by Cortina Jenelle | Nov 14, 2023 | blog
As any of my clients and peers know, I LOVE a good reflection moment and if I had to name anything as an addiction, it would be my obsession with growth and transformation. Call me crazy, but that’s where the rubber meets the road.
Followers, hashtags and clickbait aside, many of us are looking for answers and are more compelled to be spending time building a library of knowledge and skills, now more than ever.
Facts.
These days, the more I share with people most physically proximate to me about creative facilitation, sustainability in action and how to build towards servant leadership in business, the more I realize that what makes sense to me, may be new news to someone else. Even though I had some wild spurts in my 20’s, I was more likely to be spotted at City Council meetings and drafting neighborhood action plans because I saw what was coming and got prepared. Enter scene, hump day highlights.
Back in 2015, I was working with some of the most amazing and forward-thinking minds in my city (Asheville, NC at the time) and although many of us were artists, creatives, designers, entrepreneurs and project managers, we saw a missing link between…
business + community,
community + sustainability and
sustainability + accountability
…we needed metrics to get people to care about their impact on the environment, the impact on the community and somehow making that more important than driving up their profits. Blending the worlds of business, community and sustainability was the true ROI and way to make sure our community was not run over by franchises + could create jobs + bring the environmentalists, DEIB consultants, creatives, engineers, business owners and government officials all together at the same table. We made it happen. And the tangible results are seen in the Asheville of today, still.
https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2015/01/26/good-business-means-business-good/22377365/
Takeaways?
– Social movements are not always just about protest. Social movements can happen in business, and are. Check out B Lab and #Bthechange Movement
– To get sh*t done, we must start with synergistic gatherings of a diverse skill set, a shared vision, clear strategy, a good whiteboard and some snacks.
– Separating business and people rendered our communities vulnerable and it’s not just up to the nonprofits to address. Let’s stop personifying business and see where we need to pivot to take care of our people and make THAT the legacy. Also, profits follow values so the money will still be made.
Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash
by Cortina Jenelle | Oct 17, 2023 | business, creative coach, entrepreneur coach, leadership coach
Back when I was still in corporate, I gave some serious thought to potentially going the Human Resource route. Besides loving fixing systemic inefficiencies, one of my other favorite to-dos on the job was the training component. Still to this day, I’m mind boggled at why companies don’t have more robust training and professional development budgets for their people. The places that invested in me as a professional quite honestly, got more of my loyalty and time.
It seems like common sense to me, but I guess I could also understand the line of thinking that has people thinking that increased support for professional development leads to higher turnover rates, but honestly I just haven’t seen that that study actually exists anywhere. In fact, you’re more likely to find the opposite to be true – people stay where they’re happiest.
Back in 2016, I had the honor of being selected to present/speak at IDEATE as part of the NCSHRM State Council conference in Asheville, NC. The theme was “Lead Differently” and we challenged human resource professionals and other business leaders to rethink how they engage and motivate staff and colleagues. Here’s my talk in full from the way-back time machine:
https://youtu.be/z5-5JbWvh9Y
Takeaways?
– Authenticity matters. Principle-led leaders want to be in principle-led spaces.
– Invest in your people. It’s a REALLY smart way to make sure you see a longer sustaining ROI in the long-term and it ripples out into their families, neighborhoods, communities, schools and the whole ecosystem is better for it.
– Consider beefing up your professional development budget, or hey! Make one.
by Cortina Jenelle | Sep 12, 2023 | blog, creative coach, deib, entrepreneur coach, facilitation, sacred heart
Culture of care is often something I talk about in my work with young professionals, students, community partners and clients. It seems like more and more, these concepts need to be brought to the forefront in team spaces because it’s not standard for us these days. But, is there a such thing as too much compassion or empathy? In my DEIB work especially, people are concerned with where to draw the line about triggers and how to respond to conflict. It’s not always easy to track the ROI of human relations where we work and learn. But the lack of care in any space certainly be felt.
I have a proposition for you.
What if you proactively, or as soon as you can, establish some parameters and agreements for creating and sustaining a culture of care at your job, project or school? Meaning, the work and the mission is important but not at the expense of leaving people behind or sacrificing their well-being to get there.
Not having a true culture of care costs us good people, takes more time (spent on putting out little fires, addressing conflict or violations) and less time is spent on the actual work anyways so why not create a clear container so that people feel seen, heard, valued and respected. This leads to a clear path to express our boundaries, needs and discomforts *without* making someone also the scapegoat to fix it.
Is this something you could imagine using, or have used in your work or learning spaces?
