Authentic leadership, to me, means being your own true self. To be the authentic leader you will follow, you have to create a safe environment where teams can actually thrive. As I navigate this Season of Becoming, I’ve realized leadership isn’t about control; it’s about intention.

From Oversight to Intention

We read a lot about Agentic Data Stacks, but at the end of the day, it’s still about people. The old ways of “checking in” feel like micromanagement. I’ve shared why I stopped visiting AI and started living in AI—and I feel the same way about our teams. We need to live in the work with them, not hover over them. Leaders must move from “visiting” their team’s problems to “living” in their workflow.

Example: Instead of waiting for a weekly status report (visiting), participate in the shared digital workspace or Slack channels where the work actually happens (living). This builds trust because you see the process, not just the output or filtered result. Find the right balance where you are not stretched too thin either - engage and delegate as needed.

• Shift: Stop measuring hours; start measuring impact.

• Action: Define one “North Star” outcome for your team this quarter. If it’s a 180-day GTM narrative, focus on the “why” and let the team own the “how.”

Vulnerability Loop

Trust starts with us. If you want a fearless team, you have to show your own humanity first. In my experience leading across time and space, the most powerful thing I can say is, “I don’t know, let’s find out together.”

• Action: In your next team meeting, share a recent “failure” or a pivot you had to make. Show them it’s safe to be a work-in-progress.

Radical Transparency in Global Teams

Trust is harder to maintain across time zones. It requires over-communication and documentation.

Ensure everyone has a single source of truth, reducing the anxiety of “being out of the loop” for remote members.

Collective Wellbeing

We are all human. High performance is impossible without mental health. High performance isn't about how many hours the team is logged in, but the quality of their cognitive energy.

Relationships are Fuel: We’re wired to need other people. Our close relationships build a network of safety and support. We spend a lot of our day at work so let’s make it count.

Purpose Powers Your Brain: Humans are driven by a sense of purpose. When we lack it, our bodies can go into a chronic stress mode.

• Relationships: Strong connections with others.

• Meaningful Roles: Contributing to society (employee, parent, student, volunteer).

• Responsibilities: Meeting our obligations.

Action: Check in with your team’s Energy. Are they fueled or drained? Cancel one non-essential meeting this week to give them back time. Create space and protect their time to do meaningful work.

I have seen how "chronic stress mode" happens when purpose is lost. I align with my purpose as a fearless leader, when I help team members pivot their Meaningful Role to better align with their natural strengths, effectively "fueling" their brain rather than draining it.

Navigating Unconscious Bias

To be truly “fearless” and “authentic,” a leader must address the hidden barriers to trust. We cannot have a “Vulnerability Loop” if people feel they will be judged based on biases.

I truly believe in curating environments to be an authentic leader you will follow. I will always first acknowledge my own biases and create a space where “being” is more important than “seeming” perfect.

"Exit" with Grace: Trust extends beyond a person's tenure. Maintaining integrity during transitions ensures the "architecture" remains strong for those who stay.

Summary: Architecture of Trust

• Shift leadership from a model of control and “oversight” to one of intention and human-centric care.

• Leaders should move from “visiting” (micromanagement/status reports) to “living” in the team’s workflow (active participation in shared spaces) to be part of the process, not just the output.

• Vulnerability: Trust begins with leader transparency. By sharing failures and being a work-in-progress, create a safe environment for others to do the same.

• Connectivity: Prioritize over-communication and a single source of truth to reduce ambiguity in remote teams.

• Energy as Currency: High performance is fueled by Brain Energy. Leaders must protect team energy by aligning roles with natural strengths and removing non-essential friction.

• Authenticity: Leaders can actively dismantle unconscious bias to ensure everyone can be their true selves.

There is so much noise in AI - from blogs to videos to courses today. Most people are still hunting for the next “shiny” AI model to explore and experiment. Here is the truth:

💡 My Take: End of “Destination AI”

I’ve had a major workflow shift recently. I don’t “go” to the Gemini app anymore. Because I have everything in my Google Drive, I use Gemini right within my Chrome browser, Google Docs/Slides, and agentic workflows.

My Shift: From Destination to Workflow

Trigger: Need to generate messaging or analyze data.

• Old: Copy data → Open new tab → Prompt → Verify → Copy back. (High friction, high risk).

• New: Stay in the Doc → Open Sidebar → AI acts on context. (Zero friction, secure & accurate).

🚀 Highlights: TLDR

• Workflow Over Apps or Data: Meet users where they are (Apps, Docs, Slides, Browser).

• Agentic Future: Shift from “chatting” to “doing” with Agentic AI.

• Compounding Gains: Empowerment + Distribution = Long-term ROI.

• Data Governance: Use enterprise-grade platform to keep proprietary data confidential.

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🏛️ Insights from the AI ROI Conference

At the AI ROI Conference (3.5.26), the big “aha” moment was that AI is a compounding asset.

• Workforce Empowerment: ROI isn’t just about software; it’s about culture change. If your team isn’t empowered to use AI daily, the productivity gains never materialize.

• Industry: Stop using generic AI. The true value is in verticals —specialized applications for specific industry needs.

• Delineation: Leaders are now focused on “delineating which part should not be AI” to maintain the human touch where it matters most.

Three actions to consider for me:
#2. Small teams, clear outcomes, 90-day sprints.
#5. Peer-to-peer > top-to-bottom.

#7. Business owners define the “why.”

References:

• Holistic Return on Ethics (HROE) framework, a model developed by IBM researchers and the University of Notre Dame to measure the ROI of AI ethics initiatives.

  Applying AI = changing how we work = changing workflows and accelerating innovation.
  

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• HBR: AI Doesn’t Reduce Work - It Intensifies It

AI Intensifies Work: How to Manage It

AI often increases workloads instead of reducing them.
Build an AI Practice with these core habits:

• Intentional Pauses: Check assumptions to avoid “AI acceleration” mistakes.

• Sequencing: Batch AI tasks to protect focus and reduce context-switching.

• Human Grounding: Prioritize team connection to spark real creativity.

Beat AI Burnout

To prevent AI-related burnout and “workload creep,” experts suggest a combination of individual boundaries and organizational changes.

For Individuals: Protect Your Energy

• Set “AI Hours”: Avoid being constantly “AI-ready.”

• Human First: Reserve your unique expertise for high-value tasks.

• Oasis Moments: Fully disconnect—no “one last prompt.”

For Leaders: Build a Healthy Culture

• Burnout Debriefs: Discuss intensity after major AI projects.

• Phased Rollouts: Sequence new tools to avoid team overwhelm.

• Cisco AI security framework
  The Integrated AI Security and Safety Framework provides a unified taxonomy to help organizations understand and track evolving threats across AI models, agents, and ecosystems.

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• Zapier’s approach to AI-first hiring

  Curiosity and competence are the key attributes for hiring.
  Zapier internal AI Proficiency: We map skills across 4 levels: Unacceptable, Capable, Adoptive, and Transformative.

  1️⃣ Unacceptable: Resistant to AI tools and skeptical of their value.

  2️⃣ Capable: Using the most popular tools. Likely under 3 months of hands-on experience

  3️⃣ Adoptive: Embedding AI in personal workflows. Tuning prompts, chaining models, and automating tasks to boost efficiency.

  4️⃣ Transformative: Uses AI not just as a tool, but to rethink strategy and deliver user-facing value that wasn’t possible two years ago

  

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• Brice Challamel - “We are the stewards of ecosystems of intelligence”.
  Power of Why - A conversation about human empowerment and technology adoption, enabled by AI and inspired by your questions.

  

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• AI Collective - Building the human layer for the AI era.
  A global non-profit community of over 200,000 pioneers and researchers dedicated to building the "human layer" of the AI era through trust, openness, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
  
  

🎓 Lessons from “AI for Leaders”

AI for Leaders webinar this week (with Jide Sobanjo & Section), reinforced this “workflow-first” mentality with a few reminders for AI leadership:

• Cost of Cognition is Dropping: Knowledge work that was once expensive is becoming “close to zero friction.”

• AI is Moving Up the Org Chart: 18 months ago, AI was an “Intern.” Today, it’s an “Analyst.” Soon, it will be a “Decision-maker.”

• 3x Leader: The goal for modern leaders is to 3x their teams by treating AI as an intelligent, high-speed teammate - while staying vigilant about its “hallucinations” and biases.

Bottom Line: If you’re still jumping between tabs and workflows to use AI, you’re working too hard. The future isn’t a better prompt; it’s a better-integrated agent.

Cutting Through the Noise

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by AI content, stop looking for more options.
Instead, look for integrations that solve a specific use case. ROI isn’t found in the newest LLM; it’s found in the workflow that stays.

1. Accelerate Time-to-Value: Measure efficiency gains and "micro-wins" to build internal momentum and prove the AI's functional utility within 30–90 days.

2. Cultivate Soft ROI: Track improvements in employee experience and cultural agility, as high adoption rates and reduced burnout are the leading indicators of long-term success.

3. Target Realized ROI: Focus on the 6-to-24-month horizon to capture measurable financial impact - sustained revenue growth, cost reduction, and risk mitigation.

TLDR | Agentic Data Stack (2026)

From Dashboards to Workers: In 2026, the focus has shifted from delivering dashboards to powering AI agents. For an AI agent to take reliable actions, it requires more than just raw data; it needs a “Map of the Business.”

Let’s explore the data and AI stack required to move from passive assistance to autonomous Agentic Workflows - where AI can safely navigate, reason, and execute tasks using business logic.

Highlights:

• From Manual to Standardized Logic: Model Context Protocol (MCP) as the universal “handshake” between AI agents and data systems.

• Unified Semantic Layer: dbt Fusion engine to define metrics once, ensuring the AI and the CFO are always looking at the same numbers.

• Active Governance: With the rise of autonomous AI risks, prioritize automated audit trails and real-time data quality signals.

In B2B, we need to ensure Data Warehouse (DW) and Business Intelligence (BI) speak the same language. Without it, our sales team and finance team see two different “metric” numbers for revenue.

Data Map for Reliable AI

To build AI that actually works, we need a map that everyone—both humans and AI agents—can trust. Without it, your “GPS” leads you to the wrong conclusions.

Map Legend: One Version of the Truth

To ensure the map is readable, we have a Unified Semantic Layer and Master Data Management. Think of this as the “Map Legend”—it’s the single set of definitions that translates complex terrain into simple, agreed-upon terms.

Whether a human is looking at a dashboard or an AI agent is running a query, they both use the same “Instruction Manual” to define metrics like revenue. This eliminates the “two different numbers” problem and provides the Single Source of Truth needed for autonomous AI.

Trust across the data and AI stack

To build a trusted data and AI stack, we need a system where business logic is centralized so that “revenue” means the same thing to an AI agent as it does to the business and the BI analyst.

1. Unified Semantic Layer (”Single Truth”)

For a company at scale, the most critical is a Universal Semantic Layer. This decouples business logic from your BI tools and your AI models.

If you update a churn definition, you change it once in the semantic layer. Every dashboard and every AI prompt response updates automatically.

2. Cloud Data Warehouse (”Storage”)

Customer handles massive volumes of real-time and batch data. A cloud-native warehouse is essential for separating storage from compute.

3. Governance & Trust (”Guardrails”)

In B2B, trust is built on security and compliance (GDPR, SOC2). Your stack should have Data Observability to ensure data quality.

Data Ingestion / Integration

In 2026, integration has shifted from “Batch” (nightly updates) to Agentic & Event-Driven.

• Where it sits: Between your source apps (Salesforce, Jira) and your Data Warehouse.

• Model Context Protocol (MCP) allows AI to “reach out” and grab data from other apps (like a Jira ticket or a calendar) in real-time. MCP is now the universal standard that allows AI agents to “read the map” (the semantic layer) securely.

  • Fivetran/Airbyte: For moving structured data into your warehouse (Snowflake/BigQuery).

  • Streaming (Kafka): For real-time context (eg., “A user started a webinar, notify the sales rep now”).

Business Intelligence

BI tools are evolving into Warehouse-Native platforms. Instead of moving data into the BI tool, the BI tool lives on top of the warehouse.

• Where it sits: On top of the Semantic Layer. It is the interface where humans verify what the AI is seeing.

• Sigma or Omni are replacing older tools because they don’t require “data extracts.” They query the live data warehouse directly.

