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Happy April!

It is important to be nimble enough to move at the speed our work and clients require. Don’t let that stop you from moving forward because incremental improvements and recalibrations are part of the process toward real and lasting impact. 

I encourage everyone to read this article and share their thoughts on how we can apply these insights to our work. It discusses strategies to break down silos in meetings. From it, I have learned a strategy for increasing conversation and participation in meetings. I plan on asking “Who has the first question?” instead of saying, “Do you have any questions?” the next time I present in front of anyone. Breaking down silos in the workplace is critical for any organization to achieve goals, deliver best results and boost team morale. Let's do this in Q2!!

– Danielle Alavian

Announcements, happenings, tidbits and other notables

Employee Profile/GP Success Stories

Let's give them a big round of applause — thank you!

Coming Up

Sneak Peek of Issue 20

Fast Five with Steve Mazzucchi

Where do you live now and where are you originally from?

I live in New York City. I’m originally from, well, Virginia, Mississippi, Ohio, Arizona, Kansas, California and New Jersey. Yes, we were in witness protection I’m an Army brat.What's your favorite thing to do on Saturday morning?

Lately I’ve been getting more into gravel biking — I did my first gravel race in Colorado last summer — so I’ll say heading up to Cold Spring and tackling the Gravel Grinder trail. It’s only about 30 miles, but with over 3,000 feet of climbing it’s a respectable weekend challenge.

Is there something you've been obsessed with lately?

I have loved snowboarding for years, but this season I’ve been kinda obsessed with splitboarding, which involves using a board that splits into ski-like planks you can use along with grippy skins to hike up a mountain before riding down. Getting off the beaten path – and hopefully finding an untouched powder stash — can be pretty satisfying. And hey, it’s cheaper than a lift ticket!How do you stay motivated or energized for work?

My reliance on strong coffee made with my trusty Bodum French press cannot be understated. Lately I have been making my way through Brooklyn Lab’s various offerings, but I welcome recommendations.What advice would you give your past self? 

“Stop giving your sister crap about being a vegetarian. She’s way ahead of you man.”

Where are you currently working from?

I swear I have an actual desk, but as some of you know, I take pretty much all my meetings in front of a very red wall.

Inspiration: Cultural Intelligence The key elements of cultural intelligence as a driver for digital leadership success is a 2020 article that discusses how cultural intelligence (CQ) provides a toolkit to manage a diverse workforce from various cultural backgrounds within one organization. This article reveals how leaders can purposefully improve their own capabilities of cultural intelligence by evaluating their flaws and by training them respectively. Individuals with a high level of cultural intelligence are more likely to approach work with an open mind and willingness to learn, which can lead to better collaboration. Learn more in the link above about the four dimensions of capabilities that make sure CQ keeps what it promises, and how it can be trained and properly improved for leaders.Any Inspiration requests? P&C is on it. Ping Danielle.