Hey y’all,

Digital marketing news going live in 3, 2, 1…

• Which AI-driven shifts in consumer behavior will most impact digital advertising over the next 2-3 years? EMARKETER offers survey results that puts “Reduced use of traditional search engines like Google” at the top of the list. Note it’s only saying reduced use not that AI is going to replace search. It’s really just more reinforcement of the need to have a complementary SEO/SAIO strategy.

• How are in-house marketers preparing for AI search? “Creating content designed for AI and conversational search” tops the list. One other thing popped out to us — “Agency professionals are likewise preparing for AI changes to search, to an even greater extent than their in-house marketer counterparts.”

• Did ya hear “Apple is finally upgrading Siri, and Google Gemini will power it“? Can you say “Siri search SAIO” 3x fast?

• The “TikTok Next” report predicts 2026 will be ruled these 3 trends:
  • Reali-TEA – it’s not about perfection, but real experiences
  • Curiosity Detours – people will try to learn and grow their knowledge/skills on TikTok
  • Emotional ROI – brands will need to give consumers more of a “why to buy” that is conscious of emotional ROI as well as financial cost
  • Get the summary or the full report. 

• Another trends report? You betcha! This one is for PPC in 2026. The big takeaway is “pairing rapid AI advancements with strong fundamentals and human oversight,” which seems to be a broader echo of business initiatives. Keep the user in mind and AI features in control.

• “71% of US marketers say establishing ethical and privacy standards should be the top priority when preparing for a future where consumers delegate tasks to AI agents.” Makes sense, does it not? In the same survey 53% of marketers are optimizing content for conversational AI. (Who’da thunk?)

Their vision: a world without type 1 diabetes (T1D). Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and has been actively searching for a cure since 1970. In addition to research, they offer many resources to those affected by the disease. See how you can help: Breakthrough T1D.

🌳 Deciduous trees lose their leaves for dormant periods, protecting themselves from cold damage.

🦔 African hedgehogs and crocodiles stay inactive in a cool spot during hot, dry seasons.

🐸 Wood frogs freeze solid for up to 8 months of the year.

Nature knows the kind of rest she needs for recovery.

This is proof enough that you need rest, too. And by rest, I don’t just mean sleep. (Learn about the other types of rest in the P.S.)

Good [insert the time of day you’re reading this] and good luck with it all!

Natalie

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith defines 7 types of rest: 

1. Mental
2. Spiritual
3. Emotional
4. Social
5. Sensory
6. Creative
7. Physical

To be your most productive, not-burned-out self, you need to first figure out your rest deficit. If you’re solving problems at work and home, you can schedule breaks throughout the day to close your eyes and breath for mental and sensory reprieve.

The TED Talk is worth a watch.

Welcome to the next quiz edition!

Have fun guessing away! 🙂

 1. A federal judge ruled Anthropic’s use of legally purchased books to train its AI models (including Claude) was…

1. A form of copyright infringement
2. Fair use
3. Fair use but the company must face a separate trial for pirating millions of books from the internet
4. No different than having a library card

2. Cloudflare launched a new permission-based setting that allows website owners using its platform to block AI bots from collecting their digital content while also offering publishers an opportunity to monetize their content. What is this service being called?

1. CAP – Cloud AI Protection
2. Click B-AI-T
3. Pay Per Crawl
4. I don’t care what it’s called so long as it doesn’t stop me from using ChatGPT.

3. Pick the 3 acronyms below that are deemed important elements of Google’s Core Web Vitals? Bonus points if you know what each acronym stands for.

1. CLS
2. INP
3. LCP
4. TMI

4. Which of the following findings came from Conductor’s July AI Overview Analysis:

1. Only 18% of searches generated an AI Overview.
2. 61% of AI Overviews occur on desktop devices.
3. The IT Services industry drove the highest percentage of AI Overviews at 38%.
4. I don’t care because I’m using AI Mode now anyhow.

5. Google’s latest policies for Google Ads serving and Google Analytics/Google Search Console data melding of SERPs, AI Overviews, and AI Mode have wreaked havoc on the value of traditional reporting KPI metrics like Impressions and Click-Through-Rate (CTR). What is the name of DBE’s blog post providing insight on this issue:

1. Google’s Data Double Dipping
2. Google’s Data Double Whammies
3. Google’s Data Double Trouble
4. Google’s Data Double Entendre

• Wondering if SEO is worth the investment given how AI is changing the search landscape? Read this column from Search Engine Journal before making any drastic cuts! Spoiler alert: The answer is yes, especially when you consider the brand visibility and reputation value that influences AI search engines in addition to driving relevant traffic to your website.

