Beautiful Warsaw
Jens photography :)

Monday

Today was the Warsaw City Challenge ,our team skills were put to work as patience , perseverance and persistence were all needed today in order to win. We got to see the beautiful city of Warsaw in the process ,loved it! Although it was very cold and rainy , I got to know certain people in my team very well through this challenge. ANNDD WE WON :D !!

We also visited the National Television Broadcast Station which was highly insightful as we were able to witness the daily activities within the station and met Piotr a famous Polish journalist who gave us a motivational talk on leadership and elevation within an organisation. It was very nice to hear.

Jenn

Xoxo

Self Discovery and Personal Branding 

This was my favorite day of the week. An invigorating seminar on Self Discovery and Personal Branding by (Sir) Paul Van Casteron. I found this session incredibly useful as it gave me so much to think about in terms of my personal development and my brand and who I want be portrayed as. We also went on to taking the Myers & Biggs personality test, the results were accurate and allowed me to further develop my understanding of my personality type. The Intercultural evening took place and it was so moving to see the effort each country made on their display table. Just seeing so many European cultures in  one room was highly educating and refreshing. We tasted different food from the other countries and learnt dances and songs. Us Brits taught our fellow Europeans some British jargon and taught a dance, we had a great time and it was beautiful to see how accepting, responsive and respectful we all were to each of our cultures.

Jen 

Xoxo

Wednesday

Today was absolutely amazing!

We explored leadership on a deep level in terms of goals, visions and objectives and I must say it definitely left me with some food for thought.

Coaching sessions followed this day and it was the best end to the night, my group session was so insightful and I gained a lot! We definitely took the task to a deeper level and coached one another highly effectively.This day left me with food for thought and was highly beneficial. 

Jen

Xoxo

Friday

Trading Task -Pen for a Mercedes

Today was an exciting day. We were put into groups and given the task of exchanging 'a pen for a Mercedes'. Sounds crazy, I know! Our trading skills were challenged as we had to go out into the city of Warsaw once again to apply everything we have learnt thus far in order to complete this task. No group came back with a Mercedes but we all came back with a mixture of sentimental and expensive items which were donated to charity. Each team took the task to a different level with several different interpretations. This is the fifth day and I can honestly say growth and development is evident within all the groups. I sat and looked back to the first night we arrived and how chaotic it was for us to complete our first task, and now we have truly learnt the art of working and collaborating as one to achieve our goal. WE won (yay!!) :D

 Jen xxx

Jennifer

Saturday-Farewell!! :(

This was our last day; at this point we were all saddened that such an amazing project had come to an end. I've met lovely, motivated and extremely driven people from all over Europe. This trip has truly enlightened and inspired me. I am truly blessed for such an amazing opportunity. I have made new lifelong friends and I look forward to our next projects together hopefully one day. Traveling, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures is the best thing ever, highly refreshing and I recommend everyone to do so. 

Love you guyss,mwahhh!

Jennifer(a.k.a Selfie Queen) 😜

Xoxo

Blog!

Good Morning Paul! :)

Hope you're doing great!!! :) That's for the blog :)

"Now that we're back to ordinary life, it's easier to realise  what for an amazing week we spent together in Warsaw!

Rearranging my memories of the past few days, I feel full of energy and positivity! It was simply brilliant having the chance  of sharing our experieces, supporting and inspiring each other while learning new interesting things thanks to our coaches! I think, we all grew together both as individuals and as a group. When you're aware of what you are, of your values, then it becomes easier to have the strenght to stand up for them and make decisions (even if sometimes it's like going against the grain).

Finally, I would like to share with you one of my favourite quotation about leadership. The author is John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States (1825 -1829), and I believe that it sums up pretty well my vision of leadership:

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader".

Thanks to each of you for the awesome days! GRAZIE!

Take care!

xoxo

 Chiara :)   "

Hello Paul,

How are you? How did you find your family? Now we are back in reality and actually I'm not feeling frustrated as always :p , the training course gave me the power to see things differently, to be more motivated, and this is also your merit :)

I wanted to post something in the blog : 

"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way" - Thank you Paul Van Casteren & Paul Oxborough for inspiring us to dream more! You enlightened us with motivation and the desire to be leaders! This training course gave me the chance to look deeper into my personality, to see where I am and where do I want to be, what do I want to change in my life, and most importantly how do I want to be seen by others.  Thank you also to all the other participants for the energy and positivity that you transmitted in me. Because we were the crazy ones that wanted to change a pen for a mercedes, and I still believe that we are crazy enough to do that :)

Bye Paul, 

Take care,

Lorena

Official Video Channel

The official video channel can be found at:

https://vimeo.com/channels/polandleadership

The first video is up there, please post to this blog your thoughts of the project, your feelings, what happens next or just stories about the week

