Day 8: Dr. Herd

As we left our hotel on Saturday, we noted some of the memorable Edinburgh sights on our bus ride back to the airport.

One sign we passed advocated for experiencing the “miracle of not flying.”  Unfortunately we experienced the “not flying” part of this harbinger when our flight to Louisville was completely canceled.

Although not predictable, this event proved to be a hallmark assessment task (HAT) of sorts for all the members of the group, as it required us to exhibit many of the competencies needed by global leaders: an open mind, flexibility, adaptability, and compassion for each other and other harried travelers as each dealt with the stresses of this uncertain situation.

As the faculty leader for the course, I am proud of this group of global leaders.  Below are somehighlights of our course in Global HRD: the staff rides, which are shaping up to be an assignment that enhances facilitation skills and exploration of leadership within a cultural context; the opportunities for developing a global mindset while navigating the ambiguities of new environments, and the camaraderie derived from developing into a supportive and cohesive group.

Day 7: Elizabeth

After a few hours of sleep following an event-filled evening, we all attended highly anticipated sessions at the final day of the UFHRD conference. Half of the students attended a presentation by Dr. Herd, and half attended a presentation by Marty Schulte, a UofL alumnus and current expatriate. I attended Mr. Schulte's excellent session on factors which influence expatriate stress.

Following a lengthy lunch with some friends from the UFHRD conference, we prepared to leave Newcastle via a train to Edinburgh, arriving at the station around 40 minutes early. A train arrived a few minutes earlier than we had anticipated, and the more confident, intrepid travelers among the group forged a path through a sea of travelers to board the train and stow their luggage. After a minute or two, the doors closed, and four panicked faces appeared at the train windows as they realized that the train was about to leave without the rest of the group, as they had boarded the wrong train. The train began to move, Dr. Herd calmly waved goodbye, and the texts began pouring in via WhatsApp. According to the group on the train who spoke to other passengers, boarding the wrong train is something that happened all the time.

Interestingly, neither the group on the early train or the correct train were ever asked to show a ticket - this is the second time on the trip that I personally noticed that the citizens/operators in the UK were far more fluid and flexible than I would expect in the US. If an individual attempted to board the wrong train in the US, they would typically be found quickly and consequences would be doled out. However, on these occasions, either the individuals trusted that everyone had paid for their tickets, or they didn't care. While unexpected, the fact that the group did not have to stress about showing proof of ticket purchase made the ride and process much smoother. While I understand US companies needing to ensure that they make money, the UK's nonchalance was a welcome relief.



After arriving safely in Edinburgh with the whole group, we all checked into our final lodgings,
which, notably, was the only location we visited in the UK that was fully handicap accessible, with proper lifts and ramps in place. I noticed the lack of accessibility nearly every day of the trip, and reflected that it must be very difficult for a person with disabilities to visit other countries outside the US.

The group headed to one final group dinner after a couple of hours of souvenir shopping. After what felt like another Everest-like training session (aka a million flights of stairs), we arrived at Tower restaurant to find that the fanciest meal yet awaited our taste buds. We were all stuffed and satisfied by elegant dishes and drinks. Ryan and Dr. Herd handed out superlatives and personal, touching gifts to each of students, and the evening was ended with teary-eyed laughter. It was the perfect ending to a memory-filled trip. 

Day 6: Meghan

As the day started, Louie mentioned that his wings were tired and needed a day off, so we all decided to allow him the opportunity to catch some zzz’s and some refreshing Newcastle views – from the hotel window.

To make sure that we left an impact on the UFHRD conference in Newcastle this year, we made sure to leave the UofL logo on the collaborative wall they designated for attendees.

Our day started with a keynote speaker, Delroy Beverley. Delroy spoke about the Future of Work within Talent and Resources. As Delroy spoke, you could tell that he works in organizations and/or helps create organizational culture(s) where low-power distance exists between him and his employees. He states that it is our responsibility to ask why and to make it acceptable for people to talk about their fearwithin the organization and address them.

We broke out for your first two sessions of the day where we attended different topics based on: coaching and mentoring, diversity issues in HRD, employee engagement, leadership management and talent development, and critical approaches in HRD, etc. – to name a few.

After lunch, we attended the second keynote speaker for the day – David McGuire – and attended the last parallel sessions for the day as well.

During the David’s speech, he focused on how important collaborative work is within academia. He stated that individuals can accomplish a lot on their own, but as collaborators, we can accomplish more – which implies a more collectivistic approach in regards to the academia research culture.