Industry Shift: There is an Open Semantic Interchange (OSI) standard supported by Snowflake, Salesforce, and dbt Labs to ensure these definitions work across all tools.

2026 has seen a surge in security crises regarding exposed AI context servers.
Our “Trust/Surveyor” layer is more relevant than ever.

Trust Infrastructure Checklist

To build a data and AI stack people actually rely on, look for these elements:

2026 Readiness Checklist

To move from “AI as a pilot” to “AI as a teammate,” your stack needs to address these critical gaps that have defined the data landscape in 2026:

• Multi-Agent Coordination (The “Swarm”): Modern work is rarely handled by one AI. You have a “Finance Agent” and an “Inventory Agent.” Without a shared Semantic Layer, these agents will give conflicting answers. Coordination ensures all speak the same language.

• Unstructured Data Integration: Most business “Logic” lives in PDFs, emails, and Slack, not just SQL tables. A data and AI stack pulls this unstructured context into the same framework so agents can “read” the company handbook as easily as they read a revenue report.

• Kill Switch (Governance): Trust requires a safety valve. With Graduated Authority Models, agents can “Read” and “Analyze” freely, but require human-in-the-loop “Write” permissions for high-stakes actions like processing payments or adjusting prices.

• Zero-Copy Architectures: To avoid the “data shockwave” of spiraling storage costs and security risks, data stays in the warehouse. Zero-Copy tools bring the AI to the data, rather than moving sensitive info into third-party AI silos.

3 Tiers of Authority

Conclusion:

In the Agentic era, the data stack is no longer just a reporting tool; it is the Operating System for AI. By focusing on a “Legend” (Semantic Layer) and a “Surveyor” (Governance), we aren’t just building better charts: we are building an autonomous organization that we can actually trust.

San Francisco is a city of layers - of fog, history, and a relentless spirit of innovation. This past week, I found myself standing at the intersection of these layers, feeling the city's heartbeat across time. From the depths of a skyscraper's history to the dirt beneath my fingernails on my own block, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to lead with heart and soul.

Synchronicity

On February 6, 1974, a time capsule was buried at the Transamerica Pyramid to capture the essence of the past to be opened 50 years later. Exactly 52 years later, on February 6, 2026, I stood at the exhibit, reading the very notes and documents that were sealed away for half a century.

It was pure coincidence to be there on that specific day, and when I shared this with the docent, they truly appreciated the magic of that timing. Witnessing the past on its exact anniversary was mesmerizing. And perhaps the year 74 feels special as well, born a decade later in 1984 and the opening of the time capsule in 2024.

While talking to the docent, I learned there is another capsule meant to be opened in 150 years. It’s a bold vision, but I shared my hope for something more frequent—perhaps a node every 50 years. Imagine if, every time we opened a capsule, we planted a new one for the next generation. It would create a continuous chain of stewardship and legacy, ensuring no generation is left without a "hello" from those who came before.

Art as a Bridge: CDs and Earth

In the gallery, I saw this bridge between eras come to life through "pure magic." One exhibit, Tara Donovan’s "Stratagems," used stacks of CDs: relics of our digital past, to create something futuristic.

And nearby is the upcoming Lily Kwong’s "Earthseed Dome," an art installation, being 3D printed using earth materials and seeds, in the making and will be ready in April.

What makes the Earthseed Dome speak to my soul is that it will bloom in a few months, physically connecting us back to our roots. Seeing high-tech printing meet the living, breathing elements of our planet felt like a direct nod to how we can be planting seeds for tomorrow by using our best tools to honor the earth we stand on.

Co-creating "Future of Us"

This sense of service is exactly what I’m hoping to bring with the Good Neighbor Advisory. I haven’t created anything yet, but the energy is electric. We are preparing to support the Future of Us festival this July, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Future of Us - San Francisco

Future of Us is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, pro-democracy, non-extractive, and minimally commercial initiative. It is focused on creating the cultural conditions for the public to connect, co-create, explore, and imagine possible futures across identities and beliefs. It is not intended to promote or advocate for specific companies, products, candidates, policy positions, or legislation.

This initiative is anchored in collective insight: integrating scientific knowledge, creative inquiry, and real world experiences.

The values of the Future Culture Collective: Generative Democracy, Openness & Inclusion, Creativity & Imagination, Informed Storytelling, and Sustainable Design.

In the Good Neighbor Lab, Julia and the team aren't just talking about the future; we are co-creating it. It’s about leading with heart and soul in the city I love, ensuring that as we celebrate history, we are also strengthening the literal blocks we live on. I got to meet other neighborhood leaders who are equally passionate and care about San Francisco.

I'm excited for the Good Neighbor Week in September, a time to celebrate the small, daily acts of kindness and leadership that happen over fences and on sidewalks. I shared with the group my pure joy of showing up every Saturday with my neighbors to keep 3rd Street clean in the Bayview. You know you belong when the local businesses know you by your name and you know them by their name. It's a small gesture but means the world to me.

Good Neighbor Week

Good Neighbor Week (celebrated each September) and National Good Neighbor Day (September 28) owe their national status to the humanitarian spirit of Jimmy Carter.

• Philosophy: Carter’s vision wasn’t just about being friendly; it was about stewardship. He saw neighborliness as a way to "build friendship among the people of the world," starting right at our own front doors.

• Growing Tradition: What started as a single day has blossomed into Good Neighbor Week. In San Francisco 2025, they connected with neighbors and celebrated with Good Neighbor Awards to those who lead with heart.

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Planting Roots

Leadership isn’t always found in galleries; sometimes, it’s found in the soil. I’ve started planting my own roots with Climate Action Now to plant street trees on my block. Every sapling we put in the ground is a time capsule of its own. It’s a promise to the neighbors of the future that we care enough to provide water today.

Thank you EDoT - Economic Development on Third, CAN - Climate Action Now California and Arcadis for supporting the Bayview and helping us plant nine trees on 3rd Street.

and discovered this SF map - what a fun way to get to know your street trees. Thanks Julia for sharing!

https://transpomaps.org/projects/san-francisco/birthday-trees

and interesting to see the neighborhood demographics

https://transpomaps.org/projects/car-ownership

This connection to nature is what always draws me to the San Francisco Botanical Garden, where the Magnolias are currently in full, breathtaking bloom.

I’m looking forward to volunteer, giving back to the land that keeps this city breathing.

And experiencing Aura at Grace Cathedral feels like an immersive journey across time and space, reminding me that we are all part of one continuous story in San Francisco.

Shape the Future Today: Three Simple Acts

If you are looking to lead with heart and soul right now, here are simple ways to act:

• Plant a "Living" Legacy: Support a local greening initiative or plant something in your own neighborhood.

• Write a Note into the Future: Take a few minutes to write a letter to yourself or someone 50 years from now. Share what you love about your community today.

• Be a "Good Neighbor" Now: Identify one small improvement your block needs and reach out to one person to help make it happen.

Lesson for Future Leaders

True leadership is about being a steward. We honor the history, learn from the recycled art of our past, and 3D print with the earth of today to design a tomorrow that actually blooms. We lead with heart, we plant with hope, and we co-create with our community.

Make a Difference with 3 acts 🌿

1. ​Plant the Seed: Share the "Why." Purpose is the root of ownership.

2. ​Nourish with Autonomy: Give them space to lead.

3. ​Prune for Excellence: Radical candor to trim distractions and refine focus.
   

   The best leaders don’t just grow a team; they grow more leaders.

And my student shared this fun way to see your archetype.
Your archetype is your strength. I see you! What’s yours? Try here

Div: No BS Authority | 2026 Power - clarity unapologetically!

Has it ever happened you woke up at the exact date and time?
That was my synchronicity for the day 2.12 2:12
A change is in the air - I can feel it!

These words below ground me…

As Pema Chödrön shared in the book, The places that scare you

May the wisdom and compassion of all beings increase now and in the future.

May we continue to open our hearts and minds to work for the benefit of all beings.

May we lead the life of a warrior.

May we go to the places that scare us.

to love and be loved unconditionally ❣️

A little bit hot and humid followed by thunderstorms in the day. No wind in sight…
Welcome to Chicago in August!

I'm here, right now, soaking in the energy of Chicago near Riverwalk North. The Windy City is captivating with its blend of grand cityscapes and charming, quiet corners. I am eager to explore beyond the tourist spots and uncover the true heart of Chicago, one local gem at a time.

My first AMA event and volunteer trip to Chicago in 2011 was to Rosemont, one train stop from ORD and then I have visited Chicago many times for work conferences in the loop near the river walk through the years 2014-2018.

My last visit was in October 2021 which changed my life for good. And I am changing my narrative of me and Chicago in this trip in August 2025. One trip at a time. One day at a time.

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.
- William Arthur Ward

The Pessimist, Optimist, Realist is a quote I came across in a museum in Chicago in 2018 and it has stuck for good. This is the mantra that I aspire towards every day. Earlier, I was often the pessimist finding faults in everything and now I am working my way towards being a true realist, trying to understand the context.

There have been times when I think that we don’t have the time to have a strategic view and we are too busy doing what we always did. The outcome is that we will get what we always got. I believe that we should always challenge the norm and open our minds to learn new things.

And guess what, I am truly amazed by the new perspective and clear thinking. It’s a new day and a new beginning every day, so why let our thoughts think otherwise?

I tried to swim in the pool early morning and that feels good to start the day along with mindful motivation on InsightTimer and Duolingo - my wake up ritual.

Love this message from the hotel room window :)

Here's what I explored in my Chicago solo travel, focusing on the hidden gems, walks, and architecture.

Stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk

The Chicago Riverwalk is nice for an evening stroll. It's more than just a path; it's a living canvas dotted with public art, quiet nooks, and local cafes. I love watching the boats drift by and simply soaking in the urban canyon views without the typical downtown rush. It's the perfect way to feel connected to the city's pulse while enjoying a moment of calm.

Navy Pier's Butterfly House

600 E Grand Ave

butterflyhousechicago.com

My favorite highlight for this trip is the Butterfly House - a surprise discovery and a serene experience. Walking among hundreds of butterflies from around the world provides a unique and colorful opportunity.

It's a lovely, immersive encounter with nature right in the heart of the city. It was wonderful to see the butterflies come sit on my cap, on my bag, on my shoulders and my heart. I learned that these butterflies are from Costa Rica. Thank you El Bosque Nuevo Farm in Costa Rica for protecting and taking care of the bio-diverse rainforest.

The Merchandise Mart

222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza

A monumental building with its sheer scale and striking Art Deco design make it a fascinating architectural marvel from the Riverwalk. It was once the largest building in the world, and its intricate lobby, is worth admiring up close. It's a key hub for design and tech, reflecting Chicago's evolving identity.

For Next Time: Lincoln Park & Garfield Park Conservatory

Hope to visit the Chicago botanical gardens another time. Lincoln Park with the gardens, walking trails and spend time at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. This historic Victorian glass house transports you to a lush, tropical paradise with a Palm House, Orchid House, Fern Room, and a Show House that changes seasonally.

• Lincoln Park Conservatory 2391 N Stockton Dr

• Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N Central Park Ave

The Garfield Park Conservatory is an indoor botanical garden, a tropical oasis even on a breezy Chicago day, and definitely feels like a local secret. This is one of the largest and most stunning botanical conservatories in the nation, often referred to as "landscape art under glass." It boasts thousands of plant species from around the world across eight indoor display gardens. You'll find waterfalls, koi ponds, and an incredible variety of flora.

Neighborhoods & Architectural Gems

Beyond the downtown loop, Chicago's neighborhoods are where its true character shines. I'm excited to spend time just walking through

• River North's Hidden Architectural Wonders: While the main Riverwalk buildings are grand, I'm finding smaller, equally impressive structures tucked away. The area around Grand and State/Dearborn is filled with former warehouses now converted into galleries and studios, often retaining their historic charm. Tree Studios (601-623 N. State St.) is a row of charming Queen Anne-style buildings from 1894 that were built to house artists' studios.

  

  

  

  • Walking around the block, stumbled on a cute gift shop with Parisian finds. P.O.S.H. 613 N State St

    

    

  

Authentic Bites around the Riverwalk

My dining experiences are all about savoring local flavors:

• Ema (Mediterranean) - Sweet corn hummus, Hot honey Halloumi, Salmon Kebab

  Loved the decor and the Salmon Kebab is pure bliss - chef’s kiss!

  

  

  

• Havana Grill (Pan Latin)

  

  

  I got the fish tacos and my mentee got the cuban roasted pork with plantains and yuca.