• 📣 Give me an E. Give me an E, an A, and a T. What’s that spell? EEAT! You have heard us talk about the E-E-A-T framework for generating relevant, user-friendly content. Here’s an article that reinforces that E-E-A-T is all about building user trust.

• Discover some new AI Mode features “for the back-to-school season.” Use examples it provides include:
  • uploading PDF slides from a lecture and asking follow-up questions;
  • making a study plan for the Canvas feature;
  • getting real-time help with Search Live; and
  • search what you see while browsing via Lens in Chrome and AI Mode.
  • And, of course, the blog ends with a plug for “exploring more tips for the upcoming school year, like help with back to school shopping.”

• “Do it for the Vine!” Do you remember the short-video app and forerunner to TikTok? Now, Elon Musk is teasing that Vine will be brought back but with AI videos. It would most likely exist within the X app. I feel like this announcement is evoking the nostalgia of the long-gone app but morphing it in a way no one really wants.

Geothermal energy. Ever heard of it? It’s about using the heat in the Earth’s core for renewable, sustainable energy. The issues are 1. Creating maps for the best places to access this heat and 2. Supporting funding. Project Innerspace is pushing this effort forward by “facilitating the rapid transfer of resources, technologies, and know-how from the oil and gas industry toward geothermal energy production.”

🎵🌍 What happens when you put science and music nerds together? Their anthem. 🤘

Willow trees have short lives compared to other trees.

Their lovely draping tree’s lifespan is around 30 years. Most species shoot up and fade out quickly.

Willow trees are a reminder to enjoy the beauty of the moment, because no moment lasts forever. 🌳

Best Wishes,

Natalie

1: 3. Fair use but the company must face a separate trial for pirating millions of books from the internet. And the issue of copyright infringement is also still unresolved.

2: 3. Pay Per Crawl. Let’s just hope they don’t start to shorten it to PPC. We already have a separate use for that acronym.

3: 1. CLS for Cumulative Layout Shift; 2. INP for Interaction to Next Paint; and 3. LCP for Largest Contentful Paint. See the infographic!

4: It was a trick question. 1. Only 18% of searches generated an AI Overview; 2. 61% of AI Overviews occur on desktop devices; and 3. The IT Services industry drove the highest percentage of AI Overviews at 38% were all cited findings from Conductor’s AI Overview Analysis. We would also accept 4. I don’t care because I’m using AI Mode now anyhow as an answer even if it wasn’t cited in the analysis. Conductor Analysis.

5: Though both 1. Google’s Data Double Dipping and 3. Google’s Data Double Trouble are appropriate titles for the blog, we decided to double down on B. Google’s Data Double Whammies.

🎶”Our love is geothermal”…. Oh you don’t know what I’m singing? Guess you missed Project Interspace’s anthem!

🧠 I’ve Been Thinking…

…about reality and perception.

In “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” there’s an image some people see as an old woman’s face, others see as a young woman in a long gown. Both views are correct because both are perspectives, not facts. Yet when groups of people are shown these images, arguments often erupt because people in each group are wedded to the idea that there is only one right answer. Until they can see what the other group sees, they remain convinced they are right and others are wrong. 

Life is like that too.

I could take this philosophical concept in a lot of directions, but today I’m using it to frame a question for us: How often do we question what we hold to be true? 

Our world changes rapidly; perhaps some of those shifts provide better vantage points for reconsidering the information on which we base decisions. To take advantage of a new perspective, we need to pause to recognize we have new information to work with.  

Last weekend, I intentionally did a relook. I had coffee with one friend and lunch with another. I shared what I was experiencing. They listened intently, asked brilliant clarifying questions, and helped put me in a position to dive deeper on my own. In the afternoon, I went into quiet mode for a few hours and came away with new insights and a much higher vibe that has continued throughout this week.

I highly recommend periodically investing the time to ask yourself if your decision-making is based on your current cache of info. If not, think about it a bit, tee up some questions for a trusted advisor or two, and package up their inputs to unpack on your own shortly afterwards. We’re in flurry times, but they don’t have to be blurry times. Get your clarity on!

