Tuesday Thoughts | 4 June 2024 | That’s Very On Brand

A couple of weeks ago I was getting my summer tires installed (if you didn’t already know, I live in Canada), when I wandered into the sales department, and said “ok, since I keep getting emails about what a good deal I can get from trading in my lease, let’s talk”.

By the time they started calling my name over the PA system to come pick up my car, I was looking at trim levels, pricing out options, and had already been for a test drive. While I am willing to pay for the things I want and need, especially where something will improve my quality of life or lead to new experiences; I also like my money to stay in my bank account, where an equivalent item or experience can be acquired for cheaper.

Somewhere along the line, I just started trading up, I went from a Chevy to a Buick, and then during the pandemic when options were limited to a Cadillac. Yes, I needed a car, yes it was kind of a nice thing to do for myself for my 40th birthday, and yes, when I started running the numbers and some months it was literally costing me more than $100 per use it stopped seeming like such a smart plan.

There are a couple of things I am completely unwilling to compromise on:

Park Assist – because before I got my first back up camera, and parking sensors, there were a few ‘unfortunate’ incidents, and sometimes Toronto driving just happens; and (this really happened last week) I find myself, backing up hill, into a tight spot, in the pouring rain, dodging pedestrians.

Heated Steering Wheel and Bose Speakers – this one should be obvious, and if its not, you really should try them, start with the steering wheel, it’s a game changer in the winter. Also, obviously, heated seats, but honestly in my opinion that should be base model standard.

And, Finally, a Cross Over or SUV – in 2019 I slipped two discs in my back, and the word ‘surgery’ got tossed around for a few weeks, which is why when my physio said “you shouldn’t drive cars” I took it as an order not a suggestion.

One of the reasons I ended up ‘trading up’ from Buick to Cadillac in 2021, was because the only new model of my then current car, that was available, was brown – and if you know anything about me you’ll know I don’t like the colour yellow, or any colour in the yellow family; no browns, beiges, lime green (actually most greens) or worse still chartreuse. I worked in an office that had light brown walls for years, and I actually think it low-key messed with my head most days.

A few months ago when I showed up for my final round interview with my current employer, I was wearing a teal shirt to brighten up a boring black suit; the then Chair of the Board, remarked that I was wearing one of the colours that appeared in the slide-deck I was presenting from, outlining my proposed plan for my first 90 days on the job – this was of course not in any way accidental.

You may also know that I have a teal and white home office, the covers of my books are teal with purple and white accents, my resume, the printables available on my website (including the first 100 Calls to Action from this Newsletter), and my one pagers and fact sheets for my speaking and consulting work, all also feature teal, white and purple. Particularly eagle-eyed folks have also noticed the custom pop-socket on my phone, which features purple on a teal background.

As an artist, who is the daughter and granddaughter of artists, I have a strong sense of colour, and VERY strong opinions about colour (see above the entire para on my aversion to the colour yellow, and all of its variants and shades). My Grandmother even edited the Journal of the National Gallery of Jamaica for a time and had a penchant for significantly more colourful styles of dress than is my usual, even if I am currently in possession of a full baby-pink suit.

This spring, my colour sense once again came into play in choosing a car to drive for the next 3-4 years (the lease terms are four years, but I expect to be offered an attractive buy-out around the 2 or 3 year mark); if I have to, I’ll drive the same old black, white or grey car as everyone else, but first you know I’m going to consider all the options. In fact, when I acquired my Chevy Cruz, I arrived at the dealership knowing the only one I wanted was one in Ice Blue.

After being shown the Nitro Yellow option – that was a HARD NO; and Cacti Green – also a no, but with the added bonus of not wanting to look like I stole my car from a Military Base; the sales rep (who by-the-by used to play golf with my dad) said “there’s a blue option, but I don’t think you’re going to like it”. How wrong he was, Fountain Blue with a Summit White Roof and Mirror details, was exactly what I was looking for without even knowing it.

My car – a Chevy Trailblazer (because I know there is someone who has read this far, for this piece of info alone), is a rolling embodiment of my personal brand colours and esthetic. Yes, I am just that extra that I chose my vehicle (after a test drive, to make sure its also fun to drive), based on how well it matches one of the most visible aspects of my personal branding. Bonus points go to being slightly smaller, and thus easier to park in tight spaces.

Obviously, I don’t expect most of my readers to choose their next ride based on the colour, I know there are many people who really could care less, as long as their wheels keep turning from point-A to point-B; and while most of us have a favourite colour, it wasn’t really until I went to choose the colours for the branding for this newsletter that I really settled into defined personal brand colours.

But, there are much smaller choices we make every day, that result in lesser or greater alignment with our personal brands, choices that might confirm or oppose how we are viewed, and when less aligned may leave people feeling as if we are inconsistent, unpredictable, or downright untruthful.