• Ramen San (Japanese) - Karaage, Pork belly Mantou bun, lunch special - miso salmon with rice, salad, and Tonkotsu ramen, thank yuzu (pineapple, yuzu lemonade)

  

  

  

  

• Nonnina - Meatball spaghetti and chef's special dessert with cinnamon gelato + strawberry and peach.

  

  

• Levain Bakery - Brioche with cinnamon butter

  

  
  

• Burdick - Dark hot chocolate in a rich European style with single source options (Madagascar, Bolivia)

  

• Le French Patisserie - Right by the butterfly house I came across this beautiful artisan confectionery. Enjoyed the guava and passion fruit dessert, pistachio and strawberry cookie and the rose matcha latte.

  Exploring the smaller, independent eateries tucked away in the River North area – fantastic spots for a casual, delicious meal.

  
  

Chicago, you're more than just a skyline;
you're a city of beautiful walks, hidden gardens, and welcoming neighborhoods,
and I'm loving every moment of getting to know you.

And finished reading the book Let Them - this was a good reminder to focus on ABC of healing.

Highlights - Let Them

In the ABC Loop, you have three steps:

• A: APOLOGIZE, then ASK open-ended questions.

• B: BACK OFF, and observe their BEHAVIOR.

• C: CELEBRATE progress while you continue to model the CHANGE.

Healing is a choice.

If the timing, proximity, or energy is off, Let Them.

Let Me be understanding.

Let Me check in without an expectation, but just because I care.

When someone feels that you accept them as they are, they feel safe with you.

What you want is unconditional love, acceptance, kindness, and compassion.

I’m thinking about you, you are not going to go through this alone, you do not need to text me back, I just want you to know I am always here.

When you’re struggling, you don’t want to burden anyone else, because you already feel like a burden.

How can I create an environment that makes change and getting better easier?

… your physical environment plays in your mental, spiritual, and physical health. It’s everything from the space you live in, the clutter around you, the food in your fridge, the people that you spend time with, and the plans in your calendar.

The first step to changing your life is taking responsibility for the fact that your life isn’t working.

And what a beautiful way to come back to San Francisco and celebrate our annual Bayview Sunday Streets. I got to enjoy gumbo social’s seafood boil, mogu mogu and Yvonne's sweet potato pie.

Was lovely to volunteer and see our folks at the Bayview library. I appreciated the live jazz music and bubbles as well. First time experiencing a 3D photo booth with Bayview shuttle and here is a video clip for y’all. What a lovely sign - Catch flights, not feelings ✈️

And who knows where to next?

No where or Now here …

A nice thought from the United flight.

Loving the Sakura gel pens… adding sparkle to my travel destination.

I read Dr. Christopher M. Palmer's Brain Energy, and it totally shifted how I think about mental health. For a long time, we've talked about "chemical imbalances" or therapy, which are important. But Palmer suggests something really different:

This idea resonated with me. I've always been interested in how our daily lives affect our well-being. Looking back at understanding stress and anxiety, finding balance, and resilience - Stress Anxiety Workplace | Equanimity Work-Life.

It's About Energy, Not Just Chemicals

Dr. Palmer challenges the common idea that "no one knows what causes mental illness." He points to metabolism – how our bodies turn food into energy. The tiny powerhouses in our cells, called mitochondria, are key here. If they're not working right, it can mess with brain function, leading to mental health issues.

This means things like genetics, inflammation, and even brain chemicals are all connected through metabolism. For me, this was a big aha moment. It's not just about fixing symptoms, but getting to the real root cause.

"Without a clear cause, we end up treating symptoms as opposed to disorders."

This feels like the missing piece, thinking about those emotional struggles in my own journey - Broken Teacup. A recent blackout in June, made me realign and seek answers to questions on well-being. To find the right balance in life.

Simple Ways to Boost our Brain Energy

If brain energy is so central, there are practical ways we can improve it. Many of these fit into a holistic view of well-being - Essentialism Mind Body Soul.

Here are a few that connected:

• Eat Well for our Brain: Beyond just eating healthy, explore intermittent fasting.

  • Fasting overnight, makes our body more efficient with energy. It kicks off a kind of cellular spring-cleaning that can be healing.

  • Eating whole, unprocessed foods, as in the Mediterranean diet. It's not just what you eat, but how and when your body uses it.

• Get Light and Sleep: Sleep is when our bodies and brains rest and repair.

  • Without enough sleep, our systems can't do this crucial work, leading to stress and inflammation.

  • Natural light exposure: Being outside in the morning can boost learning, memory, and mood, even for seasonal dips. This really shows how connected our environment (Raleigh-San Francisco) and our bodies truly are.
    

• Move our Body: Exercise isn't just for muscles; it's vital for brain energy.

  • Any exercise is better than none, but around 45 minutes, three to five times a week gives the biggest benefits.

  • Moving our bodies helps prevent both metabolic and mental health issues. Humans are meant to move.

Hidden Power of Purpose

Our psychological and social lives affect our brain's metabolism. This is where resilience and finding meaning in Resilience and Letters of Life, really connected.

• Relationships are Fuel: We're wired to need other people.

  • Our close relationships build a network of safety and support.

  • Loneliness is a huge stressor that drains our metabolic resources. I've often felt this push and pull of social connection in my own life.

• Purpose Powers Your Brain: Humans are driven by a sense of purpose. When we lack it, our bodies can go into a chronic stress mode. Four Rs:

  • Relationships: Strong connections with others.

  • Meaningful Roles: Contributing to society (employee, parent, student, volunteer).

  • Responsibilities: Meeting our obligations.

  • Resources: Having basic needs met (money, food, shelter).

In the end, Brain Energy brings together so many different parts of the mental health puzzle. It made me think of a simple quote Dr. Palmer shared:

This isn't about blaming anyone; it's about understanding the whole system that supports our brain.

It's a powerful reminder to rethink how we approach our mental well-being, focusing on truly fueling our minds and lives from the inside out.

On a Sunday Mission clean up, I couldn't get myself to join folks I knew and I didn't know why. So, I joined two new folks. Perhaps I didn't want to talk much and it felt like you had to talk when you're in a group.

So when I said to the 2 new folks, I lived in San Francisco for 10 years and SF bay area for 15 years, they asked “what made you live in SF for so long?” All I could say is - SF is my home. This is the longest I've lived in a place in my entire life - Libya, Saudi Arabia, India and US.

And it was nice to share a conversation as they studied in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Good memories in the NC triangle - Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Thank you Raleigh and North Carolina for being my healing home for 2 years.

But it got me thinking, why did San Francisco feel like home for me. A soul place… a place where I feel alive and I can be my true authentic self. I didn't need to pretend or be something that I'm not.

Reading the I Heart series by Lindsey Kelk, this one's for you - I heart San Francisco.

Love that there is a SF scavenger hunt for the week celebrating all things love and SF.

And after the torrential rain in the weekend, it was good to see the sunshine and get outside to volunteer on Wednesday at the Heron’s Head Park/Eco center for some stub planting with the Golden Gate Bird Alliance - learnt a little bit about types of grass, shrubs and plants that are good for birds. Finally got a walk, 2 hours of sunshine and working with hands in nature. And the rain on Thursday and Friday hopefully helped the plants.

Beautiful to see cherry blossom in bloom. It's early.. It was one of those moments, you are walking focused on picking up trash and you notice the little white petals on the ground… you look up and smile at the beauty of the seasons and spring around the corner.

It was a nice reminder from this artwork and community gallery in the Mission with the butterfly. A reminder to recycle and reuse and not just consume mindlessly.

Butterfly - Alas

Deni S. Aguilera

These wings serve as a reminder of impermanence, transitions, and change… life's cycles and the beauty that can still be expressed …

My friend says I'm very independent. Like a free bird.. I remember saying I am a butterfly fluttering from one flower to another.

I miss deep conversations. To feel seen and understood.

Discovering my love for San Francisco and embracing the ebbs and flows.

A living breathing microcosm … with its own sparks of joy …

I left my heart in SF felt true when I was traveling and when I came back in 2023 but I didn't know why or how it's possible to feel so connected to a place to call it home..

I love discovering new restaurants and recipes and taste delicacies around the world in San Francisco.

When I need to get out of my head, walking in Japantown is pure bliss from the matcha latte to cheese tart and mochi. Or the Nijiya market and Daiso… I'm excited that I got to make mochi muffins at home aka Chez D 🎼.

Recently, discovered a pasta shop: Pasta supply in the Mission and I got the saffron lemon ricotta ravioli and they're so good and fresh.

And loved walking into Hila Gelato in the Mission and enjoyed the pistachio gelato. Reminded me of Italy and the wonderful love of gelato.

Another new find is Bao in the Mission. The egg custard tart is just perfect - smooth and delicious. Brought back lovely memories of Lisbon, Portugal - San Francisco of Europe… our sister city… Ponte de Abril, cable car, seven hills.. thank you for reminding me of everything I love in San Francisco.

Walking from the Mission from Valencia Street to Market Street to Embarcadero is joy, seeing the new and old buildings interwoven and standing tall. I couldn't remember the last time I walked for more an hour in a street and a neighborhood I didn't walk before.

A part of me was scared to walk the streets. During one of the mission community cleanups, and in one of the dirtier alleys, a guy in a monkey mask walked over while I had two bags of trash in my hands and even though he was laughing said words that is enough to scare me - Put your hands where I can see them.

He said it to a group of guys walking by first and they were laughing and then said the same thing to me. I wasn't sure what I should do but then he said laughing - don't worry babe, I won't hurt you, you're too cute. I didn't know what to do, so I walked over to the other volunteers and then it was time to head back.

Walking by the creative city art gallery and coming across this beautiful painting of a musical note somehow connected with me. That's my signature mark 🎼.

And nothing like a Dandelion hot chocolate that can make any day wonderful. It was lovely connecting with folks that I met for a podcast in person in San Francisco. Loved the idea of foodies having a get together talking about creativity in my favorite place and we all ordered the same thing — European hot chocolate - rich and creamy.

I still love a delicious Mexican horchata.. I got a horchata mix pack from the latina market in the Mission and once I started to boil, it had a resemblance between firni, kheer and payasam. And nothing better than to top it off with some dried rose petals.

And another creation at Chez D 🎼 is Chia Rose .. chia, aloe vera, red dragon fruit, berries, rose petals, elderflower syrup, honey, coconut water.. refreshing..

One of the joys of the city are the events that bring folks together from different communities connected by a thread.

Creative Mornings San Francisco

The last event’s theme in January was journey. I wonder what all our journeys are - crossing paths at different times and places. We believe we are independent beings, but I believe in the power of collective thinking where we bring the best in each other.

You are not traveling alone

Collective versus Independent thinking

Rice fields are flooded to control weeds.. not for the crop

Wheat vs rice fields to cultural impact in north vs south

Metaphor is finding a way or path into the future.

What metaphors come to mind for the questions that are unknown?

Isn’t it true we don’t know what we don’t know…

And the weekend with downpour rain was enough to keep me at home and not volunteer. I knew I couldn't keep going on as is. I needed change.

I switched up the floral photos on the wall aka gallery and created a new mandala art.

You know the saying.. doing the same thing will not give you a different result. Time to let it go.

So I'm switching things up a bit and see where this takes me this month.

After days of thinking, I finally baked mochi muffins and that was just what I need.

And cooking a hearty meal - pad thai with shrimp and rainbow potato gratin @Chez D

Well-being is a gift to ourselves. We can sit in our spiral of thoughts and worries. Or we can get up and do what we can at this moment in time. One day at a time.

Smile! Breathe…

How often do we pause to think vs react?

Most decisions are made in split seconds even if we have been sitting with the idea and doing our due diligence with information and context as much as we can.

How many decisions do you make in a day? conscious or subconscious…

As a leader, we are probably making decisions every few minutes as we bring teams together on shared goals, collaborate with our peers and senior leaders in the company.

The Leader's Guide to Unconscious Bias: How To Reframe Bias, Cultivate Connection, and Create High-Performing Teams

In the book, Unconscious Bias, learning the types of biases was a good start to know the difference.

• Great leaders challenge themselves as much as they challenge others.

  • To be human is to have bias.

• Workplaces achieve their highest performance when they allow their employees to be whole people

  • In the High-Performance Zone, people feel respected, included, and valued, and are able to contribute their best.

