Mingling the Waters

MELA 3 DAY SEVEN, 21 MARCH 2012


MELA has flow and direction. It can be harnessed as an endless source of renewable energy. It has a complex inter-dependent ecosystem. It can bring life, growth and sustenance to arid lands.

Like a river, MELA is fed by scores of tributaries. Their waters join and mingle to replenish the river.

This is an image of the MELA 1+2 Reunion members joining MELA 3 today and tomorrow.




There are local flurries of excitement in doorways and reception areas as the first MELA Reunion attendees arrive. Randi hooks up again with Basma.








Steven Raab catches up with Rita.







Tala, Joe and Asma gaze downwards with charmed smiles. What are they looking at?
(a) A cute puppy.
(b) Today's MELA agenda.
(c) A 500-dirham banknote.
(d) We will never know.


Victor Antonio holds the house's attention with a talk on how to exert influence by being innovative. In particular, you can shift the paradigm of your interlocutor's thinking by means of "transformation mechanisms."






Special guests in the audience: MELA Board Members Nabil Alyousuf and Meisa Batayneh.










Who thinks that a paper-clip could double as a fantastic nose ring and tattoo stylus?








"Absurd. Everyone knows that paper clips work best as back scratchers."








Marco Blankenburgh (International Director, KnowledgeWorkx) is our guide to change management. He stresses that communication is not about speaking the right words, but about triggering the right response.





It looks easy. But lowering Marco's "helium stick" to the ground in a coordinated fashion is a frustrating challenge for MELA teams. (Perhaps they should have tried using a paper clip?)






Jim debriefs the Star Power simulation, designed to illustrate people's behavior in a system that naturally stratifies them economically or politically.






Happy Mothers' Day!







This evening's small group discussion led by Salim Al Aufi (Oil Director-North, Petroleum Development Oman) concentrates on strategies for implementing change.











Change leaders Reem and Asma.











Ashraf Abu Shady (CEO, Rise, UAE) has selected "Building Outstanding Customer Relations" as his topic.









Developing and adapting a business plan are the specialty of Brian MacKenzie (CEO, Blastrac Global, USA).






The Reunion takes off as we meet our MELA brothers and sisters in the lobby before dinner!





Randi, Dan, Cinderella, Basma.













Andrew and Firas share the MELA macho handshake.











John, Mohamed, Susan Sutterfield, Muzaffar, Walid.











Kicking off the Reunion in style.



















Brice and Radwa.













The weird world of the hotel elevator: Susan Simons and friends are riding all the way to the top -- and beyond!