For a “separate” cultural experience, while Bob was utilizing the bathroom facilities, he decided to get comfortable and take off his jacket to hang it up. Well, unbeknownst to him, it wasn’t a hook that he hung his jacket upon, rather an emergency lever and he set off the alarms and emergency lights in the bathroom. 

At the end of the night, Louie joined us at The Biscuit Factory, where during the cocktail hour we were invited to explore the art gallery. Louie took a liking to the pottery that was being showcased. After cocktail hour, we enjoyed a delicious meal with other attendees of the conference.

Day Five: Karen

Bob and I woke up and looked at our schedule for today.  We noticed that for the first time since we began our study abroad trip, there is nothing formally scheduled until the noon hour.    Our cultural norm for the trip thus far is  to travel with our fun group of ten from sun up until sun down.  We’re thinking about sending out a  “breakfast anyone?” request to all of the extroverts and ambiverts on the trip.  But what if we catch the  ambiverts on an introvert morning?  Will they feel obligated to join us? We decided just to head to breakfast alone.  When we arrived at the ample breakfast buffet, we noticed that there was bacon on the  menu, but for the life of us, we couldn’t find it. Can you find the bacon on the plates in this photo (left)?  As it turns out, Newcastle’s “bacon” is Kentucky’s ham.  Woe to the American  crispy bacon strip lovers.  It isn’t happening here.  

Cultural awareness.   In my quest for determining cultural differences, after breakfast  I asked the concierge  what the purpose of the two flush buttons on the chrome Kleenex-sized rectangle on the top of the toilet are for (right).  The understanding (albeit slightly embarrassed) concierge responded that one is for a heavier flush and the other for a lighter flush.  Oy vey! 

Disability awareness. Speaking of bathrooms, kudos to the designers of the shower facilities at our hotel for creating a fully accessible walk-in or perhaps roll-in shower without  the necessity of having to step over a shower door track or deal with a door that some folks may have difficulty with closing while showering!

Today was the first day of the University Forum for Human Resource Development Annual Conference 2018 held from June 6^th– 8^th at the Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University.  The theme of the conference is “Power and Possibility: Unleashing the Potential of HRD”.  The keynote speaker was Professor Laura Bierema from the University of Georgia whose topic was “Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Implicit Bias is Showing: Gender Hegemony and its Impact on HRD Research and Practice.” The professor  discussed how the landscape of gender-based research is changing from a binary focused (female vs. male) endeavor to one that includes femininities, masculinities, gender fluidity and intersectionality and the implications for HRD professionals.  Below is a group picture of our class – eager, fresh faces seeking fresh ideas. 

We attended individually chosen breakout sessions  throughout the day. At the day’s end, circus performers regaled us with their antics, but they didn’t hold a candle compared to our own entertaining troupe of tired but inspired learners.  The day ended with a wonderful dinner at Belim House, a local gin joint, that boasts the only working gin still in Newcastle.  We ordered the small plate variety dinners, and they were so small that we couldn’t finish them.  However, we had no problem finishing the “two for ten” cocktails.  There was a quick stop at the “Tesla” dealership (inside joke) aka Tesco for some midnight snacks.  Then it was off to our rooms to burn the midnight homework oil.  Toodaloo everyone!

Day Four: Daniel

On the train to Newcastle

Today we said farewell to our keepers at the Regent House Hotel in Edinburgh and jumped on the 10 am train to Newcastle. Everyone was in good spirits as we traveled the 1 and a half hour. During the trip we found that we had taken seats in the “Quiet Car” of the train and not our assigned seat. Good news is we were given the O.K. by the train’s flexible ticket checker to stay. Hopefully we didn’t cause too much of a commotion for the other passengers. Upon arrival we all checked in and then had lunch within the hotel’s restaurant. 

The group then proceeded to the St. James’ Metro station where we embarked on another adventure to Tynemouth. Once we arrived we decided to enter the Head of Steam restaurant to get a warm beverage and decided that it would make a fantastic location for Binah to conduct her staff ride. 

Binah rocking her Staff Ride on Edward II

Binah provided the group with a historical background of Edward II of England. We learned that Edward II had two older brothers who died before Edward I did which provided him the opportunity to be king. It was because of this that he wasn’t necessarily groomed for the position and had a very low context way of viewing his environment. Unfortunately, this view did not allow him to see that his lifelong best friend Piers Gaveston was upsetting the barons. Binah finish by examining 10 leadership derailers and which of them Edward II exhibited. 

