Francis Energy, LLC’s Post

I just had to share this master class by Greg Cunningham, MBA on how we should be talking and thinking about diversity, equity, and inclusion. I also want to thank Jason DeRusha for having this important discussion with a leader like Greg who gets it. It was great to hear Greg help the audience understand that diversity is happening all around us, whether we want to accept it or not. I believe corporations have a decision to make: Put their heads in the sand or build strategies that will allow them to support their ever-increasing diverse employee and consumer populations. For over twenty years, I have been coaching CEOs and executives that it should always be about the business. As Greg shares, it’s vital for corporations to have workforces that represent their consumer base. And guess what, if you want to attract that top talent to your organization, you need to have a strategy in place that will allow you to succeed in a highly competitive market. This is why I am so thankful to support clients like U.S. Bank who understand this. If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to listen: https://lnkd.in/gbuHvTbw

Want to start your day with inspiration? In a world that often shies away from disagreement, Margaret Heffernan’s TED Talk, “Dare to Disagree,” is a powerful reminder of the importance of constructive conflict in driving progress. Margaret begins with the compelling story of Alice Stewart, whose groundbreaking research proved a link between x-ray exposure and childhood cancer, and her relationship with George Neill, who played the 'devils advocate', illustrating how dissent can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. Margaret’s message is clear: Great ideas thrive in environments where diverse perspectives are valued, they aren’t born from echo chambers. Instead, they thrive in environments where challenging the status quo is encouraged, and diverse perspectives are sought. She urges us to seek out ‘thinking partners’, people who are different from us, who can question our assumptions and help us see blind spots. In our organisations and personal lives, fostering a culture where dissent is valued can lead to better decision-making, innovation, and growth. As Margaret puts it, “conflict is thinking, and thinking is progress.” Let’s not be afraid to disagree. Instead, let’s dare to engage in meaningful debates and discussions that push us all forward. For those who haven’t seen the talk, I highly recommend it for a dose of inspiration on how we can all benefit from daring to disagree. Let's embrace meaningful debates and discussions that push us forward. Once you've watched, I'd love to hear your thoughts, disagree with me, lets debate the message. What resonated with you the most? On a personal note, I'm so lucky to have people in my life that challenge me, continually getting me to seek to find better alternatives, that challenge my 'status que' - you know who you are and I'm thankful you're a part of my life. #Leadership #Innovation #MargaretHeffernan #TEDTalks #ProfessionalGrowth

This really resonated with me. As a serial innovator, and yes, procrastinator, I love the message from Adam Grant here. Failure is a great teacher. Don’t fear failure. Fear failure to try. Don’t worry if something doesn’t come together immediately. Let it marinate. Throw things at the wall. Start projects. Allow yourself to be wrong, make mistakes, walk away from bad ideas with a lesson learned. Try again. Believe in yourself.

An interesting way to reflect on why at times (even within ourselves) change can challenging. Framing change through an the lens of technical/adaptive is essential as a mindset shift requires more reflection and effort.

I love this short teaser of a Harvard Graduate School of Education lecture by Lisa Lahey. We all know what it feels like to know we want to change something, but it just doesn't happen. From basic things like wanting to exercise more to wanting to approach a conversation in a different way, we all have our challenges. Behavior changes may seem cognitively easy, but it may be emotionally (usually subconsciously) very complex... leading to a different actions and results. When change seems really hard, Immunity to Change by Robert Kegan is an amazing tool that can be used for your personal growth and even in cultural or organizational development. #immunitytochange #transformation

How many of you set a new goal(s) this month? How's it going? Are you, like the ~64% of goal setters, already heading toward the path of abandonment? Are you struggling with staying consistent, where it seems like "other" obligations or activities keep taking priority? Have you had a goal for some time that you seem to not make meaningful progress toward? Most likely you have a hidden commitment and immunity that's interfering with your earnest, impassioned goal. If you'd like to uncover what may be keeping you in goal treading vs. progress, reach out to me. I have a few slots still open to serve as a practice participant on my path to certification for uncovering "Immunity to Change".

The next Stanford president will face a long list of scandals to clean up once coming on board. I hope he or she will be prepared to take the long view to begin the hard work of rebuilding the university’s #reputation. Brands as sterling as Stanford's has been in the past take years to build up, but they can be destroyed in just a few critical moments — a few keystrokes here, a hot-mic moment there. Re-establishing trust in an institution takes longer than most leaders want to admit (looking at you, Northwestern). It requires day after day (years, if we're being honest) of demonstrated actions to address the culture and rebuild its reputation with the public. There's simply no quick fix. #reputationmangagement #strategiccommunications #crisiscommunications

Trust is essential for any successful relationship, whether personal or professional. In this insightful TED Talk, sociologist Angus Reid shares his research on the importance of trust and offers practical tips for mastering this essential skill. Drawing on his extensive experience studying public opinion and social trends, Angus explains how trust is built and how it can be strengthened over time. Whether you're a business leader, or are simply looking to improve your personal relationships, this talk is sure to offer valuable insights and inspiration. Watch it here: https://bit.ly/3nvHPXU #trust #buildingtrust

While 80-something-year-old government officials are out there having strokes at press conferences… The fresh-faced folks are stepping up and seizing the reins. And they have been. I like to believe that this isn’t just a shift in power, but a pivot towards potential. Take it from my very first boss, Anastasia Loureiro. I remember working under Anastasia when I was 18. If memory serves me, she used to head the PR divisions of not one but two institutions entrenched in local fame and repute (Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design and Afisha Industries) back then. Anastasia wore her roles like she wore her pumps: an effortless gravitas. In my mind, she was commanding boardrooms with the wisdom of a wise sage and the authority of a traffic warden, no less. Now, you can only imagine my surprise when I found out that my then-boss was not, in fact, some seasoned industry veteran. She herself was a 23-year-old. Learning about Anastasia’s age felt like discovering that the Easter Bunny had been my next-door neighbor all along. Not that she didn’t look youthful and fabulous. But that courage? That grit? I had to reconsider my preconceived notions of what it meant to be a leader. When all’s said and done, true leadership is not in the number of candles on your birthday cake, but in the number of lives touched. It’s not the persistence of clinging onto power, but the resilience in breaking barriers. It’s not about being cast in the old mold, but about daring to shape the new. In essence, it’s not about being another McConnell but becoming more like Anastasia. Because why should we surrender our futures to the dictates of the past? P.S. Pictured here: Elijah (21), Anastasia (23), me (18).

All about Carrie's Career Journey and Leadership, Decision-Making and Leadership Style, Challenges and Empowerment.