Your Curated Morning (#153) for August 22, 2024 is here!
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The Main Thing: "Nobody's perfect." You have heard people say this, especially when they have made a mistake. While this statement is true, the actual test of character is what one does after making a mistake. I think your reaction to the error is more important in most cases than the mistake itself. In these moments, we have the opportunity to learn and grow, turning our mistakes into valuable lessons. In America, we tend to be both forgiving and punitive. We easily forgive and forget some people and let them continue their transgressions. For others, we are punitive and force them to confront their mistakes continuously. What mistakes have you made, and how do you deal with them? This was the topic of a recent Next Wave Leadership (the mentoring group I lead) call. I took some of the material I had put together to lead the discussion and turned it into his blog post. (Note: I will launch a second mentoring cohort in September. If you are interested, go to this link and learn more.) Focus on Economic Development AI’s Untapped Potential for Economic Development by Tarek Mansour, Andreea Zugravu and Ben Safran of McKinsey and Company | Governing As we navigate the complexities of AI, it's crucial to understand its practical applications in economic development. In this article, the authors not only discuss AI's potential impact but also provide concrete examples. They describe how economic development leaders have used AI to conduct targeted industry analyses, assess workforce availability, and identify training needs. These practical applications of AI in economic development are key to understanding its relevance and potential. Economic developers and community leaders can learn from the ideas the authors propose. AI, with its potential to create new industries, is a source of inspiration. According to the article, Generative AI alone could add $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion to the global economy, opening up a world of new opportunities for economic development. ‘The sky is the limit’: Solar program opens new opportunities for Chicago trainees by Kari Lyderson | Energy News Network Opportunities come quickly to many of us. But that is not always the case for inner-city youth. That is why the State of Illinois is investing significantly in funding a program to train disadvantaged youth. The 30 million dollar initiative, one of the largest of its kind, will train and eventually employ over 1,000 youth to install solar energy projects in neighborhoods that would typically not receive them. The program will reduce the cost of energy, thereby making housing more affordable. The project is even more robust in that it also offers “wrap-around” services to some of the training recipients. These services are designed to provide comprehensive support, addressing issues such as housing and past incarceration, to ensure the success of the participants. After Prison, Opportunities Are Hard to Come By. Enter Entrepreneurship. By Kylie Hwang and Damon Phillips | Kellogg Insight In a groundbreaking study, researchers Kylie Hwang and Damon Phillips have uncovered a compelling link between incarceration and entrepreneurship. Their findings reveal that formerly incarcerated individuals are 40% more likely to pursue entrepreneurship compared to their peers without a criminal record. This trend appears to be primarily driven by labor market discrimination, as entrepreneurship often becomes one of the few viable paths to a rewarding career for those with a criminal history. Importantly, the study shows that entrepreneurship not only provides a rewarding career but also leads to significantly higher incomes for these individuals. Most significantly, it plays a crucial role in reducing recidivism rates, offering a potential solution. However, in areas with less discrimination against those with criminal records, entrepreneurship rates among this group decline, particularly for Black individuals. Other Articles of Interest this week: Leadership -- How leaders can be vulnerable on social media without being TMI oversharers By Kim Rittberg | Press releases won’t make people want to work with you. Bring your personality into every post and share your struggles and triumphs. Here’s how to do it. Technology -- What Is the Singularity? And Should You Be Worried? By Jonathan Strickland & Mack Hayden | HowStuffWorks -- It's a common theme in science fiction: Mankind struggles to survive in a dystopian futuristic society. Scientists discover too late that their machines are too powerful to control, and they even end human life in an event commonly referred to as the singularity. City/Rural-- How cities are rethinking who responds to 911 calls by Kaitlyn Levinson | Route Fifty -- Big cities have largely embraced so-called alternative response teams that send trained health care professionals in the place of law enforcement to handle low-risk situations. Now, the approach is moving to smaller jurisdictions. Green Economy-- New venture to develop climate-resilient water infrastructure by SmartCitiesWorld news team | SmartCitiesWorld-- WaterConnect aims to bridge the critical investment gap in water and sanitation infrastructure within emerging markets. The new venture is dedicated to developing investment-ready projects that address the pressing need for water and sanitation solutions in locations vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Mentoring-- I'm in my 60s and mentored Gen Z students from NYU. This is what we taught each other. By Richard Eisenberg | Morningstar -- Why mentoring in unretirement is great for you and young adults A Blog Post You Should Read: Vulnerability is a concept that often clashes with the ego. The ego, which is the part of our psyche that seeks to maintain a sense of control and power, is uncomfortable with vulnerability. It prefers us to always be in a position of control. So, when we let our guard down and become vulnerable, it can feel like a defeat for the ego. At first, it might feel very uncomfortable, but then a wave of liberation washes over you, and you feel better, if not free. This relief that comes from being vulnerable can be a reassurance in itself. Being vulnerable can be dangerous because some people may exploit your honesty. Shame on them, and in the end, whatever that looks like for you, you will get to pour hot coals on their head (not really, but that is what my pastor once told me about someone who was giving me a hard time…its a metaphor for karma) The linked blog post is by a friend who writes about vulnerability and asking for help. It’s short, concise, and to the point. In it, my friend shares their journey with vulnerability and how it has led to personal growth and self-improvement. Read it here.
