Cwashspeaks

I read Douglass every July 4th.

‘What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July?’: Descendants Read Frederick Douglass' Speech | NPR In the summer of 2020, the U.S. commemorated Independence Day amid nationwide protests for racial justice and systemic reforms in the wake of George Floyd’s ...

https://youtu.be/NBe5qbnkqoM?si=olRs_YiZE6gJql0t

You are Significant! We are Significant!

Iamsignificant.net

My father was "sharp" from head to toe. His suit, tie, pocket square, cufflinks, and shoes were always on point. And he had a fresh flower on his lapel everytime! (I have a collection of metal and cloth lapel flowers to honor his memory).

Every time I put on a suit I think of him and hope I'm making him proud. Rest in Peace and Fashion daddy.

You are Significant beloved! So go ahead and smile.

If you know then you know. Enjoy the golden time of the day King Frankie!

Whiteboard Wednesday: Bold Visionary Statements

Dear Leaders and Learners,

Welcome to Whiteboard Wednesday, a dedicated time each week where leaders and teams come together to open their minds completely and consider "what might be" or "what could be." This practice of investing in ideation is designed to create at least one hour per week where we can explore new possibilities, generate breakthrough ideas, and foster a collaborative team culture.

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs

Visionary leadership drives progress, and today's Whiteboard Wednesday exercise encourages executive leaders to dream big. Share your most audacious, game-changing visionary statements for the future of your industry or cause. Challenge fellow executives to push the boundaries of their imagination and articulate bold visions. These statements not only inspire but also serve as guiding lights for your organization's direction.

As leaders, we must aspire to greatness and seek innovative solutions that propel us towards our aspirations. By sharing your visionary statements, you not only set the course for your organization but also inspire a collective commitment to achieving remarkable goals. Join us in charting a path toward innovation, impact, and excellence.

Let's make this Whiteboard Wednesday a platform for bold ideas and transformative thinking. Together, we can shape the future and leave a lasting legacy.

Monday Masterclass: Group Genius

Collaboration is the cornerstone of any successful problem-solving effort. It is only through pooling our ideas, skills, and experiences that we can fully tap into the collective intelligence of a group. When we work together, we share more than just insights and knowledge – we also create an environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and continuous improvement. Above all, collaborative problem-solving empowers us with the ability to achieve outcomes that are greater than the sum of their parts - it’s what we call the Group Genius!

"Group genius is not about the lone genius who creates a masterpiece. It's about the collective intelligence of the entire group." - Keith Sawyer

Embrace the power of collaboration and unlock your organization's true potential. By harnessing the diverse perspectives and expertise of your team, you can tackle complex challenges with ease and achieve remarkable results. Remember, it's not about individual brilliance, but about leveraging the collective intelligence of your group.

Exercise: "Wisdom of Crowds Jelly Bean Jar Game"

Get a jar and fill it with a specific number of jelly beans (count them all so you know the exact amount). Then, ask all of your co-workers or team members to give an estimate of the number of jelly beans in the jar. Add up all of the guesses and calculate the average guess (or mean of the guesses). You'll be amazed to find that the average guess is remarkably close to the actual amount of jelly beans in the jar! This exercise demonstrates the power of collective intelligence and the accuracy of group estimates.

Let's make collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement the driving forces behind our success. Together, we can achieve greatness!

Whiteboard Wednesday - Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals (BHAGs)

Leaders, it's time to unleash your imagination and embrace the power of BHAGs! Today, I invite you to share your boldest, most audacious, and disruptive goals, whether in for-profit or nonprofit roles. Let's inspire and encourage each other to dream big and pursue transformative change.

Imagine a world where poverty is eradicated, where every child has access to quality education, or where renewable energy powers our entire planet. These are just a few examples of BHAGs that have the potential to create a lasting impact on our society.

As leaders, it is our responsibility to set the tone and create an environment where audacious goals are not only welcomed but celebrated. By encouraging our teams to think beyond the status quo, we can unlock their full potential and achieve the extraordinary.

Remember, BHAGs are not meant to be easily attainable. They should stretch our limits, challenge our assumptions, and push us out of our comfort zones. It is through these audacious goals that we can truly make a difference and leave a lasting legacy.

So, I challenge you to share your BHAGs in the with your team. Let's inspire and support each other on this journey towards transformative change. Together, we can turn our wildest dreams into reality!

Monday Masterclass: Celebrate Success!

