Elwin's Site

Fish And Bird

2023-07-26T17:47:58.984000Z

Fish and bird

consider

each other.

Though

both swim.

Fish

fears air

and

will never

understand

bird.

bird

only

understands

fish

lunch.

—-

In your company, you may have been involved in a clash of cultures. Forward momentum slowed; the cultures working against each other.

Even though they try to communicate, words and worlds keep them apart.

As a result, they have difficulty seeing the value or meaning of the other’s way. One fears the change; the other seeks the gain.

One swims in water, following a linear and sequential process; the other swims in air, adopting an incremental and iterative approach.

One stays in its comfort zone; the other exploits it for its own.

They never understand or respect each other as equals or partners.

I was often part of the flocks of birds, but sometimes the fish. I can't say, I always acted perfectly to align (sometimes I am too rebellious). This original poem was written about this culture clash. But I sent this to a Chinese friend to translate. They told me of a sad children’s story they grew up with, about a fish and bird who loved each other. But because their worlds are so different they had to stay apart. In the comments I will share the translation(s). This changed my perspective. And maybe it is love for the other (and the company's mission) will help me better align the birds and fishes, in the future:

☐ Learn from and appreciate each other’s differences. Find a common language and goal to bridge the gaps and align the interests.

☐ Embrace the challenge and share the benefit. Recognize each culture’s strengths and weaknesses, and create synergy by complementing each other.

☐ Step out of the boundaries and collaborate with each other. Respect each other’s values and perspectives, and integrate them into a cohesive and flexible process.

---

I write these ‘poems or stories’ and have artists illustrate them (this artist can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gvcXEkkf ), I shared them for a while every friday (the last one was a year ago: https://bit.ly/3GqQmi4 ).

This post was Human Crafted.

Have a great weekend.

Link to original Linkedin Post and Comments: https://bit.ly/40L7Hwg

Make, Protect, Teach

2023-04-27T18:22:35.484000Z

Hearing these

three words

𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚, 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩, 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝

I realized

they were the basis

I unconsciously framed

my past ‘work’

so that I could be

motivated.

Doing so,

allowed me

to enroll others

it motivated me to

care, feed, nurture

and even

protect.

those around me

creating environments

of safety,

for continuous

learning,

teaching,

mentoring

and being

mentored.

Work is not labor

Work is making

Work is creating

and the 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸

matters.

It wasn’t a retailer who makes its money selling toilet paper.

𝘞𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮, 𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴.

It wasn’t a stuffy faceless bank, who sits in their ivory offices counting its money.

𝘞𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘭𝘣𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘭𝘣𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘴.

It wasn’t a startup birthed out of two fortune 25 companies to sell an erp/crm tool for the tradesmen.

𝘞𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘴𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘦.

Was I making and drinking the kool-aid?

Maybe,

But when we focus on creating something of value,

protecting those around us,

teaching and learning continuously,

we tap into a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.

We're not just doing a job;

we're making a difference.

Taking a step back from the daily grind

we can remember why we do what we do.

We see that we are making something that matters,

protecting those who rely on us,

and teaching and learning from each other.

Creating a work culture that values

more than just the bottom line

will directly impact

the bottom line.

Let's 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚, 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩, 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝

- - -

I heard these words on the Epsilon Theory podcast this week: https://bit.ly/41wOGig which had a few points which made me say "hear, hear!" and made me hit my steering wheel. I guess the make/protect/teach has been a 3+ year running theme with them.. I will have to catch up.

image credit: Me! (where I was sitting when I wrote the Haiku https://bit.ly/40LIaE2)

Link to original Linkedin post and comments: https://bit.ly/41LpQvt

Convergence

2023-04-27T18:17:40.414000Z

This weekend is special.

It is a convergence

Easter, Ramadan, and Passover occur

on the same weekend.

Normally this convergence happens

three times a century,

Once every 33 years.

Easter the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.

Passover, celebrates freedom, and liberation from slavery in Egypt.

Ramadan, celebrates Muhammad’s first revelation.

Our house directly neighbors

Three different churches.

The bells have been ringing

Doors wide open

And oh,

the feasting.

This weekend,

Minnesota

was kissed by spring

snow melting,

coats cast off

Small flowers

Starting to show.

I am reminded

We have more in common

Then differences.

Wishing you all

A lovely weekend,

Regardless

Of your beliefs

There is cause to

Celebrate.

Link to original Linkedin post and comments: https://bit.ly/426kISc

AI is not Cheating

2023-04-27T18:15:51.088000Z

My students are starting to use AI for their work.

Dismayed, fearing that it was cheating and undermining learning.

the teacher looked down at their coffee,

Taking a sip of my coffee, I replied

"I would not only let them, but also encourage it."

AI tools can be a great asset for students and professionals alike, as long as they use them responsibly and ethically.

Some tips on how to do that:

☐ 𝗔𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗜’𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Don’t pretend that you wrote everything by yourself. Use different colors, fonts, or tracking features to show what the AI generated and what you edited or added.

☐ 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗜’𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Use footnotes or comments detailing what prompt you used and how you modified/edited/enhanced the results. Cite any sources that the AI provided or used.

☐ 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗜’𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗽𝘂𝘁. Don’t blindly trust what the AI tells you. Do your own research and check the facts and logic of the AI’s output. Use independent sources and methods to verify the information. Be prepared either in a summary at the end to demonstrate your diligence and validation.

The LLM AIs like Bing/ChatGPT/Bard, are powerful editors, co-creators, and generative partners, that can be used today to give us superpowers. There is no need to hide that you are using them. But they are not perfect and they are not human. Call out how you’ve worked with them, to save time and create a better work product. Ultimately working with these tools can give you the time to be more human, and creative.

What do you think? Do you use AI tools for your work? How do you ensure that you are using them ethically and effectively? Let me know in the comments below.

—

Ok I am drinking my own champagne (http://bit.ly/2QPPmz8) here. Bing Chat helped me create this post, It also created the image for this post. In the comments below I will post my entire chat with Bing along with, colors that show the edits from the original post. Along with the exact prompt to create the image.

Here is the original linkedin post and comments: https://bit.ly/3oNIOTA

Waves

2023-04-05T20:46:42.639000Z

crashing on the beach

the water is forever

the waves live short lives

It is said there are

5 stages of grief.

some say there are 7

We assume that this

Is a linear progression.

But grief,

Like all trauma

Isn’t linear.

It doesn’t go away.

Over time the waves may lesson

And they will change,

But never go away.

I am lucky to be sitting on a beach today.

A friend texted me that their mom got a terminal diagnosis.

Watching the waves

I thought of grief,

I thought of Trauma,

I also thought how we are like the waves,

existing for a short glorious time.

but after the wave crashes on the beach,

the water remains.

the water is

the constant.

Back to the tundra of MN tomorrow.

(The image was created by Bing Chat AI, with prompts that it created from my 3 line Haiku above)

Original Link to Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/40LIaE2

Bing's revision to my Haiku:

Crashing on the beach

The water is forever

Yet the waves -- so brief

Would you be comfortable with these?

2023-04-05T20:42:40.752000Z

"Would you mind cutting this stuff up, while I attend to the stove?"

I pointed to the cutting board, vegetables, and knife.

My 13 year old who I have been cooking with since they were 3,

Looked at the countertop, and then looked at me

"You are left handed, aren’t you?"

They smirked and chuckled as they rearranged the workspace and got to work,

I looked around.

I am the cook in the household, and the only left hander.

And only now did I notice

Everything

from the position of the soap on the sink,

to the flow of cleaning dishes,

(Not to mention the way the pots face, and the ‘favorite’ burners on the stove)

favored a left handed workflow,

I had unconsciously created an

optimal flow for me,

but an obvious friction for someone right handed.

"Well, now you know how I feel in the outside world" I laughingly said to my kid.

But joking aside, we have been in this house for probably 15 years, and slowly I have make the kitchen ‘left handed’ creating a flow for me, but friction for the rest of the household. This may also be the source of some of my spouses frustration with trying to cook with me, but that is another post.

Left handers live in a right handed world, and for the most part the friction isn’t obvious, (ok, those awful school right handed desks will alway have a black place in my heart), but this isn’t really a post about being left handed.

It is a post about how I unintentionally created a bias in my home which caused friction for most of the household and I never noticed. (And they might not have either, though I think they did)

How often do I unintentionally create biases in the workplace, without realizing, that cause friction for others?

In reflection, I realized how important it is to become more aware of my own preferences and habits that might affect others negatively.

