Cascading’s Post

I guess I’m in my old lady in her garden era. But this small box garden has taught me so much. One of my favorite lessons : What is the difference in the top 2 photos? - It’s the same kind of plant from the same kind of seed. (Pumpkin) - It’s the same soil - It’s the same amount of water - It’s the same amount of sunlight Yet they have reacted very differently. One is staying low to the ground and still spreading out some but more routine and casual. The other one is climbing. When given the opportunity these plants will climb and grown upward. They use the tiniest tentacles to grab hold and climb to new levels. Sometimes they try to grow the wrong way and we have to guide them back and help them find where they can attach safely and grow. By just taking their tentacles and helping them attach you can teach them to climb. Isn’t that leadership? Providing for our teams the opportunity to grow and a sturdy foundation they can climb is a part of leadership. Helping to guide them and attach their tentacles so they know where they fit and where it’s safe to climb. How are your teams growing? Do they know the path to growth? Do they feel it’s safe to reach out and try to pull themselves higher? Start with growth plans, know the path they want to take and help guide them. Grow great teams my friends! #EnsembleDifference #growinggreatteams #growthplans #leadingwithpurpose #helpthemclimb #watchthemgrow #revenuecyclemanagement

🌱 Our Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) is starting to bloom! 🌼 This delightful plant fills the air with its wonderful fragrance and attracts essential pollinators. These pollinators, drawn to the mint, are critical in the success of our melons and berries, illustrating that they are much more than mere visitors; they are crucial partners in our ecosystem. Permaculture teaches us the importance of collaboration and mutual benefits. This principle of collaboration and mutual benefits is not confined to nature; it permeates our communities and business environments, empowering us to foster a culture of teamwork and shared success. #Permaculture #Teamwork #Leadership

The construction sector is ripe for regenerative practices and the opportunity to make a difference is significant. Systemic issues contribute to current progress to transition being made at a glacial speed as all parties remain entrenched in their current policies, practices and mindsets. Consider having a read about Justin Murray and the approach he and his company are taking to disrupt the building sector in this week’s post from The Pocket Dojō (link in comments below) #leadership #regeneration

It is a big day for the movement to #decarbonize #buildings. It’s a relatively small room, but a big day :) A global leadership summit, hosted by the UN, focused on the contributions that buildings have on climate change, and what we can do about it. Hard to believe it is 2024 and we are just now having this conversation at this scale, but hey, here we are ;) So far, the conversations are sobering, and the willpower is there. Looking forward to the day of smaller focused panels to see what folks have planned… UN Environment Programme Architecture 2030 International Living Future Institute

I never expected to learn about leadership practices from a goose! Did you know that every bird has the potential to lead within a flock? I certainly didn't! When Canadian geese migrate, they take turns being the lead bird. It’s an incredible display of teamwork! The lead bird remains quiet and conserves its energy as it guides the flock. This is essential since the lead takes on the most challenging role during migration. Meanwhile, the birds in the rear of the "V" formation honk to encourage and support their leaders, creating a sense of unity and motivation. One of the most inspiring things I learned is about what happens when a goose gets injured. One or two other geese will break away from the flock to accompany the hurt bird until it heals, before rejoining the group. Call me a bird brain, but I believe there are valuable lessons in leadership we can glean from geese. **Pro Tip:** When faced with a problem, seek inspiration from nature and the cosmos. Designing organically often leads to the best solutions, after all, everything was created by the ultimate architect! HE left it for us to utilize. Add your fun facts about birds in the comment section below. Be respectful LOL! 🙏🏽 #designforgood #brandingforthepeople #createlikeyouloveit #creativedirector #backofoldenvelopesketch

"To restore trust in our institutions, local governments must consider the importance of developing a quality workforce, inspired leadership, and transparent and effective communications with their communities. Rebuilding trust is not just an aspiration; it is a necessity for the well-being of our communities and the preservation of our democratic values. Addressing these foundational issues can ensure local governments continue to fulfill their critical role in shaping the lives of their residents and securing a brighter future for all." This article serves as a great example for the reason our APA initiative waves the banner on #DesignThinking is because we recognize that #Planners have the ability to introduce and partner with their fellow municipal Administrators to affect their planning and development internal processes, and deeper, its leadership culture. So, how might local Administration help steer this ship towards a more positive path? Through our Planning leadership exemplifying this by instituting #DesignThinkingInPlanning in our practices. https://lnkd.in/eXZUYCDz