Hey everyone! Today, I want to talk about the importance of celebrating successes, no matter how small they may seem.

Building a culture of celebration within your organization is crucial for maintaining momentum and keeping our team members motivated. By acknowledging and appreciating achievements, we create a positive and supportive environment that fosters growth and success.

Here are a few examples of how you can incorporate celebration into our organizational culture:

1️⃣ Weekly Meeting Agenda Item: Let's dedicate a few minutes during our weekly meetings to recognize and celebrate individual and team accomplishments. This not only boosts morale but also encourages others to strive for greatness.

2️⃣ "Caught You Doing Something Right" Awards: We can introduce an awards program where fellow employees nominate their colleagues for going above and beyond. This recognition not only highlights exceptional efforts but also encourages a sense of camaraderie and appreciation within our team.

3️⃣ Social Media and Website Recognition: Let's showcase our team's achievements on our social media platforms and website. This not only promotes our organization's success but also gives our team members a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Remember, celebrating success is not just about the big wins; it's about acknowledging the small victories that lead us to greatness. Together, let's create a culture that uplifts and motivates each other to reach new heights!

Hiking and grateful.

Today I'm thankful for the ancestors who stand behind me, the loved ones who stand with me, and the Blessings that lie ahead of me.

Whiteboard Wednesday - The 10X Challenge

Calling all leaders! This Whiteboard Wednesday, let's push the boundaries of our imagination and think 10 times bigger. Whether you're in the for-profit or nonprofit sector, it's time to challenge yourself and your team to envision how your current projects or initiatives could be expanded or improved tenfold.

Imagine the impact we could create if we dared to dream big and took bold steps towards achieving our audacious 10X visions. This challenge is not just about setting ambitious goals; it's about inspiring others to do the same and fostering a culture of innovation and growth.

So, take a moment to reflect on your current endeavors. How can you amplify their reach, impact, and effectiveness? Is there a way to scale up your efforts to make a difference on a much larger scale? Let your creativity flow and share your 10X visions with the world!

By embracing the 10X challenge, we can unlock our full potential as leaders and drive meaningful change in our organizations and communities. Together, let's ignite a spark of inspiration and encourage others to dream big alongside us.

Join the Whiteboard Wednesday movement and share your 10X visions using the hashtags and . Together, we can create a future that exceeds our wildest dreams!

Monday Masterclass: Active Listening

Happy Monday leaders! Today, let's dive into the art of active listening, a crucial skill for effective collaboration and problem-solving.

Active listening involves more than just hearing; it's about fully engaging with others' ideas and perspectives. When someone shares their thoughts, give them your undivided attention.

To help you become a better active listener, here are five powerful questions you can use to deepen your understanding and foster meaningful conversations:

1️⃣ "Could you please provide more details about your idea?"
2️⃣ "What led you to come up with this perspective?"
3️⃣ "How do you envision this solution benefiting our project?"
4️⃣ "What challenges do you foresee with this approach?"
5️⃣ "Is there anything else you'd like to share or any concerns you have?"

Remember, active listening is a powerful tool that enhances teamwork, builds trust, and leads to innovative solutions. Let's strive to be better listeners and create a more harmonious work environment together!

Focus Friday: The Power of Empathy

Empathy is a key trait of great leaders, and today, we're diving into its significance. But what exactly is empathy? It's the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, putting yourself in their shoes and truly connecting with their experiences.

Developing and applying empathy can have a profound impact on our leadership abilities. Here are a few tips to help you cultivate this essential skill:

1️⃣ Practice active listening: Give your full attention to others when they speak, without interrupting or judging. Show genuine interest in their thoughts and feelings.

2️⃣ Seek diverse perspectives: Embrace diversity and actively seek out different viewpoints. This will broaden your understanding and help you empathize with a wider range of experiences.

3️⃣ Show compassion: Be kind, understanding, and supportive. Offer a helping hand or a listening ear when someone is going through a tough time.

4️⃣ Practice self-reflection: Take time to reflect on your own emotions and experiences. This self-awareness will enable you to better understand and connect with others.

For this weekend's reflection exercise, think about a recent interaction where you could have shown more empathy. How could you have better understood the other person's perspective? What actions can you take to improve your empathy skills moving forward?

Remember, empathy is not just a trait; it's a powerful tool that can transform our leadership and relationships. Let's make empathy a priority and create a more compassionate and understanding world.

