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Author Archives: Heather DeVine

Building Awareness with Marketing

Posted on March 22, 2024 - 9:00 am by
building awareness with marketing

The most effective marketing campaign is one that builds awareness on issues. They can evoke a thought, a pause, a consideration, an emotion, an action, a changed behavior, and at times all of those things over time. Learn how you can start building awareness with marketing. There are many tactics to make an awareness campaigns stick, here are some great examples:

In summary that this blog post covers:

  1. Catch Phrase
  2. Evoke Emotion with Bold Imagery/Design
  3. Consistency
  4. Educate and Inform
  5. Influencers
  6. Normalize Issues

1. Catch Phrase

A successful catch phrase will stick with the audience. Something short and sweet and easier to remember is key.

  • “Only you can prevent forest fires” from Smokey the Bear to build the awareness around what you can do to prevent forest fires.

What makes a catch phrase work:

  • Short and easy to remember/recall
  • Direct
  • Actionable (clear call-to-action)
“Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires” – Smokie the Bear

2. Evoke Emotion with Bold Imagery/ Design

When your audience evokes an emotion it leaves a lasting mark on their heart. Shock and abrupt imagery does get your attention and discomfort comes up.

When imagery stands out and colors are bold, that’s a great ingredient to a memorable campaign.

  • The plastic straws (single-use plastic) campaign
  • Quit cigarette smoking
  • Gun reform in America
“Plastic Straw Problem” – Green Peace
“Every cigarette rots you from the inside out.” – Search ‘ Smokefree’ for free quitting support

3. Consistency

Consistent is key. When you see and hear this message consistently it stays with you. You can even recall the slogan years later – that’s good and effective marketing tactic.

“This is your brain. (egg)

This is drugs. (frying pan)

This is your brain on drugs.” (fried egg in the pan)

“This is your brain on drugs” – Partnership for a Drug-Free America

4. Educate & Inform

When you offer up education to the public you are empowering them with information so they can discover what they need to do or not to do based on this new information. When a campaign lays out the desired behavior and the reason why it’s important to change it – that’s an effect campaign.

  • PlayCleanGo – Clean off your gear, clothes, dog to help the spread of invasive species
  • No Poop Fairy – Clean up after your dog and directly impact our waterways
PlayCleanGo – What are invasive species?

5. Influencers

The very definition of “influencers” are those that influence others. Many public figures (singers, actors, television personalities) know their influence on others and want to use their persuasion to promote campaigns they care about.

This is no difference today with influencers you see promoting products on social media. You may also see them share their opinion on social issues like reproductive rights, the climate crisis, etc. Building awareness with marketing is what they think about full-time in how they present themselves, how they talk, and the products they promote.

“Don’t listen to rumors about AIDS. Get the facts!” – American Red Cross
Logic’s song “1-800-273-8255” the Suicide Prevention hotline with a story about suicide ideation and asking for the help they need

6. Normalize Issues

Over the years there are many issues that are being normalized to lift stigma. When discussions are brought to the surface that many face in our society they begin to breakdown and remove the shame and stigma surrounding them. More than ever before examples of this happening now more than ever before;

  • Mental health
  • Pronouns (she/her | him/his | they/them)
  • Gender Identity – education of what it is and is not
  • Suicide Prevention
  • Body positivity
  • Race
  • Abortion
  • Sexual assault
@waltermasterson

Pronouns

♬ original sound – Walter Masterson

Womxn Life Freedom campaign

This was a privilege to work on this campaign. The women in Iran are rising up and protesting all the country and the world. This campaign is meant to build awareness of the fight for freedom of women, including those that identify as women.

Ask yourself “What would I like to evoke in my next campaign?” Consider pulling in inspiration from past campaigns that have been effective, perhaps you have a personal experience with them yourself, look into campaigns that align with your brand or have some similar audiences. I personally like working with Pinterest to pull in inspiration.

Do you need help building awareness with marketing? Contact Transcend Ideas to learn how we can help you build awareness around your messaging!

Meet Meredith Runkle Olson, Copywriter

Posted on September 7, 2023 - 2:58 pm by

Meet Meredith Runkle Olson, who has joined the Transcend Ideas team offering her copywriting skills. Meredith helps amplify our client’s messaging through thorough research and thoughtful and relatable writing. She shared a bit about herself in this Q and A so you may get to know Meredith in her own words.

