CitySquare’s Post

Liminal – To Be Betwixt and Between Innovation happens in the seams between disciplines and communities. The innovation leader seeks out the liminal spaces between communities to explore new practices or practices that might be adapted from other communities.  One community may have adopted a new practice that can then be appropriated by the innovation leader in another community.  The need is not for invention, but for conversation to explore what is possible and bring it into being within the community. Those conversations happen in the liminal spaces both cognitively and physically. It is uncomfortable to live in liminal spaces. It is one reason that the master of a single discipline often finds it challenging to become an innovation leader. We long to be part of a community and to be recognized within our community, whether it is family, the school cohort, military unit, or a profession.  This desire for community and belonging makes living in the liminal spaces feel incomplete.  When a person feels that “I am between communities”, they often perceive that they are not part of any community.  That feeling of aloneness may be the most intimidating aspect of innovation leadership.  As innovation leaders, we must cultivate a sense of joy for the liminal spaces and in occupying that space give permission for others to join us in this new space.  As innovation leaders gain proficiency in the practices of innovation leadership, they begin to reframe their time in liminal spaces as opportunities to be members of multiple communities at the same time. Picture below of the Lone Cypress evokes both the beauty and fragility of living in the liminal spaces. #ForeignAreaOfficers #innovationleaders #liminalspaces

Recruiting top talent is like collecting art. Here’s what I mean: - One-of-a-kind talents need to be discovered and courtedーsometimes over many years. - Usually, they’re not “on the market”, and when they are, you need to act fast. - You’ll pay more upfront in comp, but you’re locking in their future value. This year, I hired two total rockstars whom I first connected with in 2019 and 2020 respectively. It only made sense for them to join WithMe nowーand even though they’re new here, they’re already proving to be game-changers. So keep playing the long game and mapping the universe of unique talent out there. #recruiting #toptalent #leadership #hiringright

One of the best things about strategy days is seeing how different parts of the business—engineering, sales, operations, R&D, design, and more—come together. It’s always surprising how people from completely different backgrounds can come together on key points and create a shared vision. It's all about bringing everyone's strengths to the table and working towards a common goal. This week, we had the privilege of joining our clients at PolyUnity Tech Inc for their strategy week. From refining the "why we exist" to setting goals for the next year and envisioning where they want to be in 100 years, the discussions were both deep and forward-thinking. What always stands out about PolyUnity is their culture—it's something you can reach out and touch. It's a tangible energy that drives innovation and alignment across the entire team. Taking part in these conversations was a great reminder of how important it is to have a clear and shared vision. And the power of taking a few days to work ON the business, not IN the business. Oh, and snacks. Did you know Jacqueline Lee is CEO but also Chief Baker? Looking forward to seeing the incredible milestones this team will achieve in the coming year and beyond! 👌 Dr. Stephen Ryan Mark J. Gillingham Nicole Bishop Dan Brake Jason Stock Hind Faiad Rachel Tobin Johanna Brown #Strategy #Teamwork #Innovation #Leadership #BusinessGrowth

Over the past 5+ years I’ve been asked many times, “How do you build community?” or “How have you built such an inclusive community?” When I started Luminary it was important to me that our foundation of inclusion and belonging started with our own team and expanded to our Members, to our speakers and our programming itself. It’s very purposeful and intentional in everything we do. But whether you’re building a company, managing a team, just starting out in your career, managing through a transition, you have the opportunity to create community and be a culture carrier. It starts with you. And my community building didn’t start with launching Luminary, it’s been part of building and navigating my career since I entered the workforce. I’m a firm believer that as a leader you must practice what you preach and truly walk the walk. But being a leader isn’t just about a title or level; it’s about your actions, building relationships, establishing influence, knowledge sharing, and you can do that any stage of your path/career/business. That’s what I see every day at Luminary. And I love getting to highlight our community. I met Ana Nouel, Founder of Atabey Coffee Roasters, two years ago at Luminary LIVE in LA. Ana’s not only building her business, but she’s building a community around her company, her mission, her leadership, and herself. It’s a privilege to be a part of her journey. How are you building community? How are you leading by example? #community #womenintheworkforce #leadership #career

Reflecting on an inspiring virtual Town Hall this week, where our team rallied around near-term goals and vision for the years ahead. The Officer team and I value these moments of transparency, open communication, and learning what’s top of mind for people at Leaf Home.  Our discussion included:  ✅ Expanding and innovating on product lines while swiftly responding to market needs. ✅ Leveraging data science and AI to inform every aspect of decision-making. ✅ Harnessing the strengths of our existing infrastructure to drive sustainable growth. ✅ Nurturing a culture where innovation happens daily, and teams collaborate seamlessly across functions. ✅ Investing in our people—our greatest asset and key to achieving future success.  I'm excited about the road ahead and grateful for each member of the Leaf Home team. By aligning our efforts across these priorities, we're not just building a great culture; we're forging a winning team that will thrive together. #LeafHome #Leadership   

