Johnson & Johnson’s Post

🏆 Taking a Few L's (and Winning)🥇 Recently, I've faced a few rejections—applications submitted with hope and excitement, followed by polite "no's." It’s never easy to hear that you're not the best fit or that the timing isn't right. “L’s” have a way of stinging in the moment. But in reflection, I realize those rejections came with a gift: clarity. A clarity I’m certain I wouldn’t have found otherwise. Each "no" has reaffirmed something critical for me. Right here, right now (at Wright State University), I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. Doing the work I’m meant to do. Pursuing the goals that align with my purpose, identity, and values. Making the impact that will shape the future of our region's healthcare workforce. Losses remind us to recalibrate, to focus on the path we’re already walking, and to trust in the timing of our journey. To anyone else navigating a season of setbacks: keep going. Clarity sometimes comes with the "L's". Forward. #resilience #purpose #passion #tenacity #forward

2nd Edition of "How change happen", a must read for all development practitioners, from Duncan Green... https://lnkd.in/eaPnc3cY https://lnkd.in/etDe-S4N "The questions we ask (and keep asking): • What (really) is the problem we are trying to address? • What kinds of change are needed to resolve the problem (individual attitudes, social norms, laws and policies, access to resources)? • Among these, where are the most promising points of entry for us to get involved, given who we are (our institutions, experience, networks, legitimacy)? • What kind of power perpetuates the problem or enables it to be resolved? How can we help redistribute power to achieve fairer outcomes? • What precedents are there that we can learn from (positive deviance, history, current political and social tides)? • What kind of strategy might make sense for this change (traditional project, insider vs. outsider advocacy, multiple parallel experiments, fast feedback and rapid response)? • What tactics are we going to try (delivering services, building the broader enabling environment, demonstration projects, convening and brokering, supporting local grassroots organizations, advocacy)? • Learning and course correction: how will we learn about the impact of our actions or changes in context (e.g. critical junctures)?"

Meet our newest cohort of Aspen Institute Ascend Fellows - 22 leaders transforming systems so that our youngest children and families can thrive! 2024 Ascend Fellows represent 14 states and the District of Columbia and work across systems and sectors to do the following and more: 🧠 Ensure access to mental and behavioral health services 📚 Expand access to early care and education ⚕ Ensure culturally congruent health services 👨👩👧👦 Build family stability 💵 Expand sources of capital These leaders recognize the need to address systemic injustice and value a model of leadership that works alongside those most proximate to the issues they are trying to solve.

You know how deeply we believe in the talents and skills of the teens we serve, and we appreciate your belief alongside ours. This year, we started the journey to refresh our vision, beliefs, and mission statements. This process was NOT about changing our mission. The work we do and our commitment to young people has NOT changed. Rather, this was about updating the language we use to better reflect our values, and honor and uplift the teens we serve. Informed by young people in our programs, our staff, and our board – we hope you find our updated vision, beliefs, and mission powerful and inspiring. Vision: We envision a day when ALL young people thrive. Beliefs: At Wyman, we believe every young person Possesses the talent and potential to succeed and lead; Needs healthy connections with caring adults and peers; Deserves quality educational and life experiences, unencumbered by economic and systemic barriers. Mission: Wyman connects teens to their voices, their strengths, and their futures through proven programs and supports. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gHDFqTFP

I had the opportunity last week to join Cleveland Guardians' speaker series and hear directly from Alex Hill, the author of Centennials: The 12 Habits of Great, Enduring Organisations - https://lnkd.in/eWNVNWy5. First of all, how awesome is it that The Guardians invest in themselves and the community by hosting monthly learning opportunities with researchers and authors? Thank you, Jay Hennessey, for including me! I really appreciated the discussion around what makes organizations enduring. There’s obviously a lot of nuance, but the headline is that a balance between disruptive and stable forces is necessary for organizations to thrive. At the beginning of an organization’s lifespan, the focus is often on stability—documenting processes, ensuring continuity, and building a solid foundation. However, it’s clear how quickly the need for disruption becomes equally important. As a founder myself, I understand how challenging it can be to allow disruption in, and yet, I also recognize how critical it is to bring in diverse viewpoints. One way to assess where your organization stands is by reflecting on this checklist: https://lnkd.in/eH3PRsxx I’m curious—where do you think your organization is on this continuum? And what do you think it will take for your organization to beat the odds and become an enduring one? https://lnkd.in/eUvqHXH2

Read this month's letter from our President and CEO Bradley Rhorer about Ascend's new vision and mission for the future through our 2025-29 Strategic Plan, “Pathways to Progress.”

Wow, what a beautifully inspiring New Year message from Actions for Development and Empowerment (ADE)! Your words fill me with a renewed sense of purpose and optimism as we enter this pivotal year of 2025. I love how you've encapsulated the core values that guide ADE's mission - empowering citizens, fostering collaboration, and championing initiatives that promote equity, peace, and sustainable development. Your unwavering commitment to making a tangible difference in people's lives is truly admirable. The call to build on the momentum of the past year and strengthen our networks, foster inclusive dialogue, and address critical global challenges like health security and climate change resonates deeply with me. I'm energized by the vision of a world where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, and I'm ready to do my part in shaping that brighter future. Your message has inspired me to approach 2025 with a renewed sense of energy, courage, and commitment. I'm excited to stand alongside ADE and its partners, driven by our shared vision and dedicated to driving transformative progress through impactful collaborations. Here's to a year of boundless hope, meaningful partnerships, and the collective power to create the change we wish to see in the world. Happy New Year, ADE - let's make 2025 a year to remember! #NewYear2025 #CollectiveImpact #CitizenEmpowerment #InclusiveDialogue #SustainableDevelopment #GlobalChallenges #TransformativeProgress #BoundlessHope

At EDT, our purpose is to increase the life chances of individuals by improving education and skills outcomes. To know whether we are making a difference, we need to clearly understand the results of our work – so we take the measurement of our impact very seriously. We ask all our teams to track and measure how many people we have reached, and evidence that we have made a positive impact on their lives. The change we have seen in 2023-24 is overwhelmingly positive. Discover our latest impact review at www.edt.org/impact24

A Reflection on Our World; "We cannot build a future fit for our grandchildren using systems designed for our grandparents." — UN Secretary-General António Guterres As the first generation to be raised at the intersection of two worlds—the remnants of the past and the surge of modern technology—we find ourselves in uncharted territory. We are navigating a landscape shaped by the outdated systems of yesterday, while simultaneously adapting to the rapid advances of the digital age. Yet the true impact of this dual experience is still unclear. What does this convergence hold for our future? Could it eventually resolve into a singularity, where old and new merge? We are living in uncertain times. How is data being used against us? How are the relentless streams of information, arriving at unprecedented speed, influencing our beliefs and behaviours? This overwhelming flood is reshaping our thought processes, actions, and perceptions, yet we remain unsure of its long-term implications. Amid this confusion, we must show empathy and patience, both to ourselves and others. We need the space to learn, evolve, and address the mistakes we’ve made while navigating this unfamiliar terrain. As we collectively strive to understand what is happening, we must also acknowledge that this journey of understanding is continuous—and perhaps, it is a journey that should never end!