Meet Meredith Runkle Olson, Copywriter

1. Where do you hail from? Where do you live now? And how did you come to be there?

I was raised in Maryland but I moved out west for undergrad at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mt. I absolutely love mountain sports and the pace of life here so I doubt that I’ll ever move away! I currently live in Jackson and have called it home for seven years.


2. What do you like to do for fun?

Hiking, trail running, biking, any type of water sport, volleyball and soccer. 


3. What do you do in your role with Transcend Ideas? Do you like knowing your work helps others? And what areas are you most passionate about?

I am currently a copywriter. I’ll do anything from blogs to social media posts to editing. When I know that my work helps others it makes me want to work even harder. I’m passionate about conservation, the environment, social justice, finances, history, and public policy. I’m the nerd who goes to museums on vacation!

Meredith Runkle Olson, copywriter for Transcend Ideas, professional headshot image.
Meredith Runkle Olson


4. What are you grateful for? Big or small?

Jesus, my husband, our baby girl, Helen, the state of Wyoming, family, friends, and the amazing public lands here in the U.S. (There’s so much more but I’ll leave it at that)


5. Do you have any office mates? Animals? Partners?

My favorite office mate is my seven month old baby, Helen 😉 I’m currently a stay at home mom (the best job ever!) and I work part time as a copywriter. My husband works in town and tries to come home on lunch breaks so that all three of us get some quality time together. No doggos, although Helen LOVES animals.

“When I know that my work helps others it makes me want to work even harder.”

Meredith RUnkle Olson


6. What are you looking forward to this Summer?

I’m trying to train for a big trail run in the grand canyon so I’m looking forward to running in the Tetons or the National Forest this summer. Ooo, I can’t forget the people’s market, grass volleyball in May park, and outdoor concerts. There are just so many things in Jackson! No matter what I do, I love to show Helen my favorite spots and activities. My pace of life has dramatically changed since having a baby but I’m learning to love every day and be thankful for the little things.

Image of Meredith Runkle Olson in the Tetons.
Meredith in the Tetons

7. Do you have advice to a business or organization that wants to connect with their community and customers these days?

It’s simple, ask the people what they want. 

8. For whom do you feel responsible?

I feel the desire to raise Helen and other children we have, in a healthy way. I want them to love nature, eat healthy, stay active, love others, serve those in need, and learn how to be mentally tough. Plus, I definitely feel responsible for the environment. At the rate that the whole world is going, our future generations won’t experience what we do. I want to help our communities focus on sustainable practices in every realm of life. I also want my children to understand finances. Most people my age were never taught how to avoid debt, wisely invest, budget, live frugally, and think about life in the long term. I want to change that for my family. Most Americans have out of control spending habits and I refuse to be a part of that. 

9. What are you hopeful for this year?

I want to fully embrace being a great mom! It’s such an important role. I can pursue other things later in life but I can never get back this precious time with my baby. That being said, I still want to be active and show Helen how my hobbies and passions are important to me.

10. What are you proud of right now? Could be a personal accomplishment, big or small.

My husband and I are debt-free (besides a mortgage), I did all 42 miles of the Teton Crest Trail in a single day, and even though I decided not to go this route, I studied hard and got into law school with a great scholarship, and I created life. 

Dear Canva, I LOVE you!

Posted on July 6, 2023 - 11:07 am by

A quick geek out over Canva!

This is a geek out blog post about Canva. If you haven’t guessed, I love the platform and what they provide businesses. Their platform continues to amaze me and what you can do with it. How may I count the ways.. I love you, Canva!

SVG Magic in Branding Your Business

DeLacy Tea Company – SVG rosehips

Let’s begin with SVGs, which stands for: Scalable Vector Graphics.
This handy-dandy format allows for your vector files to be colorized before your eyes. That’s right. Exactly how you can pull an element from Canva and change out a color to your liking? I recently designed something for Mariel’s DeLacy Tea Company. Delacy Tea Company wanted to utilize the rosehips element on different tea labels. Each label needing to be a different color, so making a couple of elements she can then colorize in Canva was huge! An important tip for Illustrator/vector designers: make sure the vector is completely closed so the element can be colorized effectively in Canva. For this sample of their rosehips (right), I had the lines in the leaves transparent and not white so that the rosy color or any color of their choosing can stand out on a contrasting background.

There are some smaller businesses that need to be able to “play” with their logo and with this versatility it allows for a business owner to take it upon themselves to make necessary changes on their own.

