Something to Read
When I met my friend, Kenny King, for coffee earlier this month, I didn’t expect him to share with me one of the best “business books” I have ever read.
Kenny is an out-of-the-box thinker and one of the most empathetic mentors I have come across. He suggested I read Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara…then Kenny exhibited this concept perfectly, by dropping the book off at my house the next day with a very kind hand-written note.
Perhaps it was the lore of Eleven Madison Park (one of the World’s finest restaurants) as the backdrop, but this book really spoke to me – I read the entire thing on flights between Newark and Phoenix. Three points jumped off the page at me while reading:
- Guidara tells us that authenticity in human interaction comes from “serving others what you genuinely want to receive,” as opposed to pandering (serving what you think they want) or showing off (serving what you want).
- No matter how grand the project, its success depends on the dedication and preparedness of the team delivering it. Guidara emphasized the critical importance of investing in people. While it’s tempting to spend big on impressive projects, the real impact comes from ensuring the individuals behind them are trained and empowered.
- Leadership through communication plays a key role in building thriving teams. Guidara believes that public speaking is more than just a skill—it’s a vital leadership tool. When leaders express their excitement and passion effectively, they inspire those around them, energizing the entire team with a shared sense of purpose.
Published in 2022, Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. Consider purchasing this book from local Asheville, NC bookstore Firestorm Books – a small gesture as their community recovers from Hurricane Helene. You can also find the digital or audiobook from your retailer of choice.
Something to Hear
Over the last few months, we have been using a new tool at Point Taken – Virtual Sapiens – an AI-driven digital coaching tool.
We collaborate closely with Rachel Cossar and her team to integrate the power of AI with the nuances of human coaching. It has been an incredibly productive partnership and one that our clients have been loving.
However, in a conversation with a client last month, they mentioned the sincere hesitation – and all out avoidance – that their legal team feels about AI. As humans and humans in business, how can we work to trust AI in ways that make us better?
Generative AI enables workers to shift from routine exchanges to more meaningful communication and innovation – check out two key takeaways I heard from this episode.
In a recent HBR IdeaCast episode, neuroscientist Mithu Storoni shared key insights on how generative AI can enhance both productivity and quality at work:
- AI as a tool for freeing employees from routine tasks: Instead of replacing workers, AI can handle mundane tasks, allowing people to focus on complex problem-solving and innovative breakthroughs.
- Redefining efficiency through quality: Efficiency isn’t just about doing more—it’s about achieving higher-quality results. By taking over low-level tasks, AI frees up mental energy for deeper collaboration and creative thinking.
Spend less than 30 minutes listening to the conversation with James Wilson and Paul Daugherty from Accenture discuss how we can embrace Generative AI in the workplace – while also considering data privacy and ethical use. You can find Episode #987, “The AI Skills You Should be Building Now,” at HBR Ideacast or wherever you get your podcasts.
Something to Do
Send a message of gratitude.
“Everyone’s distracted during meetings – phones are out, emails are being checked…to try and harness attention and make it meaningful. I start my meetings by asking everyone to get out their phone and send one message of gratitude to someone.” My coffee with Kenny King (see Something to Read for more about Kenny) resulted in many insights and meaningful takeaways, but this one stuck with me.
I think we can all benefit from both sharing gratitude and hearing it. Set in motion a gratitude cascade by sending a message to someone and asking them to pass it on.
Something to See
Visiting the desert was not in my plans for this fall. I was there for a funeral of a young woman who left behind her two tiny baby boys and a loving husband after a tragic medical situation. Being in the desert and seeing that even in moments of extreme emptiness, life can find a way to thrive; it made me hopeful for her family and for all of us as we navigate uncertainty – hold tight to one another and lead with gracious beneficence.