🚀 Information & Resources to Help You Drive Change

Here are my shares for this week:

SPECIAL NOTE: If you hit a paywall on any of the stories I share, go to Google Search, enter the name of the publication and something about the story (author, title, subject) to get a natural search link that usually by-passes the pay wall. And hey, if you like the publication, consider subscribing to it—that’s how they keep the good info rolling! I’m hearing some paywalls are impenetrable, so for pubs like The Wall Street Journal and the NY Times, I’ll share a bit more here for those of you without subscriptions.

• Are compassionate workplaces calm and harmonious? Not always. In fact, some of the best teams, “genius teams,” have what Merete Wedell-Wedellsborg calls generative tension. The 3 key characteristics that define her “genius teams” are: each member brings characteristics that complement the others; they aim high; and “The energy on the teams is sparked by benevolent friction, conflict, impatience, and even well-intentioned intolerance. What truly sets genius teams apart from other high-performing executive teams is their ability to manage — and willingness to generate — this tension in the service of the larger challenges they’re drawn to solve.” Well worth the read, here you go.

• If you need more convincing, here’s another piece on the very same topic. Neela Singh talks about what she’s learned and shares data to make her case, including a 2024 study by Tech Rapidly that found companies where healthy disagreement is embraced earned more than their competitors.

• @ThePlanetDoctor has advice on how to win an argument every time. Ties to my opening today on perspective.

Sensing a theme here? Good, glad you’re paying attention. 😊 Mixing it up and experimenting is a good thing. Here comes more…

• Smart leaders aren’t being complacent about the decline in people seeking work elsewhere. Your best people want new challenges and learning experiences and job swapping can be part of the answer. Learn about what companies including Synchrony Financial and McKinsey are doing to provide new career experiences when promotions aren’t an option, like a job swap.

• And while we’re helping our colleagues to foster better work cultures through generative tension, work swapping for new experiences, and arguing in healthier ways, we can also reap the benefits of a new emphasis on what were traditionally called “soft skills.” Turns out, they are must-haves for companies to thrive. So, let’s get better at leveraging them so we can not only make our companies stronger, we can make the world better too.

• New C-Suite title: Chief AI Officer.

• And look at this list of companies tomorrow’s workforce (today’s high school students) wants to work for. Tech no longer reigns supreme, and Aki Ito writing for Business Insider gives us lots of reasons why. So, what’s at the top of the list? Healthcare companies! When we talk about the need for more kindness and compassion in the workplace to help our businesses thrive, pay attention to what’s important to the young people who will become your workforce. Your 2034 self is sending me texts right now. You’re welcome. 😎

🌟 Do Good Spotlight: The Conservation Fund

Conserve Land. Combat Climate Change. Build Vibrant Communities. The Conservation Fund is working on all these through its comprehensive programs. They’ve protected 8,880,336 acres of land and water nationwide since 1985. Check out their mission, their success, and how you can help.

🎵 On a Personal Note

Sometimes all that’s needed is a little distance—time and space—to help you see things differently and respond better. 

Do you need to do it now? Say it now? Might you be a better version of yourself if you put a little distance between the person, challenge, or the opportunity and your response? 

I’ve learned there’s a lot less that requires a decision “right now” than I used to believe. Just putting it out there…

⏳Until Next Time…

Hey, we still have about 5 weeks of “summer” left so make sure you’re prioritizing all those wonderful summer activities. Life is short, make the most of it!

Enjoy,

Niki

🧠 I’ve Been Thinking…

…about what constitutes a healthy, respectful, profitable, and productive workplace culture. 

I think it takes alignment with the principle of 360° respect (everyone shows everyone respect and consideration) by people who are self-aware and aware of their impact on others. And the ribbon around the package is communication, where attentive listening reigns supreme. 

What do you think is required for the positive workplaces we’re cultivating through Niki’s Notes and like-minded initiatives?

🚀 Information & Resources to Help You Drive Change

Here are my shares for this week:

SPECIAL NOTE: If you hit a paywall on any of the stories I share, go to Google Search, enter the name of the publication and something about the story (author, title, subject) to get a natural search link that usually by-passes the pay wall.

• Be sure to read this piece on balancing old leadership wisdom with new realities, by Sanjay Menon for Forbes. It’s chock full of meaning stats and quotables, including:
  • “Leadership today is more about steering the ship than being the sole captain. This involves recognizing that knowledge is a moving target and that the best solutions often arise from collective brainpower.”
  • “The complexity leaders face today is of a multi-interest workforce. The shift isn’t just about age; it’s about understanding and accommodating the unique priorities and values that drive each group. For instance, research shows that millennials seek meaningful work and transparent communication, while Gen Zers prioritize happiness through purpose.”

