Hill Holliday’s Post

No offense to a lot of DEI professionals (indie or in-house, junior or senior leadership), but I have generally have trust issues with people in such volatile spaces like ours--social justice, change agent and community building. This work is done with care and requires tact and courage. Lots of courage and tact. I hold us to a much higher standard. And just watching a lot of y'all on this platform I'm seeing moral inconsistencies, plagiarism of each other's work, lack of nuance, playing up to corporate capitalism, and much, much more. I've been burned too many times believing a lot of us in these spaces shared the same values. And every time a crisis hits, many masks are cracking away to show the real self that only display semblances of those values only to be likeable. Oh, those mighty clicks and likes. The new social currency that strangely leaves so many people ethically bankrupt. Some of y'all need to do some shadow work on yourself. Real talk. It's important to work on what's behind that mask and address it before you hurt people you said you'd help. So if I haven't personally met you, talked to you or asked to be in community with you, just expect I'm going to be very critical of you. I feel it's part of my job to do so. I also expect you to be critical of me. This isn't a game and it's not a "slideshow sideshow" either. People are dying. I'm open to connect, but just know that unless we're actively building community together, please don't ask me to vouch for you. I don't know you like that, and my word these days is all I have control over. And my word is bond. I only vouch for people I know and can attest to their character. This is still a "professional" platform after all.

The older I get the more things I let go of – hang ups; social norms; adding value in team sports. By contrast, the few ideals I do hold dear continue to harden into immutable truths and expectations that must be upheld at any cost.   Chief among these is ‘The Wave’: the effortless act of raising your hand ever so slightly above the rim of the steering wheel for 1-2 seconds to acknowledge that another human – a perfect stranger in another vehicle – has given way, putting your needs above their own. A selfless act in a selfish world; a small reminder that society, kindness, and love will one day trump base, deplorable, isolationism. ‘The Wave’ is our silent nod to one another in support of this truth; a shared agreement of our mutual work to ensure a better future for those who follow. Not waving makes you a hateful degenerate.   Here's the brand tieback. As humans we are inherently driven to build community. We seek signals that reinforce our mental models of them; we crave reciprocity in the relationships we build with them. However small the incident, we notice when behavior doesn’t meet a brand’s promise and, just like receiving The Wave, we feel a little better about life when it does. Your customers uphold their side of the contract every time they engage with you – make sure you wave back when they do.

👻 Ever had a moment where you felt unseen, like the sole person at the end of a long boardroom table in a sea of indifferent faces? That was me when I was unexpectedly dropped from a #LinkedInLive event while discussing "Haunted Texas." The attached picture speaks a thousand words about how it felt. I had hoped to bring the rich tapestry of Texas's haunted history to light—tying local legends to real-life historical sites. It's a project with the potential to weave together narratives that foster community and drive economic development. 🏚️💼 Some say this could possibly be like #Disney1923? 🤔 I'm looking to employ 2000 people in Williamson County, and with your expertise in #businesscontinuity and #operations, I believe we could be formidable allies. 🤝 I understand my approach may not align with every platform, but I’d appreciate if you could share what aspect of my call wasn't a fit. Let's connect and possibly open doors to a new chapter where history meets opportunity, fostering #growth and #community. 🌟 I make more traction in real life than I do on social media. It seems like real is always getting snuffed and fake is glorified on these platforms. I pride myself on being a #hopedealer in real life and the payment that’s ALWAYS enough for me are the lives I impact along the way. 💯 #HauntedTexas #Networking #EconomicDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #Inclusion #CommunityBuilding

In a recent conversation at work we spoke about networks, and how they work magically! Need I say more? When we consider it in any context, formal or informal, three beautiful phenomena come to light - connections, knowledge sharing and collaboration. Best of all, they're all GOOD!! #mondaymindset

Is everybody angry? Collective outrage can play a positive role in society, but it can also be a destructive force. When it's amped up by social media and emotional contagion, collective outrage stifles open dialogue and demonizes mistakes. When it comes to community building, this highlights the importance of fostering environments that encourage constructive dialogue and empathy, steering away from toxic outrage to harness collective energy for positive change. It also underscores the importance of building communities that incorporate real-time, face-to-face interaction, not just online groups and forums. https://lnkd.in/gbpQvZnS

3 lessons I’ve learned in business and from “climbing the corporate ladder” (that I didn’t even realize until now): 1️⃣ If you want it done quickly and effectively, study it and explain it yourself. 2️⃣ People will throw their insecurities on to you. Learn to speak your truth no matter what that looks like, and don’t stoop down to their level. 3️⃣ Your next level in life requires the right people in the right places. Connect with those who will defend your name in a room you aren’t in. 💡Tip of the day: Your knowledge IS your power. It’s easy to get caught up in a rat race and allow people to tell you who you are. Their narrative of you is just their personal opinion. PS. Your workplace is NOT your family. It’s a company and a community. Remember, all communities aren’t equal. #knowledge #corporate #business #community

Pedestrian right of way IS optional - enforced by either legitimacy or deterrence. You're bolstering legitimacy by making that a reasonable law - not blocking traffic for autos while mildly inconveniencing yourself. Better to rely on legitimacy, in my view, than deterrence/punishment/enforcement, if possible.

I’ve always liked most people and have had really good friends. But I am only now understanding what community is and how it shapes our lives. Here are the 4 communities I never knew I needed. C12 Colorado Christian CEOs/ business owners pursuing great businesses for a greater purpose UNRATIONED Entrepreneurial men pursuing extraordinary at work, at home, and at play. Exodus Men seeking uncommon freedom. Here to Healthy: Purpose driven leaders committed to being intentional in every aspect of life. The individuals that find themselves in each of these communities are very different. But there are many common themes. They value: Unity > Division Real talk > Small talk Progress > Perfection Hard things > Easy things Vulnerability > Wearing masks Taking action > Talking about action Accountability in commitments > Acceptance of excuses Community is defined as a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. I am grateful to experience this feeling. My life is better for it. If you don’t have a community that pushes you to be the best version of yourself, keep on searching. It is out there. If any of the above communities resonate with you, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to share my experience.

Communities reflect what's happening in an organization. Your members can tell. They may not be able to pinpoint exactly what's wrong but they can tell when the vibes are off. Or on. Ha. Most won't say anything but this is where your Super Duper Members come into action. They're good for vibe checks - ask & listen. Then step back, plan, and act accordingly. 

Seeing my teammate's brilliant idea interrupted and dismissed reminded me why I stayed silent too many times. Her eyes dropped, and she didn't speak up again. My Turning Point It took me years to realize that my silence was not only holding me back but also erasing my  unique perspective. I had to confront the fears and doubts that had kept me quiet and learn to express myself authentically. Reclaiming My Voice I started small, speaking up in low-stakes situations and gradually working my way up. I surrounded myself with people who encouraged me to share my thoughts and ideas. And I practiced self-compassion when I made mistakes or faced criticism. Now It's Your Turn 💪 Claim your unique strength: Recognize that your voice matters and is worth hearing. ❤️ Share your humanity: Speak up and share your hopes, fears, and dreams with others. 🧑🤝🧑 Build a supportive community: Surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you to speak up. Don't Let Anyone Silence You! It's up to you to safeguard your voice. Don't let anyone steal it, silence it, or diminish it. Your voice is your power, uniqueness, and truth. Use it, share it, and never let anyone take it away.