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We at sayhii believe leaders are readers. Our most recent author interview is with Allison Pugh, Professor of Sociology at The Johns Hopkins University. We discussed her most recent work The Last Human Job. Here is one of may of the key points that she champions: "Creating cultures of connection isn’t about ignoring technology," Pugh clarifies. "It’s about ensuring that technology serves as a tool to enhance relationships rather than a barrier." Pugh's research examines how economic trends - such as commodification, job insecurity, and automation - influence the ways individuals establish connections and seek meaning and dignity both at home and in the workplace. With a career spanning decades of research and writing, Pugh’s work challenges organizations to prioritize relationships, redefine workplace culture, and embrace the irreplaceable value of human judgment and empathy. Read the entire interview in Notes from the Field pages 12-13 https://lnkd.in/e9AWGZAc

As we close out February, we reflect on three essential themes that define successful workplaces: trust in teams, the power of startup ecosystems, and empathy in leadership. Trust fuels collaboration. Without it, teams struggle to innovate and engage. Collaboration drives impact. Startups in Upstate New York are proving that ecosystems thrive when built on shared goals. Empathy retains talent. When leaders listen and support their people, engagement and performance soar. At sayhii, we believe that connection is the antidote to workplace chaos. When employees feel seen, heard, and valued, they do more than work together—they build something greater than the sum of their parts. How does your organization foster trust, collaboration, and empathy in the workplace? Connect with us to start the conversation. ⬇️ ✨Amy Gurske Ally Grace Hiranandani Jennifer Sertl David Russell #FutureOfWork #Leadership #EmployeeEngagement #StartupEcosystem #sayhiieveryday #sayhii

Trust is the Foundation of Great Teams Collaboration without trust is just coordination. True teamwork happens when employees feel safe to share ideas, take risks, and support each other. At sayhii, we believe that trust isn’t just built—it’s cultivated through connection, collaboration, clarity, and culture. Our Workforce Navigator model helps leaders foster psychological safety, strengthen engagement, and create a workplace where trust drives performance. Let’s move beyond connection to true collaboration. Read more about how we’re doing it here, at sayhii! Ready to build a high-trust, high-impact team? Let’s start the conversation. #WorkplaceCulture #Teamwork #Trust #EmployeeEngagement #sayhii #sayhiiEveryday

As the Founder & CEO of sayhii, ✨Amy Gurske is a right- and left-brain innovator, self-proclaimed lifetime student, and human behavior pioneer. With a background in engineering and industrial-organizational psychology, she has built her career at the intersection of technology, psychology, and leadership, helping organizations navigate change, foster meaningful connections, and drive sustainable success. Gurske believes that the only glass ceiling that exists is the one we put on ourselves, and she is on a mission to help leaders and teams break through barriers, embrace innovation, and celebrate the differences that make us thrive. At sayhii, we are always looking for ways to amplify conversations about innovation, leadership, and the future of work, which is why we’re thrilled to celebrate Amy as she takes the stage at two major events this April—each dedicated to empowering leaders, fostering transformation, and challenging the status quo. Elevate Womens Summit April 3rd DisruptHR ROC Apri 8th Read more to hear details on both programs https://lnkd.in/ea9n8QJf #ElevateOrigins #WomenInBusiness #RochesterEmpowers #hrinnovation #playingourpart  #disrupthr  #disrupthrroc  #rochesterny

Upstate New York is Becoming a Startup Powerhouse! When you think of startups, #Silicon Valley, #NYC, and #Austin might come to mind. But Upstate New York—from #Albany to #Buffalo— is not so quietly building a thriving innovation ecosystem fueled by world-class accelerator programs, university talent, and a collaborative entrepreneurial spirit. Some of the key players driving this movement: GENIUS NY (Syracuse) – The world's largest accelerator for uncrewed systems, IoT, and robotics. Led by Kara Jones Luminate Accelerator (Rochester) – Powering breakthroughs in optics, photonics & imaging. Led by Sujatha Ramanujan, PhD 43North (Buffalo) – Investing $5M annually in high-growth startups. Led by Colleen E. Heidinger FuzeHub (Albany) – Supporting manufacturers & tech startups with funding and expertise. Led by Elena Garuc Upstate Capital Association of New York – Connecting startups with investors. Led by David Brown Syracuse University Blackstone LaunchPad (Syracuse) – Empowering student entrepreneurs at Syracuse University Southern Tier Startup Alliance (STSA) (Ithaca & Binghamton) – Accelerating clean energy & biotech startups. Led by Brad Treat Startups making waves in Upstate NY: Circuit Clinical (Buffalo) – Disrupting healthcare trials, backed by $59.1M in funding! Led by Irfan Khan, MD Labby (Rochester) – Innovating dairy analytics for farmers & processors. Led by Julia Somerdin Dropcopter (Syracuse) – Optimizing crop pollination with agricultural drones. Led by Matt Koball From photonics in Rochester to clean energy in Ithaca, Upstate NY is proving to be a launchpad for innovation.🔥 Who’s shaping the future of this ecosystem? Let’s connect and celebrate the founders, funders, and accelerators making it happen! 📖 Read more in this article by Amy Gurske: https://lnkd.in/gsrEffCZ #StartupEcosystem #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #UpstateNY #GENIUSNY #LuminateAccelerator #43North #FuzeHub #BlackstoneLaunchPad #SouthernTierStartups #VentureFunding #sayhii #sayhiiEveryday