• Four “fitness” strategies for HR pros via SHRM (the Society for Human Resource Management).

• Speaking of SHRM, they’re moving away from using the “E” for “equity” when talking about “DEI” initiatives. We’ve watched major companies shy away from DEI, now the largest professional organization for HR people is doing the same. The Wall Street Journal has the details.

• And on the flip side, Etsy’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Toni Thompson, is leading the charge to improve Etsy’s success through DEI initiatives.

• Make sure your company isn’t creating “bait and switch” jobs. Here’s the short version of this situation on LinkedIn, and here’s the more detailed story on Fast Company.

• Why is building a positive workplace beneficial? Here’s why….

🌟 Do Good Spotlight: Covenant House

More than 4 million youth will experience homelessness this year. Covenant House provides immediate and long-term support for young people facing homelessness and survivors of trafficking. They are open 24/7 and provide help to young people across Central and North America. Discover more about them: Covenant House.

🎵 On a Personal Note

If for some reason you cannot take a vacation right now, and you are being honest with yourself, as in, you absolutely can’t, consider a long weekend. Taking time off to refresh and recharge is vital for your success. And along those lines, have you been protecting your weekend time? Fast Company has stats and suggestions in this piece that includes new ideas and good reminders.

⏳Until Next Time…

Watch for the launch announcement for ABetterParadigm.com, an online resource for everyone working to build positive work cultures. We’re just about ready to launch, and I’m so excited to have you all as part of this “better business = better world” journey!

And here’s a little inspiration for you heading into the weekend.

Enjoy,

Niki

P.S. A houseguest found my missing AirPod under my favorite chair. Still don’t know how I put the case away with one missing but at least this mystery is solved. 🙂

🧠 I’ve Been Thinking…

…how a person can lose one AirPod. You take them out of your ears, you put them in the case, you close the case. Who puts away one and doesn’t notice the other is missing? Glitch in the matrix or regular weird? Asking for a friend. 😂

🚀 Information & Resources to Help You Drive Change

Here are my shares for this week:

SPECIAL NOTE: If you hit a paywall on any of the stories I share, go to Google Search, enter the name of the publication and something about the story (author, title, subject) to get a natural search link that usually by-passes the pay wall.

• Need some inspiration? Many U.S. Olympic athletes have day jobs, training during off-hours and weekends. Here you go.

• We all know it’s smart to hire people smarter than us to win the long game. But how do you lead them for 360° wins? Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic has answers.

• Chicken-sandwich wars. Even if you’re not in the food industry, I bet you’ll find neat insights in this story like I did. If you want a quick review, check out their video summary.

• Have you taken a vacation or two yet this year? Do you have any planned? If you’ve answered “No,” this is for you.

• Would your business benefit from a 4-day (32-hour) work week? Check out the POVs in this article by Nicole Gull McElroy for Fast Company for data and ideas.

• When is dinner time in the US? Depends on which state you live in.

• Leaders: an employee seems distressed. Should you ask what’s wrong? Rules are changing, you’ll want to read this on how and when to intercede.

🌟 Do Good Spotlight: World Wildlife Fund

Most of us can recognize that cute panda logo associated with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). For 60+ years, they’ve been spearheading conservation efforts worldwide. They work with local communities to conserve, advocate, protect, and restore natural resources. Learn more about them and their pet projects: World Wildlife Fund. (Did you see that?😂 I just cannot help myself sometimes. Please “bear” with me. Somebody pull me away from this keyboard!)

🎵 On a Personal Note

• In case you’re feeling the need to up your watermelon game: how to cut a watermelon 3 ways. Enjoy!

• Bonus: is w a vowel? Yep. When it is with an “a,” “e,” or “o” to form a single sound. Think of words like “draw,” “few,” or “bow.” So when you see “aw” or “ew” or “ow” and there’s one sound, you have “w” as a vowel. Not convinced? Here’s more. Now, go out and bet someone “w” is a vowel and let me know how that goes!

