Cristal Downing’s Post

Continuation from previous post 👆 Sometimes, taking a moment to reflect can lead to a profound sense of gratitude. When we truly think about our journey, it becomes clear that we didn’t achieve everything on our own. Behind every success, every step forward, there are people who played significant roles: mentors, friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers who extended a helping hand. It’s easy to get caught up in personal achievements, but it’s important to pause and recognize the gift of men and women who have been instrumental in our growth. Their support, encouragement, and sacrifices are a reminder that no one truly thrives alone. Gratitude is not just an emotion; it’s an acknowledgment that our successes are often built on the foundation laid by others. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the people who have helped us along the way. #Gratitude #Reflection #Appreciation #Support

There is something that I re-learned last month: Success isn’t permanent. It’s built on consistent effort and the courage to push past your limits. November has always been special to me—my birthday month. 😊 This year, it became even more meaningful as I reflected on life, gratitude, and giving back. Growing up with limited means, birthdays were simple: a visit to the temple, a homemade cake, and prayers for a better tomorrow. As I entered the corporate world, birthdays became about dinners and celebrations with friends and family. But this year was different. 🙌🏻 I celebrated with my incredible community and was overwhelmed by thousands of heartfelt wishes from family, mentees, and connections. Yes, I had a small family lunch, but what stayed with me was the realization that I’m making a positive impact in other people’s lives. From worrying about where the next meal would come from to now creating opportunities for others, this journey has been a blessing. And this November, with the Risers Club, we made an even bigger impact. 🎯 Through our Rising Black Friday initiative, we pledged to feed children for every new enrollment in our community. The result? 16 children supported with food for an entire year! ✨ A true WIN-WIN-WIN: mentees grow, leaders thrive, and society benefits. This journey is my way of honoring a lesson my parents taught me early on: Being grateful and paying it forward. Now, I carry that lesson forward—through coaching, mentoring, and giving back. What are you grateful for in your life? Tell me in the comments! 💡 #midcareer #growth #executivecoaching #leadership

Eugene’s ESA brand of leadership has three key attributes. Let's break it down. Empowering. The ESA leadership fosters an environment where team members feel empowered, enabled, and engaged to take initiative, make decisions, and contribute their unique skills and ideas to the organization's goals. Synergistic. The ESA leadership values collaboration and teamwork, aiming to create synergies while promoting critical thinking among team members to achieve common objectives efficiently and effectively. Agile. The ESA leadership is adaptable and responsive to changes, able to pivot quickly in response to evolving circumstances or opportunities, nurturing the culture of design thinking and ensuring the organization remains competitive and innovative. ESA is crucial for navigating the complexities of the ever-evolving digital and banking landscape. Looking forward to reading your book, Bro! Congratulations, Eugene S. Acevedo!

Some of the most successful people in the world attribute gratitude to being an integral part of building their careers. Arianna Huffington, Tony Robbins, and Oprah Winfrey each say their gratitude practice is not a result of their success; it’s the cause of their success. We hear a lot about gratitude at the end of the year. Holiday messaging regularly reminds us to reflect on our year and give thanks for all we have — but we think we should do things a little differently. Instead of focusing on gratitude at the year’s end, we believe giving thanks should be a year-round priority for organizations and the leaders and teams within. Let’s look at why giving thanks is essential for developing more meaningful, productive, and satisfying professional and personal outcomes. https://bit.ly/46AK2lo

Entering new markets, extending our capabilities and growing our team has been a thrill but positive influence has always been the driving force behind Nous Group. It has guided our strategy since day one. What constitutes positive influence is always up for healthy and robust debate, but achieving as much good as we can is not. As part of our 25th anniversary, we’ve engaged in an exploration of positive influence and what it means for how we work with clients. If you're feeling philosophical, take a deep dive and check out our report where we explore the challenges and opportunities that come with being genuinely purpose-driven in 2024. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gPBxRxd4 #positiveinfluence #purpose 

