An Existential Valentine 2024

As a curator, I tend to express myself best in a series of articles. Here are some old and new articles intended to strengthen your sense of belonging. I hope you find a connection or insight that gives you the kind of jolt good chocolate provides.

1) I want to emphasize the paramount importance of self-knowledge and the clarity of core values, which serves as a guiding light in the tumultuous sea of today's information overload. My life’s work has been to illuminate the path to thriving in an era where the sheer volume of information can overwhelm and obscure one's direction. I posit that in the future, success and fulfillment will not merely be the domain of those with technical skills or information access, but rather the realm of individuals who possess an impeccable sense of self. This self-awareness, coupled with a clear understanding of one’s core values, equips individuals with the navigational tools needed to chart a course through the complexities of modern life and work environments. I believe the? jobs of the future will belong to those who, through deep introspection and self-discovery, achieve a profound connection with their own values and identity, thereby enabling them to make meaningful contributions in an ever-evolving world.

Hold On To Your Core!

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2) The Power of the Pack - "Women who support women are more successful says Shelley Zalis, Founder of The Female Quotient (where I go daily for inspiration).

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3) The Four Loves “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” ― C.S. Lewis

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4) In a stunning fusion of genres that transcends musical boundaries, the recent Grammy Awards witnessed an unforgettable duet that has set the music world abuzz. Tracy Chapman, a legendary singer-songwriter known for her profound storytelling and soulful folk melodies, joined forces with Luke Combs, a powerhouse in the country music scene, known for his resonant voice and emotive lyrics. This collaboration serves as a testament to the enduring power of music to bridge divides, merge genres, and touch hearts.

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5) What Google Learned In Its Quest to Find the Perfect Team . What I love about this article is that it leans heavily on the research for University of Rochester’s own Dr. Deci who coined the phrase “Self Determination Theory.” You can do a deeper dive into the research. What we find is that resilient people and resilient teams have the trifecta: autonomy, competence and connectedness. I learned about this in 2012 and changed my leadership coaching to create a team matrix with more fundamental questions about personal agency.

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6) In an era increasingly defined by the digital dilemma, where questions of ethics in technology, the psychological ramifications of social media, and the noticeable decline in youth attention spans loom large, Marshall Davis Jones' epic poem "Touchstone" emerges as a vital cultural artifact. This poem, with its profound insights and compelling narrative, resonates deeply, serving as a crucial commentary on our times. Jones masterfully navigates the complex interplay between technology and human experience, urging a reflection on how digital immersion alters our perceptions, relationships, and overall well-being. "Touchstone" is not merely a poem; it is a clarion call to society to introspect and recalibrate our engagement with the digital world.

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7) I was deeply impacted by the inspiring contemporary poet David Whyte who says, “people don’t have a conversation to get work done; the conversation is the work.” I heard that in 2000 when I started my own consulting company and the idea of conversation as currency has been a strong part of both my practice and coaching. In addition to David Whyte as model for strengthening your conversations, Susan Scott’s Fierce Conversations is a touchstone.

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8) Sherry Turkle, Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is someone who has been studying the relationship between people and technology for over 30 years. I recommend her entire portfolio of books and talks. I first learned of Turkle in 2011 with her TED Talk Alone Together. I was the mother of three children (5, 9, 15) and here message “we need to teach our children to be alone or they will only know loneliness” hit me hard. It caused me to design more more quiet and solitude in our family practice. We had no idea at that time the epic loneliness that our culture now embodies. The antidote to loneliness is Reclaiming Conversation.

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9) Most of you know I am the Director of Marketing of Circle Optics. One of the reasons I feel so connected to this technology and team is our vision for democratizing immersive experiences. We have a podcast 360° Pulse Immersive Experiences & Innovation and it is a treasure trove of leadership and emerging technology.

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10) I have written and shared a lot of articles about concepts of belonging and relationship. I am going to leave you with one of my favorite love letters. It is John Steinbeck offering love advice in 1958.

Finally, I don’t think we understand how much we are shaped by the relationships around us. I have been tracking #networkeffects for the past four years and here is my curation: https://twitter.com/JenniferSertl/status/1172479743159087104

I wish you all the best in your sense of belonging and may you find the person, the culture, the community who understands your gift and supports your clarity on how to thrive.

Love and light,

Jennifer Sertl