The group then walked towards the North Sea and to the Tynemouth Priory and Castle. Minus the chilling wind, the castle was a wonderful experience that provided a historical location Edward II had stayed. It also served as a lesson in the adaptability a location can have given that among the ruins lay the gun emplacement for a battery of costal defenses from World War I and II. 

Elizabeth, Binah, Meghan and Melanie inside the Priory

After our time at the Priory and Castle we took the time to walk along the North Sea and some of the more adventurous decided to get their feet wet!!

This time also provided me an opportunity to speak with Ann and Mary, two elderly ladies visiting from Ireland. They’ve both come to Tynemouth several times over their lifetimes and we discussed how the area has changed. They showed disappointment that a local sea water pool was shut down in 1990 and Marry suggested that the city council should have planned for some renovation to keep it maintained. I couldn’t help thinking about how decisions can have a long term impact.

Group at Tynemouth Priory and Castle

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Day Three: Binah

We hoped to experience the sunshine in our second morning in Edinburgh, but it did not happen in a way that we wished, but our brightness got definitely shiner after successfully completing the 4 staff rides on the selected leaders at the locations. Following dinner was fantastic with delightful foods and lots of laughs. 

The first staff ride took a place right in front of Scott Monument. Sir Walter Scott came to the class a day earlier through the literature pub tour the other day. Along with the preview on Scott, Mehgan facilitated the class to think about the passion and responsibility as a good leader in Scott’s financial situation with a great amount of debt. Although it was not a good decision to devout his much energy to the creation of an estate, he later took a responsibility to pay the debt until his death. By the way, Daniel’s playing Scott shortly for us was amazing when he made his comment on Scott. (I wish I could take a picture of him.)

Then, we moved to the next stop, St. Giles Cathedral. Luckily, we were permitted to do the group conversation inside St. Giles Cathedral, standing next to the statue of John Knox. Daniel led his staff ride well balanced between the religious perspective and leadership standpoint. From the priest and slave to the one who became leading the religious reforms, he seemed to be systemic in cultural dimensions. However, our comments on his cultural dimension on indirect or direct differed.

  

At last but not the least, Karen invited us to ride 9 ¾ express (platform number in Harry Potter) to get to the elephant house, where  JK Rowling used to write her first Harry Potter book. Unfortunately, the table in the elephant house was not available for us without a reservation at that time. We still made the staff ride as lunch and learn though. Karen made her staff ride not only well-presented but also very memorable with Harry’s glasses and cute souvenirs for the class. We appreciated JK Rowling’s success story as much as we learned from the historical leaders. Harry Potter would not have existed if she would not settle in Edinburgh, and if she would not have the support from her sister. She knew her book would be great. She did not give up to find the publisher after many rejections. She even agreed to change her name as an author, from Joanne to JK. These are already showing some extent to her leadership potential, and she is now proving it by her success. After all four staff rides are done, we were supposed to go to New Lanark to learn about Robert Owen’s utopian village and his movement. Due to a transportation constraint, we could not. Therefore, we filled this unexpected downtime with very fruitful culture-experience opportunity. How adaptable and flexible we are! Observations in shops and stores (through this chance) were described in the cultural debriefing session with everyone and Dr. Herd right before the very enjoyable dinner.

Overall, day 4 in Edinburgh went very well, thanks to ten leaders in global HRD 2018!

Day Two: Chelsea

In front of Holyroodhouse Palace

Today as a class we embarked on the Edinburgh 15K, or as our class liked to call it, Sunday. We started our morning with a walk to the Nelson Monument in Greenside Park where I (Chelsea) presented my Staff Ride to the class on Horatio Nelson, a navy commander. After this we took a short walk to the Holyroodhouse Palace where Ryan used his superhuman powers to stop a taxi showing his assertive and protectionism methods as a leader. 

Shortly after during a tour of the Holyroodhouse, we encountered a guard, Robert Johnston, and he proved the class with the idea that the Scots were very fluid with everything. He let us skip most of the tour and hurry on through to the chambers of Queen Mary of Scots. As we speak more and more with the locals and tour guides here, we are noticing several outward cultural differences including the use of “No worries” for “You’re welcome,” and “C’ya soon” upon leaving a store. 

