5 Things / Reconnecting
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The number one goal my clients consistently have for my keynotes is to give people tools to connect with others. What’s the solution to a culture where people shut down instead of opening up?
In this case, I’m talking about putting up walls, staying in our “lane”, and avoiding differences. I hear about this problem from clients over and over again. The great disconnect.
Our culture has normalized ridiculing others through memes and satires, mocking identities, beliefs, musical interests, communication styles, age, levels of knowledge, and yes, even party affiliation and voting histories. This exacerbates the us vs. them energy. As a culture, we’re awfully judgmental, especially of other’s mistakes, so of course, it shows up at work.
When I’m afraid of being judged, I can shut down, too. I stay in my lane. I walk on eggshells. We’re all biologically wired to judge others. Yet by judging others, even subconsciously, we perpetuate the disconnect. And on it goes.
It’s time to reconnect. We all need to take ourselves, and even our identities, a little less seriously. But not through ridicule – through play. Through joy. Through laughter. Through shared experiences, through in-person connection.
In that spirit, I’m going to go play some pickleball. But I’m here if you want to talk about this more or bring this topic to your organization.
This Week’s Good Vibes:
WNBA Players to Fly Charter Flights
WNBA players will now fully travel on charter flights instead of commercial, a monumental stride in player welfare and professional standards, and a benefit long enjoyed by the NBA. This shift addresses safety concerns from players and acknowledges the rigorous demands of the game. It also aligns with the NBA's emphasis on player care. Now we just need to see salaries catch up….
American Cancer Society to Study Black Women
The American Cancer Society launched the largest-ever study of Black women, who have historically not been well represented in medical research. The "Voices of Black Women" study will track 100,000 Black women over 30 years. Black women have lower breast cancer diagnosis rates than white women, but significantly higher mortality rates. This landmark study will examine the racism, health disparities, and lifestyle factors that influence that outcome. This is such important work.
Japan Airlines’ New CEO is a Woman
Mitsuko Tottori, the new CEO of Japan Airlines, is a woman, and that’s a big deal. Japan is ranked near the bottom of the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index and is the worst-ranked country in Asia, so this news sets a precedent. Tottori actually started at the company as cabin crew so she sets another precedent as well, underscoring the value of diverse career paths. Let’s hope she’s set up for success.
Sesame Place Is More Inclusive of Neurodivergence
Sesame Place Philadelphia will offer "Low Sensory Days" this June, especially for children with disabilities. The park will offer quieter dining and reduce audiovisual effects to be more inclusive of neurodivergent folks. This initiative follows Sesame Place's 2018 milestone as the world's first Certified Autism Center, with trained staff, and a low-sensory room and noise-canceling headphones available for guests. Let’s hope more days get added. When all children can play, everyone wins.
Kate Spade Promotes Mental Health Awareness
This Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s nice to celebrate brands doing it right. After Kate Spade died by suicide in 2018, the brand ultimately doubled down on mental health initiatives, including a partnership with Taraji P. Henson's foundation that addresses the mental health of Black women and girls. Ahead of other companies, during the pandemic and a potential merger, the brand introduced no-meeting blocks to prioritize employee wellbeing. By destigmatizing mental health with both their employees and customers, Kate Spade is normalizing this important topic that affects just about everyone somehow.
Call to Action:
Speaking of mental health awareness, I’ve developed a “bag of tricks” to manage my own in times of acute stress. Here are some great quick tips I learned from Ana Del Castillo that you can try in the moment: 6 Ways to Regulate Your System