This week’s call to action, is to seize the opportunities to close the gaps between who we truly are and who we are seen to be, and to be aware of misalignment that could lead to mistrust.

New and Noteworthy is a collection of things readers of #TuesdayThoughts might find interesting, important, or informative;

??Other Stuff I Did This Week (shameless self promotion): This past week was a busy week of simply doing my job, but we have so much to show for it. I watched as the membership of the Canadian Defence Lawyers elected the most diverse board in the Association's nearly 30-year history. AND celebrated three exceptional members of Canada's Defence Law community, with the presentation of the 2024 Annual Awards. Oh, yes, we also amended the Bylaws to align with modern legislation, and the current needs and operations of the Association; as a new Executive Director, one of your first-year hurdles will always be surviving the AGM.

???Hold These Dates: 18 June 2024 - City of Brantford 2024 Student Entrepreneurship Launch (by invitation only) | Where to next? I'm looking for a handful of Speaking and Consulting Engagements through late 2024 and into 2025 to continue to make an impact. Details of my offerings are on my website daniellerussell.ca.

?? What to Watch: A short video featuring CSAE 's Board Chair Shannon Bott, CAE, CMP inviting members to a Virtual Town Hall on June 26th

?? What to Read: The larger the nonprofit, the more likely it is run by a white man, says new Candid diversity report from Associated Press

? What to Do: Attend the Community sneak peek of the Laurier Milton Academic Centre on June 18, 2024 co-hosted by Wilfrid Laurier University and Laurier Alumni | Court Finds Not-for-Profit Unfairly Terminated Co-President’s Membership from Gardiner Roberts LLP blog h/t Heather Keachie

????♀?Cool Jobs (Paid and Volunteer): Chief Public Affairs Officer @ Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario | Manager of Public Affairs @ MNP h/t Chris Shantz | Regional Coordinator (Ontario) @ Canadian Race Relations Foundation | Communications Officer - Brantford Campus @ Wilfrid Laurier University h/t Rachel Runge

?? Take Note: Congratulations to my first boss, Judy Pfeifer, C.Dir on her upcoming retirement! Comms folks, take note of the exciting role that is now hiring | Congratulations to Tami Adams Founder, Speaker Manager on your nomination for Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 under the category of Compass Rose Entreprenuer through the Women's Executive Network (WXN)

CALL FOR CONTENT: I crowd source 99% of what appears in New and Noteworthy, but I would love the help of the Tuesday Thoughts Community to identify content about you and for you. Got a cool new project? A Job Posting to Fill? Or just something you found interesting? DM me with a link.

I am a Certified Association Executive with over a dozen years of experience in leadership positions across Canada’s Not-for-Profit Sector, with deep ties in the Meetings and Events Industry. I use the art of storytelling in speech and writing to explain ideas, and to inform audiences and readers on a variety of topics. Learn more about how we can collaborate;

?? Consulting Services: I offer a suite of consulting services for Associations and Charities, and am interested in working with likeminded organizations on projects that contribute to better governance, leadership and the overall growth and health of Canada’s Association and Not-for-Profit Industries.

??? Speaker/Facilitator: I have spoken to standing room only crowds in the Association and Events sectors, connecting ideas and people; topics include, The Introvert Experience, Imposter Syndrome and Mentorship, EDI: Lived Experience as a BIPOC Woman in Leadership, Minimalism and Essentialism, Finding Your Voice and Building Your Unique Brand, Making and Impact, and the #TuesdayThoughtsFormula. NEW: Speaker Onesheet (ratesheet available on request)

??? Contributing Writer: I have written for Industry Publications and Blogs with a focus on the role of Associations, Volunteerism, and the Intersection of Not-for-Profit Management and many current social and economic trends. My inclination towards storytelling lends itself well to the style of Creative Non-Fiction.

?? The Tuesday Thoughts Formula: I am on a mission to inspire actions that amplify my impact, each week I follow the #TuesdayThoughtsForumla to deliver a call to action inspired by relevant stories; new this year, I’m bringing live demonstrations of the formula to the stage to help conference, event and meeting attendees tell their own stories that amplify their ROI of in-person attendance.

?? Check out my website daniellerussell.ca or email me: [email protected]

?? I’m on a Mission to?Change The World, By Inspiring Actions That Amplify My Impact! Despite my Introverted tendencies, if I have any hope of success this cannot be a solo affair. Join my community where I Connect People and Ideas;

?? Tuesday Thoughts: Join the #TuesdayThoughts community, subscribe to the Newsletter and get your copy of the #TuesdayThoughtsBook, The Tuesday Thoughts Companion: A Year of Small Actions for Big Impact. Like, Comment and Share to keep the conversation going, and amplify the thoughts that inspire you to action.

?? Let’s Be Friends: LinkedIn: Danielle S. Russell, CAE (she/her) | Instagram: @danielle.s.russell