Supporting Future Museum Leaders [MAP Projects]

08/11/23 Update: Find below an AI-generated summary of an audio recording of the session. Project Overview: The group gave an overview of their project, which was focused on supporting future museum leaders. They discussed mental spaces and sub-goals that emerged from listening sessions with people who have spent time thinking about this goal. Mental Model Diagram: After conducting listening sessions, the group created a mental model diagram to break down usable research data into supports for future leaders. Discussion Invitation: Participants were invited to join in discussions regarding supports based on mental spaces that emerged from research data. Project Background: The project aims to support future leaders in museums. It was initiated by community members who wanted to practice what they were learning and add value for others. Emergent Themes: As the team listened for interior cognition on supporting future leaders, several emergent sub-goals bubbled up. Nathan created a diagram that helped visualize the relationship between these goals. He identified two points of view - organization or field focus point of view and human-focused point of view - as well as broad guiding principles and more narrow ideas. Interior Cognition: Interior cognition refers to inner thinking, emotional reactions, or guiding principles that inform how people make decisions around a goal like supporting future leaders. By collecting qualitative evidence from quotes gathered during listening sessions with individuals in different towers, researchers can identify patterns where multiple people are in mental spaces associated with the larger goal. Mental Model Diagrams: Mental model diagrams help researchers understand how individuals approach a goal like supporting future leaders by breaking down their interior cognition into categories within larger categories (neighborhoods), working areas (city blocks), atomic units (windows). Researchers use these diagrams along with coding spreadsheets containing parsed quotes from listening sessions with participants. Reflecting on Efforts Exercise: In the activity portion of today's session, participants reflected on their efforts towards achieving specific goals related to supporting future museum professionals' leadership development using mental model diagrams similar to those used by researchers during listening sessions with interviewees. Organizational Response and Support: The group discussed the need for a structured response to support future leaders in an organization. The group was split into two, and each group brainstormed ways to support mental spaces of people trying to support emerging professionals. They were asked to think about how they could provide resources positively. Notice Limitations: The group discussed the mental space of Noticing Limitations and its relationship to the overarching goal of providing support. They talked about how it is essential to have designated people or departments within an organization that can help emerging leaders overcome challenges. Additionally, they suggested that communication tools should be provided for leaders so that they can open dialogues with their team members. Supporting Supporters: The discussion focused on supporting supporters who are helping future leaders grow in their organizations. This unique goal requires a layered approach where individuals must first notice limitations before providing positive redirections or sharing resources with those who need them most. Brainstorming Solutions: Throughout the meeting, participants were encouraged to use their imagination when brainstorming solutions for supporting mental spaces of emerging professionals within organizations. They were reminded not to worry too much if they got stuck since this type of project is unusual and requires creative thinking from all involved parties. Facilitating Dialog: Speaker_6 suggested having a conversation that guides and supports connection without attacking or belittling the other person. The group discussed non-defensive elements and potential biases in mental spaces, and how to create support systems to compensate for them. Assessing Employees: During the meeting, there was a discussion about assessing employees based on their experience rather than their degree or achievements. The group also talked about an employee who may have the capacity to be an executive director when they understand how decisions are made. Supporting Future Leaders: The research cohort reflected on supporting future leaders at various stages and levels of experience. They discussed ways to support growth, including practical skill-building activities that tie theory with discourse. Community of Practice: Participants expressed appreciation for being part of a community of practice where they can learn new things while applying what they learn. They acknowledged that this lab has contributed significantly towards realizing MAP's goal as a community of practice. Wrapping Up: As the meeting came to an end, Nathan thanked everyone for taking part in it and encouraged them to message him anytime if needed. He also shared some resources related to research topics before concluding the session. Please join us for a look at our research into Supporting Future Museum Leaders.  In this Projects Parlor session, we will: 1. Provide an overview and background on the project, which aims to understand how current museum leaders approach supporting future and emerging museum leaders. 2. Share what we’ve learned from our listening sessions with museum leaders. 3. Invite session participants to tell us which of the goals we identify are of most interest to them. If you’re curious about what a community-driven, progress-space research project looks like — or if supporting emerging professionals is a topic that’s important to you — please join us for this discussion! How to participateMAP Community Members: Please RSVP. You’ll receive a reminder one hour before the event begins.  Not a member? Add this event to your calendar and return to this page at the designated time above↗. You’ll be able to join the livestream — no registration is required. (Click the link under Location above↗.)