From now on, when I package my client’s graphics and hand them over, SVGs will be on that checklist of elements that are an absolute must. Exporting elements for your clients that can be the most useful allows them to move freely in their brand without constraints. All too often clients have shared stories where they are left hopeless with ownership over their own logo files, domain names, hosting for their website, access to their social media platforms, etc. All forthcoming topics I will happily share in our blog.

Some Canva templates provided for marketing campaigns:

Happy Holidays from JH Fire/EMS
People Spread Love Old Bill’s Fun Run (Insta Square)
TCWP Spray Days (Email Newsletter header)
People Spread Love Old Bill’s Fun Run (Insta Square)

Bravo goes back to Canva, an Australia-women owned business. Canva has revolutionized graphic design for so many ambitious dreamers. Now design is accessible to anyone that wants to build a business with the help of their design platform. I couldn’t be more excited to recommend them to anyone who works in design or wants to dabble in it.

Canva Custom Template Offerings

Forbes: Empathy Is the Most Important Leadership Skill

Posted on July 1, 2023 - 11:24 am by

Empathy Is the Most Important Leadership Skill

I knew Empathy was a trait that helped better more relationships in all aspects of life. I’ve seen the difference it makes in mine. When the pandemic hit in 2020-21 I felt disconnection and I needed a periodic check-in with my team. A “how are you?” rather than diving right into work stuff became critical. I personally wanted my colleagues to care about me as I cared for them and their well-being.

Forbes recognizes the positive impact of empathy on innovation and retention. Studies show that empathetic leaders create engaged and productive teams. By considering others’ thoughts and feelings, leaders can connect on a deeper level, foster trust, and inspire empathy in return. This leads to a more compassionate and successful work environment.

“Leaders don’t have to be experts in mental health in order to demonstrate they care and are paying attention. It’s enough to check in, ask questions and take cues from the employee about how much they want to share.”

Forbes article on Leading with Empathy by Tracy Brower, PhD.*

Stress is a pervasive state and data suggests it is an affect by the pandemic and the ways our lives have been turned upside down.*

Empathy by the Numbers

  • 42% of people have experienced a decline in mental health
    • 67% of people are experiencing increases in stress while 57% have increased anxiety, and 54% are emotionally exhausted, 53% of people are sad, 50% are irritable, 28% are having trouble concentrating, 20% are taking longer to finish tasks, 15% are having trouble thinking and 20% are challenging to juggle their responsibilities
  • 61% of employees reported with empathy leaders were able to be innovative, compared to 13% of employees with less empathic leaders
  • 76% of people who experienced empathy from their leaders reported they were engaged, compared to 32% who experienced less empathy
  • 57% of white women and 62% of women of color said they were unlikely to think of leaving their companies when they felt their life circumstances were respected and valued by their companies

As a leader in the community I know how important it is to engage in empathy. From the receiving end it feels good to be seen and heard. On a Board of Directors we engage in similar behavior with a check-in before we begin to discuss anything on the agenda. If any of us are feeling low or drained, the camera doesn’t need to be on when we meet virtually and if they need to leave early we honor that with understanding and compassion for one another.

Listen to a two part Podcast on How Empathy Can Bridge Connection

Empathy Fosters More Empathy

I’m a cheerleader for empathy marketing. When we engage with our audience in a way that they need and want, you are likely to be more engaged with us.

It’s clear that empathy should be a trait intertwined with leadership. It starts with caring about your team, and your community.

Cognitive empathy – Consider someone elses’ thoughts  (“If I were in his/her position, what would I be thinking right now?”)

Emotional empathy – Consider someone elses’ feelings (“Being in his/her position would make me feel ___”)

Empathy is the most important leadership skill because it enables leaders to connect with their team members on a deeper level. Strong leaders understand and share the feelings and perspectives of their employees. They can make more informed decisions and create a supportive work environment. By demonstrating empathy, leaders foster trust, enhance collaboration, and inspire loyalty among their team. Ultimately, this drives higher levels of productivity and success.

Empathy fosters more empathy.

Master CTA’s (Call to Actions) with Empathy Marketing

Posted on April 20, 2023 - 2:34 pm by

How can you master CTA’s (Call to Actions) with empathy marketing? What are CTAs you ask?

It’s the acronym for call-to-action, like:

Donate Now

Learn More

Buy Now

Register Now

… and so on!

