Pumpkin Spice and Letting People Love What They Love (11-11-20)

Last week was about trying something new and making Halloween costumes. This week is about pumpkin flavored things and letting people love what they love.

As soon as it gets close to fall, the pumpkin announcements begin. You know what I’m talking about. The announcements from all the restaurants about all things pumpkin spice. Pumpkin spice lattes. Pumpkin custard and ice cream. Pumpkin flavored beer. All of a sudden, pumpkin is EVERYWHERE! Once those announcements start, there is another wave that comes. That wave is the wave of hatred for all things pumpkin and for the people who love pumpkin flavored things. It sounds like this, “Pumpkin is gross! Why in the world would you want pumpkin in your drink? Why would you ruin good ice cream with pumpkin spice?”

What does this have to do with anything? I personally don’t like pumpkin flavored anything. At the same time, if that’s your thing, you do you. One of my main philosophies in life is that as long as the thing doesn’t hurt the person or other people, let folks love what they love. If you are a person who goes pumpkin wild in the fall, go get it in! Life is too short to miss out. If you have some other fall thing you love, go get that too. Just don’t waste your time hating on the people who do love pumpkin spice. (All of this also extends to people decorating for Christmas. If you want to put those up now, enjoy! If you like to wait until after Thanksgiving, that’s cool too.)

Now, while this all is kind of silly because we are talking about pumpkin spice, can you see how it applies to other things? Have you ever judged someone because of a passion that they had? Have you ever looked at someone who believed something different than you (that didn’t really matter or negatively impact anyone) and judged them for it? I know I have. I know I can be better.

The challenge: Can you let people love what they love? More than that, can you be excited for them finding what they love?

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry

Hoodies and Psychological Safety (10-28-20)

When I was 16 someone gave me an Aeropostale hoodie. 20 years later, it is one of my favorite pieces of clothing to wear despite the imperfect frayed edges of the sleeves and gentle wear and tear it has. It’s a great piece of clothing, because there’s something special about putting on a hoodie in the fall. It’s like wearing warmth and comfort, and we need that as the year gets a little colder and darker with each passing day. This warmth and comfort is created by the loose fit, the thick cotton to keep you warm, and having a pouch to put your hands in. It’s the perfect outfit to be comfortably and confidently me. The pic is the hoodie with my favorite ninja turtle from 2 years ago.

What do hoodies have to do with psychological safety? Psychological safety allows all employees to work in an environment without fear of being insulted, judged, or marginalized due to stereotypes or biases. People will only share their diverse ideas, experiences, knowledge and insights if they feel safe. Have you ever been on a team where you had psychological safety? What did it feel like? For me, it felt warm, comfortable, and welcoming just like settling into a hoodie on a crisp fall night. Have you ever been on a team where you didn’t have psychological safety? What did that feel like? On the best days it felt like wearing a t-shirt made of hay, where something is always scratching you and making you uncomfortable and anxious.

Here’s the thing, the hoodie didn’t give me those feelings by accident. It’s intentionally made to create feelings of comfort and safety with everything from the overall shape of the garment to the material used to the size and design. In a similar way, creating psychological safety doesn’t happen accidentally. Psychological safety is intentionally created by actions you take to ensure people feel welcomed, heard, respected, and valued. Here is a link with tips you can take to create psychological safety- https://leadingwithtrust.com/2018/10/14/50-practical-ways-to-build-psychological-safety-in-your-team/

The challenge: What actions are you taking to create psychological safety?

I stand in solidarity against injustice and in support of humanity.

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry

Change and the Arrival of Fall (10-20-20)

The change in the seasons brings a wide mix of emotions. On one hand, I love fall. I love the bright colors of the leaves. I love the crisp air. I love being outside by a fire and being cozy in a warm hoodie. On the other hand, fall bums me out a bit too. Fall represents the beginning of the end for the year. Fall is a signal that the days are getting shorter. It’s a signal that things are going to get darker and colder. It’s a sign that winter and harsh weather is just around the corner. I have had 36 years of fall, and every single time I find myself with mixed emotions about the season.

What does this have to do with anything? It’s not just that I have mixed emotions about fall. It’s that I have mixed emotions about change. Some individuals embrace change more easily. Some individuals are more hesitant to accept change. No matter which camp you fall into, I’d imagine that if we were being honest with ourselves most of us would admit that we have some level of conflicting emotions when it comes to change.

In the world of business we often say that the only thing that is constant is change, and then under our breath we kind of mutter, “so you better just suck it up and get used to it.” I’m not sure this is the healthiest attitude to have. Too often I think we are expected to plow forward in the midst of change without being given the opportunity and/or sometimes the permission to feel those conflicting feelings. Like I said, I’ve had 36 years of fall and I have conflicting feelings every time. The change we face in business and in life are usually much larger than the change of the seasons, so it’s okay if you feel and sit with some of those conflicting feelings whenever you’re going through some kind of change.

The challenge: How do you respond to change? Do you allow yourselves and others to feel their feelings?

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry