LaPora Lindsey & Co.

The way we see the world can shape what we think is possible. A single insight, no matter how small, can shift everything. Illustration by me. #PerspectiveShift

I remember sitting there, staring at the clock, frustration bubbling up. My coworker and I exchanged side eyes, silently mouthing the same question: "Why are we still here?" Every single night, the same thing happened. Our supervisor had a policy: Everyone had to clock out—except the manager counting the register. That meant my coworker and I, both under 18 and barely six months into the job, had to sit there, unpaid, for nearly 30 extra minutes (per day) while someone else took their time counting money—and got paid for it. It didn’t seem fair. Actually, it wasn’t fair. But what could we do? We were just kids, right? Except… we did do something. We spoke up. We explained why the policy didn’t make sense and how it caused us to miss out on paid time. And to our surprise, management actually listened. They changed the rule so that everyone could clock out at the same time—no more waiting with unpaid time. That was the first time I realized something: You don’t need a title or years of experience to challenge a broken system. You just need the courage to say, “This isn’t working.” And then explain why it isn’t working with data and facts. Speaking up isn’t about being loud, difficult, or mean—it’s about being willing to help fix what’s broken, even if you don’t have the solution and even if it feels uncomfortable. #professionaldevelopment

Is social Saturday still a thing on LinkedIn? Well, if so I would like to invite you all to connect with me and others next week. After an 8-month hiatus, Kaleidoscopic Conversations is making its virtual return—thanks to the nudges from some of you over the few months! ?? What is it? A virtual discussion where we explore professional development topics from multiple angles—mainstream and unconventional. It’s not just another networking group. It’s a space for real conversations that challenge, refine, and expand your thinking. ?? Why join? ?? Community: Growth thrives when ideas are shared. ?? Clarity: Sharpen how you express your thoughts. ?? Perspective: Challenge traditional ideas and explore new ways of thinking. If you want to leave a conversation with fresh insight that shifts your perspective or gives you something to think about—this is for you. ?? First session topic: Networking Is there an etiquette to this? How do we reach out to people? Should we charge for our time? Should we connect with everyone or only those relevant to our careers? Who should we make time for? Let’s get talking. ?? This is a no-cost opportunity to share your insights and learn from others. ?? First session: Thursday, March 6th | 7 PM CST / 8 PM EST ?? Here is the link to register: https://lnkd.in/dzKc5fV9 #kaleidoscopicconversations #socialsaturday #connect

There’s a lot happening right now, and it’s hard to ignore—even silence is becoming extremely loud. That’s why I’m pausing my usual content today and keeping my post short. As a military spouse, former federal employee, and someone with many colleagues affected by recent changes, I know this is a challenging time. These types of shifts don’t just disrupt operations—they put leadership, accountability, and critical thinking to the test. And challenges like these can potentially be a reality in every workplace at any point. That’s why it’s so important to remember that leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about taking ownership of the impact we have, big or small. Accountability isn’t just about pointing fingers; it’s about stepping up and making thoughtful decisions. And problem-solving? That’s what keeps us moving forward, even in uncertainty. No matter what’s unfolding, we each have the ability to show up, stay engaged, and contribute in meaningful ways. It matters.

Do you know one of the easiest ways to bring value to your workplace? Conversations. That’s right, simply talk to people. Get to know them. Understand their challenges. And if you can learn something about them that’s not work-related (because that still impacts their work), even better. And here’s the thing, you don't have to be in the right "position" to do this. You just have to be you. If people don’t open up to you, try this: ?? You go first. Yep. Be honest first. Share something that reflects your own train of thought. A couple of months ago, our car broke down. At the beginning of meeting someone asked how I was doing, and I started with, “I’m good.” Then I stopped and said, “Wait, no I’m not. My car just broke down…” No, I didn’t go into a long-winded explanation, but I shared something real. I kept it short and then transitioned the conversation into something else. At first, this might catch people off guard, especially if there are not familiar with this coming from you. But over time, when you’re consistently open and honest, you build trust. And that’s how real conversations start. When people trust you, they open up. When they open up, you understand them better. And when you understand them, you can work with them, not just around them. So, if you want to bring real value to your workplace, start here: Talk. Listen. Be real. #professionaldevelopment

