Week 23.13 Just Say Yes

My good friend Ayse sent me a text Saturday morning that read, "I am invited to Navruz celebration at Iranian friends of mine who live a little bit outside of New York. They told me I could bring my friends. I'm gonna go from Grand Central at 3:45. Would you like to come with me?" Without knowing anything more than that text, I quickly replied, "yes!" I like to keep my schedule somewhat unplanned so that serendipity can plan a more prominent role in my life. My "plan" had been for a quiet afternoon. Still, I enjoy spending time with Ayse and trust her judgment for adventure. As it turns out, it was an invitation to a celebration of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, celebrated for at least 3,000 years, and I had never heard of it. 

Ayse, Allegra, and I met at Grand Central Station, and the adventure began immediately. I had heard that the Long Island Railroad now departs from there in addition to Penn Station, but I had not realized what a spectacular construction it was. As we ran down the halls, it felt like we were in an airport, with gleaming marble walls, video displays everywhere, and shiny new escalators that descended to the depths below where the trains below trains left for Long Island. The ride to Great Neck was short, and we took the time to learn a little about who we would be seeing and what we were in for. Turns out Ayse did not know much more than we did! She had only recently been introduced to our host, Sepi, by a mutual friend and did not know much about the holiday. We were picked up at the station by Sepi's husband, who took us a short distance to their Tudor home. 

Not knowing much about Nowruz was anticipated by our host, who had prepared a one-page guide to the holiday, its history, and its significance. There were 16 people invited for dinner, and collectively they were an eclectically diverse array of Turkish, Iranian, Jewish, and Muslim, older and younger individuals. And while I often have diverse friends and acquaintances, this group seemed new. Fortunately, everyone was very welcoming and friendly (as expected), and we spent the first hour sharing our backgrounds, an exotic mix of cultures, occupations, ideas, and perspectives. The hors d'oeuvres included some Iranian foods that I struggle to describe except that they were fragrant, complex in taste and texture, and delicious. Sepi had various people read from a brief description of the holiday and then showed the special plate with the seven ceremonial items that are symbols of spring and renewal. 

As we sat down at the beautiful table, a variety of traditional dishes were served, including Persian rice, now one of my favorites. And the table began to light up as we each found points of connection and common language. I sat next to Joel Heiser, Debbie's husband, who knew about Debbie's work with my daughter, Lily Osman, and her mentors, Bob and Bill. We found commonalities in our approach to how we perceive the world and opportunities for collaboration. Across the table was Ziya Danishmend, who, just like me, had been a photographer and then worked in branding and design. Sepi and I had so much in common that we are meeting in the city next week to continue the conversation. The point is, when we entered the house, we were strangers from foreign lands. Within an hour, we had found our commonalities and humanity, flourishing in our new relationships. 

In life and leadership, it is all too easy to plan our days to the minute to try to get everything done and to get the most from our time. And when we do have time to ourselves, we want to keep that time to nourish and heal from the damage of overcommitment and tight schedules. I propose an alternative approach - to keep the luxury of spaciousness in your life. Give yourself and those you lead and love the gift of time and space, the chance for chance encounters. Be open for the magic to happen, and when someone asks you to join them on an adventure, say yes and enjoy the variety that can make life memorable. Sad sāl bé een sālhā

Craving that Ultimate Feel-Good Sensation? by Rhett Power

Calling someone out of the blue and telling them that you love them and appreciate them. That's the answer. That's the ultimate feel-good sensation? Picking up the phone and expressing love or appreciation to someone can possess immense transformative power. In an age where digital communication has become the norm, taking the time to make a personal phone call can profoundly impact both the person on the receiving end and the one initiating the call. The power of this gesture lies in its ability to foster emotional connections, strengthen bonds, and promote emotional well-being. The power of calling someone to tell them you love or appreciate them should not be underestimated. A single phone call has the potential to uplift spirits, deepen connections, and contribute to emotional well-being for both parties involved. In a world where digital communication often dilutes the intimacy of human interaction, a heartfelt phone call can serve as a beacon of love, appreciation, and genuine connection. Incorporating a weekly tradition of reaching out to cherished friends or family members to express love and gratitude has become a rewarding practice that I eagerly anticipate. This enriching experience quickly became a weekly highlight, and I wholeheartedly encourage others to try it.

Three Reasons Why Many Leaders Are Afraid Of The Future by Dr. Oleg Konovalov

Managers are responsible for the present. Leaders are responsible for the future. This simple definition draws a line between one who manages certainty and one who leads into uncertainty. This core difference may sound simple, but many leaders fear the future. This fear blocks leadership qualities in many people. Therefore, to create more leaders, we need to understand the restricting nature of that fear and turn it into a strength. There are three reasons many leaders are afraid to look into the future – natural fear, the comfort of the present, and procrastination in the face of the unknown. The fear of the future is not a verdict or genetically uncurable defect. A strong and compelling vision is a cure to that natural fear, comfort zone, or procrastination in the face of uncertainty. Vision is our aspiration for the future that we strive to make a reality today. A strong and compelling vision is the only certainty in this forthcoming uncertainty. Vision must be greater than you and your organization and so inspirational to you and your people that it outfights your fears. Vision is the single most powerful leadership tool for creating a prosperous future. Be a true leader that defines the future for people and puts your signature on the future being here and now.

4 ways to play offense with your career—and win big by Jenny M Fernandez,

The pandemic changed the workplace in profound ways. The shifts include market adaptations, transitions to remote/hybrid work, the emergence of new technologies, and significant economic uncertainty leading to mass layoffs. These are systemic changes, and their impact will be long-lasting. With tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon laying off more than 10,000 and 18,000 employees, respectively, one has to ask, what will come next? Job security feels like a concept of a bygone era. Technological advances are changing our way of life, and they are not likely to stop. Some people feel uncertain or anxious about unfolding changes and worry that they may fall behind or be left out. Some people may feel they are playing defense or cannot keep up with the changes. However, it is possible to cultivate and develop a mindset that will prepare you to play offense in your career. In this article, Jenny M Fernandez, MBA, 费 珍妮 gives you four ways to adapt to evolving workplace conditions and put yourself in the driver’s seat of your career trajectory.

With love, wonder and gratitude. Scott