On Summing It Up (thus far)

Yours truly getting out of my comfort zone with a little ice climbing adventure–a thrill not unlike launching this newsletter one year ago. The Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier, is melting at an unprecedented rate. If, like me, you need help mitigating your climate-induced panic, check out these resources from The All We Can Save Project.

Tomorrow belongs to those of us who conceive of it as belonging to everyone; who lend the best of ourselves to it, and with joy. 

-Audre Lorde

Dear friend, 

This month marks one year since I’ve been popping into your inbox with my Notions & Contemplations. Thank you for hanging with me! Because I have the memory of a goldfish (which has its perks), and let’s be honest, all of our attention spans seem to be dwindling by the minute, here’s a rundown of the topics we’ve covered over the last 12 moons, each one merely scratching the surface of how we can better show up at work and in the world. 

Want to go deeper on one of these areas? Drop me a note! I’d love to know what most piques your interest.

Empathy is a hard, soft skill. It’s also critical to productivity in the modern world. 

July 2022

Acknowledging our biases and engaging other perspectives without judgment improves our game.

August 2022

Vulnerability in decision-making is an invitation to a more authentic exchange of information.

September 2022

Assumptions too often lead us astray. Naming them helps us find the path out of conflict. 

October 2022

Those of us who are programmed to prioritize efficiency should consider its cost: a well-informed process and decision is almost always a better one. 

November 2022

Whether engaged in a social celebration or solo meditation, the key to fulfillment is bringing our full presence to that very moment. 

December 2022

Three intentions for 2023: Slow down. Be curious. Find levity. 

January 2023

Let’s work together: Coaching, Facilitation, & Organizational Transformation

February 2023

Questioning our personal and collective norms helps us make room for others to contribute and for all of us to thrive.

March 2023

Considering when the time and conditions are right to speak or act greatly improves our resonance. 

April 2023

When encountering conflict:

1) Trace the source; 2) Question Absolutes; and 3) Check the Ego.

May 2023

Live Through Love. Without Judgment. Open to Suffering. Offering Compassion. With Balance, Trust. Hold the Center.

June 2023

And coming next month: we’ve all heard about active listening, but what about active speaking? Redundant much? I beg to differ…

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On My Kindle + Feed + Calendar

SAVE THE DATE | Wednesday, August 23rd

In the spirit of continued reflection on spicy topics, I’m excited to invite you to a live “office hours'' session with my treasured collaborator Jamie Beale Howe and…you guessed it…me! Jamie is an expert on “intercultural competency,” aka how we can better interact with individuals from different backgrounds and cultures. Join us to hear more about the trends and changes we’re seeing in the workplace, and bring alllll your questions about the nebulous, often-sensitive, ever-relevant field of equity, inclusion, and justice. We promise it’ll be the least boring office hours you’ve ever been to. Look out for the link to join in next month’s newsletter. 

For a Good Laugh

I’m no expert on the nuance of physical comedy, but I know that Jonathan Bynoe’s interpretations of church choirs and iconic Soul music hits make me LOL Every. Dang. Time. Check him out on Instagram here – and have a Lovely Day!  

Summer Reading

My greatest wish for you, dear reader, is that you are finding some place to stay cool this scarily hot summer, perhaps under the canopy of old trees, where the temperature always seems to be more humane. While there, you may find delight in MacArthur Fellow Drew Lanham’s beautiful, arresting memoir, The Home Place: A Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature. Part poetry, part science, all love.