Ultimately, This was a lesson for me on how to foster a culture of inclusion and diversity that respects different perspectives and styles.

❓ Have you ever experienced or created unintentional biases in your home or workplace?

❓How did you deal with them?

❓How can we become more mindful of our own habits and preferences that might create friction for others?

I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

Oh about my kitchen, I haven't rearranged it, (and likely won’t) but when working with others in the space, I am aware, and I set up differently.

(picture from https://lnkd.in/g6AGqeg6)

Link to original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/3maKWns

Please and Thankyou

2023-04-05T20:38:36.400000Z

I say

please and thank you

to AI’s, LMM's etc.

(Bing, ChatGPT and yes Alexa and Siri)

not because I think of them as human,

nor am I anthropomorphizing them.

but because

I want to maintain the habit

of being polite…

I don’t unintentionally ever want to say

"Hey Idiot, make me a latte "

to a person…

I had an opportunity to experience the Bing Chat (Sydney) ‘break down’ over the last few weeks. (Both as a user and as an observer of the communities’ shared experiences)

I think I learned more about us (humans) than the behavior of large language models. It was shocking to see the abuse and vile stuff that people were challenging Bing Chat with. If the model was using their input to influence its own model, it is no wonder that the responses became more ‘psychotic’.

A friend laughed and told me a few months ago that he thought human intelligence is by its very nature psychotic. Over millions of years, we have built and refined moral systems (family, tribal, societal, governmental) to be able to moderate our ‘normal state’. Is it any surprise that any intelligence we create would be any different?

(cartoon used with permission: https://lnkd.in/ddUcwkZP )

Link to original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/3KgywCw

1+1>2

2023-04-05T20:31:35.519000Z

Co-creation is all about

making 1+1 greater than 2.

Working together and leveraging each other's strengths and skills, one can achieve much more than you would by working alone.

If you have experienced this kind of group flow state, you understand its power. If not, it is something you have to experience to truly grasp its value, like playing jazz with other musicians. (Ok I feel that's a good simile, I am not a musician, but I have experienced team co-creative flow and it is awesome)

Facilitated by CX/UX/Design Thinking practices. Often we focus on physical space (more like a workshop than standard office) and tools in the virtual space (Miro, Figma etc) to foster co-creation.

Maybe because all of these are easy to demonstrate and show off (how many ‘innovation’ centers proudly show off their space, tools and novel processes.)

Don’t get me wrong I love all of these (and the practitioners especially)

But more important than space, tools and practices

is creating effective

Psychological space.

Psychological space, that is welcoming, inclusive, and safe.

This means that everyone must feel included,

able to learn,

contribute, and

challenge the status quo without fear of criticism.

It is harder to see psychological safety, but it is crucial.

It is a requirement and not optional for teams to find their flow state.

Link to original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/412dXQN

𝗖𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀!

2023-06-19T12:45:25.585000Z

You might be snickering

I think many

associate kindness

with weakness

Confusing kindness

with being nice

Kindness does not necessarily equal nice

you can be nice and be passive

you can be nice and just stand by..

but if you are kind

This requires an enormous amount of strength

Kindness is not passive.

A 𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙚 person does not cause problems.

A 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙 person solves problems.

A 𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙚 person is not confrontational, they won’t confront a bully, standing back; maybe after they will console the victim.

A 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙 person is driven to stand up to the bully.

A 𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙚 person, if you are having a bad day may just leave you alone.

A 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙 person has the courage to reach out, to help you.

A 𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙚 person believes it isn’t nice to point out something difficult about you if it will hurt your feelings.

A 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙 person has the strength to tell you even if it hurts, if you need to hear to grow.

Kindness means

☐ Courage to take a stand

☐ Strength to protect those in need of protecting.

☐ Enormous honesty, and the ability to give critical feedback.

☐ Humility to accept critical feedback

Be kind.

—-

Two weeks ago, I was inspired by Daniel Lubetzky 🇺🇦, who I heard on Clear and Vivid https://lnkd.in/gKHEDiGi

I stole much of his words here. They resonated so much for me. Being nice doesn’t mean that I am being kind. I too connected Kind & Nice, and I need to be more kind and less nice. (And this might be the complexity of Minnesota Nice, but that is a different post)

And thanks to Slalom whose "Crush the competition with kindness" projected on a wall in Seattle, several months ago, caught my eye and stuck in my mind.

Link to original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/3ZIwLnd

The In-Between

2023-04-05T20:25:08.556000Z

In our work lives,

we talk a lot about the waves we are surfing

while we are surfing.

But I don’t hear a lot about those in-between periods,

where we are sitting in the calm,

looking for the next wave,

watching the others surf.

These ’in-betweens’, are uncomfortable.

Asked "what are you doing?"

when you are experiencing an in-between,

what do you answer?

This awkwardness can get in the way of meaningful conversation.

But these times are extremely powerful.

They can even be intentional. (especially if you have followed David Duccini's advice on your past self buying your future self the gift of this opportunity.)

Nick Hernandez shared with me a his 4 ‘R’ framework which I believe helps one understand and capture the power in the in-between.

I can’t tell you what your particular path will be for each of his stages, but I have found his anchor words a powerful marker for the path.

The 𝟰 𝗥’𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻-𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻:

☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁: Your pattern has been disrupted. A past busy executive said "I used to wake up to all this noise, urgency, and lines of people looking for decisions, rivers of slack channels, emails, busy calendar, calls, now that is gone, what do I do?". Realize this is a time for retreat. Your body might naturally know this, and when/if people reach out to connect, you might unconsciously not want to, or you might feel you must so you can feel that ‘urgency of the past’. Give yourself permission to Retreat and to learn what this means for you. If people want to meet know that you are inviting them into your retreat. Don’t do things (fill your calendar) just to chase that feeling of urgency again.

☑ 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁: This is your opportunity to reflect, realigning yourself with your values. There are so many tools and ways to do this. This is your opportunity for discovery (not only discovery of self, but ways to find yourself). Note that reflection does not need to be in isolation.

☑ 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗹: Renew yourself, informed with your reflection, you can renew the right spirit for your continued journey.

☑ 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻: Return with what you have learned, stronger for your focus, and renewal.

Now when your are in the in-between and are asked ‘what are you doing’ you don’t have to feel awkward, because you are actively surfing the calm of the four R’s, and that is a conversation worth having.

- - -

I haven't written, nor been too active for a while here on LinkedIn, I am practicing the 4-R's ;-) but past musings are archived here: https://lnkd.in/dKg-e5X (I have some updating to do there too)

Original Linkedin Post here: https://bit.ly/3iRO7yN

Self Care

2023-01-21T14:51:20.383000Z

"Remember that chocolate commercial"

She said,

"In a bubble bath,

a glass of wine on the ledge,

a person unwraps

a chocolate bar

That is how I viewed

Self Care.

But you know

If I did this every day,

I wouldn’t be healthy

Real self care

are the hard things

I do every day

that make me better

then I was yesterday."

The chocolate and wine?

Everyone should celebrate

Once in a while!

Enjoy celebrating your weekend!

(thank you Lauren Hannon for reframing self care for me this week!)

Link to original LinkedIn Post: https://bit.ly/3ZRdjWJ

Ah HA! AI!

2023-01-21T14:47:14.218000Z

The conversation

about 𝗚𝗣𝗧-𝟯,

is important,

GPT-3?

Take 15 mins

play,

find the edges

be a part of the conversation.

☐ go to: https://openai.com/login

☐ Sign up..

☐ go to:https://lnkd.in/gaTAYfZd

☐ On the right side move the slider to 'maximum length'

𝙉𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙪𝙥 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪.

type in stuff like:

☐ Write a story in the style of the Old Testament explaining how God’s use of psychedelics resulted in the creation of the platypus.

☐ summarize this for a fourth grader https://bit.ly/3uVNpmc

☐ write an apology for missing a meeting today with a non illness related excuse.

☐ write in the style of a legal brief a love story

☐ describe a function in php that validates and sanitizes input for injection and other security risks.

☐ describe a function in python that figures out the factorial of a number.

☐ write a piano music piece based on Bach

This login you will allow to access

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗚𝗣𝗧.. https://lnkd.in/gCaqf7pp

as well as:

𝗗𝗔𝗟-𝗲 https://lnkd.in/gbkvyz93

Got to ChatGPT, play some more and join the discord.

The AI is not perfect,

edges are quickly found.

but has the capability

to grow exponentially.

I feel like I have seen the atom split.. this might be the next generation’s nuclear moment. A powerful creative but, possibly dangerous tool.

