Live your life in such a way that you'll be remembered for your kindness, compassion, fairness, character, benevolence, and a force for good who had much respect for life, in general.”
― Germany Kent

Welcome to the 2nd edition of my ‘Ages & Stages’ Newsletter. Summer is almost over. With this comes the opportunity to participate in activities that grow our leadership, values, culture, and personal development. Here are a few that impacted me, I hope you will be inspired too:

The Global Leadership Summit (GLS23)

August began with a 2-day Global Leadership Summit. The theme was to “Lead Where You Are” with an extra emphasis on TRUST. The host, Craig Groeschel, offered a helpful equation to carry with us:

Transparency + Empathy + Consistency = TRUST

If we lack one ingredient, our “trust quotient” will be diminished. We were challenged to consider: “Which area within ourselves needs the most development to be a better leader?” To earn trust, we have to give it. It’s not always easy, but it will limit our leadership if we don’t trust enough.

Over the course of the 2-day event, the person sitting next to me who worked for the Rotary, gave me her pin: “Create Hope in the World”. I gave her a copy of my co-authored book “Mission Hope: Thriving Through Seasons of the Soul”. It was a heartfelt exchange, living our values.

We Will Overcome

Mid-month brought the opportunity to help represent My Density Matters, the breast cancer nonprofit I work with, at an event on the South Side of Chicago hosted by The Tigerlily Foundation. The theme was: "We Will Overcome: Navigating Obstacles to Breast Cancer Prevention and Care in Our Community". Barriers to care, for black women in particular, were discussed in addition to the importance of partnering and supporting one another in the community.

It was exceptional to meet key partners and advocates in the Chicagoland breast cancer space. We’re inspired by how our partnerships might help save lives through earlier diagnosis, especially as we prepare for October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month). Learn more on my Empower Your Breast Health page.

CultureCon:

And last, but not least, I just returned from CultureCon in Madison, Wisconsin. A 2-day conference full of inspirational talks and connection. The energy was off the map as we:

Laughed and cried.
Sat in silence and listened.
Walked around in-between sessions and talked.
Had my 1st book-signing of our most recent co-authored book (Culture Impact: Strategies to Create World-Changing Workplaces) with 4 out of 12 of the co-authors.

Here are a few gems picked up from people who also care about values and culture:

Michele Bousquet, Chief People Officer at Strava: A Cultural Transformation from the Heart

Have the humility to say I don’t know, bring a wide group to the table and listen.
Grief is love persevering; how many people are persevering at work?
Be a leader willing to share your own story, values are how you make decisions and orient.
It’s going to be messy, Let’s do the right thing .

Vibhas Ratanjee, Senior Practice Expert and Executive Advisor at Gallup: Navigating Hybrid Working to Drive a High Performance Culture

Connect people to culture, work together, and celebrate while they’re there.
Treat people like human beings, individualize where possible.
Ask, don’t assume. Who are they, what have they achieved, what’s been easy or challenging?
Establish shared culture and team norms, continually nurture and evolve culture, build in-office culture connection for hybrid work.

Jessica Martinez, Vice President, Head of Culture, Blizzard Entertainment: Redefining Culture through Values Evolution

The heart of a great culture is a clear purpose, living values, and a shared commitment to both.
Common pitfalls of Culture change.
How will you live this value?
What does this value look like in action?

Angela Howard, Founder and CEO, Call for Culture: The Leadership Mentality: Owning Your Impact

Your organization has the power to create positive change in your community and beyond. Change begins with you. What do you want your lasting impact and legacy to be?
YOU – courage to do the internal work. What’s holding you back from moving from intent to impact? What’s in your way?
TEAM – climate & care. What opportunities do you have to model belonging and psychological safety?
WE – community & culture. How are you actively working to prevent harm?

Tyna Chua Plemmons, Chief-of-Staff, Director, Cisco IT: Building a People-first Culture: Tips from a Digital Transformation Practitioner

Three pillars to create an unstoppable culture: People First, Constantly nourishing culture, Share stories relentlessly.
Culture Roadmap Template – think about the outcomes that you need.
A plethora of idea to share culture with your team.
Message to EEs: You are not alone, and you here to make your dreams come true.

Jasmine Bellamy, Vice President- Merchandising, Planning & Allocation/ Reebok Community & Culture:

Don’t get caught up in the fear … don’t take the bait.
At the intersection of culture and business is people - people and business flourishing. The brand won’t flourish if the people don’t flourish.
Do a gut-check with your employees before you start a conversation, you don’t know what assumptions others are operating from.
DEI from practice to performance
- Be Open to Difference: Unleash the greatness in each other. Actively listen and understand other people’s perspective.
- Call in, not call out: Meet people where they are. Call on each other to grow, respectfully.
- Practice allyship: Be courageous. Use your privilege as a tool to uplift others.

Conclusion:

This edition was named “Life & Legacy: At Times We Walk Alone” because sometimes we may feel we walk alone, but there is no time like now to lean into who and why we are. I am fortunate to work and engage with so many people who are making a difference in the world, both individually and collectively.

Reach out if you’re struggling to know your value and live your values, or when you’re ready to take your life and business to the next level. I am a Values & Business Consultant, Mental Fitness Coach, Author and Poet who has raised a family of four (now adult) children in the process. I understand the complexities of juggling life and enduring challenges and am happy to share my own experiences in a way that helps others to maximize their potential.

I’ll be taking a couple of weeks off in September and hope to have some amazing pictures to share, as well as inspiration for how to end the year feeling good so we can start 2024 with positive energy!!

May you always “Know your value, Live your values”.

✨Susan LePlae Miller