In a recent team meeting, I encouraged everyone to 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐬. It sounds simple, but this practice can be a powerful magnifier.

Some of the most iconic concepts started as doodles and sketches: Starbucks’ first pitch was scribbled on a napkin. The idea for Shark Week? Jotted down on a cocktail napkin during an ‘80s lunch brainstorm.

A topic that doesn’t always get the spotlight: the 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠.

How would you react if someone started building affordable housing right in front of you? I’ve lived in Section 8 housing. I’ve also lived down the street from it.

I’ve been encouraging my team to schedule a 15-minute virtual coffee chat with someone they don’t normally work closely with. No agenda, just a simple invitation to talk, listen, and get to know one another a little better.

Today’s my birthday. And I’m headed home after a week of work travel … 4 different airports in 5 days.

“𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲.”
Thomas Blake, a wellness writer, wrote about a nurse who spent years listening at the edge of life. One patient said: “I didn’t regret failing - I regretted never auditioning.”

Mic check. Testing one, two. Dress rehearsal is now complete. Cue the nerves. But when affordable housing matters, you grab the microphone anyway. Even if your voice is wobbly.