Hi,

Update: this e-briefing was originally a component of our Owlthena service, which is being sunsetted, along with its website and social properties. Thank you to everyone who tried this original twist on sounding boards for business leaders. While the Owlthena process worked 100% of the time, as a business, it required more attention than I could give it, and it was a distraction from the core business, Digital Brand Expressions (DBE).

I truly enjoy producing this e-briefing, and so after a bit of a rethink, we’re relaunching it as Niki’s Notes.

What’s Niki’s Notes?

I will continue to point you to great digital content about leading teams in new and innovative ways for positive outcomes. In addition, I’ll be featuring different businesses I think may be beneficial to you and your stakeholders. And in each issue I’ll continue to feature a not-for-profit in the Do Good Spotlight section.

And so, here’s the first issue of Niki’s Notes, developed with you, a business leader focused on leading your teams with people/purpose/planet/profit at the forefront:

• Deloitte recently published a survey, the results of which I’m sure will come as no surprise. It’s all about the burn out, and what you, as a leader could be doing, not just for your teams, but for yourself, too. Think oxygen mask on plane: https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/burnout-beyonce-mental-health-deloitte-survey.html
• Finding and hiring the talent you need to continue to deliver excellence is even more challenging as 2022 drives forward. When is the last time your organization rethought—and reworked—the recruiting process? This article from Inc. talks about how Google is using programs that train talent and, after successful completion, encourages the successful graduates to apply for positions within Google. A good example is Google’s project management program. Want to learn more? It’s here:
  https://www.inc.com/kelly-main/hiring-google-experience-aptitude.html
• Speaking of hiring, one of DBE’s clients, Modern Hire, takes bias out of the recruiting process with its proprietary AI-driven systems. They’ve got the world saying great things about them and the results they generate. If you’re on the hunt for a better process for recruiting, they may be a part of the solutions package for you: https://modernhire.com/
• Familiar with the workings of the vagus nerve? If not, you may be surprised by the tips from Mindful.org for reducing stress by focusing on the workings of this nerve in your body. If you’re in a rush, skip to Section 4, #4. I actually do this and it works! https://www.mindful.org/why-your-breath-is-connected-to-your-well-being/

Do Good Spotlight
🌟 No Kid Hungry 🌟

NoKidHungry.org is on a mission to end childhood hunger in the U.S. They work to expand awareness and implement programs, grants, etc. to make sure kids get 3 meals a day. Discover more about their cause and how you can help: https://www.nokidhungry.org/

We’d like to thank Angie Bruhn for the wonderful suggestion!

And remember, if you have an impactful organization you’d like us to donate and spotlight, let us know!

• It can’t be said enough, walking is wonderful for you. Here are 6 reasons from Real Simple: https://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness-exercise/walking-benefits. And check out this new data reported in the New York Times that says even a 2-minute (!!!) walk right after dinner has significant benefits for staying healthy: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/04/well/move/walking-after-eating-blood-sugar.html?smid=em-share
• I came across an article citing the issues with teachers’ pay, on exploring found data in the bubble chart (mouse over a bubble, info pops up) for all kinds of professions and their salaries. Really good info, so ta da: https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/teachers-pay.html
• Bothered by how much of your personal information (think home address, phone number, email address, etc.) is a Google search away? If not, skip to the next bullet. If yes, The Wall Street Journal has tips to remediate: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-remove-home-address-google-whitepages-11658514379
• An add-on to The Great Resignation is “The Great Middle Management Migration.” This from Chief talks about the issues facing middle managers and how to retain the talent in your organization: https://chief.com/articles/middle-managers
• Trend piece on the suburbs across the US: https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/23178774/suburbs-return-planning-urban-flight
• As a leader, you may not have the same perspectives about work as your employees. Here are key stats from the book, How The Future Works: Leading Flexible Teams to Do The Best Work of Their Lives by Sheela Subramanian, Helen Kupp, and Brian Elliott:
• Executives have a 62% higher rate of satisfaction than employees.
• Non-executive employees report twice as much work-related stress and anxiety.
• 68% of executives surveyed want to work in the office all, or most of the time—three times the number of non-executives who said the same.

  And here’s a link to a Medium piece by Caroline Dowd-Higgins for Ellevate: https://ellevatentwk.medium.com/how-the-future-works-19a0f0534fda

That’s a wrap! I hope you enjoyed this new approach to sharing thoughts to help you do you. Stay strong, stay focused. Keep yourself healthy, and remember to take care of yourself!