⏳Until Next Time…

Many of us are experiencing successive heat waves with little relief other than hunkering down with the AC going strong. How are you keeping your cool this summer? Maybe this can be an impromptu time to reflect and revamp? That’s what I’m doing in tandem to prep for the launch of ABetterParadigm.com. Learning a lot, meeting great people, and excited for the changes this new resource will make for so many. Stay tuned, and stay cool! 😎

Niki

🧠 I’ve Been Thinking…

I get super curious when I meet people whose work lives are very different from mine. And after a series of these interactions last week, I gained a new appreciation for the need for 360° respect and appreciation in the workplace.

Leaders cannot expect employees to just blindly follow orders anymore; and employees cannot expect their leaders to have all the answers. Our world has gotten much too complicated. And employees often don’t know the challenges their co-workers are experiencing.

By opening up dialogues so communication flows in all directions, we share our realities and pave the way for positive change.

Here’s an idea to try out this week: have a conversation with someone whose work is very different from yours–either inside or outside your own company. What are their biggest challenges? What do they enjoy most and least—and why? See if what they share provides insights for your workplace and the roles in it. I’m going to wager that respect and appreciation are huge factors in their answers. Let me know how it goes!

🚀 Information & Resources to Help You Drive Change

Here are my shares for this week: 

SPECIAL NOTE: If you hit a paywall on any of the stories I share, go to Google Search, enter the name of the publication and something about the story (author, title, subject) to get a natural search link that usually by-passes the pay wall.

• J.J. Mazzo hits the right points in this short piece for Forbes on what he learned when his company grew from 1-20 employees. Especially love his share about hiring carefully–a valuable lesson I, too, learned the hard way. 

• This WSJ piece is written for consumers, but it applies to business banking too. AI is helping the bad guys–heads up.

• If it seems very quiet the week of July 1, it is not your imagination, according to this article from Inc.

• I get it…some employees are dishonest, need supervision, and don’t perform to expectations. But I think we need to “get off the clock” and innovate better ways to set performance goals and assess productivity. “The clock” is too subjective for today’s workforce. That being said, I understand the deception needed to be punished, but true confession, I clicked through to the article because the link said it was about mouse jigglers and I didn’t know what those were. Now I do and you can too. 😂

• Now this is cool: blue collar talent is finding lucrative side hustle work—as social influencers.

• Practicing gratitude seems to be on everyone’s list of important skills for leaders to cultivate, including this list from Rolling Stone. Rock on!

• Is it possible to be “too nice” at work? Absolutely! When we’re focused on being “nice” as a mask to our anxiousness, we can come across as disingenuous and untrustworthy. This TEDTalk by social psychologist Tessa West shares her research on how people mask anxiety with overly polite feedback. She, also, gives three tips to be more clear and consistent with feedback.

🌟 Do Good Spotlight: The American Heart Association (AHA)

Founded in 1924, the AHA has become the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Heart Disease is the #1 killer worldwide and AHA continues to provide research funding and programs to help people live healthier. Learn more about aiding their cause: American Heart Association.

💞 Better Workplaces Intention Pod

We’re revamping the intention pod and will be bringing it back in a new format with new times so more of you can participate. It’s an uplifting way to help keep yourself centered throughout the business week (and on the weekend too). Stay tuned…

⏳Until Next Time…

Do you have good plans for the weekend? Active or chill? Do what you need to do to stay refreshed and focused. Taking care of ourselves is the best foundation for helping others, so make sure to invest time in the recharging activities that work best for you. 

I’m listening to “James” by Percival Everett and loving it—that’s my chill. Dinner party at a friends’ home on Sunday—that’s my active. Saturday is me pushing myself to get back on my e-bike after the knee surgery—definitely not chill, hoping it’s active! Wish me luck!

Enjoy the rest of the week and your weekend too,

Niki

🧠 I’ve Been Thinking…

It’s so hot. Like, really hot. So hot that I keep repeating how hot it is to anyone within earshot, who, of course, already knows it’s so freakin’ hot. There’s relief ahead, but in the meantime, it’s so freakin’ hot! 🔥

🚀 Information & Resources to Help You Drive Change

Here are my shares for this week:

SPECIAL NOTE: If you hit a paywall on any of the stories I share, go to Google Search, enter the name of the publication and something about the story (author, title, subject) to get a natural search link that usually by-passes the pay wall.

• ABetterParadigm.com, the new home for Niki’s Notes and so much more, is almost ready to launch. It will be a centralized resource for coaches, training & development programs, assessments, conferences, reading suggestions, and more. All focus is on helping business people like you build and strengthen compassionate workplaces. Special thanks to Natalie Lorenzo of DBE who has contributed significantly to the look and feel of the brand: logo, website, marketing materials, and more. Stay tuned!

