Reflecting on 2022 to Ready for 2023

As I once again stand on the 18th Floor of VML ?New York, I think to myself, "Self, for better or worse, we've [almost] made it through another year." You see, this specific location has served as a personal intellectual power-up zone, most notably in February 2018 when I was the panelist in the "KNEEL" sweatshirt who told a Black employee that his agency should be asking how they can serve him better rather than the other way around. You may be asking why this matters, and that's fair. But, the answer at the surface is: I understood who the Sam Dell I was and precisely what strengths I brought to the proverbial table—and everyone else should be able to do that too. There's a specific power within that, and I knew I had an excellent opportunity to acknowledge my fellow Black & Brown colleagues and friends. I would not allow them to leave without recognition of their hard work, ability, and extraordinary skillset, even when the rest of the industry won't. That night, I knew that?energy?would serve the crowd well. I personally knew it could... because even I had forgotten.

Let's face it; the Pon de Replay + 2 was an uneasy solar rotation for many in my circle. On top of that, the distress weighed heavier than I wanted to allow. I'd have to admit that I am indeed a human being and the Aquarian in me did not like that. So I tried to bypass (read: ignore) it all by delving into the work that I love, which includes things such as:

• Analyzing sociocultural conversations about the good and bad happening on the planet;
• Watching positive and negative business activity in order to glean insights for present and future clients;
• Learning about new ways to do things and telling you why web3 is inevitable as someone who has lived directly inside of multiple industry tipping points;
• Building new and refining existing systems to provide smart pathways to connecting with consumers; and, of course
• Translating culture and communication as a function of defining what businesses should do going forward.

Not by happenstance, these things that I've done well for large companies take more than a modicum of sympathy, empathy, nuance, and understanding—all qualities I extend well to and for others. These "concepts," as they've been described to me (although they're all built off of real situations that have happened)—or as I will call them,?"macros"—are the type of activity at which I've excelled for more than two decades. Furthermore, they have always been the starting point for either accurate predictions or successful programs. The proof in the pudding confirms that I know what I'm talking about regarding this stuff. Yet, I somehow forgot the order of operations for myself—I, the guy who speaks incessantly about not skipping steps, allowed my own frustration from not receiving the desired online amplification, serotonin boosts, and number of new clients —and moved out-of-sync with the way things needed to happen. Moreover, in doing so, I questioned my own knowledge, ability, and purpose.

Thankfully, enough new friends and chosen family members eventually got me out of my funk, slowly but surely. And it was with this newfound post-reflection?energy?and perspective I lifted my head, planted my two feet firmly on that 18th Floor, and spoke to all of the people who came out to celebrate with 100 Roses From Concrete .?

With this energy:

• I could loudly recognize and respect what my colleagues and friends have accomplished despite many systemic obstacles put in their paths. That's something I've often been able to do well.
• I could highlight the cultural intelligence my colleagues and friends could integrate into the work they created even when met with varying levels of opposition. I've been able to identify and appreciate those moments from others for a long time.
• I could allow the necessary room to speak to the justified and warranted frustrations that we experience at the hands of certain people within the industry while beginning to shift the perspective of those most negatively affected toward how much of an advantage we are for our sector. Yes, there's a ton of progress still to be made. Yet, change is the only certainty; as a matter of fact, it is inevitable. We will shape that change in part because of the?energy?we bring.

Now, this may sound like a bunch of green grass and daffodils, at least at the surface. However, I know the?energy?attached to the message needed to be delivered. Those vibes, while not far from the end all be all, helped redirect the focus on the changes that must and will happen. The attendees The Roses help also needed to know they could stand in their truths and hold their heads high. My struggle paralleled the struggles of many there, and the fruits of my career reflection had to be shared. My words represented a moment of synergy for many and proof that energy cannot be destroyed, only transformed. This is part of how you start a future for the better. Any surface-level feelings you may have are valid because we're only at the beginning. There's more to come.

P.S.: Before you try to correct me by mentioning,?"the saying is, 'energy cannot be?created?or destroyed, only blabbedy bloo blah,'"?you're only correct if you are referring to Einstein's Law of Conservation. My reference to the moment falls under the?Law of Conversation,?and if you know me,?I am not above flipping one of Einstein's Laws and applying it to communications. More on that in the near future too.