We’ve all had conversations that left us feeling heard, valued and respected. These are the kind of conversations that help us learn more about each other. But how do we get to these conversations? The answer is simple—listen. Listening well is an essential skill for creating meaningful connections with people. It’s also a powerful tool … Continue reading The Power of Listening: Engaging People Through Empathy and Compassion
As we move further into the digital age, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an integral part of many aspects of our lives—including marketing. AI can be used to generate more effective campaigns, create better customer experiences, and even help with creative tasks like graphic design and copywriting. But how will AI impact creativity in marketing? … Continue reading Artificial Intelligence, Creativity and Human-Centered Marketing
Having the opportunity to travel internationally has been one of the most rewarding and educational experiences I’ve ever enjoyed. There is no better way to gain a better understanding of different cultures than by being immersed in them. Each year Lane and I travel to London to lead an human-centered design and leadership class with … Continue reading Human Centered Leadership Lessons from London
One of my favorite playground games as a child was “tug-of-war.” Tug-of-war (or rope pull) is a game where two opposing teams are given a rope and asked to test their team’s strength by pulling on opposite ends of the rope. The goal of this sport is to get one team to exert their strength … Continue reading STAYING CENTERED
Human Centered Leadership is “inspiring and mobilizing people to tackle tough challenges and do things that matter.” There’s a lot of “leadership soup” out here. Leadership styles, approaches, and philosophies are complex, wide-ranging, and very different. Some leadership styles promote the authority figure being “hands-on” and making all of the decisions, while others, expect them … Continue reading HUMAN CENTERED LEADERSHIP: THE VALUE-ADDED APPROACH
Turn on your television, look at your social media feed, or read any headline from your favorite newspaper, magazine, and/or trade journal and immediately, you’ll recognize that our world seems to be in a hot-mess! Our current state of affairs has us in a tug-of-war over polarizing politics, swimming in a sea of corporate greed, … Continue reading What is Human-Centered Leadership?
25 Global Leadership Scholars from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville + Human-Centered Design + A Challenge + Leadership Skills + London = Amazing ideas and innovations. The challenge--How might we delight London tourists? 24 interviews with tourists from 17 countries and they had gathered the insights to create some truly innovative products, services, and experiences … Continue reading Human-Centered Leadership in London
JoAnn Simmons Koonce Eulogy given 3/2/2019 https://youtu.be/LB76d8PEeys Each time one of us would say “I love you” to my mother she would smile sweetly and reply “I love you MORE.” You couldn’t argue! She wouldn’t have it—She had declared it so. But Isn’t that how a mother’s love is supposed to be? just MORE somehow? … Continue reading My mother was MORE
I love Scotland. I love the Scottish people. They have a happy-go-lucky attitude that just speaks to me. The Scots seem to like everyone (well, they don't really seem to adore the Queen). A Sunday at St. Andrews is something to savor. On Sunday's only the Old Course is open like a park and people … Continue reading Sunday Morning at St. Andrews
Every Thursday (when I am in London) you will find me at Old Spitalfields Market bargaining for baubles and bits, immersing myself in all things antique, searching for the peculiar, visiting with the "old guys" and the eccentric stall operators, and adding to my ever-growing collection of sterling silver. If you are ever in London, … Continue reading Old Spitalfields Treasures