CTA is giving the audience direction and an actionable to take

When we market to our audience we are looking to add value and we are asking them to engage with us with curiosity. With my approach to empathy marketing I empathize with my audience and where they are. Here are some things to think about when you are generating your content and your CTAs when you write a newsletter, blog post, or a social media post.

When using empathy marketing, ask these questions:

  • What does the consumer feel?
  • What is the consumer facing right now?
  • How can we connect as a business?

Our content can shape the relationship

Our content can shape the relationship we have with our consumers. We use tone and personality and the consumer then responds to it. It’s important to:

  • stay relavant, stay informed (webinars, workshops, networking events, speak to your audience)
  • humanize your business
  • ask questions (use surveys – this will eliminate assumptions)
  • answer questions (use real Q&A here to share with the community)
  • share how you can help meet a need – *** Keep your content digestable info, bullet points will help led the reader, if they are curious about more they can contact you (DM or E-mail)
  • use clean graphics and nice photography to help compliment your message – this anchors those topics into your website and your social media feed
  • try an A/B testing to see what’s the most effective approach – look at the data and compare and try it again, see if it still works

Consider These Shifted Verbal Cues to Master CTA’s (Call to Actions) with Empathy Marketing:

Let’s Try Something New

Say YES!

Let’s Get Curious

Join the Conversation

Share Your Story

Are you interested to learn more?

let’s get coffee

How Empathy can Bridge Connection

Posted on April 15, 2023 - 9:05 pm by

Listen to my interview with Kaeyy Noella on her The Love Talk Wall podcast. I introduce her to “empathy marketing” and how I show up with Transcend Ideas. I introduce (in Part 2) how “empathy” makes up the key ingredient of People Spread Love.

How Empathy can Bridge Connection

Part 1: Empathy marketing can be a powerful tool for small businesses looking to build stronger relationships with their customers and differentiate themselves from competitors. By putting the needs and emotions of customers first, small businesses can create a more loyal customer base and drive long-term growth.

“Empathy” is a key component to how I show up in many places in my life. I recognize human connection is what we all strive for in this life. When we feel heard and understood we can profoundly connect.

“The Clubhouse app helped me find my voice.” I jumped on the app with curiosity and met these strong women entrepreneurs. They encouraged me to step into Transcend Ideas. And I’m eternally grateful for their strength in their belief in me. And made me believe in myself.

Part 2: My audio cut off as I began introducing the brand. I continued the introduction of People Spread Love in Part 2. I introduce People Spread Love and my journey starting a movement in 2015. First, with becoming a 501c3 non-profit organization. The organization empowers community members to write notes of love to those facing adversity all over the country and world. This brings us back full circle to the power of empathy and how it can facilitate human connection.

Kaeyy asked me about self-love and I told her a story about how I recently fractured my knee skiing. I touched on how grateful I am, even more so after getting hurt.

Listen to Part 1 & 2 of the podcast interview and let’s connect!

👋How to Use Clubhouse app to Build Trust & Relationships

Posted on March 24, 2023 - 12:49 pm by

Have you heard of this thing called “Clubhouse?” I hadn’t until my friend Vanessa told me about it back in February 2021. She showed me the app while many of were in “lockdown” during the COVID-19 Pandemic. I am thankful she invited me to join this audio app world because it opened up so many doors for me for my personal growth and my confidence. The seed plantedin me a passion for entrepreneurship, making lasting connections, building relationships, learning new things, discovery, building connection, and much more. I know I am singing in “high hopes” for an audio app. It’s not the technology itself, it’s about the intentionality of the app that fascinates me. Learning how to use Clubhouse App to build business relationships is key to maintaining a competitive advantage today.

Just imagine, joining an audio space, every room you join you quite literally listen in on a conversation. You can listen in, chat in the chat box, raise your hand to join the conversation, use gifs or emojis to engage with the conversation if you are unable to open your mic and speak.

The Clubhouse app has several advantages for forging connections, including:

  1. Authentic Conversations: Clubhouse is designed for audio-based conversations. These can create a more authentic and personal experience than other forms of social media. Users can join conversations with like-minded people from around the world. This provides an opportunity to connect and build relationships with people they may not have otherwise met.
  2. Focus on Community: Clubhouse is built around the concept of community, with users able to create and join clubs based on shared interests. This can help users feel like they’re part of a larger group of people who share their interests, leading to a sense of belonging and connection.
  3. Opportunity for Thought Leadership: Clubhouse provides an opportunity for users to establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry or niche. By participating in conversations and sharing their expertise, users can build their personal brand and attract new followers and connections.
  4. Accessibility: Unlike other social media platforms that rely on text or video content, Clubhouse is an audio-based app that can be used while on-the-go or while doing other tasks. This makes it easy to join conversations and connect with others, even when you’re busy.
  5. Serendipitous Connections: Clubhouse’s “hallway” feature allows users to join conversations they may not have otherwise known about, providing an opportunity for serendipitous connections and conversations.