  • When an imbalance of power is present in the conversation, we do not feel psychologically safe.

I agree with the analogy of an iceberg to how much we know of folks in our workplaces and lives. I am a believer in fostering environments that are safe for folks to be their authentic selves. Building psychological safety is about balancing the scales of power in human interaction.

Freud compared the mind to an iceberg.

• The conscious mind being as being the tip of the iceberg (that above the water).

• The unconscious mind is what is unseen beneath the water.

The Bias Iceberg Theory suggests that biases are like icebergs - what we consciously perceive (such as age, race, gender, color, or disability) is only the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the surface lie deeper, unconscious biases that can significantly influence our perceptions and decisions.

In hiring, this becomes fundamental to recognizing and mitigating these biases to create an inclusive recruitment process. Here are a few unconscious biases from the book that might help us be more mindful in our workplace.

1. Confirmation bias is the idea that we tend to seek information that supports our existing beliefs.

2. Anchoring bias is the idea that we rely on the first piece of information we see to make decisions.

3. In-group bias is our tendency to favor people we like or those who are like us, while excluding those who are different.

4. Sunk cost bias is our tendency to continue our current course of action because we’ve invested time, money, or energy into it.

As we can see in the resume example below, our biases are unconscious and not intentional, but they exist at all times during our decisions to interview or hire a candidate.

How can we be better in our recruitment and be self aware to catch these biases?

Same applies for Linkedin profiles, let’s not assume, but rather ask.

I genuinely appreciated when a recruiter asked about my short term roles. LiRA was a NSF funded 4-month contract and the other didn’t work out as I hoped - impacted my wellbeing.

And I shared my honest answer that I took time to heal from anxiety and life changes during 2022-23 and a toxic workplace is not an environment where I thrive.

Having a supportive and safe environment is crucial to wellbeing and growth.

Often times, roles come with predefined # of years experience etc, and we may or may not be the right fit, but we could connect anyway. We can never know what the road ahead has planned for us.

Some folks see my portfolio career and may think about commitment. Please ask always - I am neurodiverse and each interest/focus/role in my career complements and makes me better in all the diverse roles together - as a product marketing leader, mentor, author, teacher and explorer. I always have and will always give 121% to everything I do. The extra 21% is my commitment and personal accountability. A supportive and safe environment is all it takes to be my best authentic self.

In the book: Untypical, I can understand how neurodiverse folks thrive in the workplace and what drains our energy. I am truly empathic and not interested in any ounce of workplace politics or manipulations. Zero tolerance for manipulative folks in work and life.

Untypical: How the World Isn’t Built for Autistic People and What We Should All Do About it

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61111570-untypical

From empathy to RSD to pattern spotting to monotropic and special interest...

Highlights from the book 📖

• Autistic people are tremendous empaths taking on the prevailing emotions in a room and not knowing what to do with them.

• Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria is a set of reactions to any kind of negative attention seemingly no matter how minor or inconsequential.

• Autistic people exist at a far higher level of stress and anxiety. Our constant worry makes us very insecure and drains our confidence. This is no good in the workplace, especially when we're neurodivergent.

• I simply cannot relax.

  I know how to try to relax. I have, over the years, tried many different strategies to get my head to calm itself down and find a moment's peace.

• The endless pattern spotting is a key trait that many autistic people share. It's part of what makes some of us excellent at pattern-spotting jobs involving data, numbers and programming, and our brain excels at it.

• For about 80 per cent of the time I was writing, and in that last 20 per cent I was effective and focused. Much is made of how a lot of autistic and ADHD people end up doing the bulk of their work- whatever it may be just before deadline.. perhaps this is why 4-week writing sprints worked for my books and my weekly schedule to publish on substack.

• This difficulty with planning for the future is linked with my inability to envisage any future beyond a month hence. After all, how can you plan for a future that you literally cannot conceptualise? I wonder how many autistic or ADHD people would agree.. I just booked my return home to SF on Saturday. One day at a time 🙏 .. perhaps why I plan for the upcoming week meticulously.

• Never curtail an autistic person's access to their interests. Do not view these interests as merely hobbies. We must understand the regulatory benefits they have, and the way they enable us autistic people to manage our stress.

• Autistic special interests are extremely specific with neurodivergent folks.

• Monotropism as a theory helps us to understand why this is so often the case. We autistic people tend to concentrate our attention (or processing resources) on relatively few things at a time.

• Where most people are polytropic - meaning that they have multiple channels of processing going on, or multiple interests aroused at a time - autistic people are monotropic, having our attention fully occupied by a small number of interests at any moment. As a result, we're able to devote enormous energy and time to singular focuses.

Resources

• Neuroclastic.com - a collection of the best writing from autistic people across the world.

• Autastic.com

I just came across www.levels.fyi which shows a salary comparison across different teams from product to engineering to marketing. Interesting ways to consider equity and inclusion.

Embrace mindfulness

As leaders, it’s up to us to create the workplace of tomorrow. Discover our unconscious bias and find ways to be better in how we perceive and receive folks in our workplaces and our lives.

A strong mindfulness practice helps us become conscious of our thoughts, feelings and emotions. Neurodiversity is a growing focus of inclusion programs, but we know very little to seek to understand how to support folks as we navigate our workplace from sounds and noise to lighting and distractions.

Lovingkindness and mindful compassion could go a long way to show that we care. Open our heart and let’s leave our biases at the front door and foster a safe environment for all of us to thrive and grow as a collective.

It feels ironic to write this post today about conscious business - an idea and concept that I just read in a book, that inspired me to think about our values and how we hold up during tough times.

Conscious Business: How to Build Value Through Values - Fred Kofman

• Knowing what should be done and being able to do it are two different things.

• what is missing is a deep understanding of what it means to develop an organization as a conscious human community.

• The truth was not in the numbers but in the meaning we made from them.

• They learned to maintain equanimity in the face of the most difficult circumstances, simultaneously keeping their hearts open and their minds sharp.

• Everything that seems isolated is nothing other than a node in an infinite network of crisscrossing energies.

Yesterday, I was informed that my role was redundant. I learned a new acronym RIF - reduction in force..

• Losing a job is not just an economic blow; it is a blow to our identity.

• I am not perfect; I am perfectly imperfect in my unique way.

There are quite a few co-workers that got impacted and some of them are on visa so that makes it all the more difficult for them to find the next job. I think I am fortunate that I can still stay in the US as long as I can make it financially viable. So its time to do some number crunching and figure out where my next opportunity is.

I always struggled with how businesses make these decisions based on numbers. And it seems interesting that for the data warehouse and analytics webinar series, that I was hosting - the next session was on success with the three Ps - people, process and platform. I guess it's the nature of the business.

I truly believe that we get to see the true colors of any business not when they onboard you as an employee but when they offboard us as an employee. Within 15 minutes of the meeting with HR and my manager, my access was cut off. Just like that one year of work meant nothing. That did hurt. I'm still processing the emotions and as much as they said it had nothing to do with my performance. And that it was a business decision, I genuinely wished we could be a little bit more human.

After a year of working and giving my 121% to everything I do, it always comes down to the numbers.

But at the end of the day, it's not the work that you've done, but the people that you worked with that we remember. It doesn't matter how many assets or projects I've worked on, none of that will carry forward. It feels like hindsight but I'm glad we pre-recorded the webinar for next week.

I can only cherish the moments where I felt valued and I belonged in a team. Of course, maybe if I dissect the one year, I might be able to find patterns and trends or even signs that things were not going right for the company. Or perhaps my inability to follow social cues has a role.

But that feels like a lost cause so I will just move on and I'm grateful for my support system and my chosen family to help me through this tough time.

I had to remind myself to be brave to add the open to work on LinkedIn. I couldn't tell my mentees to do this and not do it myself. I am grateful for the 200+ folks who have reacted and/or commented or reached out directly on DM or text message in the past 24 hours. This gives me hope. And that it is not the work that we do, but the people that we are connected with.

Today is a new day. It's Gandhi Jayanti in India. I'm all for peace and nonviolence. I believe in truth always. As Mahatma Gandhi says - Be the change you want to see in the world.

When I have a bad day like today, I'll read some of the 100+ recommendations on LinkedIn to remind myself that I matter and the work that I do matters. So a big heartfelt thank you to the wonderful people in my life for checking in on me - mi gente: mucho gracias❣️

It felt like a night and day moving from September to October. You never know what is on the other side.

It also feels like every time I'm settling in, the ground underneath starts shifting. After 6 months in Redwood City, I had to decide to move to San Francisco in May as the tenant didn't renew the lease. Now the mortgage feels like an overhead that I need to make work until I find my next job. And continue to support my parents and myself.

This IG message and a thank you card from my mentee is comforting.

A story from Rumi about our emotions and the guest house is on point.

This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

…

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

RUMI - THE GUEST HOUSE

At these odd times in life, our well-being is paramount. How we process our emotions and stay the course. Here are some messages from the wellbeing coach app Lark helping me through my day.

I recently found this collage I had created in 2023 from art work from a shop in Lisbon and this feels just right.

Today is also a new moon day.. to new beginnings!

The universe works in mysterious ways. I truly believe in miracles and can't wait to see what the future holds for me.

The future is ready for you when you are.

In the world we live in today we are multilingual and cherish being a global citizen living and exploring different countries around the world.

I have always enjoyed learning a new language. Studying for a decade in an International Indian School in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in the '90s gave me a chance to see the world and my own country India with folks from the north to the south, and from east to the west. A cultural immersion at best with diverse ethnicities, festivals, and religions. To say it opened my mind is an understatement.

Realizing that anything is possible is probably rooted in this. That we're all different and similar at the same time. Listening to pop music gave us all a sense of oneness. My true belief in diversity and equity is a manifestation of the experience that when you live in a country like KSA where girls don't have rights - it changes who you are and what you believe to be. Freedom took on its own meaning, shape, and form when I moved back to India for my XIth grade and then to the US.

I always struggled figuring out where do I belong and then I decided when I moved to the US that I'm a global citizen - I belong everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

Language

Language transcends borders and allows us to connect and communicate with each other.

Culture and food and our ways of upbringing also shape who we are and how we respond to scenarios in our lives.

Our wellbeing advocate and leader encouraged me to think about the synergy between language, culture, and lifestyle in our way of living a mindful life and well-being at the workplace.

So here we go… let's explore the beauty of language and culture in shaping our life and well-being.

When I started to learn six languages on Duolingo last year, I started to see patterns and similarities between the roots of the language. And recently I added music to my learning courses. I can tell it doesn't come easy for me to follow the rhythm or the beat, but I'm going to try one day at a time.

And I'm proud to share that I started learning Portuguese in March 2023 and I just completed 500 days of learning. One lesson at a time. Consistency and discipline go a long way in creating rituals in your mind. I enjoyed the daily quests and friend quests - I can see the power of a community in helping you achieve your goals.

There are words in Portuguese that are similar to words in my native language in Kerala - Malayalam. Fascinating to think that explorers influenced the roots of words within our language.

When I travel, I'm amazed at how much each food and cuisine is influenced by explorers from Spanish to Portuguese to French, as well as from Chinese to Japanese cultural immersion. And how spices have become universal today and were discovered in my hometown Calicut by Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer in 1498. I'm lucky to have traveled from Calicut to Lisbon in 2023 and visited his hometown. I love the medley of numbers 1498 and I was born in 1984. A universal sign 🙏

Whenever I eat a pasteis de nata in SF Bay area, I think of my 2 months in Lisbon. Food transcends time and location.

It is similar to how we think of mindfulness as being rooted in everything that we do from waking up in the morning to eating and walking mindfully to signing off for the day.

When we pay attention to our actions and reactions, it provides a space for clarity and guides our curiosity in our thoughts.

We don't need all the answers today and not even tomorrow. Just believing that everything will be all right even if it doesn't feel that way is all it takes. To just let it be.

Love these motivational quotes just a few words to lift you to the clouds.

A word of encouragement

I always struggle with social cues and I always feel like I'm missing a memo somewhere.

It's important for me to plan ahead for the next day so I can manage my anxiety. And when people don't show up in meetings or they get canceled or moved it doesn't make me feel any better. I am not a fan of being on either side of the waiting game.

That's when a kind thought and gesture can give hope. That I matter in this world.

One of my coworkers shared a thoughtful message at work and I felt better. It was a sweet gesture, made my day, and apparently, it helped him too amidst all the projects and deadlines. It felt like I mattered at work.