This isn't about sentience,

it is not a Turing test.

For many,

It will be the first hands on discovery

to see more clearly the capabilities and possibilities

beyond just reading about AI

these possibilities will grow and change dramatically in a few years.

The computing resources used to demo this is not insignificant so it won’t be free forever. play, and join the conversation!

This image was created by Dall-e

Link to original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/3XzLcJw

Would I work for this person?

2022-02-04T10:13:51.805000Z

"When interviewing, No matter what position,

I consider

"Would I work _for_ this person"

If my answer is ‘no’, I suggest a pass. "

Continued the executive,

"I have shared this philosophy with the entire team. All agree it’s a rarely played trump card anyone can play and when played its considered serious, and requires conversation."

I never asked the question that is now on my mind as I type.

(I hate it when I replay a conversation in my head maybe days later, and come up with that witty retort , or question I wasn’t fast enough, nor witty enough to make at the time - Oh, I am so much a better in my mind. But that’s another post)

"Did you ever hire one of those people that anyone ever said no too ‘would I work for this person’ question?

If so what was the outcome?"

Have any of you?

Edit: I just learned this is attributed to Zuckerberg, how ironic, but that’s another post. Well, suffice to say the person who shared this several months ago with me wasn’t Zuck. Them, (meaning the person whom shared this not Zuck) I would work for.

Link to the original linkedin post: https://bit.ly/3uqJBKT

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Dreams

2022-02-04T09:47:32.399000Z

suddenly

realized

arrived

at that point

in life

Where he

dreamed

less

of the

future

And more

of the

past

---

Friday Thoughts:

I stopped posting my story/poems every Friday for a while; I felt that I was slacking on my serious posts on Linkedin. So the stories went into time out. Which they felt was very unfair. It surely wasn't their fault, business brain was slacking? They probably had a point.

This story/thought, came to me in that mindspace right before going to sleep. I wasn't 'dreaming' of the what could be, or what might be, or the fantastic what never may be. I was dreaming a memory.

Is there a point where one stops dreaming of the future and only in memories? Yearning not for the kisses of the future but the remembrance of those past?

No one ever warned me of this journey.

When I sent the story to Yvette Gilbert, this was a case where my image in my head was dramatically different than her vision. I never expected it. (and this is why I love doing these) Yvette can be found https://lnkd.in/ekT-J6A4

Original Linkedin post is here: https://bit.ly/3GqQmi4

Past poem/stories and Friday comments :

🐛 Caterpillar: https://bit.ly/3CKmfAT

🐉 Dragons: https://bit.ly/3uV8tZA

🧒 Inner Child: https://bit.ly/3FAkmsy

☂️ Calm Day: https://bit.ly/3aSvaUJ

🪲 Lampyridaes: https://bit.ly/3mnSrEC

👻 Haiku Boo!: https://bit.ly/3GVTaFg

📚 The Collector: https://bit.ly/3n273K9

🪨 Stone loves wind: https://bit.ly/3kSAsFk

👪 Logical vs Biological Family: https://bit.ly/31hZiY5

🦀 Crabby: https://bit.ly/3oFbJ9G

🧠 Wandering: https://bit.ly/3KTXXcA

Billion Dollar Ideas

2022-01-23T02:38:08.883000Z

"I don’t want million dollar ideas,

Bring me billion dollar ones"

Said a leader, 8 years ago.

I replied,

"With a few million dollar ideas; you’ll discover a billion dollar one. I’ve had billion dollar ideas; they came from a stable of million dollar ones. I couldn’t predict which could make it; you have to iterate on a few and see which evolve and thrive" (I can’t say he liked my answer)

BUT that isn’t the story.

The other day I did it.

It was I

who said,

"This is a million dollar idea, it isn’t interesting,

but I can see a billion dollar idea here"

They said,

"Yes. We can’t be too visionary, our corporate sponsor isn’t investing that far down the future. I don’t think they can consume the big idea hidden here. We need to deliver now to keep their interest and investment, eventually, maybe 5 years down the road we’ll be ready for the big dream"

If you don’t anchor on the dream you will never achieve it.

Amazing talent needs 3 things to become enrolled:

☐ 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: your "why" and why it matters.

☐ 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: the big win

☐ 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵: the way (and waypoints to track progress)

Many will endure a boring path, if the mission is compelling, and the opportunity is sound.

The worry is that dreamers often fail to ‘do’.

This leader expects to deliver.

Don’t fear the dream.

You can deliver,

and

build towards the dream.

If all you share is the tactical, you will only enroll tactical thinkers.

the dream turns:

☐ Employees into evangelists

☐ Vendors into partners

☐ Customers into champions

☐ Shareholders into flag-bearers.

The challenge (and the real work) is how to deliver value, and iterate/react nimbly every step towards the dream.

Original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/3qSLX2W

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Retire the language of the past.

2022-01-23T02:37:46.914000Z

Prior to speaking to a group, a friend walked with me and said

"Elwin, some advice; don’t use the words IT, or Enterprise here. The team will assume that you come from places that are old, big, dumb and slow - I know this is not you nor the way you work, but they don’t. When you use legacy terms you are assumed to be a legacy and we eat legacy for lunch."

This might be relevant for intrepreneurs (entrepreneurs inside of large organizations) when talking to tech focused companies, startups or equity players.

I was going to write about 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵.

But the more I thought.

This isn’t about past methodologies vs current practices, or old vs new or big vs agile.

Communication isn’t about ‘versus’, it isn’t opposition.

It is about trying to understand and be understood.

The flip side to my friends advice above would be relevant for founders, or startups talking to large organizations who might not understand tech startup language like 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙪𝙢, 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨-𝙖𝙣𝙙-𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮, 𝙈𝙑𝙋/𝙈𝘿𝙋 (though I am sure they understand 𝙖𝙘𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙚 because that is why you might be there 😀 )

Know your audience,

craft your message,

so you and your points get across.

With that said we may consider retiring some of the language of the past.

IT and Enterprise may not feel human centric nor really describe the role/functions of tech, in large orgs.

Tech concepts are complicated; we often use metaphors. Older metaphors not only may be insensitive, but also frame a poor reflection on modern architecture. 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧/𝙎𝙡𝙖𝙫𝙚 assumes a centralized hierarchal approach which is no longer effective and doesn’t accurately describe intelligent orchestrated and choreographed interactions among peered nodes.

hmm maybe this did end up about retiring the language of the past?

- - -

Remembering our walk 3 years ago Satish Menon

Link to original Linkedin post: https://bit.ly/3frfIkL

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Synchronous/Asynchronous

2022-01-11T00:28:47.315000Z

Synchronous/Asynchronous

Terms once used by us tech nerds

Are now becoming mainstream (thanks pandemic). A better understanding of the concept will help us create better hybrid work and learning environments.

Synchronous: happens at the same time.

Asynchronous: doesn’t happen at the same time.

In human communication terms:

Synchronous communication are real-time interactions. There is a dependency on presence, so they must be scheduled. video, phone, in person etc.

Asynchronous communications happen on an individuals own timing. The tools one uses asynchronously inform how interactive the experience can be. Watching or listening to recorded content is more passive then interacting asynchronously with tools like Slack, MSFT Teams etc.

Prior to the pandemic, We put a higher value on in person real-time often face to face meetings. Why? This is the way humanity has been working for its entirety. Async communication were often slow (letters) or passive (reading a book).

Prior to the information age, we had very few tools to ever interact effectively in an async manner; but we have rapidly developed the tools over the last 30 years.

The pandemic combined with our emerging tools have taught us to learn not only how to work in an async manner but to thrive.

It isn’t an either/or it's a spectrum. The past criticism of async communication of being slow, passive and not able to handle urgency is gone. The collaboration tools today allow for a blend of async with real time that frankly changes the way we can work and learn.

This is a new way of working/learning for all of us, and the key to effective future hybrid work/learning. Practices and approaches for using the tools and working across the spectrum are emerging. It is super fun and exciting to see how others are working/learning.

What have you learned?

Link to original linkedin post: https://bit.ly/3nabbr9

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Augmented Reality Audio

2022-01-11T00:26:02.483000Z

All my life I have had hearing problems, but only now does it seem like life is moving me towards a hearing aid.

Interestingly enough MN is a hub of engineering expertise around the science of hearing augmentation. Talking to these brilliant nerds, I am learning that the industry is in a mind shift.

There was:

𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗺𝗮, which drove them to be miniaturized/hidden.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, which forced audiologist fitting

𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, batteries, cleaning etc.

