Michael Margolis

Should you lead with warmth or competence? CEO Dr. Sarah Buchner urges you to think MORE about what builds trust. An honor to interview Sarah on her inspiring path from carpenter to CEO -- and what powers her amazing team at Trunk Tools, the AI platform taking the $12 Trillion construction industry by storm. We discuss: - How being told "you can't do that" can fuel you - Practical tips on strategy, pattern recognition and building resilience Episode on 97% Effective, wherever you get your podcasts: Ep 106 – Dr Sarah Buchner – Fueled by a Chip on Her Shoulder: From Carpenter to CEO  https://lnkd.in/d8zQwrUk   #AI #generativeAI #leadership #CEO #influence #trust #construction #venturecapital #careeradvice #warmthvscompetence

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No wonder Silicon Valley left other ecosystems behind. It is a region that celebrates unique talent – people who stand out. It is the response of the environment that makes or breaks people. Writers like Jack Kerouac represented the Beat Generation, its roots firmly in California. Philosophers like Alan Watts fueled the counterculture movement with Zen Buddhist wisdom. They laid the philosophical groundwork for technology companies. Their spirit shines through the tech giants founded in Silicon Valley. Hard work, reinvesting in the organization while living relatively frugally – that's straight out of the Zen world. Both Kerouac and Watts were on Steve Jobs's reading list. More to this in this article written by Ellen Petry Leanse: https://lnkd.in/ddSyjqfb I really enjoy when a book about venture investing starts by quoting Jack Kerouac. As seen in the book by Luis Pareras MD, PhD Do you want to know more? Then join my podcast next week with Luis where we dive into the intricacies of predicting the future.

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According to Derek Sivers (CDBaby Founder), the happiest people live in the tension between (work) and (play). For creatives, it’s seductive to believe creativity is all that matters. The Art. For people who love to work and/or are naturally driven, creativity and artistic self expression can be an afterthought or non existent. They are about The Work (and its financial benefits). Derek’s wisdom suggest seeking both for a happy life. He points out that the average creative spends only 1-2 hours a day actually creating their art. The rest of the time is devoted to what their life requires. Which (usually) includes working to earn a living which can then support their creative expression. And higher levels of happiness is the result of this dynamic. I don’t believe perfect balance is achievable but I believe happiness is. #happiness #selfawareness #creativity #polarity

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Don't fall out of touch with your people. Yesterday I shared space with a San Jose City leader. We shared some words too. They were talking about Tesla's recent layoffs, initially talking about the way it was done in disbelief and then turning it into jest. At some point in the conversation they said something along the lines of, “Well, if you work for Tesla, what else did you expect? You signed up for it.” I was appalled. Here was a city leader, an elected official, brought in by the vote of the people, and they were ridiculing and dehumanizing an entire group of people. “You know, some people have no other options, there are no other jobs they can get,” I butted in to their conversation. After a brief pause, “you're right, that's true. Some people don't have a choice,” they responded, contemplating what I had said. As a leader, whether you're an elected official or were hired into your position, never ever ever get out of touch with your people. It creates a gap between you and them, which in turn makes it really difficult for you to effectively lead them. The gap grows wider in times of turbulence and massive change (like we're currently in). It's your job to understand not only the business side of things, but also how to be sensitive to the needs of your people (all people, really). But you can't do that when you're out of touch with people. This city leader who mocked the laid off Tesla workers, was completely disconnected from the fact that for some people, factory jobs are the only type of jobs they can get. Sitting in the upper echelons, they had completely lost touch with the experiences of an entire group of people. If you've lost touch with an entire group of people then you cannot lead them. I've seen this happen time and time again - The people on top have no idea what their people are experiencing. Knowing and understanding the experiences and needs of your people isn't just a job for HR or your People team. It's an important job for you, too. How well connected are you to the experiences of different people? Do they trust you to lead them? #leadershipdevelopment #executivecoach #people

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once we recognize the value of integration, this becomes the next big thing

