This and That!

Somehow this title popped up in my mind just now, as I started to think about writing this newsletter.

Last month, I just bit the bullet and wrote an article for my first newsletter entitled ‘Navigating Stress: Suppress or Mitigate?’

After I published the first edition (and thank you to all who have since subscribed!), I spoke to a friend and colleague Vivian Acquah . She gave me some newsletter tips which I’m grateful for. During that conversation, I came to the realization that contrary to the entrepreneurial advice I get about marketing to a niche demographic, it’s impossible. I wear too many hats!

And according to Nicoline Huizinga that is a good thing. Nicoline specializes in Human Design. If you don't know what this is, then do contact her. She has really done a deep dive into understanding the different profiles and how this motivates us solo-entrepreneurs.

According to Human Design, I'm a Manifesting Generator, which means I am a multi-passionate and dare I say, multi-hyphenate person. In other words, I’m someone with a variety of interests. We make up about 34% of the population. An interesting LinkedIn article that provides additional context is one by Nicole Kyle. I’m not yet connected with her but hope to do so through this article.

So I set the title of this newsletter last month to 'Creating Waves to Thrive'. What I didn’t realize then, but did so after my conversation with Vivian, that this is the red thread running through all I do. Whether I’m engaging in topics like stress, resilience, emotional agility, curiosity, life-long learning, intergenerational workforces, (gender) equality, or ageism – all have to do with thriving personally and professionally.

Next to being the owner of Creating Waves, I also am a member of the Wize Move Society, the Professional Women’s Network (PWN NL), Female Wave of Change, supporter of The Bridge2Hope foundation working with human trafficked individuals, and not least, the founder of INleadership, powered by the Ready For Female Leadership foundation. ?

So in this newsletter you’ll be seeing a variety of topics coming up – This and That! My hope is that this will be a surprise each month (pun intended).

One of my favorite resource websites is the Greater Good Science Center at Berkley California. In today’s newsletter from them this article caught my eye - How Curiosity Can Help Us Overcome Disconnection by Scott Shigeoka. Scott "has spent the last five years rigorously researching how curiosity might help us to bridge social and political divides.”

He shares his 4-step DIVE framework for accessing our deep curiosity. Definitely worth reading and implementing in our conversations to Harness, Harvest and Embrace our Differences.

or not?

Every few months 4 or 5 of us get together for lunch in the Hague. We’re a mixed group of women from younger and older, 3 nationalities, corporate professionals and entrepreneurs. Last week, one of us shared about navigating feedback when the person on the receiving end was closed off to hearing it. Anonymous 360 degree was suggested, which I’ve always considered to be underused in organizations. However, this article 'The Anonymous Feedback Trap: Why it Actually Undermines Psychological Safety' by Gustavo Razzetti has given me some food for thought. Perhaps it will for you as well. (Tip: under the subscribe button that pops up, you can click on ‘Continue Reading’, if you’re not ready to subscribe.)

To Sandra Delgado Quist , who is opening the doors to The Hague Natural Health Centre on October 2nd. Her centre will offer specialists in Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Reiki, Psychology, Gestalt Therapy and Nutrition, with more specialties coming in the future.

Mary Jane Roy is the owner of Creating Waves. She is committed to sharing knowledge and strategies to support thriving people. workspaces and organizations.

If you'd like more information about workshops, speaking engagements, panels, or consultancy customized to meet your organizational needs, please click here to learn how Mary Jane can support you.