Leading with humanity

I often talk about the importance of a product vision to unify and empower a team. A personal vision statement can be just as powerful.

I’ve been acting on this before I put it into words, but I’ve coalesced on “leading with humanity, building things that matter”. Often what I’m building are strong, diverse, remote teams. But regardless of what it is, I’m doing it with purpose and care and recognizing the people who are affected by or contributing to it. All of this of course brings value to any organization, but more importantly, it brings value to my life.

Your value

Just a reminder…

Roll up our sleeves

Now is a time to get to work in our communities and in our local governments and in our society. Kamala Harris said this in her concession speech, ”You have the capacity to do extraordinary good in the world. And so to everyone who is watching, do not despair. This is not a time to throw up our hands. This is a time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to organize, to mobilize, and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know we can build together.”

This season, let’s lean in to those around us. Let’s stay engaged in our communities and each other’s lives. Let’s get to work.

Alternative Perspective

This has become one of my favorite ways to engage better conversation in a meeting. This phrasing doesn’t put a particular person on the hook for dissenting or representing a different viewpoint, but it encourages everyone to think differently and make space in the conversation for those views. It also makes you take a pause yourself to make sure you aren’t making hasty decisions that seem obvious to you. I recommend anyone employ it in any group discussion!

Fill a cup

What does this moment need?

I dissent.

Justice Sonya Sotomayor wrote a forceful and scathing dissent on the Supreme Court ruling regarding presidential immunity. I've taken her last line here.

It's important to remember one of the most powerful she things can do is pen this dissent. Our dissent must come in other forms. Part of that might be passing along her message, but it must also be paired with action.

What Feeds You

We planted a tree in our little backyard this weekend. The bees had found the crabapple blossoms within minutes. It felt good to do this small thing for our space, our environment, as a family. Can't wait to see it grow. 🐝🌳🍎

Lives I'm Not Living

How do we forgive ourselves for all the things we did not become?

Quote from Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

Given the stars

Trying on some new mindsets in 2024, but always attempting to be thankful for what we've been given.

Wishing for peace and ceasefire in 2024.

Happy new year!

(Quote by Rebecca Solnit, lettered by me)

Clear View

Knowing what to do is not actually doing it.

younger in October

Quote by poet W.S. Merwin.

Wedding Suite

It had been awhile since I’d done a wedding commission, but I was excited to partner with a friend of a friend for her special day earlier this summer. She planned a beautiful garden party and was hoping for some signage and name cards that could be embellished with pressed flowers for her Michigan wedding. One of the easiest brides I’ve worked with, we came up with a signage suite that pleased us both. And the photos by Cassie Kieda really make them sing.

All photos courtesy of the bride, shot by @cassie.kieda and @oliviaandersonphoto