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Syncreate Podcast Episode 59: How Creativity Opens Doors. Full Episode Here: https://lnkd.in/enX4mtTA In this installment of our Creative Spark mini-episodes, Melinda Rothouse, Ph.D. & Charlotte (she/her/hers) Gullick discuss how creativity opens doors, and how saying yes to our creativity also helps to build connection and community. We each share our own experiences of creative connection, and how expressing our creativity has led to new experiences and relationships. This episode, like the mini-episodes that preceded it, includes insights and prompts from our book, Syncreate: A Guide to Navigating the Creative Process for Individuals, Teams, and Communities. For our Creativity Pro-Tip, we encourage you to reflect on how creativity has opened doors in your own life, and to take concrete action toward opening a new door, such as attending a book reading, an open mic, a gallery opening, and so on. #syncreate #syncreatepodcast #creativity #creativeprocess #psychology #spirituality #community #melindarothouse #charlottegullick #podcast ​⁠

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Need trial lawyers and unions to get out of the way of innovation.

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I am so proud and happy to be part of this organisation. I trained over 7500 people in this method with great results. Coached 1-1 lots of people in organisations and privately. It is the strongest and fastest way to reduce stress, wherever you are or whatever you do. It works. Recognitions like this make it possible to grow even more worldwide so we can help thousands of people. I keep using it in my work. Want help with reducing stress fast? DM me. #stress #happiness #lifemindcreation #quantumtechnology

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AWE “a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.” My friend Jeff and I had an AWEsome time yesterday watching the Blue Angels.  From the 76th floor of the tallest building in downtown Seattle.  Flying 1400 miles per hour within feet of each other.  Before the Blue Angels show, I told Jeff that I had forgotten to record my weekly video…so I asked him for a word that I should use. Based upon our situation, he suggested awe.  As we watched the Blue Angels scream past us, we were both in awe. When you come up with something that you are in awe of, what can you do? Ask yourself whether or not it can directly hurt you In some situations, you might be in awe of something that could directly affect you.  Maybe you are in awe of a huge and dangerous vehicle on the road in front of you.  That vehicle has the potential to harm you.  But with the Blue Angels, we were ensconced no the 76th floor and simply in observation mode.  Most of the potential fear in this situation was more about talking what it might be like for one of US to be flying that fast and that close to other planes. Get past your imagined fear I’m not suggesting the answer is “don’t be afraid of….”  Going back to the first bullet above, if it can’t impact you directly, you need to get past that fear quickly.  Jeff and I both discussed how mind-blowing it would be to sit in one of those planes and be able to fly that quickly and effectively.  You do not need to hang onto your fears if they are only in your head and imagined. Shift from awe to wonder If something isn’t going to hurt you and you get past your fear of it, then get into the mode of curiosity.  Awe and wonder are sometimes used interchangeably.  They aren’t…unless you subtract the fear from the definition of awe and add the curiosity from the definition of wonder.  My reverential respect for what the Blue Angels can do led me to investigate a bit further about the pilots and capabilities of the plans and frequency of these amazing shows.  I get a bit nervous with the “two second rule” of following a car on the expressway - which means I should be no closer than 176 feet to the car in front of me going at 60 miles per hour.  The Blue Angels are just a few feet apart traveling at 15-20 times as fast.  AWEsome. Respect the awe...and ensure you are safe...then get interested quickly to explore how awe might play a role in your life. #trekkingfabulously #lessonslearnedformysons #leadership #coaching #blueangels #awe

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This is the leadership program I just completed. If you know me IRL you've heard me talk (and talk and talk) about it. It's hard to describe what this program is and the massive impact it's had on growing my leadership. Transformational, blah blah blah... Experiential, blah blah blah... Embodied, impact, growth, blah blah blah. Words don't quite do it justice. If you've been curious about what this program is about and if it's for you, this webinar should help you answer those questions.

