Ask a Better Question

Fun conversation with my friend Steve Procknal! A semi-official ambassador for Buffalo,  I can't think of anyone who loves this community more. He gives back through his natural enthusiasm and creativity whether it is organizing memorable large scale events at the Bills Stadium or showing up in costume to cheer on the Shamrock Run.

Today we talk about what it takes to create community and Steve has some great experience in this area, co-founding the free fitness November Project here in Buffalo over 5 years ago. It's still going on every Wednesday morning (no cost) at 6:10 am at Hoyt Lake, 52 weeks a year!
Personally, I've gained so much from participating which I initially only did to be polite to Steve . As it turns out, I ended up meeting new and wonderful people AND running two half marathons. November Project is a special thing and I highly recommend checking it out. As they saw- come as you are....just show up.
 
https://november-project.com/buffalo-ny/

A few key questions we discuss.....
What is the responsibility of leaders to create community?
What are the obstacles to creating community?
How can we contribute to the communities we are a part of?

Also- Endurance Events! Namely Badwater 135
Known as 'The World's Toughest Foot Race' 135 mile run in Death Valley,
Steve has crewed for this race not once but twice!
What are the lessons we can learn and apply about community that is created at endurance events?
What qualities do these events bring out in those who participate, support and spectate?

https://www.badwater.com/event/badwater-135/

DEI: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This episode is about that, but really so much more. As you may have concluded by now, I'm a believer in mindfulness as a way to transform our thinking. And why? Ultimately, because I think that we'll have a better world for doing so.

A kinder, more dynamic and interesting world if we all have the ability to bring and be our full, best selves. 

Catherine Earle is in Project Management for the Delaware North Corporation and also serves the Buffalo community on several Boards including City Year, Western New York Women's Foundation and girls school Buffalo Seminary. She is an accomplished corporate professional, a busy mom and a wise voice on this subject and more. 

I've benefitted from being Catherine's friend and having many conversations about the state of the world over long walks. If you're interested in learning more for yourself about Equity in our City of Buffalo and getting involved, here are some links to explore:

https://www.cityyear.org/buffalo/
https://buffaloprep.com/
https://wnywomensfoundation.org/
https://www.uwbec.org/
https://sayyesbuffalo.org/
https://www.cfgb.org/

Part 2 with Steve Bell!

We didn't quite complete this conversation after one round, so we come back for more.
A few highlights from my notes.....

-Leadership and what is the responsibility of people with platforms and us as individuals ?
- To establish trust through communicating.

- Communication doesn't have to be grandiose or institutional- it is also powerful 1:1.

- Taking responsibility for what goes wrong. It's easy for leaders to take responsibility for wins and what goes right.

- How do companies decide to respond to social issues? (or not)  What is the Edelman Index?
- How do a company's principles factor into this equation?

-Listening: 'We don't come by it naturally, we have to learn it. Listening conveys respect, interest and trust." 

- Power of truth vs. Power of propaganda
-Wanting to believe something provides the fertile ground for propagandists.

Connect with [email protected]

Who better to speak with about mindfulness as it relates to communicating than Steve Bell?

His professional career is all about communicating, whether in journalism with the Buffalo News, marketing and PR at Mower or as an independent voice to shepherd clients through a crisis situation.

Beyond that, Steve is a good friend, engaged citizen in Buffalo and a fighter for civil rights. I value his opinion and perspective always and appreciate his measured demeanor and wisdom. (Especially over the past few years.)

A few of my favorite questions  from our conversation are....
- What is more important, the message or the messenger?

- What is the role of silence in communication?

- How do we achieve the intersection between the self interest of an organization and an individual's self interest?

Who are some great communicators to learn from?

- Simon Sinek   https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action?language=en

- Seth Godin https://seths.blog/

- Dr. Ibram X Kendi  https://www.ted.com/speakers/ibram_kendi

- Ann Richards  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Richards

- Winston Churchill
-Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

Colleen Heidinger is a proud champion of Buffalo and the President of 43North, a startup accelerator and incubator based here in Buffalo, NY.  She is also the owner of a yoga studio, Space on Seneca and a yoga instructor.  Here are some of the highlights of our conversation and links to check out!

- What is THE most important question for entrepreneurs to ask?

- What is a key to problem solving?

- What results from 'time on the yoga mat'?

- What are you willing to 'eat, breathe, sleep'?

- https://www.43north.org/

- Looking to be a part of the tech startup scene?  Use the link below to find your next career move.
https://forgebuffalo.com/startup-careers/

-Yoga at Space on Seneca on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spaceonseneca/?hl=en

- Seneca One Newsletter: https://senecaonebuffalo.com/

Most of us have probably heard that mindfulness is helpful for stress management. And it is- but what can mindfulness look like beyond just stress management? Could it be a key to transformational thinking and positive change? I think so!

In this introductory episode I share my 2-step hypothesis  about how mindfulness practices can reveal different thinking. And a big part of that is asking better questions. (Although my nature is to prefer answers over questions.)