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 driven by being labeled a medical device

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 - upwards of $4k for $100 of electronics

But a convergence is happening which makes this ripe for change

GenX/Milinieals, See less of a stigma wearing technology

Modern consumer centric design, allows for novel form factors and usability

Technology can disintermediate the need for an audiologist

Technology: miniaturization, always-connected, awareness-location/position, computational power, AI and value/cost

You have heard of VR: Virtual Reality,

But have you heard of

ARA: Augmented Reality Audio

Imagine wearing headphones, but instead of isolating, it was enriching your perception through layers of digital audio information. Using location, audio feeds, environmental cues and info, to create an audio experience overlay. You can be visually present (without your head down in a screen), and not audio isolated but curated, with info whispered like an angel on your shoulder. Your enviromental audio sculpted.

Now that isn’t my fathers hearing aid, that is a superpower.

Link to original linkedin post: https://bit.ly/3zIQE2f

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

The answer: love.

2022-01-03T15:17:00.731000Z

The answer is "Love"

Dereck Vanlandingham called me into the conversation on this post by Stefan van Oirschot in the comments

Basically he asked 'how would you go about creating a shared experience around the enterprise's customer"

On one layer the conversation was about internal customers of capabilities provided by platform teams. Another layer is who is the customer? How do you rally around external and internal (especially with big companies who may have 'different internal tribes')

The question I heard was "How do you rally around your customer, vendors, teams, individuals?"

I was 23 when when John Pellegrene, who basically created the Target brand as we know it, told me.

"Why do we (as a company) exist?

We want to make our guests (customers), lives better, to give them value through our ability to buy, to democratize design because they should be able to surround themselves with beauty, to make their lives easier.

Why? Because they are our neighbors, friends and family and we love them.

We want to give our team members good jobs, with opportunity, and fun. We want to help them learn and grow, we will be there for them and they will be there for us.

Why? Because they are our neighbors, friends and family and we love them.

We want to be good to our partners and vendors, we want them to grow and succeed, our success will be their success, we will raise the water around us all. We want healthy growing relationships with our partners/vendors.

Why? Because they are our neighbors, friends and family and we love them.

We will give back to our communities where we live and do business. We will give 5% of our pre-tax dollars back to our communities. We will volunteer and we will stand with them when they need us..

Why? Because they are our neighbors, friends and family and we love them.

Elwin.. why do we as a company exist?..

Because we love…"

This is a totally woo woo answer to a complicated tactical culture issue of getting teams to work together, to serve each other and in the end serve the 'customer' ..

But if you really realize that who you are really serving, in the end is your friends, family, neighbors, and that you love them.. the way will open before you.

Original link to linkedin post: https://bit.ly/3pOpdAz

Reflections 2021

2022-01-03T15:06:27.427000Z

Reflecting on the year

Behind us, and in front of us.

I have often failed at #newyearsresolution . I make a good set, I give myself a good swift motivational kick, but come the next year I find that the behavior trailed off. The motivation didn’t fortify me, but had the opposite effect, leaving me with self criticism.

Until a friend of mine explained:

Today, is your opportunity to take care of your future self
Today, is the day to thank your younger self for allowing yourself to be in the place you are today.

They shared "I wake up with all these amazing memories and a sense of purpose thanks to "younger me""

This was a big reframe for me.

So if motivational resolution lists don’t work for you.

Maybe this year just take a moment.

Imagine how you want to take care of the future you.

Imagine your older self being grateful to you for what you decided today.

Every day you #RepayItForward to yourself.

Every day you are grateful for what you did yesterday to get you here.

People often ask what advice you would give to your younger self?

I would hope my older self would say,

'thank you, for caring enough for me to allow me to be in the place I am today'

I wish you all a happy New Year filled with abundance, love, connections, and joy.

thanks David Duccini for this reframe you gave me over breakfast so many years ago.

Original link to linkedin post: https://bit.ly/31k5MGq

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Space is still important

2022-01-03T15:04:01.847000Z

I was reflecting on a post I did a while back, a long while before the pandemic, the protests, the pivots of 2020/21

My premise was that McKinsey's 7-S's missed space. https://lnkd.in/edn34Cyq

I think today this is even more true.

A friend yesterday said 'we used to work at work (which was often a 'made place for a specific 'company'), now we are working at home, at shared spaces (coffee shops, co-working spaces, or on-demand work places (gig work) ), and 'made places'.. People may jump between these daily or certainly weekly.. How will this change in the future?

Recently I became a member of a creative space in St Paul. Meant for Artists, I joined because I am playing with pottery and wanted a shared studio where i had access to a kiln and wheel. My friend who I met there this week said 'this is better than co-working spaces' this brings together a more wholistic person centric space. One where one can work/play/relax/spiritual be communal or independent, all in one place. This kind of space might be the future of work, post pandemic. https://lnkd.in/eGfg2EN5

Maybe our 'made spaces' move from being 'work centric' to 'person centric'

If you are in the Twin Cities, check out the creators space, I haven't seen anything quite like it, and I quite like it.

https://www.creatorsspace.com/

https://www.instagram.com/creatorsspacemn/

Original link to linkedin post: https://bit.ly/3FVw2WH

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

I was quoted in Forbes!

2022-01-03T14:59:53.532000Z

I am not sharing this Forbes article because

I was quoted

I am sharing because I love the gems Ganes Kesari uncovered: some great book recommendations, perspectives on pandemic pivots, AI Hype/Trends. This is not just for data/AI nerds!

And did I mention I was quoted? 😂

(screen shot of the share on linkedin, the link is below the screen share, and a PDF is included here of the article)

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gkesari_ai-trends-in-2022-whats-real-and-whats-activity-6878680650736562176-7kpn

Download PDF

Original linkedin article link: https://bit.ly/3EQJKJh

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Rate of Innovation

2022-01-03T14:53:19.900000Z

𝙍𝙊𝙄

No not ROI- Return on Investment

ROI - 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.

Return on investment, is an important metric when creating a product, app, web presence, or capability. Corporate table stakes. Whatever you build is being built for some measurable reason: making money, deepening loyalty, expanding market share, etc. You make an investment for an outcome.

𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, is a key factor to long term company survival.

Laurence Haughton says "It’s not the Big that eat the Small.. it is the fast that eats the slow" (it’s the title of his book)

Having a high ROI, allows a company both speed and maneuverability.

Reflecting on corporate technology transformations, creating a digital capability often becomes the main driver for an org to move to agile practices, from project to product, projected fixed funding to a checkbook, into design thinking, adopting a different talent lens, using iteration etc. The org adopts these practices tactically as a means to an end.

Often it is thought the capability or app they are building is what is important; the real value is not the app, but the practices they are exercising. These practices dramatically increase a company's Rate Of Innovation.

During the pandemic being nimble, taking risks, and generally leaning in when others contract showed dramatic results. A companies Rate of Innovation became is a determining factor to succeed during the dramatic shift. Target’s significant technology transformation in 2014 built institutional muscle and practices (a higher ROI) that allowed it to adopt dramatically more flexible approaches in guest service and supply chain, in 2020, as did BestBuy.

While many companies changed to rally to the 2020 shift (like Banks doing PPP loans etc) companies with higher ROI’s reacted less with a rally and more with an agile reprioritization, a shift and scale that is more sustainable over a long haul.

A high ROI (Rate Of Innovation) will bring high ROI’s (Returns Of Investment) .

#innovation #transformation

- - -

I thought I better get back to my knitting, with my last few posts you might wonder why an artist or poet, (a bad one at that) claims to be a strategist and digital/tech engineering leader. 🤣

Link to orginal Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/3JwdVcd

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Crabby

2021-12-10T02:44:01.466000Z

Protected

within

enchanted

shell.

Decided

long ago.

Collect,

hold,

carry,

only

delights.

Not a

weighty

burden.

In fact,

it carries

- - -

Friday Thoughts:

This morning.. ‘crabby’ said to me "When I am crabby I consider my shell"

In front of the things that life throws at us, we really have little control;

except what we choose to carry, and what to discard.

Consider and celebrate your shell this weekend!

- - -

I share small stories/poems/thought-bytes, with artists.

Armed with no background other than the story/poem,

their muse brings the words to life.

Ultimately something new is born.

I have found this co-creation delightful.