Overall, the Clubhouse app can be a powerful tool for forging connections, whether for personal or professional purposes. By joining conversations and clubs based on shared interests, users can build relationships with like-minded people from around the world, establish themselves as thought leaders, and create a sense of community and belonging.

Clubhouse Famous

Clubhouse celebrates individuals and groups of influencers on the app by honoring them with a black and white Clubhouse icon for the app. My friend, Zee Zee Williams, pictured in the middle, was featured with two other incredible women. It made me so happy to see her featured, she’s one of the many people I’ve met on this app that celebrates women (which I love).

Read more

How to use Clubhouse app to build relationships
Clubhouse vs Twitter Places

Clubhouse vs. Twitter Spaces

I haven’t been able to replicate the same Clubhouse vibe in Twitter Spaces, there just seems to be a difference in nature. Still, I am still a believer that community is where you make it. It takes time to build relationships and trust even online. Although the hands have changed to Elon Musk, Twitter can be a tool that can help create change. Change is something that so many communities desperately need.

Audio apps have become more popular these days in order to engage in conversations about anything under the sun. Conversations exist for knitting, networking, singing, comedy, the latest news, support groups, mental health, community building, meditation, etc.

Here are some key differences between the two:

  1. Availability: Clubhouse is currently only available on iOS devices. Alternatively, Twitter Spaces is available on both iOS and Android devices. This means that Twitter Spaces has a wider potential user base.
  2. Size of User Base: Clubhouse currently has a smaller user base than Twitter, but it is growing rapidly. Twitter has a massive user base, with over 330 million monthly active users. This could potentially give Spaces an advantage in terms of exposure.
  3. Discoverability: Clubhouse’s “hallway” feature allows users to easily discover new conversations and join rooms. Twitter Spaces currently relies on users sharing links to join conversations. This could make it harder for new users to discover and join Spaces conversations.
  4. Moderation Tools: Twitter Spaces has more robust moderation tools, allowing hosts to mute, block, or remove users as needed. Clubhouse is still developing its moderation tools, which could lead to potential issues with harassment or abuse.
  5. Integration with Other Platforms: Twitter Spaces is integrated with the larger Twitter platform. Spaces allows users to easily share and promote conversations. Clubhouse currently has limited integration with other platforms, although this could change as the platform evolves.

Overall, both Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces have their strengths and weaknesses. Clubhouse’s focus on community and discoverability, paired with Twitter Spaces’ wider availability and robust moderation tools. This could make both platforms useful for different purposes and audiences.

Investing in Intentionally

With anything worth spending your time in, it is wise to be intentional with the amount of time you dedicate to activities. I find it worthwhile to stop and ask yourself, “What am I getting out of this?” If the answer is: “connection” and that’s what you are striving for, Hallelujah! If the answer is the opposite, like: “it’s a waste of time.” Even realizing, “I’m not sure I understand how to forge connection here.” It’s okay to stop if you’ve already gave it some time and energy to engage on stages. Put it down. I personally take breaks in spacing that take up more time than I can dedicate. It is worth coming back to places I know where a community resides and get back into it if it is serving a purpose in my life.

How to Use Clubhouse app to build relationships and trust
How to use Clubhouse app to build relationships and trust

Meet Mimi Langley

Mimi lives in North Carolina and rocks Clubhouse rooms! I wanted to add her amazing resources on her website to guide you in Moderating in Clubhouse with her variety of Ebooks and Workbooks. She’s so thoughful, she’s a sweetheart, so gracious, she’s fun and silly and we love her!

What Does Mimi Say
Follow Mimi on CH

Non-profits: Heart-centered Marketing Message

Posted on February 27, 2023 - 6:47 pm by

Heart-centered Marketing Message

I have a soft spot for non-profit organizations. I am in a unique position, both with experience working with non-profits marketing and as an Executive Director of a human services non-profit; there is much to learn and grow from sitting from both of those different perspectives.