Find something to be grateful for today.

Welcome to Whiteboard Wednesday!

Today, we're diving into the incredible potential of constraints in ideation. As leaders, we often face complex problems that require innovative solutions. So, let's explore how imposing specific limitations or boundaries can fuel our creativity and help us think outside the box.

In this week's ideation exercise, we'll focus on the "Power of Constraints." Imagine you're leading a team tasked with reducing costs without compromising quality. Instead of approaching it with a traditional mindset, let's embrace the magic of constraints. By imposing specific limitations, such as reducing the team's budget by 20%, we challenge ourselves to find innovative ways to achieve the same level of quality within this constraint.

This exercise forces us to explore alternative strategies, question assumptions, and tap into our collective creativity. By embracing limitations, we unlock new possibilities and encourage our teams to push boundaries. Constraints can act as catalysts for innovation, leading us to discover solutions we may have never considered before.

So, let's harness the potential of constraints and think outside the box. Share your experiences and insights in the comments below! Together, we can inspire and empower each other to find groundbreaking solutions.

Monday Masterclass: Recognizing Adaptive Challenges

Hey everyone! Today, let's explore the distinction between technical and adaptive challenges, as outlined in Ronald Heifetz's book "Leadership on the Line."

According to Heifetz, technical challenges can be solved using existing knowledge and expertise, with clear solutions and straightforward implementation. Examples include fixing a broken machine or implementing a new software system.

On the other hand, adaptive challenges are complex and require a deeper level of understanding and adaptation. They involve changing attitudes, behaviors, and values within an organization or community. Examples include managing conflicts, leading through change, or addressing cultural shifts.

The implications for leaders are significant. Leaders must recognize the type of challenge they are facing and adapt their approach accordingly. Technical challenges call for expertise and efficient problem-solving, while adaptive challenges demand a more nuanced and adaptive leadership style. Leaders must engage stakeholders, encourage dialogue, and foster a culture of learning to tackle adaptive challenges effectively.

As Heifetz says, "Leadership is about mobilizing people to face their toughest challenges and thrive." So, let's embrace the opportunity to develop our skills in addressing both technical and adaptive challenges and create positive change in our organizations and communities!

Churchen with a little jazz.

In my happy place these days. Hiking is life for me.

It's Focus Friday: Continuous Learning

Hey there, incredible network! As we approach the weekend, let's take a moment to reflect on our leadership journey and the practical steps we can take to foster continuous learning.

1. Set Clear Goals: Take some time to define your personal and professional goals. What do you want to achieve? By setting clear goals, you can identify the knowledge and skills you need to acquire to reach new heights.

2. Embrace Curiosity: Cultivate a curious mindset and be open to new ideas and perspectives. Seek out diverse sources of information, such as books, podcasts, and industry experts, to expand your knowledge base.

3. Encourage Feedback: Actively seek feedback from your team, peers, and mentors. Constructive criticism can help you identify areas for improvement and guide your learning journey. Embrace feedback as an opportunity for growth.

4. Create a Learning Plan: Develop a structured learning plan that outlines the skills and knowledge you want to acquire. Break it down into manageable steps and set aside dedicated time for learning activities.

5. Lead by Example: As a leader, your commitment to continuous learning sets the tone for your team. Show them that learning is a priority by sharing your own learning experiences and encouraging them to pursue their own growth opportunities.

6. Foster a Learning Culture: Create an environment that promotes continuous learning. Provide resources, such as training programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities, to support your team's professional development. Encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration.

7. Reflect and Adjust: Regularly reflect on your learning journey and adjust your approach as needed. What's working well? What can be improved? Continuously evaluate and refine your learning strategies to maximize your growth.

Remember, leadership is a journey of continuous learning. By embracing a mindset of growth and actively seeking opportunities to expand our knowledge and skills, we can become even more effective leaders. Let's make this weekend a time for reflection and planning for our ongoing development.

Whiteboard Wednesday: Outrageous Ideas

Calling all visionary leaders and creative thinkers! It's time to unleash your wildest ideas this Whiteboard Wednesday. Pitch a truly outlandish, disruptive idea related to your industry. Break free from convention and inspire groundbreaking creativity!

Challenge the status quo and push the limits of innovation. Share your craziest pitches and ignite a spark of imagination that will revolutionize your industry. Remember, no idea is too wild or unconventional. Think big and dream even bigger!