Your EQ is off the charts… thanks so much Div Manickam!

I appreciate these kind words so much. It shows our human-ness in everything we do. It allows us to breathe and just be.

And I responded with my words of thanks and gratitude for feeling understood.

Thank you for your kind words - I needed that..

It’s hard to know if I am doing the right thing -- being neurodiverse, I am not good at social cues ... I care deeply or it goes above my head in new environments and group settings..

After a day of moved/canceled/no show meetings - I appreciate your kind words.. thank you!

We're all working from one project to another and with hybrid and remote work environments it can be difficult to build and foster connections with your team members.

And I learned about two tools that can help us learn about how we are all wired and what would build good harmony within the team and across different teams. This allows to better understand our colleagues and find optimal ways to work together.

• PI (predictive index)

• Clifton Strengths Finder

  
  It seems the training helps to learn how differently each individual is “wired” and how those differences can lead to either great harmony or devastating chaos, depending on how well everyone understands oneself and each other in a team.

  To learn and grow stronger as a team over time!

I also appreciated the presentations to learn about neurodiversity and sharing our strengths with Neurodiversity pathways.

During my leadership trainings, I have come across other personality tests like DiSC and Myers-Brigg, and others. Irrespective of whether we have the resources to bring any of these tools, take a moment to pause and step into each other’s shoes. Movement does magic to clear our thinking and mindset.

When the DiSC results was shared, I wasn't very comfortable with how I was portrayed. and wasn’t sure how to leverage the information. I'm learning to accept all of me as I am.

16 personalities is a free assessment if you and your team are interested.

Communication and collaboration

In our PMA class on communication, one of the tips for team collaboration is to step into their shoes. One of my students shared that they did the actual exercise where they asked everyone to take off their shoes and move one step to the person on the left. And then step into their shoes. They had folks with big shoes and small feet and vice versa. It physically made them realize the difference and a keen curiosity to understand each other better.

I loved the exercise - encourages folks to find creative ways to build harmony within the workplace. To connect with folks and be curious about them. Learn about their interests and they are triggers. Showing empathy goes a long way in fostering a shared understanding and an equitable culture.

We all come from different walks of life and our experiences shape who we are. Never assume that you know someone or understand how they feel. Taking the time to show up and be there for them - That's priceless.

I struggle with words not knowing what's okay to say and what isn't. Sometimes there's so much I want to say that I just cannot say anything at all and I freeze. And I just have to remind myself to be kind as I'm also human.

I hope and pray it'll be easier to not feel hurt when I am disappointed or cannot keep a promise or when I hurt folks by my actions. If only we could be honest with ourselves… and feel safe with being vulnerable with each other… no boundaries … no limits…

I have been using the Lark well-being coach app through Sydney and the Anthem program which helps at times with the daily check-ins on health, nutrition, sleep, and activity. And the pick-me-up messages make me feel cared for.

This song by Jon Batiste: Butterfly feels like it was for me. It was time to listen to the song again❣️

I'll be sharing my experiences on stakeholder alignment and cross-functional collaboration at the PMM summit in San Francisco this week.

I'm looking forward to teaching my first in-person one-day class and connecting with mi gente, my PMA community who have supported me during difficult times and helped me find my authentic voice. Mucho gracias 🤗 ❣️

Helping folks be their best authentic selves is my ikigai!
I'm grateful to the universe for giving me this opportunity everyday to continue to mentor, teach, explore and live life to the fullest. One day at a time!

Dahlias San Francisco - I just learned dahlias are the official flower of San Francisco - breathtaking. Join us to celebrate music at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park for the Flower Piano from Sept 13-22, 2024.

Word of the day: Fika

Fika (Noun) - Swedish word describing a moment to slow down, appreciate & savor the goodness of the simple things & moments in life

Not the ones speaking the same language but the ones sharing the same feeling understand each other - Rumi

I discovered a new walk and path right on Innes. Never knew it existed for the 5+ years that I lived here. Or maybe I don't remember.. memory seems to be fleeting sometimes.. Odd isn’t it. A step you take forward to discover a whole new world. Walk a different path from the one you always take and there is a breathtaking view of the San Francisco skyline at this Contemplation station - a miracle.

Sunrise

I am blessed to capture the sunrise every morning - some days the sky is ready to paint in colors - I am in awe… to live in the city of dreams and aspirations.

It gives hope and a beautiful way to wake up every morning. There is light after a night of darkness. I noticed since my move to Raleigh in 2020, I prefer to have the blinds up at home. As if it gives me a sense of safety and a feeling of being a part of the world around me.

The world of business

Thich Naht Hanh and his book on Art of power is eye opening in this day and world of business we are in, navigating the waves.

Highlights from the book: art of power

• Well-being of the company is crucial to the well-being of the employees and their families.

• Businesses that intelligently combine profit making with integrity and concern for the world have happier employees and more satisfied customers, while making more money.

• Three virtues are required if we are to be true leaders: the virtue of cutting off, the virtue of loving, and the virtue of insight.

• Every one of us has a strong goal for our life. We want to achieve something. We feel a ball of energy in us, a tremendous, powerful source of energy. We want to feel truly alive.

• By living your life mindfully, by expressing your creativity and wisdom in your work, you can contribute to a collective awakening of our people.

• Looking deeply, we see that it’s possible to work in the corporate world in a way that brings a lot of happiness, both to other people and to us.

• We need the support of a sangha, a group of friends who practice mindfulness.

• Mindful consumption is the only way out of the mess we have created in our society. Mindful consumption—what we eat but also what we watch, read, and listen to. We are what we consume.

• We imagine things, we construct things in our mind, and suffer because of it.

• True happiness and true power lie in understanding yourself, accepting yourself, having confidence in yourself.

• The seeds of awakening, understanding, and compassion are always in us.

• Breathing in, calming; breathing out, smiling.

  Breathing in, I feel alive; breathing out, I smile to life.

• You do your work in your company, in your organization, but you’re free. You’re not a slave of your job.
  

• MINDFUL SMILING
  “Smile, release.”

  Breathing in, I smile;

  breathing out, I let go.
  Breathing in, I smile to my body.

• We believe power will get us what we most want: freedom and happiness.

• When we are not in control of our own thoughts we are actually quite powerless, nothing more than slaves to our fears, emotions, and craving.
  

• Instead of always multitasking, we must teach ourselves to unitask.
  Every new technology promises to help us do more things at once.

• If you miss the present moment, you miss your appointment with life.
  

Loved the story of Patagonia and their commitment to make a difference in the world with the 1% for the planet initiative. In his book, Let My People Go Surfing, the CEO talks about how mindfulness enhanced his business. “As it turns out,” he writes, “the perfect place I found to apply Zen philosophy is in the business world.”

I wonder how most companies and leaders seem to make the decision to only focus on profit and bottom line. Losing sight of the impact of these decisions on employees, customers and the planet. It feels sad in the world that we live in today. To have meaning and purpose in why we wake up every morning is fundamental to our existence. It's the Japanese concept of ikigai - The purpose of being. I discovered my ikigai is to help people. That's why I wake up every morning and grateful for the opportunities to mentor and bring the best in folks… to be their true authentic selves.

It’s true that we as consumers and customers can make the change to demand conscious thinking and work to undo the damage we created in the world. It’s now or never. It’s up to all of us to bring the collective power and thinking to make a conscious living every single day. I'm trying to practice mindful consumption and live a simple minimalist life where each day matters.

Deep listening

As a team, we can strive to bring the best in each other every day. We need to practice deep listening and understand that we all come from different walks of life. And create a safe space for conversations and not dismiss ideas or viewpoints.

As a community, I am grateful for the opportunities to volunteer and support the neighborhood in any way I can. This sense of belonging is fundamental to foster a healthy community where we support each other in our own ways.

I got a chance to volunteer as part of Civic Joy Fund, an initiative to help clean up the neighborhood. A small act to support the 3rd Street Bayview community cleanup means a lot to me to be able to give back and support to have clean streets in San Francisco.

Came across these two fortune cookies during our community cleanup - couldn't agree more...

- An ounce of gold cannot buy an ounce of time.

- People first, tasks second.

Join the Bayview 3rd Street Community Cleanup
(Saturday 10-11am)

Who we are - inter being

Just read The Theseus paradox that my soul friend shared.

The Ship of Theseus, also known as Theseus's Paradox, is a thought experiment and paradox about whether an object is the same object after having had all of its original components replaced over time, typically one after the other.

Good food for thought.. who we are and how we show up everyday matters.

• I believe if it is about the identity, and the core of who you are.. that doesn't change..

• Your ethos makes you who you are.. from the day you're born.. we grow up and our environments shape who we are.. but at its core.. we are the same within..

• Overtime life happens.. and then you are on a quest to find yourself again..

At least that's what I think..

The what is, what can be and what will be are part of the paradox of life.. 🧬

Independence

Hope y’all had a wonderful 4th of July. I remember my first Independence Day after I got my citizenship in 2021 in Raleigh. It's one of those milestones and memories that I'll cherish.

I enjoyed watching the fireworks from the safety and comfort of my home. The sounds can be loud and woke me up during the night over the past few weeks in preparation for the 4th of July.

Perhaps the double pane windows helped in reducing the intensity of the sound and noise. Sometimes being hypersensitive can make you aware of things that others will not see or hear or feel.

True power

When we think about power in the world today, it is about the privileged versus the unprivileged.. we saw glimpses during the pandemic how even though the whole world was suffering, the magnitude deferred based on where you live.

Then there is the power of equality and equanimity. Being considered equal and treated as equals is a privilege. We are long ways from achieving any sense of that today. But I do believe that we will be there where we can see each other eye to eye and appreciate the other for who they are at a deeper level. Trust and credibility - we respect each other irrespective of level or title.

As I read this book: More than just a pretty face, an interesting idea about equality and the dynamics of power came to the forefront. Having a voice is fundamental to breaking the barriers. Representation matters.

When we think about colonialism and the British empire and the history that we folks learn today - those are the stories by the winners.. there's so much that is untold and not really in the books that students learn today. We need the narrative and the counter narrative to allow people to decide on their own.

And in the world of technology, Truth is power.. Even though there are countries that limit or control or ban social media, truth will always find its way.. I always admired my sister for standing up for what she believes in. As a journalist sharing her opportunity to bring humane stories to the front, to her commitment to climate change and doing her part in making a difference.

That is the heart of power, believing in the world that we want to live in and making a difference.

In our role as a leader, let’s pause and listen deeply to the unspoken words that are within the team or community. At the end of the day, we are all human. Cherish the moments together.

Today, we are going to explore the idea of a true leader. One who is authentic, humble and human. We are multitudes.

In the past week, I had an opportunity to meet our team for the first time in person. Lots of new faces and folks you saw only on zoom finally coming to life. A whole shift in dimension if you are really honest with yourself. One that makes me smile.

It made me realize how guarded we can be when we are on the screen. It also makes you wonder how much of you is out there on the screen versus in person.

As an observer, I could see the dynamics of the different teams and experience true collaboration. Often times in meetings, we don't create a space enough to allow for shared thinking and mindset. The loudest voices in the room always speak up. Is that the best way to create and foster collective intelligence?

My best thinking happens in solitude at first before I can get my ideas out there in the world. And I noticed that I hesitated to contribute at times even though my mind was running a million miles. A part of me was convinced that I didn't belong in that meeting and that my ideas didn't matter. And perhaps also trying to figure out how to stay within the lane, without crossing boundaries or stepping on others’ roles.

And how much space do we create to encourage each other to challenge each other's perspectives. Some thoughts and ideas were creative and some felt like repurposed and recycled.

It was interesting to observe how certain topics or names made me freeze. Some form of PTSD or the fear of the unknown or reliving the moment. Something that I'm going to explore more and see what is the underlying beneath the reactions.

I've been listening to the song - True Leader - Alan Walker (Your dimension). Once a walker, always a walker. The music is moving and the video and narrative of the dog as a true leader in the pack is beyond words. Somehow comforting that you don't have to be like the leaders out there. You can create your own mark and identity amidst it all.

And I miss my previous roommate’s dog Elektra - every time I see a labrador or any dog pass by, I can’t stop thinking of her unconditional love. So much love that she carved her way with those 13 year old puppy eyes into my frozen heart and melted it with her lovingkindness and care. Even though we didn’t speak the same language, I felt she understood me. I felt seen and understood more than I can explain in words. This song reminds me of her perhaps.