Remember: the more you blog the more video content is uploaded

Speak soon guys - Paul Oxo

Blog

It's not goodbye...just see you later

And it has come to an end. After a week of being called Dinny and Danielle I can honestly say that my journey with these people has only just begun. I'm going home with so much more knowledge and motivation to change and grow as a person. I've started to build a big network and connection with people from all over Europe and I honestly would never of thought of doing such a thing before now. I'm coming home with such an open mind and yearning to go and get what I want from life. I want to say that I'm upset but I'm only upset that I won't wake up with these people tomorrow. I just want to thank each and every one of you for inspiring and moving me. I love you all. Danny, UK signing out. X 

Thursday

Today was the day for me. I've never been so moved in such a powerful way. Something really went off in my head and I know it's time to make some big changes and make an impact outthere

I've built up so much motivation and I just want more. Money really can't buy experiences like this, you can't meet people and connect so fast and in such a short amount time not being in this environment. This is something everyone should have the chance to experience and I'm thankful I got this opportunity.

I honestly can't thank Paul and everyone else enough.

Here's to the rest of the week ! Danny

Intercultural Evening

Last night was a brilliant experience!

Watching each country present and display different cultures, food, drinks and dances was such an eye opener. My hunger to travel has grown vastly after watching these presentations.

We've only been here 4 days now and I've never felt so close to people after such a short amount of time. You can see everyone really relaxing and getting more comfortable with each other and really connecting, sharing stories of own experiences and our backgrounds. I've never learnt so much in such a short space of time. This is definitely an experience I know I want again and again. For now

I'll leave it here and go get ready as tonight we party again!! Danny

Hi from Danny!

Monday was my first full day here in Warsaw and I fell in love straight away with it! We spent the day in groups taking part in the city challenge. We were given a brief and a map along with tasks to achieve at each marked point on the map. I got to bond well with a few people and had a great experience roaming around Warsaw. Later on we visited the national tv station and we were given an inspirational talk from one of the anchors. The week has only just begun and I'm loving every minute of being surrounded by so many amazing individuals with so much passion for everything they do in their lives. They definitely don't drink like the British though!


Sent from my iPhone

The Warsaw Challenge

So the challenge has begun, teams are racing around Warsaw solving clues and making short videos. Good luck, we will see how many leaderships skills the do or don't put into practice!!!

Spider Web

Behind us great experience. Learn by fun. 

We created a team with one goal with totally different type of personalities. 

Begining was very hard . We had a real CHAOS.

But later we just started to cooperate to achieve one goal.

Mateusz Hoffmann

Hi! Let me introduce myself.

I'm a student and a member of the University Volunteering Center at the University of Warsaw. As a foundriser, volunteer and  coordinator, I cooperated with Schuman Foundation, Institute of Market Economics, Polish Center for International Aid, Success Foundation and several other NGO's. I'm interested in national minorities, international affairs and EU projects.

After hours, I sail a lot, do judo from time to time, read books and listen to some oldschool Polish music of the 80`.

I'm sure that we will have a great time together this week.
See you in few hours!

On my travels to the airport

As I head up to the North of England en route to Poland, I pass the work of one of my favourite English artists - Anthony Gormley - let me introduce you to the giant Angel of the North - posted by Paul Oxborough

Chiara Italiano

"Hi!

My name is Chiara Italiano…and, how surprisingly, I'm Italian :)

I graduated a couple of weeks ago in Political Science, after attending a German-Italian double degree Master between the Martin Luther Universität of Halle-Wittenberg (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany) and the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Milan (Italy). Because of that study program, I spent the last year in Germany in Halle (Saale), where, in conjunction with my university courses, I had the chance of being a trainee at both the Europa-Haus Leipzig e.V. Europe Direct and at the isw gGmbH - Institut für und Strukturpolitik Wirtschaftsförderung (Institute for Structural Policy and Economic Development) in Halle (Saale).

During my bachelor I studied Foreign Languages and Economics in Milan and I attended an Erasmus semester at the Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (Bavaria, Germany).

 

I'm really happy of taking part in this International Training Course about "Leadership for employability", and I'm sure there will be a lot to learn and a huge amount of experiences and expertise to share."

Info about me - polish participant

Hello,

I'm Andrzej - Andrew, Andrei, Andy - say what you like. I'm member of Regional Volunteering Center in Kielce and I'm working as a volunteer in few organizations. I have a lot of different interests like work with youth, experimental archeology or safety and first aid education. I'm study paramedics and i will took care of you during the training course. My dream is just to be a good man. See you soon :)

--

Andrzej Kasperkiewicz

Ready to go

So here we are one day before I travel to Poland. Tickets are booked participants are selected and everything is set for an exciting week in Warsaw.

I'm always very unsure when we get to this stage of the project because I am uncertain of people's reaction to the program we have created, what I do know is that we will put a lot of energy into the program to make this an experience that people remember takeaway lots of learning from.

I would like to wish everybody a safe journey to Poland and we look forward to meeting you on Sunday afternoon. Where the fun and hard work will begin.