Overheard : “What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.” ― Kurt Vonnegut Listen, Eat, DRINK, Watch, READ, View There's something about sitting in a nice bar and watching the bartender craft various drinks that always piques my curiosity. I'm sure they're used to my constant questions by now, but it seems there's no worldwide blacklist that can keep me from exploring these haunts. In the article, The Oklahoma Martini and 9 more drinks: The best cocktails you’ve never heard of, you'll be introduced to a diverse range of cocktails that are bound to excite your taste buds. From a dressed-up beer (see the title drink) to Icelandic aquavit Brennivin, each cocktail offers a unique drinking experience. My personal favorite is the Kentemba. Popular in South Africa it dresses up cheap red wine by adding Cola over ice. It sounds like a poor man’s wine spritzer to me. Listen, Eat, Drink, WATCH, READ, View I love Thai, Vietnamese, and generally any Asian-inspired food and cooking. I often experiment with recipes and even makeup recipes using Asian-inspired ingredients. One ingredient that I often use is Red Boat fish sauce. Fish Sauce is the uber-umami ingredient. Umami is a "taste" like sweet, sour, or salty. It's that savory, rich flavor that makes your mouth water. You can taste umami in foods that contain a high level of the amino acid glutamate, like Parmesan cheese, seaweed, miso, and mushrooms. Umami is what we like when we taste Asian food. Fish sauce is used in many recipes, and Red Boat is the best available. In this video, you can see the story of Red Boat and how fish sauce is made. Starting with Anchovies fished off the coast of Vietnam, salt is added, and a fermentation process begins. It's that simple. Listen, EAT, Drink, WATCH, Read, View As I navigate the complex world of climate activism, I've come across the suggestion to eat less red meat. The argument that raising beef cattle generates excessive carbon emissions is compelling. While I may not be a scientist, I'm open to considering this perspective and making small changes in my diet. Regarding meat, I've always been mindful of my choices. I make it a point to support local producers, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation. It's a small step, but one that aligns with my commitment to sustainable living. However, I am not ready to give up a good steak. My preference is a bone-in Ribeye cooked to a medium temperature. There are other cuts to consider, and the following article suggests that at least four cuts require some preparation before grilling. While I may not be ready to give up my beloved ribeye, I'm open to trying new things. If I can't find a good ribeye, I'm willing to follow the advice of experts. If I can't find a good ribeye, I'm willing to follow the advice of experts. In the meantime, if you can't find a ribeye, here are four cuts of beef that require some preparation but can be just as tasty. Note: One more thing: I will be ‘grilling” my meat, not Barbecuing it. People get this wrong all the time :) Thanks for Reading If you liked this email, pay it forward. Share it with someone you think might benefit. Did someone share with you? Sign up here. For previous editions, click here. Whenever you’re ready, there are several ways I can help you: 1. Economic Development: If you are looking to supercharge your economic development organization, I can help by strategizing and developing a roadmap to success. Set up a time to talk to me here. 2. Culture Change; Is your organization changing? Would you like to create an asset out of your culture? Do you know how to assess team strengths? Let me help you. I'm a certified culture change practitioner. Set up a time to talk to me here. 3. The Green Economy; The world is changing. Some of it is positive, and some of the change is not. Let me help you develop green economy opportunities for your community. Set up some time to talk about here. 4. Mentoring Programs: Circles of Seven (C7) is a proven and award-winning model for mentoring. Whether it is for business or your community leadership program, I can develop a mentoring program for you. Let's talk about your situation. Set up a time here. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding any articles in this newsletter please feel free to contact me through email at martin@martinkarlconsulting.com. You can review my services and offerings at www.martinkarlconsulting.com |