A true leader does not say he is the leader, he is a leader by merit, he protects the group, he fights for the group, he teaches, he dies for the group, he simply leads for the good of all, let this video serve as a lesson and help many on their journey.
- True Leader - Alan Walker (Your Dimension)

What makes a true leader?

• Be Authentic - fortunate to have leaders who are authentic and true to themselves, they can hold the ground and make the leap in their own way.

• Be Humble - being kind and humble is a virtue and we should never take it for granted.

• Be Human - in the world of AI and technology that we live in, it's easy for us to forget to be human. That's what makes us stand out - a creative soul, navigating the uncertainty and embracing hope.

We can shape the future together as we embark on the next frontier. Each step along the way, we should stay true to our values, understand each other's journeys, and be comfortable in our own vulnerabilities.

• Inspire - trust and credibility — we respect each other irrespective of title or role

• Influence - extreme ownership — we own the good, the bad and the ugly

• Impact - results and relationships — we win or lose together

I'm truly grateful for my inner circle of trusted friends and mentees who believe in me, more than I ever do. They give me the ground to stand on when I feel like everything is falling apart. I will forever be in debt for your lovingkindness.

In the month of May, I could barely get myself out of the house. It takes me a while to break out of the inertia and adjust to the change. So, I reached out to my dearest soul friend and asked for help - I knew I was good at letting myself down but I could never let my people and my team down. And June is just as good a day and month to get started.

And I'm making progress - 10,000 steps a day is my goal. I make the time between meetings or the start of the day to work towards that goal everyday. Always data driven, these stats make me want to be a better person, not better than anyone, but a better me than yesterday.

Accountability is fascinating. All it took was a nudge and telling my folks that I'm going to do this. To break from the inertia and create new memories. And to remind myself that I cant help others if I don’t take care of myself.

This is the Best weekday so far - 13K steps and 120 heart points.

And I was lucky to be able to swim twice this week. The touch of the water is comforting and I'm determined to find an option to swim every week in SF. The peace and serenity in the water is the best meditation I could ever have, a mindful practice to get the day started.

I was so excited to be amongst people that I work with, that I was waking up at 2 - 4 am and I still felt like I had enough energy at the end of the day. I realize I'm a doer and not one for small talks. And if I get the opportunity to talk about something I'm personally passionate about like food or travel, and connect with like-minded folks, I can go on the whole day. The 30min+ walks in between, aka my appointment with the sun, the wind and the earth has definitely helped. The trails near the office in Redwood shores are beautiful and truly grateful to be by the water in the Bay.

Walking on the labyrinth one morning was just what I needed to slow down. And this was the first in-person group meeting that I was in. I thought about the time in October 2021 when I had a similar group meeting in Chicago where I had my blackout. I want to think I am making progress and that I'm still feeling good and no blackout.

Of course, not every day is a rosy day. But I'll take any day that comes by, that makes me feel like I belong, that I am cared for and loved by mi gente.

I'm learning about emotions and feelings. I came across this feelings wheel to help better articulate how I feel. I'm not a fan of the blanket answer to the question ‘How are you doing’ to be ‘I'm okay..’ so now I'm learning to ask ‘How are you feeling?’.

It was great to catch up with my lunch friends and other leaders at work. I realize how much I miss working and meeting folks in the office. Each one of us has a role to play in each other's lives. I'm grateful and I'm feeling supported, cared and loved. Grazie Mille 🙏

To help and serve others is my ikigai. My purpose of being and the reason why I wake up every morning. I had an opportunity to help my mentee with her interview presentation. And to hear that the interview was great is an icing on the cake.

Something that started in 2020 and finally has taken its space in this universe. To better understand what well-being means at the workplace and how to bring teams together. From discovering the World Happiness Foundation in 2021 to the Chief Wellbeing Officer certification in 2024, this is bigger than all of me.

This is my narrative and the path forward to build trust, authenticity and belonging at the workplace and foster a safe environment for wellbeing.

Let’s start with my inner council. I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Feb 2020. I made a promise to help myself and others.

• Negative Nancy. Always telling me what’s wrong and not letting me focus on the positive.

• Worrisome Will. Always worrying about the next thing. Or the next decision. And it gives me crickets in my stomach.

• Over-thinker Bob. Always over analyzing. Trying to justify everything that I do.

• And that’s My Positive Pam. I know I got this.

Not all big decisions need to be made at once. And I can see how things go. I don’t need to rush it. And I don’t need all the answers today. Time will tell me what I need to know.

Today is another beautiful day. And I’m going to take it one day at a time.

To all those out there, trying to wake up, and break away from the pain, trust me:

You got this!

If I can do this, so can you!

Book a Wellbeing Workshop

Happiness + Essentialism

Happiness is not the things that we have.

It wasn’t just about the physical things: it was about making space for things, ideas and passions that really matter.

And that's when I stumbled upon ikigai. Iki means life and gai means worth. Ikigai is your life's worth. Finding your purpose in life. And why you exist? Why you wake up every morning? That's how I stumbled upon mentoring in 2020. When I realized that this was my purpose in life, the reason why I wake up every morning.. I'm blessed and grateful for the opportunities to help and support others.

And this has become my path forward. The road less traveled. You have the power to choose. This is your life. So please make it count from now on. Essentialism is not a lifestyle, it's a state of being happy with what truly matters. So, take a moment, in one word, how would you describe your last week?

Also, pay attention to your values and beliefs. How your week went and how you want your next week to be is grounded in — How you show up? What are your values? What are your beliefs? Inspire, influence and impact became my grounding. It became my check point when I had questions if I am making the right decision. Inspire is all about trust and credibility. To trust and respect each other respective of the level. Influence became about extreme ownership to own, what we do - the good, the bad, and the ugly and be accountable to each other. Impact was all about results and relationships, we strive for team recognition, not individual recognition - We win or lose together.

Oprah says this best - surround yourself with people who are only going to lift you higher. Very true and that's how we should always be. We don't need negative energy or friction if we can avoid it. So, let's make sure we are surrounding ourselves with people who are only going to lift us higher.

Now, well-being is critical, there's enough data to show that once we meet our basic needs, then the shift happens towards happiness, and well-being. And what makes this happen at work? What gives us that sense of belonging, purpose and to be energized is what makes us happy at work? The data shows that there is still work for us to do in creating environments that are safe.

Wellbeing Survey/Assessment

Here are 3x3 ideas/questions on a 1-5 scale(strongly disagree -> strongly agree).

• Energy - In most of my work tasks, I feel energized.

• Inclusion - My work environment feels inclusive and respectful of all people.

• Flexibility - My work has the time and location flexibility I need.
  

• Trust - I can trust people I work with in the company.

• Appreciation - There are people at work who appreciate me as a person.

• Stress free - I don't feel stressed at work most of the time.
  

• Happiness - I feel happy at work most of the time.

• Belonging - I feel a sense of belonging in the company.

• Purpose - My work has a clear sense of purpose.

And that provide the environment for us to thrive and continue to feel like we belong.

Here's another quote from Maya Angelou - People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. People will never forget how you made them feel. Very true. When I look back at my career and everything that I've been able to achieve - It's always been the relationships and how each individual or leader has made me feel.

So, let's ask ourselves a question. This was something I stumbled upon at the Jewish Contemporary Museum in San Francisco. It made me stop and think. What makes me me? So let's go through this exercise together. Let's ask ourselves - What actually makes us us.

What makes me me? To give you an example, here are the words that are on that board. Now, let's say you have an orange thread. As you are looking at the words that resonate with you, which of these words come together for you.

Take a moment. Pause, and Select the words that matter for you. For me words like Food, Photos, Nature are all part of that story and I'll show you mine in a few minutes. The next question is, what makes me feel connected. Similarly, take the next thread - the blue thread and connect the dots.

Finally, what makes me grow? Let's take the purple thread and figure out what makes me grow…

Now, this is what it looks like for me. The aspects of who I am.. What makes me me from food to photos to Nature, California. All of these are words that make me Div …

Be the change you wish to see in the world, Mahatma Gandhi.
I wish to be the change I want to see in the world as well.

Our workplaces play a significant role in our lives. Work affects both our physical and mental well-being - in good ways, and bad …

The U.S Surgeon General has shared this resource on mental health and wellbeing which is helpful to look at the core of our Worker voice and equity.

We will focus on three key areas within this.

First is trust. It's all about that. Work-life Harmony. Having that autonomy. Knowing that you are doing the right thing. Then we have authenticity, which is about mattering at work.

It's all about meaning. And the third is about belonging. It's all about that connection, the community inclusion, if you will. We can create cultures of inclusion, and belonging, we can build Society, and social connections at work. What we call pro-social Behavior. To promote social positive relationships through welcoming helping and reassuring others.

That's the workplace culture. We want to build for belonging. And when it comes to looking at aspects, such as autonomy, It's how the work is done. Does the employee have access and of with all the resources they need and the control that they need to get the work done, when they need it where they need it and how they can do it to avoid any working life conflicts, that might be there to build more trust in the workplace and to improve well-being and health.

And when it comes to meaning, this is where we have an opportunity to create and engaging and empowering Workforce. And to improve the workplace experience. Employee Engagement is not just about looking at the organization goals and objectives but also the level of commitment and enthusiasm that employees have Let's create a culture of gratitude and recognition.

This is an opportunity for us to help our employees, feel seen respected needed and valued. When employees feel appreciated recognize and engaged by their leaders. Their sense of value, and meaning increases and, as well as the ability to manage stress. This is Paramount if we want to create well-being at the workplace.

I truly believe in the butterfly effect. That small things matter and we're all connected a small change can lead to significant results over time. And we are creating that change together today here.

The best way to predict the future is to create it. So what are the defining moments that you have experienced in your life moments that either deeply affected you?

Either an inspiration or a pain or something that challenged you - What do you take away from these defining moments? I did a self-reflection in last year which allowed me to ask some of these questions for myself. And I encourage you to check it out.

As you're creating these stories of impact, ask yourself and your team, Do you feel a sense of belonging within your company?

Are you able to maintain a healthy work-life balance? And, What are your top three priorities for well-being?

Connect for a Wellbeing workshop

Thank you for your time. I encourage you to continue this discussion and think about well-being in the workplace. Have a great day.

• Sphere of influence - Workplace wellbeing

• Wellbeing in the workplace

• What's Your Pitch? A Picture-Perfect Introduction

• Essentialism (not minimalism) for your mind, body and soul

In January 2024, I joined the CWO program and I am blown away by the tenacity and willingness to make change happen with mindful folks in 60+ countries around the world. And humbled to complete the 2024 Chief Wellbeing Officer certification.

If you're interested in the next CWO cohort starting on April 25th 2024, apply for a scholarship here. Applications are open till April 15th. We need people like you that want to transform the way we understand the world with happiness and well-being.

I will cherish these kind words from Luis Gallardo, as I embark on this journey for well-being at the workplace.

Div⁩, you inspire, influence, and impact; that is part of your magic for well-being and happiness. Trust, Authenticity and Belonging are the 3 tenants that simplify all frameworks and become the core of your plans. LOVE it. Thanks for your mentorship and leadership, Always ! - Luis

And a big thank you to my CWO peer sync group for helping shape the workplace well-being plan. I appreciate you. ⁨

Luciana,⁩ Sagar, Catalina, ⁨Mauricio, Carla,⁩ Amy, Minnku - Thank you all for your loving kindness ❣️

Highlights from our peer group discussion:

• Workplace is changing

  • Work isn't working anymore

• Wellbeing is crucial for business success

  • Start small steps

• Co-create wellbeing with leaders and peers

  • Be your true authentic self
    

• Matt Nink shared a workplace wellbeing survey for creating a baseline to start the conversation.

  

• UAE vision: Happiness and wellbeing

  

• With inspirational talks from Jacqueline Brassey at McKinsey, Uma Prajapati - Upsana, Nilima Bhat - Shakti Leadership and others, I feel empowered to be the change I want to see in the world. Thank you for being a change advocate.

  • Shift from power over to power with

  • Channel outer change with inner change

    
    

TAB: Trust, Authenticity, Belonging

Inspired by the US Surgeon General’s framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well‑Being, I created a simple starter workplace wellbeing framework - TAB.

• Trust -> Work-Life Harmony -> Autonomy

• Authenticity -> Mattering at work -> Meaning

• Belonging -> Connection & Community -> Inclusion

• What is Your Personal Definition of Belonging?

