Global Explorers Blog 
Google and The Art of Management
What does it take to be a great manager and achieve results? Google wanted to know. After an extensive analysis of data from internal evaluations, they came up with a list of not too surprising qualities. What may be surprising to some is the scale of importance assigned to the certain qualities. Topping the list are being a good coach, empowering the team and expressing a genuine interest in people. Bottom of the list is technical expertise.
At Global Explorers, I believe our work with our peers, our partners, our students and our educators is all about relationships. With our staff, we learn together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and creativity. As a manager, I rarely have all the answers but I have honed my skill in helping other people be the best at what they do. We explore synergies together, discuss challenges and mutually look for solutions. I came to Global Explorers from too many jobs that felt like work was life and life was work. At Global Explorers, we encourage staff to do things other than Global Explorers. After all, their own personal journeys are what inspire all that they do with us and beyond.
Share on Facebook Post to Twitter Posted by David Shurna · April 27, 2011
Perfect Pizza vs. Greasy Garbage
For the one person out there that may actually read this (and I hope you exist) I’m going to attempt to be as unbiased as possible as I dive into a topic that’s been debated since the beginning of time. Cubs vs. Sox? Yankees vs. Red Sox? East Coast vs. West Coast? Nope, it’s none of these equally compelling topics. Today we’re going to discuss Good vs. Bad specifically in terms of Pizza.
In the right corner we have New York style which for our purposes will also be referred to from here on out as Bad.
In the left corner we have Chicago style which for our purposes will also be referred to from here on out as Good.
Share on Facebook Post to Twitter Posted by Ed Shurna · April 20, 2011
Seeing Stars for the First Time
I recently had the opportunity to represent Global Explorers at the biennial George Wright Society Conference on Parks, Protected Areas, and Cultural Sites. This year’s theme of “Rethinking Protected Areas in a Changing World" featured a week of stimulating discussion about leading-edge research, innovative practices, and foundational values.
Through our Cooperative Agreements with the National Park Service Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, I was invited to present the work we’ve done connecting youth to Soundscapes during the “Building Partnerships to Meet Resource Management Objectives” session. Global Explorers was highlighted as an example of a partnership that is effectively helping the National Park Service further its mission.
Share on Facebook Post to Twitter Posted by Shannon Gagnon · April 13, 2011
Greatest Internship Ever?! We Think So!
Global Explorers is currently seeking applicants for our awesome September - May internships. We are looking for unique individuals to fill our Program Support, Marketing and Leading the Way internship positions. If travel inspires you, we want to hear from you! Visit our website for more information on how to apply. Still not convinced? Read below to hear what some of our current interns have to say!
As the Leading the Way intern, I have had the opportunity to be truly inspired by a very diverse group of students. It has been incredibly fulfilling for me to see this year's teams grow and develop. Each time I talk to one of our students, parents, or educators my passion for the program grows deeper. I recently had the opportunity to attend a "Cocktails in the Dark," experience that Global Explorers put on at the YPO conference. For me, it was an incredibly empowering experience, and listening to Erik Weihenmayer speak was a true source of inspiration that I want to continue passing on to others. I cannot wait to meet our Leading the Way participants at our retreat this week, and even more so, I can't wait to experience an expedition with these students first hand. I know that it will not only be a life-changing experience for them, but also for myself.
I have had the opportunity to work along side a staff that truly inspires me, and a staff that seems more like a family than just co-workers. Unlike most other internships, Global Explorers makes it a point to ask its interns what they want to learn and what projects they want to be involved in. By putting on "brown bag lunches" once a month, interns are given training sessions on the world of non-profits and a chance to gain valuable knowledge. And unlike most other jobs I've had in the past, each day that I get to go to Global Explorers, I wake up excited and happy to go to work. I couldn't ask for a better internship or to be working with a better group of people.
-Danielle, Leading the Way intern