• A strong golf game is an in-demand job skill. Not kidding. Here’s more from The Wall Street Journal. Oh, and just as I’m getting back into the swing of things (couldn’t resist) golf clothes for women are leveling up.

• Are you a healthy worker or a workaholic? Quick quiz gives some answers and perspectives. (Scroll down, it’s not the top story on the page.)

• According to researchers, when leaders say, “I am very grateful” rather than “thank you” it has a stronger impact on employees and their productivity. I’m not sure about this one. I think either works well when you provide details, like, “Thank you for the details you provided; going deeper helped me uncover insights I wouldn’t have had….” I think any thanks are appreciated when they don’t feel superficial. Thoughts?

• Want to live longer? Less TV the answer according to this new study.

• It’s not your imagination – air travel is becoming more turbulent. Find out how to keep yourself and your “fellow travelers” safe.

• Some people are not comfortable with the notion of seeking power. Is this you? Perhaps a new definition is in order. Here you go.

• I was at a great presentation/Q&A with former Navy Seal Gregory Hake last week. I keep thinking about a phrase he used, “break contact.” It refers to a strategy to withdraw from a situation when you don’t have an advantage. As he explained, in the movies the hero and their friends always fight through an ambush, but in real life, withdrawing when surprised (and at a disadvantage) can be the smartest move. Business is evolving to where admitting vulnerability is a strength: we can withdraw, regroup, and come back stronger. If the Navy Seals can do this, what a great model for the rest of us.

🌟 Do Good Spotlight: National Civil Rights Museum

To commemorate Juneteenth, we are supporting the National Civil Rights Museum. By remembering the past, we teach ourselves what’s important as we journey forward to equality for all. The National Civil Rights Museum continues the legacy of sharing stories that changed our nation. Learn how you can help: National Civil Rights Museum.

🎵 On a Personal Note

With kids heading off to college soon, these moving tips seem timely. Actually, they work for anyone changing homes, so check out these more-than-clever packing hacks. 😉

⏳Until Next Time…

There’s so much going on in our world, and it’s often challenging to stay focused on what you can influence. When I feel myself spending too much energy outside my areas of influence, I purposefully pause and redirect my attention where my energy has an impact. If we all do that, our ripples will become the waves of change we’re seeking. Let’s keep vibing at those higher frequencies and stay cool regardless of the temperature.

Niki

🧠 I’ve Been Thinking…

…about how to get more “deep sleep.” There’s lots of information about getting “better” sleep and I’m doing all of it, but I still cannot get more than 30 minutes or so of deep sleep each night. According to my Oura, it should be at least 90 minutes per night. Any info out there to help me get more of this restorative level of sleep?

🚀 Information & Resources to Help You Drive Change

Here are my shares for this week:

SPECIAL NOTE: If you hit a paywall on any of the stories I share, go to Google Search, enter the name of the publication and something about the story (author, title, subject) to get a natural search link that usually by-passes the pay wall.

• Consider: “A 2024 Gallup survey indicates that the percentage of employees who strongly agree that their organization cares about their overall well-being has plunged from 49% in 2020 to 21% in 2024, while a previous survey found that improving well-being and culture rated much higher than increasing compensation among the things “quiet quitters” would like to change about their work.” This article from Harvard Business Reviews talks about what employees really need and what companies need to avoid.

• Going “gray rock” isn’t a go-to strategy for all tough situations, but when you have someone in your sphere who just wants to argue for the drama of it, this does work wonders for your peace of mind.

• I’ve talked about the loneliness epidemic and how it affects young people. Here’s some good news and an idea that could work for more of us than just the Gen Z’s reading today.

• I was going to share this video because I thought it made the point about management leading with support rather than leading with force…but then I read the comments, and frankly, I’m sharing this for another reason now. Why is it some people feel the need to turn any post whatsoever into an argument. Some of the comments are relevant, e.g., there is one from someone who said they don’t like being touched, and another from someone who said he uses the “walk and talk” technique, but there were so many other comments that were either irrelevant or missed the point (purposefully?). It’s a serious question, because I post a lot of curated content, and sometimes the post makes a point I want to share but I hesitate when I scan the comments. Thoughts?

• How is your company exploring gen AI? Here’s a tip sheet—well, much more than a tip sheet—on mitigating risks as you and your colleagues wade into the AI waters. Via Öykü Isik, Amit Joshi, and Lazaros Goutas for Harvard Business Review.

🌟 Do Good Spotlight: Home Sweet Hudson and Their Comedy Night Fund Raiser

Navigating the transition for special needs children reaching the age of 21 can feel like “falling off a cliff.” This critical period, when individuals are no longer eligible for IDEA (federal) services and must depend on State vocational rehabilitation and Medicaid waivers, is often challenging and confusing. The team at Home Sweet Hudson provides inclusive aid to families with special needs children during this transition. They assist with accessing unknown services, mentoring, direct community engagement, legislative advocacy, and consolidating resources for parents and caregivers in Hudson County, NJ.

Of special note to my readers in northern NJ, there’s a comedy show fund raiser on Thursday, June 20 in Hoboken. It starts at 7:00 p.m. and features 5 comedians. Sure to be a fun time. Shout out to the founder of Home Sweet Hudson, David Tornabene, I love how you found a community in need and built an organization to support it!

🎵 On a Personal Note

What kind of friend are you? (I’m a firefly).

⏳Until Next Time…

Enjoy your time with family and friends this weekend–life is fleeting, and those connections are everything. And Happy Father’s Day to everyone celebrating!

Niki

🧠 I’ve Been Thinking…

… about how enjoyable it was planting flowers on my deck this past Saturday. It was a lot of work, but it looks really pretty out there now. I ventured into uncharted territory with begonias, a calla lily, and another hibiscus. Since I’m still healing from my knee surgery, I took breaks throughout the afternoon to listen to Huckleberry Finn to prep for listening to a new book, “James.” It’s narrated by the character Jim, and I wanted to absorb the original before moving to the new one.

Intermixing planting and listening was a perfect way to spend an afternoon: sunshine, exercise, and nature. All on the microcosm of my deck. 

How are you integrating activities? If you can’t do everything all at once, can you break it into segments?

🚀 Information & Resources to Help You Drive Change

Here are my shares for this week:

SPECIAL NOTE: If you hit a paywall on any of the stories I share, go to Google Search, enter the name of the publication and something about the story (author, title, subject) to get a natural search link that usually by-passes the pay wall.

• DEI. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Neela Singh talks about DEI as the new Macarena. Everyone’s doing it but not everyone knows why. This article is well constructed, and she shares personal experiences that provide interesting elements.

• Piggybacking off the DEI Macarena piece, here’s an interesting take on DEI by Alain Hunkins for Forbes. Did you know DEI means different things to different generations of workers? Where do your definitions fall? Helpful stats and research, dig in.

• Sean Kernan talks about curiosity as a basis for relationships. While the focus of this piece is on personal relationships, we need more of this at work too, so here you go.

• I couldn’t wait to share this one: HBR Ideacast podcasters (Juan Martinez and Tom Stackpole) and their guest (Ethan Mollick, a management professor at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania) do such a great job making comparisons between how we looked at the pros and risks of early digital technology and considerations businesses are facing with gen AI now. There’s the 39-minute podcast and a transcript: take your pick, but do peruse.

Do Good Spotlight
🌟 Out & Equal 🌟

To celebrate Pride month, this week’s charity is Out & Equal, a global nonprofit working exclusively on LGBTQ+ workplace equality. They leverage Fortune 500 partnerships, worldwide programs, and conferences to create inclusive company cultures. See what they do and how you can help: Out & Equal.

🎵 On a Personal Note

I always thought most trees had roots that went down as far as the trees went up. Or maybe not quite so far, but I always assumed they went very deep.

Guess what…most trees, even very large ones – have roots that go down about 2-6 feet! They do, however, spread out horizontally, below the ground, 2-4x the diameter of the tree’s crown.

What does this have to do with creating better workplaces? I could find a metaphor but honestly, I just was amazed by this and wanted to share.

Now, my editor, Natalie Lorenzo, on the other hand, thought this was cool and too good not to go for the metaphor, so here’s her note:

One way forest trees communicate with each other is through the fungal network at their roots. Redwoods, in particular, can grow above 300 feet in the air, while their root system is only ~10 feet down. Their roots interlace with each other to hold all the trunks up together.

So by communicating through interconnection, the whole forest is healthier.

How’s that for a metaphor?

⏳Until Next Time…

Please take good care of yourself. We only have one you, and you touch many lives in many ways. Stay strong, stay focused, and keep bringing your best self to all you do. It’s appreciated! Thank you!

Niki