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Getting to Yes is foundational for San Diego Angel Conference, yet for 98% of founders in the competition, the answer was no, at least for funding, at the moment. There are other many other Yesses to take away: *Say Yes to all you learned *Say Yes to the feedback received *Say Yes to nurturing the relationships started with founders and investors (it often leads to follow on investment) *Say Yes to receiving feedback and making changes *Say Yes to what’s next What an impressive cohort it was. Founders filled with purpose and commitment to make a positive impact, and the grit to see it through. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gG5Hf6Z3 #startups #angelinvesting #entrepreneurship #resilience #leadership

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Honored to share insights on The Daily Author with Owen Sammarone 🚀 on how to get what you want by aligning with the quantum field. 🌌✨ Acting with courage and intuition sparks synchronicity, leading to chance events, supportive connections, and amplified outcomes. This is not magical thinking—it’s physics! In my book, BUOYANT, I explain how being our authentic selves helps us attract everything we need. Discover this powerful concept in the full episode: https://lnkd.in/gdSVG-Ss #QuantumPhysics #AuthenticLiving #Podcast

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#TechWalk is the community I never realized I needed. Over the past month, I've had the incredible opportunity to work alongside the visionary founder of this community, Christine Farrier Rosemin. Adding coaching to #TechWalk has been a transformative experience. Here's what we've been able to cover over this last month. 1️⃣ Connecting Walking to Positive Emotion We often discuss the need for dopamine, but what about oxytocin? Oxytocin, produced through trust and bonding, is essential for deepening personal and professional relationships. 2️⃣ Developing a Mindful Career. With the tech job market facing challenges, we've focused on key aspects of a mindful career: Environment: Reevaluating how your physical and work environment supports your growth. Emotion: Recognizing responsibilities and opportunities that foster a sense of purpose. Experience: Crafting narratives around your experiences to highlight strengths. Expansion: Identifying challenges that encourage professional growth. These elements allow us to make more mindful choices in our careers. 3️⃣ Self-Compassion in Chaotic Times Whether it's new leadership roles or career transitions, the importance of self-compassion cannot be overstated. Instead of succumbing to self-criticism, we've practiced self-compassion meditation. This practice helps: -Extend grace to ourselves and others -Mitigating stress and the fight-or-flight response. In a short time we've slowed down and gained more personal agency as a community. A little bit of practice to integrate personal and professional development Tomorrow, I'll lead a session on taking purposeful action in challenging times. Attendees will gain tools to: ✅ Define what purposeful action means for you in the face of obstacles. ✅ Practice mindfulness techniques to manage stress and anxiety. ✅ Create an action plan to take more purposeful action Sign up here: https://lu.ma/l2jxa5pp #reframe #coaching #leadership #community #careers #humanresources #innovation #tech

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Why aren't more of us living careers of meaning and purpose? In April I led my first Purpose Retreat in Northern California’s scenic hills. This deeply emotional and transformative event was a milestone for me and a group of seasoned executives, top silicon valley friends I've known for many years who invited me to moderate there annual retreat. We live in a world that often pushes us to the edge, until one day we wake up and yell, “What am I doing with my life?” The data tells the story and according to Gallup, 85% of working-age individuals feel disengaged at work. So how can we tackle global challenges if our work lives feel flat and lifeless? Our retreat sought to answer this by helping each participant discover their core values and purpose in a single, intense day. The breathtaking landscapes of Northern California provided the perfect canvas for our work and for folks to disconnect from the craziness that is working in the Valley. I had everyone begin with a walking meditation to reconnect with nature, followed by creating comic strips to highlight pivotal life moments. Participants then identified personal “superpowers” and received insights from their accountability partners by sitting in a "hot chair" in the middle of the room. Imagining their 80th birthday celebration, each person then envisioned the impacts and legacies they hope to leave behind, highlighting that life’s true achievements are rarely about promotions or financial success but meaningful differences in others’ lives. A visual exploration cutting powerful images from magazines helped everyone pinpoint global issues they are passionate about, guiding them closer to understanding where their efforts are most needed and valued. The retreat ended with crafting personal Purpose Statements, which were shared with accountability partners for feedback . We concluded with a ceremony where each person publicly declared their purpose in an open circle at the edge of the water. Returning to California, where my journey of self-discovery and purpose began seven years ago, I felt a profound sense of coming full circle. Leading this retreat reinforced my life’s mission and reminded me of the powerful impact we can have when we align our careers with our deepest values. And you know what? A life of service and purpose isn’t just a dream—it’s an achievable reality. We just have to have to courage to reach out and ask for it. Be True, Be Curious, Be Driven.