• What is Your Team’s Definition of Belonging?

• What is Your Organization’s Definition of Belonging?

I am passionate to empower teams and organizations to create a safe environment where we can foster meaningful work and belonging.

Sharing the presentation I reviewed with Luis for the workplace wellbeing plan.

And in the Work3 - The Future of Work newsletter, I came across this post from Smiley Poswolsky, a force of good. What a small world… We are both paving the path for workplace belonging in our own way.

Love these ideas on 'Quarter-life Breakthrough', the moment when we focus:

1. Invent our own path and not being limited by societal expectations or the fear of failure.

2. Find meaningful work that reflects their interests and allows them to give back and help others.

3. Build a career and life that is financially viable while also being personally fulfilling.

Smiley developed the concept of switching to think about 'Lily Pads' instead of Career Ladder:

Embracing Lateral Moves - The lily pad approach empowers people to hop between "lily pads" - different roles, industries, or even entrepreneurial ventures - in pursuit of a more enriching and rewarding career path.

Holistic Well-being - The importance of overall well-being, recognizing that true fulfillment comes from a sense of purpose, work-life balance, and the ability to make a positive impact on the world around us.

I came across the Quarter life breakthrough book in 2021 and it gave me hope.

And excited to discover the Workplace Belonging Toolkit. Love the lily pad concept vs career ladder - lateral careers will be explored in different dimensions to find meaning and purpose in career and life.

Friends with Smiley

The Workplace Belonging Toolkit is here!

Hi friends! Special announcement today. I made something beautiful and I’m so proud of it! Introducing: THE WORKPLACE BELONGING TOOLKIT. An actionable guide to create a culture of belonging and human connection in the future of work. Full of resources, reflection exercises, practical tips, stories, experiences, and worksheets all designed for to help yo…

Read more

2 years ago · 3 likes · Smiley

And in the Mission: Joy - Finding Happiness in Troubled Times Netflix documentary with Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu , it was more apparent how crucial joy and happiness is for wellbeing as a community.

Suffering is the pathway to compassion and kindness.
Well being is a skill just like how we learn to brush our teeth over time.

This documentary reminds us that it's important to connect with each other and bring joy.

Ubuntu - we belong in this delicate network with other beings. We can be human together.

• We are a masterpiece in the making. We are not perfect. We are human.

• Basic human nature is good. We are wired to be compassionate.
  
  The news makes us feel like there is only negative and bad things happening.
  The key to joy is to get in touch with your own natural compassion.
  

• Forgiveness does not mean forget.

  • Forgiving is not a sign of weakness.

  • Forgiveness is to work together for a better tomorrow.
    
    
    Song: We are the world.. to create a better place.. just you and me..
    

    
    The best friendships are the ones that are based on profound respect for each other.
    Desmond Tutu’s daughter, Mpho Tutu van Furth
    

And I love this thought shared by my dear friend - a reminder that we bloom in our own way and pace.

Oubaitori is an ancient Japanese idiom that emphasizes the importance of not comparing oneself to others.

Loved the discussions and the opportunity to inspire the future workforce.

We started each class with a 2 minute mindful practice. With personal stories and experiences, we brainstormed and crafted our own picture perfect introduction. We explored collaborative thinking and creative confidence. And I shared my personal life and career journey with 21 reflections.

Visual Identity

Who am I is a question we often ask and are seeking answers.

What makes me me? How are my perceived by my peers and teams?

Visual identity and perception go hand in hand in the world of business and life.

Monroe's Motivated Sequence explanation with examples for persuasive speeches. Your supporting steps from stats to quotes help shape your narrative and story.

I shared the progress on my own picture perfect introduction and the evolution over the past 5 years on identity and personal brand.

We have all been faced with a simple statement:
“Tell me a little bit about yourself”

And I ask: “What exactly do you want to know about me?
How much is too much information to share?”

And we had a fun breakout for 20 minutes to craft a picture perfect introduction and the students got creative with their storytelling.

• Brainstorm topics/themes that represent your story.

• Find photos and words to create your introduction.

Personal Brand

Creative confidence

Lead the conversation

We don’t need all the answers. We need the right frameworks to carry the conversation forward. We need the confidence to lead the way and be comfortable with the unknown.

Be your authentic voice

Don’t be afraid to raise concerns or shed light to the wrongs in the workplace. Each of us have an authentic voice. We need to be brave and be comfortable with who we are and be ok if folks don’t understand.

Embrace fear

So, from one who has lived in fear all her life to the new me, all I have to say is this:

Fear will be right next to you everytime, you do something out of your comfort zone. You will struggle to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And that’s ok. Confidence is a zone that we enter once we embrace fear and welcome with both hands.

Collaborative Thinking

I was amazed how the Mind Patterns and Thinking Talent map helped me better understand my flow - KVA(Kinesthetic, Visual, Auditory). We all assume that everyone must read, write and learn in the same way. This book helps you to understand that is not true. Find out what is your Mind Pattern and unlock your true potential to learn and focus.

KVA - Kinesthetic, Visual, Auditory

• Kinesthetic: I noticed that when I teach my classes, I am full of energy when I stand. This is how I focus best - by movement.

• Visual: I always took notes when I was a student and now I know why. I am a visual learner. That’s probably also why I love to share my story in visual ways like my picture perfect introduction.

• Auditory: This is my last one - I don’t really learn much or focus just by listening. That’s probably why I listen to audiobooks on Alexa and follow the words along in the book/kindle. Or I walk and listen to audiobooks. Quite an introspection on why I do what I do. 
  

And we wrapped up with the 21 reflections and books that changed my life.
Here are 3 reflections for you!

• Time is the biggest wealth

  Are you spending time on what matters?

• Do what you love (Ikigai)

  Find meaningful work - mentor

• Success on your own terms

  My career was several detours and reached a place I am happy with..

and here are a few quotes that inspire me everyday.

And thank you Doris for the wonderful and thoughtful gift.

Resources:

• PDF - Visual Identity and Brand - Div Manickam @NCSU - March 2024

• 2min Mindful Motivations: Intention | Focus | Creativity | Lovingkindness

• Picture perfect introduction

• Creative confidence

• Collaborative thinking KVA - Kinesthetic, Visual, Auditory

• The Science of Well-Being

• Life and career journey - 21 reflections 

• TED Talk: Start with Why - Simon Sinek

I'm grateful for the opportunity to be amongst the wellbeing and happiness experts for the Chief wellbeing and wellness officer program by the World happiness foundation. I am eager to bring this learning into my teams, students and mentees.

We are happiest when we have a purpose in our professional and personal lives. It’s not enough to simply exist. We want not only to survive but thrive.

Reference: 5 essentials for workplace mental health & wellbeing surgeongeneral.gov/workplace

McKinsey health institute and Jacqueline brassey shared some key data to help us look at employee well-being in a different light. Thanks Jacqueline for opening our eyes to the key enablers of wellbeing.

Reframing employee health: Moving beyond burnout to holistic health with an integrated view of an individual’s social, physical, spiritual and mental health.

Teamwork

The sense of belonging to a team and feeling valued is priceless. It can boost productivity and drive meaning for one’s own work.

When you start a new role you don't quite know if you have found the right team. It's a belief and faith that during the interview process you were able to see and experience the team in its solidarity.

• Often times you start trying to fit in. That's a mistake. Be authentic self and if your valued for what you have to provide, that's all that matters for authenticity.

• When you're working on your performance goals for the year think about collaboration as a key element.

As a people pleaser I always struggled with finding the right balance of holding ground or doing what is expected of me without questioning the status quo.

Now, I'm getting better at feeling confident at the alternatives and when to challenge the status quo.

I encourage you to look at the team dynamics in your first few weeks and months in the new role. There will always be folks who are outspoken and folks who are reserved within a team.

This is where the magic happens - when the team really puts their heart and soul into what would they do and how they can support each other to be their true authentic selves. This is the best harmony and synergy one could aim for in a team.

Loneliness

Recently San Mateo county announced the health epidemic of loneliness - the first in the US: San Mateo County becomes 1st in US to declare loneliness as health emergency.

"This is a problem that has been building for decades in our country. COVID certainly worsened it and poured fuel on the fire. But that fire was burning before," said Dr. Vivek Murthy.

Is it mere coincidence this county is where I live? Only time will tell. As a change maker, I will do my part to make a difference.

• This makes you question the dynamics of community and society at play.

• As humans we are grounded by the ability to do what we love and find the opportunities to support each other.

• As a mentor I'm privileged to be part of the product marketing alliance, ADP list and the various mentoring platforms to be that support and listen to folks needs.

“The best thing you can do to give back to the community and feel like you belong together” - Div Manickam

PMA mentor program

Today, I had a heartfelt conversation with one of my mentees on the disconnect between corporate america and the employee wellbeing. At first, I was scared that I am a nobody and cannot do much. But now I am convinced I can take small steps to make a difference. Butterfly effect …

As individuals, it is our responsibility to connect with folks within our teams, communities and society. That’s how we will create a world that is worth living.

I am humbled by this chance and the serendipity to read the book Project UnLonely: Healing Our Crisis of Disconnection at the library this weekend. There is one golden nugget that I took away - creative expression and the power of community and belonging.

THE GIFT OF LONELINESS

• Which brings us to the public health impact of loneliness. For many years now, I have sought to address loneliness both as a public health issue and as a challenge to what it means to be a happy, healthy, contributing member of society, to thrive and flourish.

• I believe we must begin to include creative expression throughout the life span, if only for the pure joy of it, the same way millions continue to play sports after childhood, even though they are not professional athletes. They play because it's fun and because it's good for their physical and mental health. Millions more adults need to create and share their creations for the same reasons.

"I don't feel very much like Pooh today," said Pooh.
"There, there," said Piglet. "I'll bring you tea and honey until you do." - A. A. MILNE

He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.
-FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE

Find sources of joy whatever that may be and devote time to practice creative expression. That is my balance - flower photography and travel / foodie videos are integral to my wellbeing and to thrive in this world of sensory and information overload. Find your creative outlet or hobby that is your time and space to breathe.

To the change makers - do your small part to create our world of joy and happiness!

Wow, 2023 was a miracle. Every day from the 1st of January to the 31st of December, I am in awe by the miracles of the universe.

• On Jan 1, I welcomed the new year with a beach sunrise in the Indian Ocean in Calicut, Kerala, India.

• On Dec 30, I wrapped up 2023 by the Pacific Ocean with a walk on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.

• And every day in between was an intention to be fully present in everything I do.

As I think about 2024, I received an email this morning with new year wishes and asking for 3 words for the theme for 2024.

My theme for 2024: Connection, Synergy and to be Fearless.

• Connection: I am truly blessed by the connections and folks who continue to be my guiding light. Lucky to have met folks in person in 2023 and would love to foster the meaningful conversations in 2024.

• Synergy: I am amazed by the opportunities that unfolded in the past few years and looking to build new synergies with mindful folks in 2024.

• Fearless: I still let fear overcome me at times. 2024 is a milestone year marking my 40th year of life in this beautiful world. I aspire to be fearless in every way.

As I continue my ritual that started in 2018, to reflect on 2023 and share my personal OKRs for 2024, I am convinced by the power of intention and goals.

2023 Highlights to share with y’all:

• Mentor - 6000+ minutes, 21+ countries, 75+ mentees

  

• Product Marketing - Blessed to teach PMMC Core to 350+ students globally (North America, Europe, Asia). Grateful to be part of the Scholar program.
  

• Travel - When I wrote about my next destination as Portugal in Dec 2022, I had no idea what or how it would unfold. I am fortunate for the opportunity to travel for 4 months in Portugal and the UK. Truly appreciate folks sharing their homes and lives.

• Duolingo - I started to learn portuguese in March 2023 and added 5 more languages in Aug 2023 to diversify my learning - Spanish, Portuguese | French, Italian | Korean, Japanese.

  

  I am guided by the 3 quests every day and love the friend quests. As of Dec 31, 2023, I am on a 273 day streak. I stopped looking at the leaderboard and that has been super helpful to continue to learn and not compete.

  

• Read 140 books - inspired by the ideas and perspectives from various authors. And the recent books are guiding me on a path to understand my social anxiety and mannerisms - and what it means to have the tools and learn more about the autism spectrum.