During the tour of Queen Mary of Scots we noticed vast gender differences between her and Horatio Nelson, Mary whom was rumored to have had an affair and Nelson who did. Despite Nelson having his prior to Queen Mary, he was never punished for his very public affair, and Queen Mary, although it was just a rumor, the gentleman with whom she was having an affair with was murdered. This shows the different standards for morality for men and women due to men accorded more status, which is a possibility due to strength and being a warrior which result in more power and the ability to get away with things. Queen Mary of Scots could not collaborate with her husband as he was seeking power that she had, so it became more of a competition, whereas in Nelson’s situation he already had the power so felt no need to collaborate or be competitive for the power in the relationship. 

Melanie thought provoking the class

Melanie and Meghan’s “Personal” Pizzas

Melanie then presented on Kind David in the Holyrood Alley, who was a King by chance, not by rightfulness. We learned how he was selected by the King of England during the time to rule over Scotland, despite him not inheriting the crown. After a thoughtful provoking discussion as a class, we came to agreement that he was both a coercive, legitimate, and reward type leader depending on what part of the kingdom you lived in, what your duty was, and where you were when he took over as King.  

Our hike up King Arthur’s Seat

Dr. Herd in front of a field of Gorse Bushes

Louis Hiked Arthur’s Seat!

John, Literary Pub Tour Guide

As a group we then made our way down Victoria Street (aka, what Diagon Alley was based on) for a literary pub crawl, which once ago showed the fluidness of the Scots in that they did not ask for ticket confirmation, just saw that we were a large group and gave us our allotted tickets. Caroline and John (our tour guides) brought to life the many famous writers of Edinburgh including Sir Walter Scott and R.K. Rolling (they claim they adopted her!).

Day One: Melanie

We gathered at the Louisville airport at noon. But the flight did not actually end up leaving Louisville until 4:10. This showed a very fluid approach to the schedule, which does not naturally resonate with my nature of a fixed preference. But this did give us some time to review some material and get acquainted. Our initial flight took us to Chicago where we met up with Meghan (below, far right).

Once we made it onto the flight from Chicago to Edinburgh, we were all hopeful that we might be able to sleep, but some were more prepared than others. I think Binah (above, front row, right) was the only one that slept well. She said it was her experience with previous travels helped her know how to plan. This showed a higher cultural competency.  When we finally arrived in Edinburgh at 7:30am our bodies still thought it was 2:30am. The welcoming message over the plane intercom was in a lovely Scottish accent. It is convenient to be traveling in a country that speaks English, but you do have to listen a bit more closely to make out the words.  Getting through customs went smoothly and the agents we interacted with were friendly. Karen and Bob (right) look happy to be here.

There was time allotted in our schedule for rest, but we were all too hyped and decided to eat and shop a bit instead. When we were out, we saw this building (below) which is a great example of the combination of old and new throughout the city.

When we went to the nearest coffee shop, I ordered an Americano. In the U.S. I usually order the 20 oz. size coffee, but that was not an option at this coffee shop in Edinburgh. We got these tiny cups. Binah has had more exposure to other cultures and observed that it seems to her that America is the only country that has such large drink portions as a cultural norm. Elizabeth is enjoying hers (right).

In the afternoon, we went to the Edinburgh Castle (below) . The view from there was “quite good”. There were some cannons at the top that were never fired there, but were added when Queen Victoria thought that it didn't look castle-like enough. From the outside, the castle looks like one big building, but on the inside, it is several different buildings with different function.

So far, we have not come across any air conditioning. There was a bit of flexibility required for that adjustment. We had checked the weather ahead of time and saw that it was supposed to be in the 60s. That sounded great for walking weather. One of the girls had brought almost all long sleeve shirts. It was a little over 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the morning with 75% humidity and in the sun it felt quite warm and sticky to be out walking around. But when you finally get inside a building, there is no air conditioning. The windows are open, but there are no screens. I wonder what their mosquitoes are like in the evening? I guess we'll find out.

Luckily, it was a beautiful, sunny day for our first part of our day out, with a light cooling rain in the afternoon. It looks like it should be cooler the rest of the week. The apartment is very nice and so far the food we have tried has been really good. Well, Daniel wasn't really a fan of the haggis he tried, but he still gets points for trying it.

As we were studying the cultural dimensions, I realized I was taking a very universalistic approach and trying to strictly follow the rules. When trying to observe the culture of the group, it was clear this was not always the best approach that everyone was most comfortable with.