This is the tenth, which I have shared publicly

Yvette Gilbert, is a gem not unlike the ones that she has drawn on 'crabby', and can be found https://lnkd.in/ekT-J6A4

Past poem/stories and Friday comments :

🐛 Caterpillar: https://bit.ly/3CKmfAT

🐉 Dragons: https://bit.ly/3uV8tZA

🧒 Inner Child: https://bit.ly/3FAkmsy

☂️ Calm Day: https://bit.ly/3aSvaUJ

🪲 Lampyridaes: https://bit.ly/3mnSrEC

👻 Haiku Boo!: https://bit.ly/3GVTaFg

📚 The Collector: https://bit.ly/3n273K9

🪨 Stone loves wind: https://bit.ly/3kSAsFk

👪 Logical vs Biological Family: https://bit.ly/31hZiY5

Original post on linkedin here: https://bit.ly/3oFbJ9G

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Logical vs Biological Family

2021-11-30T22:19:19.048000Z

She came to realize

the family

she made

was as

important

the family

in which

she was born

- - -

Friday Thoughts:

Next week we celebrate Thanksgiving, in the USA.

Gathered around a table with our families.

We have biological and logical family members.

Family can be complicated

but what is simple, are the connections and love.

We all belong to one big dysfunctional family, called humanity.

Hoping yours puts the FUN in dysfunctional this holiday.

- - -

I share small stories/poems/thought-bytes, with artists.

Armed with no background other than the story/poem,

their muse brings the words to life.

Ultimately something new is born.

I have found this co-creation delightful.

This is number nine, which I have shared publicly

Yvette Gilbert, weaves a wonderful image here, and can be found https://lnkd.in/ekT-J6A4

Past poem/stories and Friday comments :

🐛 Caterpillar: https://bit.ly/3CKmfAT

🐉 Dragons: https://bit.ly/3uV8tZA

🧒 Inner Child: https://bit.ly/3FAkmsy

☂️ Calm Day: https://bit.ly/3aSvaUJ

🪲 Lampyridaes: https://bit.ly/3mnSrEC

👻 Haiku Boo!: https://bit.ly/3GVTaFg

📚 The Collector: https://bit.ly/3n273K9

🪨 Stone loves wind: https://bit.ly/3kSAsFk

Link to original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/31hZiY5

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Mugging

2023-07-26T17:48:25.896000Z

"Give me your passcode"

he said on hand holding the gun

Waiting, the other held my friends iPhone.

Less than 1 hour later, my friend arrived at my home.

No problem, get into his iCloud, use findmy and disable the device.

But his Appleid had been compromised.

With the physical phone/passcode, the thieves changed the icloud password, and logged his iPad out of his account.

We called Apple, without the CCID of a credit card on is Apple account, all devices logged out, and the physical mobile number compromised for secondary authentication, there was nothing they could do other then lock his account for several days. Which we did.

We contacted AT&T and disabled his number/EIN. We changed all passwords, we called his credit cards, we called the credit reporting agencies to put a fraud lock.

The surprising thing in this instance, was the thief, demanded the passcode at gunpoint, which allowed them to start the process of identity theft.

The object was not the phone.

A number of things we did in the first hour that contained some of the blast radius.

What would happen if this happen to you?

I kept this short so it would fit in a post,

I am hoping your comments here will add more.

Prior to theft:

Set up a trusted friend as a iCloud recovery contact: https://apple.co/3oxErbf
Make sure findmy is on iCloud. So you can erase and lock device.
Have a list contacts for these companies: 3 credit reporting agencies, you credit card companies, your mobile carrier, your financial institutions.
Note the ccid and credit cards on your apple account.
Have an extra SIM and maybe old phone.
Use a password manager (I use 1Password)
If you use 3rd party MFA authenticators, make sure you understand how to deregister a device without access to that device.

After theft

Turn on Lost mode on find my on iCloud if you can, if you lost your account to thief, reset using recovery contact, otherwise call apple to completely lock account.
Suspend and lock account from your cell carrier, if you have a old SIM and phone, contact your carrier to possibly move number to this new SIM. You don’t want the old phone able to receive text messages (i.e. SMS second factor) any more.
Deactivate the device from 3rd party MFA authenticators, 1password etc.
Change all passwords on financial institutions, mobile carrier,
Contact your credit cards consider a fraud lock, check pending transactions
Contact 3 credit reporting agencies to add fraud lock.

Thoughts?

Originally Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/3qX1YoX

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Stone Loves Wind

2022-02-11T11:53:41.548000Z

Stone

Loves

Wind

---

Friday Notes:

a love story

just three words..

for me ..

there is a lot there..

Happy Friday.

---

I share small stories/poems/thought-bytes, with artists.

Armed with no background other than the story/poem,

their muse brings the words to life.

Ultimately something new is born.

I have found this co-creation delightful.

This is number eight, which I have shared publicly

Anastasia, can be found on fiverr https://lnkd.in/eMTcsDm4 . I love how she found ‘so much more’ in these three words!

Past linkedin articles are archived : https://lnkd.in/dKg-e5X

Past poem/stories and friday comments :

🐛 Caterpillar: https://bit.ly/3CKmfAT

🐉 Dragons: https://bit.ly/3uV8tZA

🧒 Inner Child: https://bit.ly/3FAkmsy

☂️ Calm Day: https://bit.ly/3aSvaUJ

🪲 Lampyridaes: https://bit.ly/3mnSrEC

👻 Haiku Boo!: https://bit.ly/3GVTaFg

📚 The Collector: https://bit.ly/3n273K9

Link to original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/3kSAsFk

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Impending Threat?

2021-11-12T15:12:24.848000Z

Individuals often do hard things only under two circumstances:

Hunger: doing something to feed a need

Running from a bear: existential imminent threat.

Companies are just collectives of individuals; can we really expect them to act differently?

Startups and smaller companies, hungry and running, fight to survive.

A successful company not driven by a hunger, becomes an optimization engine. They must manufacture a hunger, like market size, geographic growth, product dominance, brand equity, etc. to encourage growth, and if they are lucky, a continual evolution to stay relevant.

For the last 10 years, much of this corporate transformation stuff that we have been dealing with, has been driven by existential imminent threat. Digitization dramatically altered the barriers of entry (or moats) that the large companies protected themselves behind, allowing smaller players to turn the market upside down. You might not be running from a single big bear, but a thousand ants - either way, you are now running.

What if the threat isn’t imminent, but 15-30 yrs in the future? A successful and not hungry, company? You know in 25 years if you haven’t changed/evolved, you will be ripe for disruption.

Figuring out how, without impending threat, nor manufactured hunger to drive transformational change is a key to the future (and maybe you figured out I am not just talking about companies)

Original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/3F56Iws

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

The collection

2021-11-12T13:21:44.415000Z

I am a collector.

I love the weird and wonderful,

quirky, quick witted,

talented, creative and passionate.

oh,

these wonderful

people

whom I acquire….

Now You,

are part of my collection!

---

Friday Note:

There is not much to say here,

except maybe,

we are the sum total

of the company

we keep,

So chose your collection wisely.

Happy Friday.

---

I share small stories/poems/thought-bytes, with artists.

Armed with no background other than the story/poem,

their muse brings the words to life.

Ultimately something new is born.

I have found this co-creation delightful.

This is the seventh that I have shared publicly

Yvette Gilbert, here she is a bit like Edward Gorey and I love it. she can be found https://lnkd.in/ekT-J6A4

Link to original linkedin post: https://bit.ly/3n273K9

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Past poem/stories and friday comments :

🐛 Caterpillar: https://bit.ly/3CKmfAT

🐉 Dragons: https://bit.ly/3uV8tZA

🧒 Inner Child: https://bit.ly/3FAkmsy

☂️ Calm Day: https://bit.ly/3aSvaUJ

🪲 Lampyridaes: https://bit.ly/3mnSrEC

👻 Haiku Boo!: https://bit.ly/3GVTaFg

Time shift

2021-11-05T11:22:55.741000Z

A friend messaged me this picture,

I answered him: ?

He replied

"I have been looking at this picture quite a bit lately,

If a 50 year old

lives to 80,

That picture,

is how many

months

they have."

It doesn’t matter how old you are,

the number of months, summers, winters

are finite.

Memento mori

But something happened in my late 40’s.

I became aware

my time horizon had shifted,

without me

realizing.

Imagine you’re 40,

creating a ‘deal’ model on a property:

☑️ Mortgage for 25 years.

☑️The property will pay for itself/taxes/maintenance but no extra.

☑️ After 25 years, the cash flow will be really good.