A few weeks ago, one of our partners, Building Doctor, achieved something remarkable. They took a bold step to challenge industry norms by mainstreaming #women #construction workers in higher-skill roles, creating opportunities for better wages and more skill-oriented jobs. Building Doctor trained 10 women #applicators in #waterproofing skills, enabling them to waterproof 19,256 sq. ft. in under 10 hours—an achievement recognized in the Asia Book of Records. This was accomplished with less than a month of on-the-job training. This is particularly noteworthy because it represents an organic shift in the industry rather than an externally imposed change. India’s construction industry employs over 70 million workers, 80% of whom are informally employed. Majority of these construction workers are school dropouts, and apprentice informally and progress from helper to skilled category over years. However, women remain relegated to helper roles, regardless of their years in the industry, typically tasked with carrying materials. The entrenched informality in the construction sector, including hiring and subcontracting practices, makes skill development challenging. While initiatives by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to provide short term training and certification marked an important shift, these efforts often did not result in higher incomes or better job opportunities in the construction sector. Labor is usually hired informally through social and geographical networks, discouraging workers from seeking formal training and certification. In this context, localized, on-the-job skilling initiatives, such as those led by #buildingmaterials manufacturers or #construction firms, are more likely to succeed as these align with the incentives of the business. For example, companies like L&T and SP Constructions train workers and offer placements, while firms like Building Doctor, Ardex invest in worker upskilling as part of their outreach to ensure their products are used appropriately. These initiatives improve workers’ skills, enhance the quality of service for consumers, and increase construction efficiency. At an aggregate level when more firms do this, the overall ecosystem improves. Kudos to Building Doctor for their initiative in training women applicators in #waterproofing and demonstrating their capabilities. Their efforts to mainstream women applicators via a unique franchise-based model, which combines product retailing with application services, mark a paradigm shift in the industry. Demonstrations like these can inspire other businesses to integrate #skilldevelopment into their operations and help women move into more skilled roles. Manufacturers of construction chemicals and paints have an opportunity to build a workforce of women applicators, linked to their dealers, in the last mile to ensures both quality service and value for customers. Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter #housing #construction #marketsystems

Welcome to the official page for Strategies in the City Strategies in the City is all about sharing knowledge because that’s how we can challenge the system. I’ve met so many people who didn’t have the privilege of formal education, and it’s clear: knowledge gives you the power to make informed decisions. It allows you to view the world from new angles and think outside the box. Sometimes, we don’t even know what we don’t know. My goal is to help light up the unexplored maps in our minds—mental models that allow us to gain perspective. Knowledge-sharing isn’t about opinions; it’s about sharing lived experiences, insights, and understandings of the world. I’m excited about this journey, and I’m thrilled to have you join me. Let’s learn, grow, and explore together. #StrategiesInTheCity #KnowledgeSharing #SystemsThinking #GrowthJourney #Leadership #Learning #Perspective #SoftSkills

Embracing the Unexpected: A Leadership Lesson from Mont Blanc Last week, my Mont Blanc climb was cancelled due to dangerous weather. This setback became a powerful reminder that true leadership often means letting go of control and embracing change. As a leader, I faced numerous challenges beyond my influence: • Economic downturns • Team restructuring • Personal health battles that were discovered while training for Mont Blanc • Breakup with my life partner The key? Acknowledging these hurdles, accepting the associated emotions, and pivoting towards new opportunities. When Mont Blanc became unattainable, we redirected to Aiguille du Midi. The result? Breathtaking views and an equally rewarding experience. This journey reinforced a crucial lesson: our greatest growth often lies just beyond our comfort zone, in the realm of the unexpected. Question for my network: How have you turned setbacks into opportunities in your professional life? Share your story of resilience and adaptation. #LeadershipLessons #Resilience #AdaptiveThinking #MountainClimbing #ProfessionalGrowth

Leadership that makes a difference—Lisa Woodruff on the future of real estate. In the most recent issue of CT, we interview Lisa Woodruff, EVP at Turner & Townsend, who shares insights on leading sustainable, inclusive projects and making a community impact in real estate. "Our purpose is all about making a difference, and transforming performance for a green, inclusive and productive world." Read the full insight into Turner & Townsend here: 🔗https://ow.ly/jeXF50TX3fF #realestate #leadership #TurnerTownsend #CTmagazine