When we were downsizing my grandparents’ house, no one wanted the Santa decor. I didn’t really want it either but I couldn’t let it get tossed.

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.

“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.”