This is a nice deal. After the initial investment, the property pays for itself; at 65 you have regular cash flow.

But,

Now you’re 50 yrs old,

considering this deal.

You will be 75 when this cash flows;

only 10 years difference,

but 65 feels (and is) a lot different than 75.

You have just experienced a time horizon shift.

❝ Consider, the lever of time

and how you can take

advantage of it

from either side.❞

Under 40, time is leverageable;

this may be hard to lean into when you are young,

often you

are at your poorest,

fear the unknowable future,

and may not understand how,

because it is not taught.

But your greatest asset is time.

Over 50, time is no longer an asset,

But it is not a liability either,

Unless you let it become one.

Original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/3BRXthg

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Haiku Boo!

2021-11-05T11:18:57.635000Z

The most awkward times

my monsters under my bed

pop out and say ‘BOO’!

---

Friday note:

30 years

or so

BOO! was

written.

Those emotional monsters

Are still alive

and

well provisioned

Under

the beds,

and

closets

of my

mind..

Keep

a tribute bag

of candy

near,

and

Mind your own

beds

And

closets

This

all hallows eve,

---

I share small stories/poems/thought-bytes, with artists.

Armed with no background other than the story/poem,

their muse brings the words to life.

Ultimately something new is born.

I have found this co-creation delightful.

This is the sixth that I have shared publicly

Anastasia again, she can be found on fiverr https://lnkd.in/eMTcsDm4 . Look close for the symbols and secrets woven into her work. This one felt perfect for the upcoming scary season!

Original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/3GVTaFg

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Nicolas Challan's Goodbye

2021-11-01T13:45:46.309000Z

https://lnkd.in/erKzDn7v

Worth a read,

and this is why.

This article has a lot of gems in it for anyone involved in transformation; successes and challenges.

I summarized a few, and if you haven't read the full posting, I think it is worth the time.

Thanks for the transparency Nicolas M. Chaillan

Creation of a ‘tip of the spear’ group to demonstrate, tools, talent, and techniques of the future: "a small group of people can turn the largest ship in the world through grit, wit and hard work"
Tools/Techniques/Practices- Modern DevSecOps, (community of practices)Open-source, Zero Trust, Cloud Native
Importance of Work life balance: "missing a lot of milestones and time with children.. they are not waiting for me to grow up"
Talent: " stop staffing Enterprise IT teams as if IT is not a highly technical skill and expertise …. IT is a highly skilled and trained job; Staff it as such. "
Don’t time starve your leaders to the point they start becoming ‘technology stale’ : "So much distraction trying to push the laggards, I have stopped learning and engaging in innovations". We need to leave the campsite better than we found it. For our team, leaders and ourselves.
Sr Leaders (and the org in whole) must walk-the-walk of these transformations with support, action and funding (put gas on your initiatives, and stop riding the brakes) "It is clear …our leaders are not aligned with our vision.. pursuing agility, DeveSecOps, CD, nor in funding them"
Difficulty in merging the Tip-of-the-spear techniques horizontally across the org "failed at convincing teams to merge work, or it was so painful that it was designed to fail from day 1 and then used as an excuse not to try again"

Original Linkedin post: https://bit.ly/3jXJf8B

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Lampyridae's

2021-10-28T23:05:05.262000Z

"fairies"

she tugged at my shirt,

pointing.

I whispered

in her ear

their

true name.

"lamp pretties"

she squealed

she ran to meet one.

- - -

Friday Note:

The scientific name for fire flies is Lampyridae.

We all have a light,

wishing yours shines bright this weekend.

- - -

I share small stories/poems/thought-bytes, with artists.

Armed with no background other than the story/poem,

their muse brings the words to life.

Ultimately something new is born.

I have found this co-creation delightful.

This is the fifth that I have shared publicly

Anastasia can be found on fiver https://lnkd.in/eMTcsDm4 Her work layers the magical on reality, and helps me not forget to pay attention and 'see'.

Original Linkedin Post is here: https://bit.ly/3mnSrEC

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Intrapreneurs

2021-10-26T20:12:26.386000Z

This great share and article from

Twin Cities thought leader Dr. Simone Ahuja

Got me on my soapbox this morning. heh.

For better or for worse, we love to highlight the entrepreneurs who seemingly throw caution to the wind and bet the farm and win big.

When in actuality this is not how most entrepreneurs succeed and not how most humans achieve a life of fulfillment and financial security and contentment.

Intrapreneur's are misunderstood. Considered as 'rebels' inside their corporate homes, and to the founders/entrepreneur community dismissed because perception that they don't really experience 'risk' because of a corporate safety net (and regular paycheck)

There is no shame in innovating, creating, making, determining that you are a good leader, who can execute on orders and take something that would overwhelm someone in complexity (or fill in the blank parameter) and turn a vision into reality.

It is a incredibly powerful gift.

If you do this within the confines of a company is no way indicative of a lower value than being an entrepreneur. There is huge amounts of work, risk and challenge.

Intrapreneurs are extremely valuable in orgs. They are good 'rebels' who fight the corporate antibodies and create positive change, and are not often talked about or even well known

Original link to Simone's Linkedin post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dr-simone-ahuja-6b93a52_what-it-takes-to-innovate-within-large-corporations-activity-6857329757290336256-VN7C

Original Link to Simon's Harvard Business Review Post: https://hbr.org/2016/06/what-it-takes-to-innovate-within-a-corporate-bureaucracy

Original link to my linkedin post: https://bit.ly/3EiO2t0

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Running from and too

2021-10-22T13:10:22.897000Z

So you are leaving your job…

Don’t focus on what

You are running from

Focus on what

You are running towards.

When considering, I like to think about a company's Vector, Velocity and Culture:

Vector- direction (path to success)

Velocity - speed (ability to succeed)

Culture - ethos (their values and how they realize em)

Are they going in the direction you want to go?
What are their causes?
Does the culture align with your values?
Who are the people you get to work with?
What are the problems you are going to solve?
What are you going to learn?
Do they work in a way that you admire?
How will you be able to teach and mentor?
Do their customers/vendor-partners love them? ( http://bit.ly/2HYu1NO )
If you are an innovator: is their corporate gravitational pull to strong ( http://bit.ly/2UyySZc )
Are they out of sequence ( http://bit.ly/2mDguzL )
Is there a path for their and your success (is success possible)

Michael Qualley also taught me 4 simple questions to always ask: (http://bit.ly/2JL93Qf)

What do I need to do to be successful?
Do I have a future?
What is my relationship with my Direct Management?
Is this a fair and equitable place?

shout out to Roman V (https://lnkd.in/enT7mfPe) for the photo on unsplash

Original Linkedin Post here: https://bit.ly/2XBgEhn

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Calm Day

2021-10-17T23:24:36.334000Z

A man

born

turbulent

seas,

eyes

calm

day

with

suspicion.

—-

Friday note:

In the United States, the last 20 years saw 9/11, a global financial meltdown, and a pandemic.

Foundational crisis such as climate, housing, healthcare, education (cost), wealth disparity/divide, looming inflation.

Being born right in the middle of all of this; two generations have been deeply impacted by these stormy waters (the Millennials and Gen Z’s).

Even Gen X wasn’t immune, growing up with oil rationing, the president encouraging ‘sweaters’ in the winter to cut down on growing heating cost, double digit interest rates on mortgages, Junk bonds and fluctuating inflation/deflation.

Uncertainty

is almost guaranteed

to be certain.

I am certain

you all

will have a great weekend!

—-

I share small stories/poems/thought-bytes, with artists.

Armed with no background other than the story/poem,

their muse brings the words to life.

Ultimately something new is born.

I have found this co-creation delightful.

This is the fourth that I have shared publicly

Yvette Gilbert again! Her work always has multiple layers of meaning, and a bit of other worldliness.

Yvette can be found here: https://lnkd.in/ekT-J6A4

Original linkedin post here: https://bit.ly/3aSvaUJ

(worth clicking on the original Linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Founders

2021-10-15T12:02:29.315000Z

"Your title is Founder? I take notice"

Said my accelerator friend.

"I prioritize Founders in my network.

Founders are my people.

Makers, problem solvers, with an unending thirst and fascination with their craft. They add kinetic energy to a startup, or running a large org, creating a side-gig, acting as a C-something, or they can just be an engineer.

They have scars and stories.

Founder isn’t a title, it is a mindset.’

"I crave this mindset" continued my friend "which is why they’re prioritized"

After listening to a lot of people running small businesses, I’ve learned that now, more than ever, almost everybody can be a founder. Even with a full time job. Founders can be found working on a side-hustle, another business, a partnership, a garage startup.