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Generative AI in the Future of Work: A Game-Changer for Collaboration and Innovation Generative AI isn’t just the latest tech trend—it’s reshaping how we think, work, and connect. As an Organizational Designer at IDEO, I’ve had the privilege to see firsthand how this technology is transforming traditional structures and unlocking new levels of creativity and productivity. Let’s take a closer look at how generative AI is revolutionizing the future of work. Enhancing Collaboration: Imagine a workspace where team members can collaborate with AI as a real-time thought partner. Generative AI is helping break down silos by providing instant insights, suggesting novel solutions, and even translating complex data into actionable strategies. For distributed teams, AI becomes a glue that keeps everyone on the same page, no matter where they are in the world. Driving Innovation at Scale: With generative AI, organizations are now able to innovate faster than ever. By automating routine tasks and empowering employees to focus on higher-level thinking, AI creates space for breakthrough ideas. It’s the perfect blend of human ingenuity and machine precision—allowing teams to ideate, prototype, and iterate in record time. Shaping Adaptive Organizations: In an era of constant change, adaptability is a must. Generative AI equips organizations with tools to anticipate shifts and adjust strategies on the fly. From real-time scenario planning to decision-making support, AI enables businesses to become more resilient and responsive, transforming them into agile organisms that thrive in dynamic environments. The journey with generative AI is just beginning, but the potential is profound. At IDEO, we’re exploring how to integrate these capabilities thoughtfully—balancing innovation with ethics, purpose, and human-centered design. The future of work is here, and it’s being co-created by AI and human teams, together. Curious to hear your thoughts: How do you see AI reshaping your work? Or, where do you think the biggest opportunities lie for AI in the workplace? Let’s dive into this conversation. 👇

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As the sun moves through each of the Quantum Human Design™ gates over the course of a year, I'm sharing 7 perspectives for the theme of that gate. This is my synthesis of the Quantum Human Design™ work of Karen Curry Parker and the Energy Leadership™ work of Bruce D. Schneider. 🚀 As you practice applying this 7-level framework to anything from energetic themes to a traffic jam, you'll take small, achievable steps that add up to a giant leap in your impact and fulfillment in every area of life. My interpretation of this #quantumhumandesign gate through the lens of #energyleadership: 😞 Level 1: I rationalize bad behavior and stay stuck in harmful, painful situations. I don’t have the energy to honor myself and create something better. 😡 Level 2: I blame others for what they’ve done to me. I can’t move forward because they're keeping me stuck. 🙂 Level 3: I can see the blessings in my past pain. Even though I don't always believe them, I'm learning to tell new stories that serve my evolution. 🤗 Level 4: I’m gifted at seeing the blessings in others’ painful experiences. I easily identify how they can move forward, and I love supporting them as they heal. 😁 Level 5: I set healthy boundaries that honor who I am. I’m grateful for all the blessings in my life, and I move through my life experiences powerfully. My capacity to discover blessings inspires others to transform their pain into power. 😍 Level 6: Every experience has made me who I am. I flow through life with gratitude for the blessings I receive in every moment. 😇 Level 7: I AM Blessings. ***** Reflection Prompts: ✨ What energies feel most familiar? ✨ What would you like to experience more of? ✨ If you want something in your life to change, what would be possible if you looked at it from a perspective 1-2 levels higher than you currently are? Reflect on your own, leave a comment below, or DM me - I love hearing what resonates with you! 🌞 Stay tuned for more insights as the sun moves into a new gate every 5-6 days! ***** #epiclife #shineyourlight #ownyourawesomeness #reclaimyourpower #taketheleap #shiftyourperspective #selfempowerment #humandesign #blessings

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