At Square One, there's no end to growth and learning. Here are a few glimpses of our recent workshop on personal and professional development, time management, soft skill development, and numerous other skill sets designed to transform one's very life! #WeKeepGrowing #SquareOne #SquareOne #squareonecommunications #Squareonemedia #digitalmarketing #DigitalAgency #realestatemarket #realestate #digitalmarketingexpert #companyculture #officeactivities

Expanding Horizons: David Moore, CEO, reflects on WATG's transformative journey over the past three years. Under his leadership, WATG has leveraged its deep domain knowledge in hospitality to expand into new sectors including gaming, multifamily residential, and senior living. Key milestones include: + Geographic expansion with new offices in Dallas and Atlantic City. + Growth in gaming, driven by the acquisition of SOSH. + Diversification into multifamily residential and senior living. + Innovation through AI and emerging technologies, reshaping our approach to design and operations. David’s vision for the future is clear - expand, innovate, and lead the way. We are committed to staying ahead of market trends and delivering world-class solutions to our clients globally. 🎥 Watch the full video here - https://hubs.ly/Q02TNFpm0 #WATG #WimberlyInteriors #Leadership #Innovation #DesignExcellence #Growth #AI #GamingDesign #HospitalityDesign #StrategicGrowth #FutureOfDesign

🎉 The Value of Feeling Special at Work If you want your team to go the extra mile, start by making sure they feel valued. 🎂 I’ll never forget when I accepted my offer to join Square (Cash App). Before I even started, Jesse Wilson and Marcelo Cortes showed up with an ice cream cake to celebrate. It was such an incredible way to bond as a growing team in Waterloo. With that simple act, I knew I was joining something special. 🏈 There’s been a strong narrative lately that work teams operate more like professional sports teams than families. While I agree, we shouldn’t lose sight of this: the highest-performing teams are the ones where people are committed to each other. #Leadership #TeamBuilding #WorkplaceCulture

🌍 Embracing Cultural Diversity at MadBrains Technologies 🌍 At MadBrains Technologies, we celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures that make up our amazing team. Here’s why we love cultural diversity: Why Cultural Diversity Rocks: - Broader Perspectives: Diverse backgrounds bring unique viewpoints, fostering creativity and innovation. - Enhanced Problem-Solving: Different experiences and ideas lead to better, more effective solutions. - Inclusive Environment: A diverse team creates a welcoming space where everyone feels valued and respected. - Global Reach: Understanding various cultures helps us connect with clients and partners worldwide. We believe that our strength lies in our diversity. Let’s continue to learn from each other and grow together! 🌐❤️ How does cultural diversity enrich your workplace? Share your thoughts below! #CulturalDiversity #Inclusivity #TeamMadBrains #TheMadBrains #GlobalTeam #Innovation

Today marks my 5 years at Square. In honor, I'm having a pizza bagel and sharing a few reflections. * People with taste can cook across disciplines. Look for that when hiring. Never settle and invest generously. * Leave room for unstructured time. This is where the good stuff happens. * Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. In the past 5 years, I've had 6 managers, countless reorgs, multiple shifts in strategy and at times, massive uncertainty. Stability is what you make of it. * A person who feels appreciated will always do more than is expected. Earlier this year I was tapped by our CEO to join Block's core leadership team. It reminded me of this, "One of the biggest inhibitors of success for design leaders is the quality of support they get from the person they report into." While I don't report directly to Jack, his actions were a massive morale boost during a time I felt quite undervalued. * People buy products when they feel seen and understood. Empathy is a powerful thing so do everything you can to stay as close to your customer as possible. Also, protip: spend time with your sales and account management teams - they're a wealth of knowledge. Too few creatives take advantage of this. * Design isn't just pushing pixels. It's also storytelling, partnership, research, experimenting, and business acumen. Don't get caught in the craft vortex. * The focus of our curiosity determines the trajectory of our lives. I didn't say that but I 100% believe it. Thank you, Square. There's been multiple times where I can't stop thinking about a project, an idea, can't pull myself away from my work, when I forget to eat or pee, when I'm wide awake when I'm supposed to be asleep... and that's when you know you found it. Here's to 5 more years of big ideas, creating desire, and economic empowerment.