Beyond Digital Transformation: Building Workplaces Where Every Voice Matters For years, digital transformation has been a rallying cry for businesses. But in reality, many organizations have focused more on digitalizing old systems than truly transforming the way people work. We optimized processes, built tools for efficiency, and streamlined operations—but too often, we did so in ways that reinforced silos rather than fostering meaningful collaboration. Now, AI is giving us a second chance—not just to work faster, but to work better. The future isn’t just about AI-powered efficiency; it’s about creating workplaces where every voice is heard, where insights from across the organization inform decision-making, and where technology empowers people rather than replacing them. At sayhii, we believe that the true power of AI lies in its ability to amplify human potential, breaking down barriers and unlocking new possibilities for how we work together. In many companies, digitalization led to isolated systems—HR in Workday, sales in Salesforce, marketing in HubSpot—each optimizing within its own domain. But business doesn’t operate in silos, and neither should AI. Instead of just adding intelligence to existing workflows, we must rethink how work itself happens. This shift isn’t about replacing employees; it’s about augmenting their abilities and ensuring that insights flow seamlessly across the enterprise. When AI is designed to integrate—not isolate—it can create workplaces that are more adaptive, inclusive, and innovative. At sayhii, we see AI not as a replacement for human intuition, but as a bridge—connecting teams, surfacing hidden insights, and fostering collaboration at every level. AI-first organizations don’t just digitize old ways of working; they create entirely new paradigms for engagement, belonging, and strategic action. Instead of HR just tracking engagement, imagine AI identifying where voices aren’t being heard and proactively fostering inclusion. Instead of leadership making decisions in isolation, imagine a system that integrates feedback from every level, empowering organizations to adapt in real time. If we get this right, we won’t just build better workplaces—we’ll create a future of work where every voice is part of the transformation. We think this article from Brian Solis ServiceNow's Dave Wright are framing the #AI first business transformation in a powerful way https://lnkd.in/gJH3DSRg

✨ Empathy: The Secret to Employee Retention ✨ Empathy isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a leadership superpower. 💡 A Businessolver study found that 92% of employees see empathy as essential in leadership. Yet, too many workplaces overlook its impact. The truth? When employees feel understood, valued, and heard, they stay. They perform better. They thrive. 💬 What can leaders do? ✔ Listen actively – Validate employee perspectives. ✔ Drop “No” & “But” – Keep conversations open. ✔ Foster gratitude – Recognition fuels motivation. ✔ Lead with curiosity – Ask, don’t assume. ✔ Create psychological safety – Innovation follows trust. As Brené Brown says, “Empathy is simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of ‘You’re not alone.’” Ready to lead with empathy? Read the full article by ✨Amy Gurske 👉 https://lnkd.in/gq6avvr4 #Leadership #Empathy #EmployeeEngagement #Retention #FutureOfWork #sayhii #sayhiiEveryday

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about having a groundbreaking idea—it’s about finding the right ecosystem to bring that idea to life. That’s why Upstate Venture Connect (UVC) and Upstate Capital Association of New York are more than just organizations; they are the backbone of a thriving community where founders, investors, and innovators come together to build something greater. At a recent event, two powerhouse voices—Yami Payano, co-founder of SignSpeak and Marnie LaVigne, Ph.D. Launch NY—shared their journeys and the critical role these organizations have played in shaping their success. From turning a one-week trip into a seven-year commitment to Upstate New York to securing millions in funding for emerging startups like sayhii, their stories are a testament to what’s possible when founders have the right support. Thank you Noa Simons and Olivia Goldstein for curating and planning such an inspiring event. #UpstateNewYork #InnovationHub #Founders #Funding #Ecosystem #sayhiieveryday #voices #community

Resilience & Connection: Honoring Frederick Douglass’s Legacy in Rochester Resilience is more than just endurance—it’s the ability to transform hardship into progress, #isolation into #action, and #division into #connection. Few exemplify this more than Frederick Douglass, a man who overcame oppression, fought for justice, and used the power of connection to drive change. Rochester, NY, was more than just where Douglass lived—it was where he built a movement. He established The North Star newspaper, a platform that connected voices in the fight against slavery and injustice. He cultivated relationships with abolitionists, suffragists, and changemakers, proving that progress is never made alone. His resilience wasn’t just about surviving; it was about bringing people together to create lasting change. His legacy reminds us of two things: 🔥 Resilience fuels impact. No matter how great the challenge, progress comes from those willing to stand firm and push forward. 🤝 Connection strengthens movements. Douglass knew that change happens when people unite behind a shared vision. Today, as we reflect on his time in Rochester, we ask: 💡 How are we using our own resilience to drive change? 💬 Are we fostering the connections that will make our workplaces and communities stronger? Resilience without connection is struggle. Connection without resilience is empty. But together, they build something powerful. Just as Douglass did. Just as we can. #Resilience #Connection #FrederickDouglass #Rochester #ROC #Leadership #TheNorthStar #sayhii #sayhiiEveryday https://lnkd.in/gP9G4H_u