Non-profit organizations are asked year after year: “what’s your ‘why’ and how will you show up to impact your community?” These questions are crucial because it keeps them on track and helps avoid mission creep. “Mission creep” is often used to caution against stepping too far beyond the organization’s mission statement. When non-profits remain focused, the impact can be so significant, measurable, and sustainable.

Non-profit Organizations with Heart

When I say “heart-centered,” I mean a genuine drive to connect and serve a need in the community.

Authentic non-profits with heart-centered messaging can magnetize supporters, donors, and volunteers to back their efforts. I attend workshops regularly, so I stay energized with how to connect to the community through the non-profit sector.

As a marketer, I am always curious about how to show up better and communicate the message effectively. Without the audience’s curiosity and willingness to adopt new pathways, we will most certainly miss significant opportunities. Ask yourself, “do I have a heart-centered marketing message?” Often I hear non-profits feeling that sense of stale messaging and the same old, same old, but the best way to avoid that stagnation in my mind is to have an outsider’s perspective. 

Just ask your audience

Also, do not hesitate to ask your audience what they need or want. Not one person will be a key to your success, but the community as a whole can grant insight. Ask them, “how can we serve you better?” That simple question can allow the community to share in their mind what they need, and you can benefit from their feedback so your organization can continually serve and adapt to the identified need.

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”

Albert Einstein

Random Acts of Kindness Week

The heart-centered work is timely, as Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb 12-18) was just a few weeks ago. I have a soft spot for kindness campaigns myself. RAOK Week reminds all of us to be kinder every day. We don’t necessarily need an annual dedicated week, day, or month to be kind to one another. This little nudging reminder is just what many of us need.

I follow closely with national projects like Random Acts of Kindness Foundation and more localized efforts like Kindness Wyoming, which prioritize kindness. This is the second year I have participated in Kindness Wyoming’s Kit, where they send you ideas on how to show compassion for others. The kits are helpful and adaptable for households, workplaces, and classrooms. Now that’s what I call: heart-centered messaging!

Some takeaways:

  • Ask yourself: “why.”
  • Ask yourself: “how.”
  • Stay curious and keep learning – attend non-profit workshops
  • Be willing to adopt new pathways
  • Ask yourself: “do I have a heart-centered marketing message.”
  • Bring an outsider in to help gain a new perspective

This heart-centered messaging can pull in the interest from the community because that feel good connection can make all the difference. These tips also pertain to for-profit businesses because a business with heart, that’s always a good thing!

Human Behavior and Emotions, Thanks Brené Brown

Posted on February 18, 2023 - 2:45 pm by

Brené Brown is a great leader of our time who so elegantly puts words to human behavior and emotions. No matter how old we get we don’t seem to master our emotions. When it comes to emotions, we prefer burying it, judging it, brooding over them, and more. We simply don’t like to sit in discomfort.

I, too, am fascinated with human behavior because it better helps understand oneself and the relationships we hold. To better understand human behavior and emotions also helps to better connect with your audience. When people buy from business, they buy from people. When we recall our own humanity in our business we honor and acknowledge the humanity of our audience. There is so much to unpack at different stages of life and so many layers and complexity when having a shared human experience. We are all clumsy beings doing this human thing together (somehow).

Brené Brown Teaches that Vulnerability Leads to Courage

I listened to the Dare to Lead podcast recently and each time I find solid takeaways that can be applied to everyday life in both personal and in business. One topic that arose was being vulnerable leads to courage. We often think business means business, polished and presentable, no wrinkles, nothing personally shared, all and only business. But when we deny our humanity, deny we have a life outside of our business, we deny our very existence and complexity of self. That approach is unrelatable and cold. More businesses are storytelling of challenges, weaknesses and humility and that’s appealing. Our openness to learn and grow is enduring and attractive to our audience. We see ourselves in the businesses we do business with. We want to learn alongside them, we may get it wrong but then when we get it right, we want to celebrate together.

I was gifted Brené Brown’s new book Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience. This book takes a deep dive into words we use to describe the eighty-seven emotions of the human experience. The words we use to describe our own behavior has been misguided in many cases. I have just scratched the surface of this book but already captivated by how much I can learn from her lifelong research so I may be more self-awareness in my own life and use her book as a way to navigate my own human emotions.

Emotions graphic, showing icons of all different colors with silly faces of the unique emotions
Kid feelings chart