Today at the IA, we had our very first class field trip. We went to visit COSAS magazine, where we had the chance to meet a very charismatic worker who answered some questions we posed as to our class-wide business magazine. We also were able to look around at the offices and check out the work environment that surrounded the COSAS department. I was impressed on the innovative atmosphere that surrounded these offices; This wasn't the typical work place, where everything seemed strict and colourless, in fact, The building was a beautiful antique that spread around a vibrant green lawn. The infrastructure of the offices was beautiful, and I was impressed as to how COSAS had moulded the building to best suit the work environment. I really enjoyed  our visit to the inside of this magazine making company, which really got me thinking: Is this the last i'll see of this place? As of right now I am thinking of maybe following a career path involving public relations, marketing or communications, and after visiting the COSAS magazine offices I thought about a possibility of choosing this as my future internship option.

This week we read the third chapter of the book, "Good to Great" by Jim Collins. This chapter talks about the importance of getting high quality and talented individuals with what is previously stated as Level 5 leadership capacities, this should all happen prior to coming up with the strategy as to "how" to reach the goals set. Not only this, but the author tells us that with the right people in the right positions, most typical issues and lay offs could be avoided, resulting on the company advancing forward in the good to great scale. Throughout the rest of chapter three, Collins expands upon the main idea, and states other factors that apply such as trust, good leaders and most of all good workers. 

As soon as I was finished with my reading, I had a clear connection in mind. I didn't associate this chapter with businesses or organisations, because to be honest those subjects remain a little shady in my mind, but I did make a link between the areas touched in the book and the environment we cultivate in the Innovation Academy community. I remember last week Mr. Bon telling us how some mornings he wasn't going to be able to make it to class on time, or he would be elsewhere meeting with individuals from our group regarding our personal projects, but he still trusted that we where responsible, principled student, and that we would do the right thing even when he wasn't there. In my mind I automatically pictured the typical scenario of the teacher leaving the students alone for a few minutes and total chaos breaking down, but I was surprised to see we all behaved to our maximum capacity. I was so used to the typical "Genius with a thousand workers" classroom scenario that I didn't think that having trustworthy students who are engaged and placed in a room full of other right students will create a GREAT classroom, and that is when I realised that that is what Collins meant with the right people on the right bus. 

"You know you are doing beautiful work when your effort is not focused upon goodness, but greatness."
-anonymous

This week we where introduced to the idea of beautiful work. This concept consists of work which is worth sharing, which is beautifully made and inspires greatness from others. Mr. Bon shared this idea with us on Monday, and it really stuck with me. The simplicity of putting all your effort into creating outstanding work that reaches beyond simply good work and creates GREAT compositions, which is something that directly relates to the book we are currently reading, from good to great by Jim Collins. 
After the class time, I tried to think of short clips that had impacted me in the past, and the one video that I could recall having a real change in my way of seeing life was the following:   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaWA2GbcnJU
After watching this video, you can not only change your perspective on to life, however see how by giving small things can make a big impact to others.

Sitting here surrounded by my group of fellow innovators working on the i-week project I think back to the morning we got here four days ago. Although not much time has passed on I feel so much has changed. I see myself here, less than a week ago lost, confused and to be honest a little scared. I was worried about mixing classrooms, combining and working along side with those students older than me, I felt small and weak. The start of the class was a little uncomfortable for us the newbies, we felt intimidated and not free of sharing our ideas, however I realised that this was all my fixed mindset speaking to me. In my head I had created a scenario, afraid of failure, however not realising that I could take this whole experience as a learning opportunity. Here came the Process. I began taking more risks classroom wise, speaking up when I had something to say, and when I kept silent observing, using the older and more experienced students as role models to whom I wish to someday become. I can't say I became this outgoing bumblebee who took action every time she got the chance, however for three days time I trust my mind has been spoken when I felt the need to do so. Hence the Progress. And regarding the Journey, I look forward to the following monday, and to working together with the IA crew on the upcoming year!