Innovation knows no bounds, whether you're in technology, healthcare, education, or any other field. Let's inspire each other to think beyond what's considered possible. Together, we can create a future that surpasses our wildest dreams.

Grab your whiteboard markers and let your imagination run wild. Share your disruptive ideas and watch as they inspire others to think differently. Challenge norms, break barriers, and pave the way for a new era of innovation.

Join me this Whiteboard Wednesday and be a part of the movement that redefines what's possible. Unleash a wave of groundbreaking creativity that will shape the future of our industries. Don't hold back - let your ideas soar and inspire others to do the same!

Example: Imagine a world where every person has access to clean water, eliminating water scarcity and improving lives. Let's brainstorm ways to make this a reality and transform our communities!

Exercise: Think about a challenge in your industry. Come up with an unconventional solution to solve it. Write it down and share it with the community. Let's see how far our imaginations can take us!

Smile anyway!

Welcome to another Monday Masterclass!

Today, we're diving into the exciting world of creating solution prototypes, specifically tailored for leaders who want to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within their teams. In this brief how-to guide, we'll walk you through the prototyping process that can be applied to any organizational challenge. Get ready to empower your team and unleash their creative potential!

1. Define the Challenge: Clearly define the problem you want to address and encourage your team to contribute their insights.

2. Ideation and Conceptualization: Gather your team for an ideation session and generate as many ideas as possible. Refine and select the most promising ones.

3. Select the Right Tools: Choose appropriate tools and resources to bring your ideas to life, whether digital or physical.

4. Collaborative Prototyping: Involve your team in the prototyping process, assigning roles and responsibilities to foster a sense of ownership and collective responsibility.

5. Test and Gather Feedback: Test your prototype and gather honest feedback from your team. Emphasize learning from failures.

6. Iterate and Refine: Based on feedback, iterate and refine your prototype, embracing the iterative nature of the process.

7. Celebrate and Share Success: Recognize your team's efforts and share the success story with the wider organization.

By following this prototyping process, leaders can create a culture of innovation and collaboration within their teams. Empower your team to think creatively, experiment fearlessly, and embrace the iterative nature of prototyping. Together, you can tackle any organizational challenge and drive meaningful change.

Churchen today! It was a great experience.

Focus Friday: Elevating Leadership Principles - Resilience

Hey there, leaders! It's time to kick off the weekend with a dose of inspiration and personal growth. Welcome to our "Focus Friday" series, where we delve into a single leadership principle or value, allowing you to reflect and recharge over the weekend.

This week, let's talk about resilience. As leaders, we often face setbacks and challenges that test our strength and determination. But it's how we bounce back from these obstacles that truly inspires our teams to do the same.

Resilience is the ability to adapt, recover, and grow stronger in the face of adversity. It's about embracing failure as a learning opportunity and finding the strength to persevere. So, how can you cultivate resilience this weekend?

1️⃣ Reflect on past challenges: Take some time to think about the obstacles you've overcome in your leadership journey. What lessons did you learn from those experiences? How did they shape you into the leader you are today?

2️⃣ Practice self-care: Resilience starts from within. Make sure to prioritize self-care this weekend. Engage in activities that rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. Whether it's going for a walk in nature, reading a book, or spending quality time with loved ones, do what brings you joy and helps you recharge.

3️⃣ Seek support: Remember, you don't have to face challenges alone. Reach out to your trusted mentors, colleagues, or friends who can provide guidance and support. Surround yourself with a network of individuals who uplift and inspire you.

4️⃣ Embrace a growth mindset: Resilient leaders understand that setbacks are not permanent roadblocks but opportunities for growth. Adopt a growth mindset and view challenges as stepping stones towards success. Embrace the belief that you can learn, adapt, and overcome any obstacle that comes your way.

As we head into the weekend, let's make a commitment to cultivate resilience within ourselves and inspire our teams to do the same. Remember, it's through our own resilience that we can lead by example and create a culture of perseverance and growth.

In the words of Brené Brown, "Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome." Let's embrace vulnerability, learn from our setbacks, and rise stronger than ever.

Wishing you all a weekend filled with reflection, rejuvenation, and resilience!

Whiteboard Wednesday - The 10X Challenge

Hello fellow leaders! It's time to push our boundaries and think 10 times bigger on this Whiteboard Wednesday!