Food for thought!
by Cortina Jenelle | Aug 8, 2023 | blog, business, creative coach, entrepreneur coach, entrepreneurs, facilitation
The digital age has redefined how we work, learn, and connect. In response to recent global challenges, the embrace of remote work, virtual meetings, and online learning has only grown stronger, shaping new paradigms for the modern professional – with no slowing down in sight. As a freelancer over everything and an introverted processor, I have been working remotely for nearly 10 years. Tools like Asana, Slack, Google Suite, Honeybook and LinkedIN were my go to’s early on in 2013 and I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to witness the roster of tools growing With these changes come distinct trends that are molding our digital experiences.
Hybrid work models are becoming the new norm, with companies permitting employees to enjoy a blend of office and remote work. Online learning platforms are integrating game mechanics to keep engagement high and enhance retention, a phenomenon known as gamified learning. Meanwhile, virtual and augmented reality are no longer just buzzwords or some “out there” concept, they are beginning to create immersive meeting and learning experiences that captivate and inspire.
Accessible Options for Remote Work + Virtual Meetings:
- Airtable: A blend of spreadsheet and database, it offers dynamic ways to organize content, track tasks, and manage projects.
- Google Meet: Integrated with other Google services for reliable video conferencing.
- Microsoft Teams: Your one-stop hub for collaboration, including chat, video meetings, and file storage.
- Slack: Messaging made simple and efficient for teams with channels and integrations.
- Trello: Visualize your tasks and projects with its unique board and card system.
- Moodle: An open-source Learning Management System tailored for the educators of today.
- Kahoot!: Learning meets fun with this game-based platform, perfect for quizzes and interactive sessions.
- Miro: Brainstorm and collaborate with this digital whiteboard tool.
- Notion: An all-encompassing workspace platform that goes beyond just notes and tasks.
- Discord: From gamers to study groups, a platform to build and nurture communities.
The modern era, marked by its rapid digital evolution, emphasizes the significance of staying connected, informed and adaptable. That in mind, it’s important to make sure that any platform you use, especially if a requirement for your team or workplace, is inclusive and accessible for everyone. All the platforms I name above are FREE to use and offer a lot of functionality even with no payment requirement. The more you upgrade, the more robust your features are so that’s fun too!
Harnessing the power of digital tools not only ensures smooth communication but also fosters growth, innovation, and unity in both professional and personal spheres. Whether you’re a digital novice or a seasoned tech enthusiast, these platforms and trends are pivotal in crafting a connected and efficient future. If nothing else, I’m absolutely excited about the time freedom I earn when I can train these digital tools to keep me organized + connected.
Happy relating!
Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash
by Cortina Jenelle | Jul 21, 2023 | blog, facilitation
At its heart, creative facilitation is not just about guiding a group through a process; it’s about unlocking the latent potential, creativity, and insight within each individual. Through a mix of art, imagination, and structured dialogue, creative facilitation goes beyond traditional methods to yield profound outcomes.
Principles of Creative Facilitation:
- Inclusivity and Equal Voice: Every participant, regardless of their background or status, should feel heard, valued, and empowered to share their perspective.
- Safe Environment: A creative facilitator cultivates a space where individuals feel safe to express themselves, take risks, and share openly without fear of judgment.
- Flexibility: The process must adapt to the needs of the group, allowing for organic growth and changes as the session unfolds.
- Active Listening: This emphasizes truly hearing and understanding participants’ viewpoints, ensuring they feel recognized and validated.
- Stimulating Creativity: Using tools like art, music, drama, or storytelling, facilitators encourage participants to think outside the box and explore new avenues of thought.
- Reflective Practice: Facilitators encourage participants to reflect on their experiences, insights, and learnings, promoting deeper understanding and growth.
The Power of Creative Facilitation: Research Insights:
- Youth Groups: According to a study published in the Journal of Youth Development, creative facilitation techniques, especially when involving artistic expression, helped youths articulate their emotions, aspirations, and challenges more vividly. This not only bolstered their self-esteem but also fostered a stronger sense of community.
- Nonprofit Organizations: A report by the Center for Creative Leadership emphasized that creative facilitation in nonprofits led to more innovative solutions, especially in strategy and program development. Participants were more engaged, collaborative, and came up with out-of-the-box ideas.
- Communities Undergoing Change: In communities facing transitions or challenges, creative facilitation acts as a bridge. A study in the Community Development Journal showcased how such facilitation methods, especially when integrating local arts and culture, were pivotal in rallying communities together, shaping shared visions, and devising actionable, community-centric strategies.
Creative facilitation is not merely a technique; it’s a transformative approach that amplifies voices, fosters understanding, and paves the way for collective, innovative action. For youth groups, nonprofits, and communities, it’s a beacon that lights the path to positive change, unity, and holistic growth.
Photo by Jeffrey Hamilton on Unsplash