  • Few books I recommend on understanding autism and women — Recognizing Autism in Women and Girls: Opening Doors to Success

  • Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity

  • We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation

To build on the reflection for the year on what worked or didn’t work in 2023, I use a simple framework - Start, Stop, Continue.

These were my north star metrics to guide my path ahead in 2023. Let’s see how did I do in these areas that matter to me…

• 50+ mentees - career growth | authentic leadership | product marketing - > 75

• 20+ blogs - career growth | authentic leadership | product marketing → 50 blogs ~1/week, total 140 as of 12.31.23

• 100+ books to read - mindfulness | leadership | memoirs → 140

• 500+ photos on Unsplash - nature | flowers | food | travel → 989+ total as of Dec 31, 2023.

  

• 50+ videos on YouTube Nowhere - nature | flowers | food | travel - > 48 videos in 2024, total 177 videos, 124 subscribers as of Dec 31, 2023

  

• 3+ books to self-publish - food | photography | career growth → 0, started working on One meal at a time, and plan to publish in Jan 2024.

And to set the path for 2024:

• Start - Learn to swim. Visit the northern lights and experience aurora borealis.

• Continue - I love what I do. Committed to continue my ikigai as a Mentor and Explorer around the world. The little joys of life!

2024 Personal OKRs - Div

Each year continues to shape the following year and there is pure joy in gaining clarity to focus on what matters.

 🦋 2024 Personal OKRs - Div  🦋

Objective:
Live a meaningful life, mindfully and be fully present in every moment.
One day at a time.

Mentor: be a guiding light - career growth | authentic leadership | product marketing

Explore: be in awe with miracles around the world - books | food | travel | nature 

Share: be a voice for the unspoken - stress and anxiety | mindfulness | belonging

What does success look like? A few milestone metrics to guide my year and build on the momentum so far. It’s the act of lovingkindness, to help folks be their best. And to do what makes me alive, feel joy in every moment and be fully present.

• 50+ mentees - career growth | authentic leadership | product marketing
  

  Book a mentor session | Pay it forward

• 30+ blogs - career growth | authentic leadership | product marketing

• 100+ books to read - mindfulness | leadership | memoirs

  

• 500+ photos on Unsplash - nature | flowers | food | travel

• 50+ videos on YouTube Nowhere - nature | flowers | food | travel

• 2+ books to self-publish - food | photography | career growth

Everytime my mentee or peer asks: what does it take to be an authentic leader, I have only one answer: Lead with your mind, heart and soul. It will guide you and help define your true authentic self.

• Lead with your mind: Be fearless. Be curious and honest in your actions. Stay realistic within context and understanding.

• Lead with your heart: Be brave. Foster empathy with your team, peers, leadership and yourself at all times.

• Lead with your soul: Be bold. Every day is a new beginning. Listen to how you feel with your soul. The universe conspires and guides you in your path.

Authentic leadership is a symbiotic relationship. Not just a give or take. I have read a lot about servant leadership. Authentic leadership goes one step further. It shapes who you are and there is only one you in this world. Embrace it.

We all have our doubts and confidence shattered at times. To be authentic, we need to own it all - the good, bad and the ugly.

Here are some questions from a podcast and I wanted to share a few ideas on Authentic Leadership, picture perfect introduction and ikigai. 

What have you learned the most about writing about authentic leadership?

When I wrote the book Fearless in 2022, it was to help folks who aspire to be an authentic leader. Sharing my learnings from 10+ years on what kind of leader I wanted to be.

I aspire to be Fearless and an authentic leader who cares about my team and will always be there.

Authentic leadership, to me, means being your own true self. We are all human and need to respect and care for each other at all times.

As easy as it sounds, this is the most difficult part of authentic leadership - not everyone will agree with your style.

• Leadership is a privilege, let's not take it for granted. And we're blessed to have this opportunity in a lifetime to lead teams, make it count.

• We're not born as leaders - we learn as we go and also learn what we don't like.
  

When I cannot reason with my mind, I write with my heart and soul.

This book is for dreamers and explorers, who are not okay with the expectations to fit in. I'm creating my own world where I belong and I invite each of you to be the change you wish to see in the world.

What is the picture perfect introduction? 

This is an idea from 2017 that I embraced as it allowed me to tell my story in pictures. it became the opening conversation during interviews, team introductions and networking. It painted a picture that spoke more than a thousand words.

It helped me define who I am and what parts of my life is to be included in the story called Div. It was fascinating to see how I wanted to simplify the story with the bare essentials that would have the essence of me.

This is my picture perfect introduction from April 2023 with my core values and my love for travel, flowers and sweets.

Ikigai: How do people find this in imperfect environments? 

In 2020, I was determined to find my ikigai - my purpose in life. It’s feels like wishful thinking but there is more truth than that meets the eye.
And when I look back, mentoring became my fountain of joy, where I can help folks be their best. This is my high energy moment in life. Where each conversation boosts life into my soul. This makes me feel alive. I am blessed to lead and mentor folks.

In imperfect environments, we need this more than ever. Only because this is the meaningful work in life. As we embark on a new year, month and week, it’s our opportunity as leaders to bring our passion, energy and drive. Let’s hit refresh, reboot, restart — whichever makes sense for you. Open a new page, and write inspiring stories to reflect on as memories in the next year.

We are so busy all the time that we often don’t pause to reflect as much as we should. It’s an always-on, always-go era, and we need to be mindful of not letting burnout be the norm. It’s our responsibility as leaders to bring balance in our teams and our own lives.

What do most leaders get wrong in being an authentic leader? Is there a need for the right balance?   

There is no right or wrong in authentic leadership. We all learn from each other. When I started to lead, I had to unlearn first. That’s where we go wrong at times. We think we have the answers. Truth is we don’t. We have a compass and we can go in various directions. We collaborate with our team and peers to define the north star and find the right path forward.

That’s where we should spend our time as authentic leaders. Be the guide, compass and foster collaboration and open discussion with diverse perspectives. The world is an interesting place and it’s up to us to make it what we want it to be. There is enough kindness in this world that I am sure we can support and respect each other.

A toxic work environment stifles creativity and growth. We need to create and foster a safe environment for innovation and bring our best selves at work and life always.

Mentoring was all I could think of in 2020-21. As if that was my sign. My ikigai waiting for me all this while. I started to observe the story I told folks who asked why I mentor. How this is the most fulfilling role I have played in my life as a mentor. To help, guide, support and empower folks. Nothing else mattered.

And its true - this wasn’t work for me. Every conversation was comforting and I loved connecting with folks around the world - an attempt to make their day a little better than before.

I have discovered amazing mentoring communities and would like to thank each community for showing me a place where I belong and be my true authentic self.

• ADPList - this was the first one my sis shared in Dec 2021, when I said this is what I want to do when I left my full time job. It doesn’t pay my bills, but it was comforting in its own way - to know that I could help someone in need.

  

• PMA mentor - As a PMA ambassador, I was lucky to meet amazing product marketers around the world starting in July 2020. I had set an OKR of connecting with 10 mindful folks and was able to support 15+ folks. Truly blessed by the chance to be in their lives. These folks are my bedrock and now good friends over time. There is power in community and belonging.

  

• Growthmentor - since 2022, I have had the opportunity to mentor folks in product, design, marketing, leadership and mindfulness. Heartwarming.

  

• Mentorcruise - at the end of 2022, I came across this platform with paid mentorships. By this time, I found my sweet spot - career growth, authentic leadership and product marketing. This was my aha moment that I could make mentoring work for me over time. This was my first baby step into paid mentoring and doing what I love.

  

• These experiences and the vote of confidence from my mentees gave me the courage to create my own mentoring services - Pay it forward 1:1 and monthly mentorship in 2023.

  

  

• Other mentoring platforms that came along via introductions in the past few years have shown me the way of life - to help and support each other in whatever way I can - to make it a little better.

  • Draper University

  • Multiverse

  • Cultivate BPTN

  • Mentorgain
    

Mentoring is about the commitment and accountability. We have to be invested in each other’s success and growth.

• It’s not ok to book a session and not show up. This is true for both mentee and mentor. We are here to create opportunities at the same level. And mutual respect is key to foster this relationship.

  • There are times I wait for 10 minutes and send a message on the mentoring platform. At times, life happens and I understand.

• Get to know each other - who we are beyond the job titles and know their story, their struggles, their life. We shape each other and can bring the best together.

• Set the intention on what this mentoring session means for you. Find the right balance to tap into opportunities, build network connections and just be human.

• Each conversation opens a new door, a different path than you could imagine. Reach out and be open to new ideas and perspectives.

• The world is your oyster - only you can be YOU. So, lift your chin and be the best YOU, you can be.

Wondering where to start, as either a mentee or mentor?
Start right where you where. Take the first step. Join a community that connects with your values and beliefs. I wish you all the very best as you discover more of you in the world. Trust me, there is lovingkindness around the world. We just need to be ready to see, feel and embrace the connection.

I always struggled in teams and organizations where people were out to get you and put you down. That’s when I decided my happy zen is when I can help and support, lift each other and empower folks. And I am blessed by the opportunity to have you all in my life. Gracias! Obrigada!

Mentoring with Div

Every time you are ready to explore and learn something new, how do you feel?

Is there inertia? Is there procrastination? Or are you all set and ready to wander into the unknown.

As a leader, it can be challenging to hold a steady ground and feel like the foundation is set in the right way. Guess what, sometimes we are hacking our way through until we find our authentic voice and lead by example.

I am blessed to have led teams across the world and the best part is the opportunity to inspire and influence folks in their mindset.

In our PMA scholar class yesterday, I shared with my students - the 21 books that changed my thinking mindset and showed me the path less traveled. To feel calm and peace amidst the uncertainty and chaos.

Swimming

If you know swimming and take it for granted, please don’t. I had tried to learn swimming 10 years ago, but without much success. And now I am committed to learn to swim. So far in the past month, I feel at ease in the water - I can float and hold my breath - that is a small win. I feel less tired and exhausted as compared to 10 years ago. Perhaps I have better stamina and energy now than before.

When I came to the UK in May, I got a chance to go the Better UK to learn swimming. Just a few weeks ago, I had mentioned how I love the water and the ocean but can’t swim when I was in Lisbon, and there was a swimming pool 5min from the apartment. But I had inertia to take the first step. I convinced myself that I don’t speak portuguese and I was certain that there wouldn’t be instructors who speak english. I didn’t want to feel unsafe in the pool with language as barrier.

Yes, I am continuing my learning portuguese on duolingo, but it’s barely enough to have a conversation. So, when the chance to learn swimming came again I took it with my whole heart and mind, determined to learn to swim in 2 months.

I love the ocean and it connects with me in ways I cannot describe. I am determined and focused. This cannot be an excuse anymore. Growing up in Saudi Arabia, learning to swim wasn’t on the list of options for girls and I didn’t think much until I was exposed to the different lifestyles around the world while living in the US.

And who knew swimming is a dance of our mind and body in a rhythm? Right now, I am learning to swim and breathe and it’s hard. I can only coordinate one thing at a time. Our instructor says to count “one mississippi, two mississippi, three mississippi, breathe”. And I opened my mouth to say it and took in a lot of water.. silly me. Take 2, I counted in my mind, only to realise that I was holding my breath.

Learn to unlearn

The biggest lesson as a leader is to unlearn. That’s where authenticity shines. Because only you can be you. No matter what you know, always have a beginner’s mind. This will change your life for the best.

I think that’s why I love to travel and explore. The comfortness of walking a new street a few times and then knowing your way is just wonderful. I have been to Cambridge 3 times, and recently showed my friend who lives in the UK around River Cam and was amazed how I already felt comfortable with the streets. Yes, there were a few times I popped up google maps, but even the streets that I hadn’t walked felt welcoming. Not the feeling lost sense, but the wow, a new road and path to learn and discover. This is magical. That’s the ability to unlearn what we know and make room for all the new things in life.

That was cooking for me as well. Before, I cooked for cooking sake - it was a chore. Now I cook because there is a synchronicity that I enjoy when the spices and flavors blend to create a dish and recipe that I never tried before. I love to experiment and try new things. I am embracing that part of me. I don’t like to cook fast. I take my sweet time to cook slow and enjoy the journey. And food seems to taste better.

As you learn who you want to be, listen to the sounds and the aura around you. It speaks to you. The energy can make you feel alive. And that is a beautiful feeling.

Embrace the shift and the winds will craft the next step in your journey. Your symphony with the orchestra of your words, thoughts and actions. You belong.