?? It’s back! ?? After an 8-month hiatus, Kaleidoscopic Conversations is making its virtual return—thanks to the nudges from some of you over the few months! ?? What is it? A virtual discussion where we explore professional development topics from multiple angles—mainstream and unconventional. It’s not just another networking group. It’s a space for real conversations that challenge, refine, and expand your thinking. ?? Why join? ?? Community: Growth thrives when ideas are shared. ?? Clarity: Sharpen how you express your thoughts. ?? Perspective: Challenge traditional ideas and explore new ways of thinking. If you want to leave a conversation with fresh insight that shifts your perspective or gives you something to think about—this is for you. ?? First session topic: Networking Is there an etiquette to this? How do we reach out to people? Should we charge for our time? Should we connect with everyone or only those relevant to our careers? Who should we make time for? Let’s get talking. ?? This is a no-cost opportunity to share your insights and learn from others. ?? First session: Thursday, March 6th | 7 PM CST / 8 PM EST ?? Link to register is in the comments! #kaleidoscopicconversations

Hi, I’m LaPora! And I'm long overdue for a (re)introduction. ?? ?? Almost a year ago, I moved to Omaha, NE from New Jersey. ?? I work full-time in Learning and Development AND run a speaking/training business. I also self-published a book, "Bottom of the Food Chain" in 2022. ?? I help workplaces move beyond individual contributors to show how each person contributes. ?? I’m a wife and mom of two, balancing it all (some days better than others). I have this special ability to look calm and put together—I’ve heard that my whole life. The truth? I’m not, not even close. I am selectively goofy and I question myself a lot. Many nights, I’m awake, wondering if I’m making the right moves. Balancing a career, growing a business, and showing up for my myself and my family is HARD. But I keep going because: ?? I have this unshakable feeling pushing me forward, and I can’t ignore it. ?? I believe all employees deserve workplaces where they feel seen and valued. ?? I know firsthand how thoughts of inadequacy can keep us from taking action. ?? I believe growth requires intentionality—and it can be a little messy. This past year has been about learning, building relationships, and finding my place in this new city. I’ve booked a few speaking engagements, but more than that, I’ve been listening, growing, and figuring out what’s next. ?? If you’re in Omaha, I’d love to meet more people in the community. ?? If you’re passionate about employee engagement, organizational development, or workplace dynamics, let’s connect! ?? If you’re looking for a speaker in the professional development space, let’s have a conversation! Let’s build something great together.

Miscommunication can be costly. How can we improve? #professionaldevelopment

Here is the link if you are local Omaha and would like to attend: https://lnkd.in/eccMYdg

Workplace Progress: Whose Job Is It? After one of my Power of You workshops, someone asked me: "How do you get people motivated to do their job?" My response might have come as a surprise: "You don’t. That’s not your job." Here’s the reality: You can’t force motivation. What you can do is create the right conditions for growth. As a leader, your role is to provide resources, set expectations, and foster an environment where people want to take ownership. But here is what I consider the most important piece, progress isn’t a one-way street—it’s a shared responsibility. This means as an Individual Contributor (IC): ? Having conversations with leadership—not just about what you need, but about how you can contribute to change. ? Understanding what can improve now versus what requires a long-term strategy. ? Working across teams to drive meaningful progress instead of waiting for top-down solutions. Here’s the truth very few are sharing: Progress doesn’t rest solely on leaders. And it shouldn’t. Everyone—leaders, team members, and individual contributors—has influence. It’s that influence, not just titles, that fuels real change. Progress isn’t something we give; it’s something we cultivate. What are your thoughts? #professionaldevelopment