A Note From Danielle:
At the beginning of this year, a friend told me that 2022 is the year of Danielle, and they were correct! I am so grateful for joining Gear Patrol, and connecting with all of you. It is pretty remarkable to be part of a company that has a community of passionate, diligent people who persevere in the face of adversity. I want to thank you all so much for your willingness to take on anything. The work and energy you’ve given this company have truly been an asset. Keep up the fantastic work and let's finish strong!
Noteworthy
Announcements, happenings, tidbits and other notables
Employee Profile/GP Success Stories:
John Zientek's 6-year work anniversary is December 1, 2022. Let's give him a big round of applause - thank you!
Going Beyond Products:
Brandon Frank attended the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families Catalyst for Change gala to represent Gear Patrol. Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) is an advocacy organization founded in 1986 that fights for equity for Asian American and Pacific Islanders and ensures that the AAPI community has equitable access to quality education, healthcare, and supportive services.
Coming Up:
December paydays will be the 15th and 30th.
We will be closed December 23 - January 2.
First Day back will be January 3, 2023
2023 Company Holidays
Please view our time off and company holiday calendar here. Do not forget to schedule time off!
Where do you live now and where are you originally from?
I live in Rainbow, CA - it’s the northernmost town in San Diego County, and probably isn’t what you think of when you picture San Diego. We’ve got less than 1,000 people that live here, and it’s very rural and quiet. I grew up in Valley Center, which is another rural San Diego town. I’ve bounced around SD my whole life, but this has always been home.
What's your favorite thing to do on Saturday morning?
I love to be outside as much as possible - in the winter, Saturday mornings look like waking up in the desert and riding dirt bikes and camping as often as we can get away, or hiking the local trails/ working on the yard when we’re at home. In the spring and summer I like to get up early and ride my bike or run along the beach. But none of that takes place before having a cup of coffee and writing down my intentions and reflections for the day.
Is there something you've been obsessed with lately?
Lots of things! I’m a bookworm, so I usually explore new interests through reading about them first. Lately, my free time has been taken up with researching how to restore historical homes, creating a biodiverse landscape in our yard, and self-exploration and improvement. Right now I’m reading Eckhart Tolle’s “The Power of Now” and Carl Sagan’s “Cosmos”, which I guess covers both inner and outer exploration. I didn’t really recognize that theme until I wrote this down. Ha. I’ve also been daydreaming about getting into canning and preserving, but I missed the boat for the produce I want to experiment with, so that dream will have to wait until next year.
How do you stay motivated or how do you stay energized for work?
Spending time with my family in the outdoors is probably the most inspiring thing I do to keep myself motivated; there’s nothing like sharing the miracle of life and the natural world with them. I also love to watch The Simpsons — Seasons 1-6 are the best, and I’ll fight anyone on that — because the writing is so clever, subtle, funny, simultaneously timely and timeless… I could go on forever about that show. Laughter is probably the best medicine for almost any ailment, lack of motivation or drive included. It’s taken a long time to notice my own habits and thresholds for motivation, and I’m still learning, but I’ve realized if I’m already experiencing any symptoms of burnout, it’s time to close the computer, step outside and get some sunshine and fresh air.
What's your Myers-Briggs personality?
I just took the Myers-Briggs to answer this, and it says I’m an INFJ-T, or an Advocate, and that we’re “quiet visionaries, often serving as inspiring and tireless idealists” (not my words, I would never self-describe in such grandiose terms lol). But I think the assessment was pretty accurate in terms of my more introverted tendencies.
Now, show us where you work (or are working from this month):
I get to work from our Airstream during working hours, but I also do lots of testing in the field — here’s a few snapshots from this last month.
Pro Tip: Red Yellow Green
Building psychological safety is an evolution rather than an overnight product; however, the red-yellow-green model is great to try with your team. At the start of your team meeting ask individuals how they are feeling and have them answer with either:
Red: Not good, overwhelmed, distressed, exhausted
Yellow: Somewhere in between
Green: Great! Happy, energized, inspired
To implement:
Explain the model to your team. What each color means and how you are going to use this framework.
Start by asking, how are you feeling today?
Leaders/managers go first. Why? Because by showing vulnerability and openness, your team will feel comfortable doing the same.
If your team is all saying red, consider pivoting the meeting or choosing a better time to have the conversation.
The Takeaway
The Boxcutter's purpose is to close the communication gap as well as motivate, inspire and connect employees in addition to keeping everyone up to date with what’s going on in the organization. One question (found in the link below) will be asked at the end of each newsletter to close it out.
Thank you all so much!
Danielle