Armenia

We recently visited Armenia where we undertook voluntary training programmes as well as supervision. We had a pretty full programme this time and this included enjoying ourselves in our time off. What we were struck by is the generosity that pervades the culture, despite the economic hardship of many of the people. It is interesting that, very often when people have less economically, they seem to have more in generosity. On one occasion a village woman took an hour to take us to a local site that our hosts were looking for. She and her grandson walked and talked with our hosts whilst we went into the valley to find the place. She was full of grace and generosity despite her apparent lack of financial wealth. We then returned to Yerevan with its aggressive drivers and pollution but holding the calm and ease of our trip and being aware of the need for balance.

I will use another experience from Armenia to explain our behavioural modes model as I was talking with a participant on our Organisational Training Programme about this model and how the Accounting Mode works (For a description of the model see the following page on our web site:

http://www.mountain-associates.co.uk/behavmode1.html )

The participant queried whether the Accounting mode is “empty” or whether it always has some aspect of the others within it i.e. Structuring, Nurturing, Playful and Co-operative. So by way of explanation let’s take a situation where there is a heated argument ensuing between colleagues. We might be observing this and considering whether we should intervene. We give consideration to our own role and relationship vis a vis those involved as well as our motivation and any likely outcomes of different interventions. Having done this we then take action, whether that be to walk away and leave them to it or to intervene. At the action stage we are likely to use the resources of our Structuring, Nurturing, Co-operative or Playful aspects of our Accounting Mode. (Hopefully we do not move into one of the “red zones” and intervene from there which will only “fuel the fire”). Naturally, some situations may take a little while to think through whilst others will take a few seconds. This is a natural process which most of us do outside of our awareness as we have integrated the way of doing this.

My partner and I wish to acknowledge and thank those who trained with us in Armenia and who were willing to share themselves and their lives with us for those few weeks.

Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, we wish you all a very relaxing festive season and hope that the generosity of spirit that we received from the woman in the Armenian village comes your way, and goes from you to others.

If you don’t know this model, then do take a look at our web site on the following page and you will see the concept under discussion:

http://www.mountain-associates.co.uk/behavmode1.html

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