5 Things /  Guiding Principles
5 Things Bernadette Smith 5 Things Bernadette Smith

5 Things / Guiding Principles

One thing I emphasized for this client was to always come back to one of their Guiding Principles: We value diversity and actively seek people with different perspectives and experiences.

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5 Things / Connection First
5 Things Bernadette Smith 5 Things Bernadette Smith

5 Things / Connection First

This week I met with a keynote client that found, when they issued return to office mandates last year, that productivity was higher when people worked remotely. As a result, they backtracked on the mandates and now the vast majority of employees work at home.

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5 Things / Visibility
5 Things Bernadette Smith 5 Things Bernadette Smith

5 Things / Visibility

My partner Heather Vickery and I spent Wednesday (Lesbian Visibility Day!) in Springfield for LGBTQ Advocacy Day at the Illinois State Capitol. It was my first time attending this annual event organized by Equality Illinois. The goal is to meet with legislators and share our perspectives on LGBTQ-related bills.

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5 Things / Square Holes
5 Things Bernadette Smith 5 Things Bernadette Smith

5 Things / Square Holes

“When you’re a straight, white, college-educated guy in America, you’re a square peg in a square hole. How I identify isn’t something I have to think about too often and that’s a luxury.”

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5 Things / No Words
5 Things Bernadette Smith 5 Things Bernadette Smith

5 Things / No Words

I was recently asked how I can write “good vibes” when there’s so much garbage happening in the world. I’m paraphrasing, but it certainly feels that way sometimes. I replied that I look for the silver lining – which is often some kind of thoughtful corporate action or commitment.

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