Appreciation

Appreciation

I love fall and especially a crisp and colorful October. In Nashville, TN where I live, we are fortunate to experience each season for about three months. As the heat and humidity of August waned and September reminded me that a respite was on the way, I could feel...
Random Gifts from Mother Nature

Random Gifts from Mother Nature

You know how when you do things over and over again – like driving to the grocery store or collecting the mail – you don’t remember parts of them? It’s easy to get lost in our thoughts. Today, while doing a mundane task (taking out the trash), I was in my...
Transparency

Transparency

In a recent business meeting we were asked to reflect on lessons we learned early in our careers, but with a bit of a twist: What did you learn to do more of and what did you learn to avoid or do less of? A memory I had not thought of in years came flooding back. It...
Time in Nature

Time in Nature

Thanks to a couple of team member’s ideas, we recently held a “yoga in the park” event and met for a volunteer activity at a local lake to haul and spread mulch on the paths. During our yoga session, we got a unique perspective, laying on our backs and seeing the...
The Line

The Line

At a recent board meeting of a not-for-profit, we discussed privilege, luck and fortune. I was reminded of a video I’ve seen where the players on a high school football team were lined up on the goal line when their coach prompted: “Move to the 10-yard line if you...
The ISTS Core Value of Respect Everyone

The ISTS Core Value of Respect Everyone

Are you a “definitely dog” person but cats are not allowed? Beef YES but beets NO? At ISTS, one of our Core Values is Respect Everyone. That means that if you are a dog person and a coworker is very feline-friendly, we expect interest, support and curiosity, never...