Celebrating Gratitude Week: Reflections on Life, Work, Relationships, and Beyond As we pause to reflect on Gratitude Week, I am reminded of how transformative gratitude can be in every aspect of our lives—whether in our careers, personal relationships, or even in facing life’s impermanence. Gratitude shapes our perspective, strengthens our connections, and reminds us of the beauty in what we often take for granted. In the words of Albert Einstein, "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." Gratitude trains us to see the miracles in the everyday—the coworker who shares our burdens, the mentor who guides us, or the friends and family who anchor us in love. In the realm of work, gratitude fosters collaboration and innovation. As Carl Sagan observed, "If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe." This reminds us that our achievements are rarely solo endeavors; they rest on the contributions of countless others. Expressing gratitude to colleagues not only acknowledges their efforts but also creates an environment where people feel valued and inspired. In relationships, gratitude deepens our bonds. Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer, said, "That brain of mine is something more than merely mortal, as time will show." Her words remind us of the unique brilliance in each individual we encounter—each person contributing something irreplaceable to our journey. And finally, in contemplating life and death, gratitude brings peace. Mathematician Blaise Pascal once reflected, "Man is but a reed, the most feeble thing in nature; but he is a thinking reed." Despite our fragility, gratitude for the moments we have allows us to live fully and authentically. As we navigate our own paths, let us take a moment to thank those who walk alongside us, to appreciate the opportunities we’ve been given, and to marvel at the interconnectedness of it all. Who or what are you grateful for this week? Share your reflections—I’d love to hear them. #GratitudeWeek #Leadership #Collaboration #LifeLessons #ScienceWisdom

While Thanksgiving isn’t something I celebrate, I’ve always admired the way it encourages a moment of reflection, a chance to pause and think about the people, experiences, and values that truly matter. Recently, I found myself pondering the difference between thanks, gratefulness, and appreciation, and how they play distinct roles in our lives, particularly for us as impact-driven women. Here’s my take: Thanks is a simple acknowledgment, a recognising a kindness or gesture in the moment. Gratefulness is deeper; it’s a mindset of recognising and valuing the good things that enrich our lives. Appreciation goes even further. It’s not just about recognising the good, it’s about valuing everything, even the challenges or negative experiences. When we take a moment to see how those difficulties have shaped us, taught us lessons, or pushed us to grow, we can express genuine gratitude for the role they’ve played in moving us forward. In this way, appreciation creates deeper, lasting bonds—with others, with ourselves, and with the journey we’re on. These words carry weight for those of us striving to make a difference. They remind us to celebrate the wins, the connections, and the lessons that fuel our purpose. ✨ I give thanks for the inspiring women I’ve had the privilege to connect with this year. ✨ I feel grateful for the shared vision of creating positive change in our communities and beyond. ✨ I deeply appreciate the energy, talent, and determination my clients bring to everything you do. So, while I may not have a turkey on the table today, I can still embrace the spirit of reflection and gratitude. Let’s carry that energy into our work and our lives every day, amplifying the impact we strive to make. Who or what are you thankful for, grateful for, or appreciative of this year? I’d love to hear your thoughts. 💬 #Gratitude #WomenWhoImpact #AppreciationInAction

THANKFUL THURSDAY: I'M THANKFUL TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO POSITIVELY IMPACT WORKPLACES THROUGH PEOPLE & CULTURE. When I think about my WHY? 🔍 Why I started on this entrepreneurial journey? 🔍 Why I'm driven to grind it out every day? 🔍 Why this work matters? The answer is simple. THEM. The people sick on Sunday evenings, dreading work the next week. The people out there who cry coming home to their families at night. The people who are hanging on by a thread and aren't getting the support and attention they deserve. The people who aren't living up to their potential or recognized when they do. The leaders who want to do better, but don't know how. The young people who are in school today and excited about the next chapter, only to be let down. My children. We have an entire workforce and generations coming that deserve more and deserve better. The beauty of this work is that it creates a WIN-WIN for both employers and employees alike. Workplaces can provide experiences where people are excited about their work, their teammates, and their company when they're treated right. Workplaces can produce outcomes that directly impact the bottom line, when people are treated right. What are you thankful for today?

Celebrate Every Milestone! In our fast-paced world, it’s all too easy to focus on what we haven’t accomplished rather than acknowledging the strides we’ve already made. We tend to be our own harshest critics, often overlooking the progress we’ve achieved, no matter how small it may seem. Every milestone—big or small—deserves recognition. Whether you’ve completed a project, learned a new skill, or simply made it through a tough week, take a moment to celebrate these accomplishments. It's this recognition that fuels motivation and positivity, helping us maintain momentum on our journeys. So, let’s shift our perspective! Instead of fixating on what’s left to do, let’s appreciate how far we've come. Share your wins, no matter how minor they may feel. Encourage your colleagues to do the same and create a culture of celebration around growth and progress. Together, let’s uplift one another and celebrate each step in our journeys! What milestones are you celebrating this month?

As Ascendion Turns Two this week (10/10), here is a message from our CEO. Although it's been only 2 years in the journey that we have taken towards transformation, it feels like we have been here for 2 decades. #Ascendion #Transformation #Innovation #Technology #PeopleMatters #AscenderAppreciationWeek #AAW