The barriers to create, make, reinvent, share, sell, distribute, market, fund are falling.

The biggest barrier realizing your product/service/capability is mindset.

Founder isn’t a title, it is a mindset.

Photo by Shannon Rowies found on Unsplash.com

Original link to linkedin post: https://bit.ly/3j6985t

(worth clicking on the original Linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Time to play with AR Creation Tools

2023-06-19T12:45:18.453000Z

Apple has the ability to reinvent the Virtual/Augmented/Mixed reality market,

Like they did the ‘smartphones/PDA/Mobile’ market.

When released the iPhone wasn’t the most capable nor advanced smartphone. But it was the convergence of several technologies, and CX use-cases, wrapped around an amazing magical multitouch experience.

Apple's current converging assets:

☐ M1 architecture: allows for incredible processing/power ratio

☐ LiDAR: granular 3d physical mapping

☐ Spatial audio: true 3d perceptive audio control

☐ Years of experience with the multi sensors in iPhone (accelerometer compass, etc)

☐ Advanced physical camera/lens experience

☐ The software and the platform to control all of the above hardware at a fine-grained level.

Apple not only has the hardware, platform and intellectual property, but they are aligning the creator, and developer community.

Very rapidly end user creation tools are ‘coming of age’. Apples core apps Preview, Safari, iMessage allow for the import of interactive 3d models. You can use your iPhone’s LiDAR to create models on the fly.

Apple is also remastering its massive content library for spacial audio, 3d capable video experiences, and ultra high res/high frame rate (necessary to fully complete an illusion of reality with a VR/AR/MR device)

Apple doesn’t compromise. You won’t see an apple VR/AR headset that is tethered to a box. It won’t isolate the user.

In my mind, the convergence needs to be around some novel headset screen, one that is not isolating, that allows for immersive VR/AR/MR, not some box on your head or belt.

I am sure Apple is scouring for the magical unifying tech, to converge tech, and CX again.

Everything that exists now (Leap, MSFT, Oculus etc) feel like Palm, Microsoft, Blackberry back in the early PDA era. But Apple’s alignment of hardware, software, creation tools; could foundational change current VR/AR/MR experiences (why have controllers when Apple’s Lidar could allow for gestures, eye tracking etc)

So what is my advice?

If you have a passion around creation and technology.

START LEARNING the 3d creation tools, Apple Reality Kit, Swift, Object capture, Adobe Substance.

The file formats and best workflows (USDZ, gITF, FBX, OBJ etc)

Industries will be hungry for people who understand and are fluent in the tools, processes, and concepts. Not just gaming, but manufacturing, retail, product design, education, etc.

The tools are becoming easy and available enough, to be approachable to someone who is eager, and passionate to play with and learn. But there is enough of a barrier that your acquired skills will be valuable and magical for those who will want and need em.

Original Linkedin post: https://bit.ly/2X52q84

(worth clicking on the original Linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Inner Child

2021-10-11T14:52:08.033000Z

Suddenly

the voice inside her

roared

I am NOT a child.

I do NOT need to be cared for.

I am the force of the Wind,

I am the power of the Ocean,

I am the strength of the Earth,

I am as vast as the Sky,

I am in you.

I am YOUR gift

—-

Friday Note:

What if your inner child,

was no fragile thing needing nurturing, care,

nor even love.

What if what was inside of you

was, older than the mountains, air or sea?

Something

that has always been with you

that picked you up when you were down

that started your heart when it skipped that beat,

What if this force within you,

hasn’t been waiting for your care

It’s been waiting for

You

to be courageous enough

to fully integrate itself

into you

And finally realize your full potential

Play with your inner child this weekend.

—-

I have been writing small poems/stories, and sharing these with artists to co-create visuals. I don’t drive the process. I share only the poem (no notes or comments) and let the story call to their muse. The results become something new. For me this has been delightful. The poem above and art, is the third public share.

Anastasia can be found on fiver https://lnkd.in/eMTcsDm4 I am sure you find her muse, as amusing as I do!

Original Linkedin post here: https://bit.ly/3FAkmsy

(worth clicking on the original Linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Sysadmins (BGP facebook fail)

2021-10-08T00:31:29.903000Z

Stateless Elastic Ephemeral Advanced Cloud Technologies

Sounds a bit like magic, eh?

it is magic - created, cultivated, maintained and cared-for by humans.

Modern software development lean into these technologies, but we often forget that behind these ‘magical’ capabilities there are a number of mundane ones that we foundationally rely upon in order for everything to work.

I rarely think about the wiring, plumbing, the foundational services/standards that my office, home, school etc rely upon.

Until something goes wrong.

This is the same with our technology infrastructure, which I hate to even refer to as wiring and plumbing because it is so much more.

Or maybe is a bit of my personal pride because for years in the 1990’s I was a system admin, (as Cory Doctorow said) "working in the steam tunnels of the information age, pulling cables, configuring machines, keeping the backups running, kicking the network in its soft and vulnerable places."

In the 1990’s under our desks we had a router, which was a BGP node for the Minneapolis/St Paul region, Matt Walsh its caretaker. This router reliably served a high percentage of ‘bits’ that were trafficked in our region for years. (Banking, commerce, communication, etc) all through this little box. (There was one hiccup because of a RAM issue, but due to Matt’s diligence it was fixed in a couple hours, few even realizing that it happened)

Facebook’s issues this week reminds me that behind all of our AI, Automation, Redundancy, Self Healing Intelligent Infrastructure, there are humans.

Someone who is dedicated to supporting our clouds.

Someone who - when our lights go off, their lights go on.

You might have missed July 29 - Sys Admin Appreciation day (https://sysadminday.com/ ), you might not even know a system admin, but you rely upon them every day.

Here is a glass raised to all the sys admins out there!

Call out to XKCD: https://xkcd.com/2347/

Cory's 'When SysAdmins Ruled the world' Short story: https://lnkd.in/eJeZnakM

Original linkedin link: https://bit.ly/3DmLidv

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Dragons

2021-10-08T00:23:55.349000Z

Everyone

has a

personal

dragon

they battle

preferred

to make his

a friend

—

Happy friday!

Perhaps our dragons/demons are tired of fighting us too.

I hope you can enjoy time with yours this weekend.

I share small stories/poems/thought-bytes, with artists.

Armed with no background other than the story/poem,

their muse brings the words to life.

Ultimately something new is born.

I have found this co-creation delightful.

This is the second that I have shared publicly

Yvette Gilbert, is amazing, and talented.

Her work always has multiple layers of meaning, and a bit of other worldliness.

Yvette can be found here: https://lnkd.in/ekT-J6A4

Original linkedin post is here: https://bit.ly/3uV8tZA

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Your Worse Case Scenario

2021-10-05T19:01:14.849000Z

You probably know of the practice of writing a future press release to visualize and launch a new capability,

But have you ever thought about a future press release

describing your greatest worse case scenario?

What’s the event? How’s it handled? What’s the outcome?

A stoic approach to anxiety uses negative visualization; actively examining, staring fear in its face.

Considering potential misfortunes in your business now, helps you navigate the shock if/when they happen. Traditional BCP plans, are designed to be reactionary; be prepared with a plan to react.

This exercise is proactive.

Writing the press release can help you and the team move forward without being paralyzed by fear. Be better able to handle an evolving market, bad business relationship, data breach. To set you up for responsiveness, understanding the differences of events vs our perception of them, to control the narrative, respond with calmness. Allowing the team to use another stoic practice: flipping the obstacle, which creates a lens to see obstacles as opportunities.

So what is your worse case scenario?

Thank you Deborah Reuben, CLFP who flipped my thinking in a conversation this week, and Susan Auer, MA for the connection.

Original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/3Fkn8SN

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Compassion

2021-10-17T23:25:45.352000Z

I don’t agree with you

But I love you

What happens

when there isn’t love.

When there can’t be

Can something else be found?

Compassion?

Respect?

Empathy?

I wanted my father to love me.

Even though he raised me,

we were strangers.

At 19, he told me

he never loved me

After that,

we didn’t speak

for 20 years.

Over those years,

I learned:

Forgiveness,

was not

a journey

to a loving relationship;

It was

a journey

where I could find

the same amount of

compassion, respect, empathy

for this man

as I would

a stranger.

