.
In the Great Stories you know who lives, who dies, who finds love, who doesn't.
And yet you want to know again.
That is their mystery and their magic."
- excerpt from "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
The ability to tell a capitvating story is a powerful tool. It is both a way with words and cadence, as well as with editing. Not telling too much, just enough, leaving the audience guessing, wanting, waiting, and being a part of the story itself.
I've never mastered this, never even really conciously attempted to unfortunately, but the art of storytelling is a powerful tool for leaders. Captivating your audience, drawing them into your cause, plucking a string in their heart. As I move forward on my journey to becoming a Public Health leader, I hope to make a conscious effort to work on my storytelling. How to frame an issue and connect with my team or community. I've always loved telling stories, recounting a funny moment at the store to my friends, and I would like to think of myself as rather adept at engaging the listener. However, I will now think of storytelling as a powerful leadership tool as well.
I was able to be a part of an amazing day and half workshop on digital storytelling, put together for the Public Health Leadership Fellows, and taught by the Center for Digital Storytelling. We all found our stories and our voice, in a circle of trust and affirmation, and these stories came to life as we learned the software and edited our videos. It was truly an amazing experience and would encourage others to learn more about this fascinating and powerful medium. Not only did I get to see my fellow fellows' final products, I was able to be there with them, along their journeys, as their stories grew.
There are many reasons for why I am here today, and sometimes a single memory can illuminate it all. I hope you watch my video below, and get a glimpse into why I am here as a fellow, why I'm interested in Public Health Nutrition, and why I want to change how people eat.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)