Today's challenge is to take a current project or initiative and envision how it could be expanded or improved tenfold. What if you could scale your idea up 10x and you could not fail? Don't be afraid to envision an audacious "What Could Be" scenario because it stretches your reality and often leads to the discovery of viable ideas.

Let's exercise our creativity and think disruptively, outrageously, and innovatively.

Take a moment to reflect on your ongoing endeavors and ask yourself: How can we make it bigger, better, and more impactful? How can we revolutionize the way we approach our goals?

Share your audacious 10X visions in the comments below and inspire others to dream big! Let's create a ripple effect of innovation and inspire a new wave of leadership.

Don't forget to use the hashtags and to connect with like-minded individuals who are ready to challenge the status quo and drive meaningful change.

Remember, it's in chaos that true innovation thrives. Embrace the challenge, think disruptively, outrageously, and innovatively. Let's make our mark and leave a lasting legacy!

Happy Whiteboard Wednesday, everyone! Let's make our ideas soar!

Monday Masterclass: The Importance of Taking Personal Risks

Hey everyone! Today, I wanted to share some valuable insights from Ronald Heifetz, a renowned leadership expert, on the significance of taking personal risks when dealing with adaptive challenges.

Heifetz emphasizes that leaders must be willing to step out of their comfort zones in order to address these challenges effectively. By doing so, not only do we open ourselves up to new opportunities, but we also pave the way for personal growth and organizational success.

Stepping out of our comfort zones can be daunting, but the benefits are truly remarkable. Here are 5 practical ways to step out of your comfort zone:

1. Embrace New Experiences: Seek out opportunities that are outside your usual routine. Attend workshops, conferences, or networking events where you can meet new people and learn from different perspectives. By exposing yourself to new experiences, you expand your horizons and challenge your comfort zone.

2. Set Stretch Goals: Challenge yourself by setting ambitious goals that require you to learn new skills or take on unfamiliar tasks. Pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone will help you grow and achieve things you never thought possible. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps to make them more attainable.

3. Seek Feedback: Ask for feedback from trusted colleagues, mentors, or coaches. Embrace constructive criticism and use it as an opportunity to improve and develop new skills. By seeking feedback, you gain valuable insights and perspectives that can help you grow and adapt.

4. Take Calculated Risks: Identify areas where you feel comfortable taking risks and start small. Gradually increase the level of risk as you gain confidence and experience. By taking calculated risks, you challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone and embrace new opportunities.

5. Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity: Don't be afraid to fail. Failure is a natural part of growth and learning. Embrace it, learn from it, and use it as a stepping stone towards future success. By reframing failure as a learning opportunity, you become more resilient and open to taking risks.

Remember, personal growth and organizational success go hand in hand. By embracing personal risks, we not only unlock our full potential but also create an environment that fosters innovation, resilience, and inspiration. Let's challenge ourselves to step out of our comfort zones and make a positive impact!

Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences on taking personal risks in the comments below. Let's learn and grow together!

Nice day in NOHO. Happy 99th Birthday Hanna!!!

It's Focus Friday: Authenticity

This weekend, let's take a moment to reflect on our authenticity as leaders. Are we staying true to ourselves and our values? Are we leading with integrity and inspiring others to do the same?

Leadership is not just about achieving goals and driving results; it's also about self-reflection and personal growth. It's about constantly striving to be the best version of ourselves and creating a positive impact on those around us.

So, let's ask ourselves: How authentic am I as a leader? Am I leading with transparency, honesty, and empathy? Am I fostering an environment where others feel comfortable being their authentic selves?

This weekend, let's take the time to ponder these questions and identify areas where we can improve. Here are a few steps we can consider taking to lead with authenticity and inspire others to do the same:

1️⃣ Embrace vulnerability: Authentic leaders are not afraid to show vulnerability and admit their mistakes. By doing so, we create an atmosphere of trust and openness.

2️⃣ Stay true to your values: Ensure that your actions align with your core values. When we lead with integrity, we set a powerful example for others to follow.

3️⃣ Encourage diverse perspectives: Authentic leaders value diversity and actively seek out different viewpoints. By embracing diverse perspectives, we foster innovation and inclusivity.

4️⃣ Practice active listening: Truly listen to your team members and colleagues. Show genuine interest in their ideas, concerns, and feedback. This fosters a culture of respect and collaboration.

Remember, leadership is a continuous journey of self-reflection and growth. By reflecting on our authenticity and making positive changes in our leadership approach, we can create a more inspiring and inclusive work environment.