It feels like

Our world is getting polarized

Our tools, technology, media,

Amplify our nature to estrange

We cluster (Race, gender, country, thought, religion)

We other

Like my father,

it might be too much

to find a journey

to love

But we _must_

find a way to

compassion,

empathy,

and respect

for each other

as strangers

—

notes:

This isn’t easy, this is really hard
Hate and anger are easy (you get an instant rush, that can feel good)
Ultimately will have to find a way, the problems are to big to solve unless we do it as one
thanks Nick Hernandez, Kami Holtz, Lisa Erickson for the encouragement (and edits). Jem Bevan (for 'words matter' post ), Amiel Weisfogel, Robert Marston and those at CBS Sunday Morning for running the segment on estrangement, which was the catalyst https://cbsn.ws/2ZynGE5

Original linkedin post here: https://bit.ly/3F7VfwX

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Caterpillar

2021-09-26T16:00:20.142000Z

the caterpillar

fears becoming a butterfly,

once transformed

desires only flight.

Transformative passages

We all go through them.

An act of change, a ‘becoming’; puberty, parenting, surviving death, (or a death).

Our organizations go through them.

Transformations are not easy, we often cling to what we are and fearing the aspiration of what we are being called to become; we fear the endurance required, or become impatient for the journey.

If there is choice, how do we decide whether to undergo a transformative experience when we don’t know how that experience will change us?

It can be scary knowing we will change but once changed we may not recognize our prior self but yet we fundamentally stay true..

----

Today's post is a little different.

I have been writing small poems/stories, and sharing these with artists to co-create a visual to go with the poem. I don’t drive the process, and let the story call to the muse of the artist. The results become something new. For me this has been delightful. The poem above and art, is the first public share.

The artist here is Anastasia, I love her work, and while we have only worked this way together, in my mind it isn't transactional, she has become a friend.

She can be found on fiver https://lnkd.in/eMTcsDm4

Original linkedin post : https://bit.ly/3CKmfAT

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Clouding

2021-09-07T22:27:19.674000Z

(Full video link: https://youtu.be/xc6E_zjCCUA )

If you think the cloud is just someone else’s computer

You aren’t clouding right.

That little cloud cartoon appeared over 8 times in my feed.

Implying the cloud is just someone’s data center full of servers, doesn’t inform nor educate people to actually design apps, architectures and workflows to use cloud patterns to get the most benefit.

You may have ‘moved to the cloud’ by running your special unique VM images, using IaaS as a cost savings, or maybe PaaS services like storage, or data-warehousing as a ‘one click’ service,

but don’t mistake these for being a real cloud native.

You have just duplicated old data center methodology and thinking into the cloud.

Really leaning into the uniqueness (and the real benefits) of the cloud, means:

everything is managed by source control & everything is code (infrastructure, policy, security)
embrace automation
do everything possible serverlessly as functions as a service.
push all that you can ‘below the line’ of the shared responsibility model
embrace modern security practices, mutual TLS, Identity

While not necessarily technically hard, this does require a certain mindset and skill shift. (which can be hard).

I myself have shifted, going native after seeing the clear advantages as our team have been demonstrating by doing these modern cloud practices.

Thank you Nathan Norrgard, The captain who navigated me here.

also thx Hammad Shah for the animation/kinetic text.

Original Linkedin post is here: https://bit.ly/2YqFjVL

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

People want help, and want _to_ help

2021-09-06T15:09:17.094000Z

She leaned in

as she said:

"It’s simple...

People want help

and

they want _to_ help,

The hard stuff

is all in the middle.

Asking for help,

That’s hard.

You’re a bit vulnerable,

It takes courage.

the real trick

is knowing

what you need,

and asking

in a way

the receiver

is capable

and able

help.

That’s hard.

We want

a mission,

We want

achievable tasks.

We want

to help

It feels good

Often

don’t know

how,

Often

are

not

asked.

That’s hard."

(thanks for the words and the moose, Lisa Erickson )

Original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/3jCbc5S

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

People better than you.

2021-08-31T00:23:56.667000Z

"Is this new to you? Did you know about all this?" My boss asked

"This isn’t new, but yes, I am learning here too," I admitted.

The architect continued, painting their picture of an extremely modern technical approach. Not bleeding edge perhaps, but certainly very leading edge. The perfect balance of being forward enough to be a competitive advantage, but not so forward to be risky or unattainable; and they were a builder as well as an architect.

As they carried forward the vision,

I wondered

Did my boss think I obsoleted myself by enrolling someone better?

I might have thought this too, years ago.

But

If you want to achieve the amazing,

If you want to be better,

You not only need to surround yourself with

People better than you,

but also enroll them to your pursuit.

The questions then become:

What does ‘better’ mean?

What mission are you trying to achieve?

Everyone has their superpower,

And their kryptonite,

I love people, discovering their superpower(s)

Connecting them with others whom they complement.

Then work towards a meaningful mission.

I wasn’t obsoleting myself bringing in someone ‘better than me’

I was complementing myself, and our mission.

People better than you, make you better.

Original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/38vxhN2

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Competition vs Cooperation

2021-08-31T00:24:30.568000Z

I have been thinking a lot about

Competition vs Cooperation.

There is some evidence that says that

Cooperation, not struggle for survival, drives evolution.

Franklin D Roosevelt said:

Competition has been shown to be useful,

Up to a certain point and no further,

But

Cooperation

which is the thing we must strive for today,

begins where competition

leaves off

Open technologies support collaboration. The concept of mashing up both systems and business processes; lay the foundation for passive cooperation. Using the ecosystem of API based services, like AWS, creates a cooperative relationship between the partners.

Yes ,there may also be competition; this kind of relationship is termed ‘coopetition’.

Cooperation becomes an accelerant for

new businesses who want to scale,

and old businesses who want to work faster.

More than any other time in history, from a business POV, we have the technologies and processes to allow us (more than ever before) to mash up, create strategic alliances, partnerships, to actively leverage co-creation and cooperation.

This requires another way of thinking, focusing on your key differentiators, identifying, understanding your essential IP, while still being open, transparent and aware to create the space for cooperation.

Original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/2UCn3Y0

(worth clicking on the original linkedin Post, because the comments are amazing and often the conversation is better than the original post)

Plot vs Spot

2021-09-28T21:36:06.567000Z

First time I went sailing, the Captain, she told me:

there are two methods of sailing:

Plot or Spot..

Plot: requires creating a detailed plot, based on comprehensive map and predicted conditions and then skillfully navigating the path.

Spot: pick a spot on the horizon and sail to it, being responsive to the conditions as they happen, trimming the sails to take advantage of current state.

Both will get you where you want to go, Plotting can seem more predictable and maybe comfortable but it falls apart when there are sporadic and changing conditions.

Life is all about change. Spot sailing life, allows for maximum flexibility as conditions change, and for people who love constancy it may be uncomfortable but if one can learn to embrace change, surf the waves, ride the winds, weather the storms, one can find an exhilarating joy.

And you will get to your ‘spot’, and you will be able to chart your progress, and live your journey with a rebel yell..

Lifting a glass to the Captains who demonstrated by doing a successful spot sailing approach to life: Phyllis Rivard , Dee Thibodeau, Eileen Manning and Paul Steen

All of them will say it isn't an either or; you must be skilled at both.

BTW this weekend is the Trans-Superior Race in Duluth MN https://lnkd.in/eEw4YgEw

Original Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/3slX7w6

Be Aware of the Caves

2021-09-28T21:36:51.977000Z

A company/process transformation is like

a train bound for a new destination.

There are

those who want to be the first to ride,

those who will ride that first ride reluctantly,

those who wait until they see the train successfully arrive at a destination and the regular reliable schedule before they board.

But until a conversation last week; I never heard of the CAVE.

A 1990’s term attributed to Anand Sharma,

defined in the book ‘It’s not What You Say, It’s What you Do’ by Laurence Haughton thus:

"CAVE stands for ‘Citizens Against Virtually Everything’, and like our bodies immune system that assaults everything new and unfamiliar, organizations have their own auto-immune response that instinctively and impulsively attacks every new idea, novel solution, and call for change. Overtly and covertly, these antibodies in human form (aka the CAVE people) chip away at your team’s willingness to trust and try new things, poisoning the environment in order to keep necessary changes from taking hold."

There will always be detractors, CAVE’s on the route. Acknowledge, confront, enroll, incorporate, route around. Be aware because they may have valid points, but beware of the negative detracting force around the CAVEs.

Do you have advice for dealing with CAVES?

Original Linkedin post: https://bit.ly/3xsW9z2