Paul

Łukasz Łakomiec

Youth worker who is constantly gaining experience in a variety of activities. He is board member of Regional Volunteer Center in Kielce and Vice-Leader of student organization "Enactus UJK". He has bachelor degree of management. He co-led several training in the range of Erasmus Plus Programme: Youth. EVS coordinator and international projects participant"

regards :)

Łukasz Łakomiec

Piotr Stefanek

For me impossible is nothing. I am Piotr and I am member of crew, which help that this TC will be the best. Only my imagination restrict me to make extraordinary things.

Michal Braun

Hello!

My name is Michal Braun - I am a part of the training team as well as president of the association which is hosting this event. 

I am a professional engaged in fostering people's leadership and personal skills mostly in non-profit sector as well as public participation in democratic processes.

I have international experience gained firstly doing volunteer work - teaching children and local leaders in South India, working with high school students in USA and prisoners and student during an European Voluntary Service project in Bolivia and later working for varius non-profits in Poland and other countries including France, United Kingdom Finland and Bulgaria. 

I am involved in work for social changes on various levels: local - being a leader of one the oldest and most active NGO's in the region and one of the creators of the local non-profit council and participatory budget, national as a board member of Polish National Youth Council and european being a representative of Poland on many international events connected to youth policy and third sector.

Currently I am working as a director of National NGO Federation.

We have been working hard to prepare the training in Poland and whole team is very excited to host you in Konstancin (Warsaw). See you soon!

Prepare yourself for the unexpected and remember:

"Leadership is not a one-time performance. Leadership is a lifestyle".

Paul van Casteren

Hi All,

My name is Paul van Casteren and I am part of the team working with you on the Polish Leadership Programme.

As my profile below shows I mainly work within the corporate sector and as well as this I have very much enjoyed working with Momentum on a variety of programmes for young people.

I am very excited about coming to Poland, working with a great team of trainers and together with you all sharing an inspiring and enjoyable week.

My Profile

I am the founder and principal consultant of Potential Development, a business specialising in Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Team Building and Organisational Culture Change.

I have been designing and providing programmes and workshops for teams, individuals and leaders for over 20 years. I have worked with clients from the financial services, IT, engineering, retail and manufacturing organisations. I have delivered services at all levels within organisations from the boardroom to the shop floor and with managers and leaders from many different industries, cultures and countries.

In the field of management education I have tutored on both full-time and part-time MBA programmes as well as contributing to management development programmes at Cranfield University Business School. I have also course directed and tutored on various Insight into Management courses for Newcastle University working with graduates in preparation for their life beyond university. I am also a member of the Global Learning Resource Network of Dukes Corporate Education.

I am qualified and experienced in the delivery of most psychometric tools and tests, which I use to unlock the true potential of individuals and teams within the workforce.

I am an experienced coach with many years experience in helping individuals become more effective leaders, organisations in realising the potential of their people and teams in providing high performance opportunities for growth.

I am a co-author of Executive Coaching – Exploding the Myths a book we wrote to enable the readers to step beyond the notion of a prescriptive formula that can be applied to deliver successful development every time. It presents unabridged accounts reflecting both success and failure from a range of diverse international executive coaching assignments.

As well as my consultancy experience I spent two years 2007 – 2009 working for the Abu Dhabi Government as the Director for Organisation Development. My role was to help build a new company to provide shared services across the Abu Dhabi government. During this period I was involved with all aspects of developing the business and the culture, coaching the senior team, including the CEO, building leadership capability and ensuring effective and high performing functional teams consisting of many different regional and international nationalities.

Clients I am or have worked with:

Financial services: Barclays Bank, Lloyds Banking Group, UBS, Standard Chartered, LV=, VocaLInk

Retail: Sainsbury, Superdrug, Alliance Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy, Rockport, Al Tayer Group (Dubai)

Logistics: Techdata Europe, Computer 2000, Computacentre

High tech: Oracle, QinteQ, Sophos, Computer Associates ,Detica, Sage

Manufacturing; Lafarge, Ford, 3COM, Rolls Royce Plc,

Pharmaceuticals: Pfizer, Astra Zeneca

Public Services: DEFRA, NHS, Sustainability North West

Welcome from Paul Oxborough (Trainer)

Hi everyone I am Paul Oxborough from the UK a very warm welcome to this blog and the Poland Leadership project.

I am part of the training team on this project. Very excited about visiting Poland, we have worked a number of times with Michal from Centrum Wolontariatu but never had the pleasure of visiting this wonderful country.

My interests are walking my dog, motorbikes, reading and travelling.

My background... I professionally qualified as a Youth Worker in 1992 then worked for the local authority in Buckinghamshire (an region in UK) before moving into staff development and training role. After 6 years of this job I set up my first company using my youth work and film making skills. We set Momentum World (my 2nd company) up in 2008. I have had some amazing travelling opportunities throughout the world, doing a job I love.

I am really looking forward to meeting you all and having a great week together. If you need anything I can be reached by emailing paul@momentumworld.org