Your Curated Morning for April 18th, 2024 is here!
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The Main Thing: Culture Change What would you say if I asked you to describe your organization's or city's culture? Someone leading a high-energy organization might say, “We’re aggressive and proactive, move quickly, and have a sense of urgency.” That is very descriptive, but what does it mean? The danger is that someone in the organization might use different words or ideas to describe the culture. They may say, “We’re mean and nasty, work too much, and we often forget about what’s important, and we’re always putting out fires.” Are they both correct? Yes, at least through the lens from which they view the organization. When asked to define “organizational culture,” leaders often say, “It’s how we do things around here.” This is simple but true, but again, I ask you, how would you define your culture? This week's blog discusses the importance of getting the ‘culture thing’ right. Being able to describe your culture and give it a definition is critical for many reasons.
Urban-Suburban-Rural
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Talking to a person from Houston the other day, I remarked that Houston is the largest community in the country without zoning laws (if you are from Houston, please correct me if that has changed). Critics point to zoning and other past dubious practices (redlining, restrictive covenants) for housing shortages in every state. So, does Houston not suffer from a housing shortage? I don’t know, but the challenge is real whether you and your community consider this a crisis or an urgent problem.
As Economic Developers and community leaders, it is crucial to consider the housing shortage as another challenge in our pursuit of jobs and capital investment. According to this article, “Researchers say it’s likely to take a suite of state and local policy solutions, new investments, macroeconomic shifts and, simply, time for the housing crunch to ease.” This underscores our role in exploring and implementing these solutions.
What is the housing market environment in your community? Is there a crisis or an urgent problem? Has it impacted economic development location decisions?
Preparing for domestic climate dislocations: What can we learn from the Great Migration? By Vanessa Williamson | Brookings
The great migration in the period following the turn of the last century and up to the advent of WWII was a result of Blacks fleeing the segregationist policies of the deep South and the opportunity for jobs in the industrial North and Midwest. It impacted the political and civil rights landscape and brought about profound change in our cities. Before this migration, the Democratic Party was seen as the party of white supremacy and discrimination. This all changed, and the political parties reversed their policies and doctrines over the years.
The author points this out as she believes the Great Migration has lessons to teach us, as another great migration is predicted: The Great Climate Migration. Will the uprooting of citizens globally and here in the United States result in new political and partisan alliances? She encourages us to be careful and humble in our predictions.
Chattanooga reduced its homeless population by almost 50% last year. Here’s how. By Kalena Thomhave | CitiesDive
According to one conclusion made by those who deal with this problem in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the increase in housing costs is one reason there is more homelessness. Between 2022 and 2023, when homelessness in the USA increased by twelve percent, it decreased in Chattanooga by 49%. Community leaders there say a large part of that reason is the mix of programming and solutions applied to the problem in Chattanooga.
According to Chattanooga leaders, the key to solving and dealing with homelessness is being proactive. Coping with homelessness before it occurs is critical, according to the article.
Other Articles of Interest this week:
Leadership -- The Best Parts of Your Culture Aren't Scaling — Yet
Green Economy -- Rooftop heat pump technologies can save US businesses $5B annually: DOE
Technology -- Tech jobs are finally spreading out, spurred by private investment and federal initiatives by Mark Muro and Yang You | Brookings
Economic Development --Universities Say They Promote Economic Development, But How?
A Blog Post You Should Read:
How long do you think you could go without saying something? How long could you last before you had to say something to someone? Some monks have taken a vow of silence for their entire lives! I doubt most people, especially Americans, could commit to something like that.
Today, I see people constantly talking. Recently, I thought that someone in the grocery store was talking to me when they were talking on their cell phone using air buds, which I could not see. That, coupled with my hearing loss, made me think they had something to say to me when, in fact, they were telling a person on the other end what they had for lunch.
I am a proponent of socialization and developing relationships; it's part of a mentally and emotionally stable lifestyle, but talking to someone always, even when checking on avocados' ripeness, seems excessive.
The urgency to speak and to constantly talk seems overwhelming these days. That is why I was curious when I heard my friend Brain Dubow say he just finished a ten-day silent retreat. Could you go even ten days without speaking to anyone?
The retreat was more than not talking. It included no smartphone, TV, podcasts, reading, journaling, or even eye contact. Wow!
Read about Brian's experience here on his Hits of Happiness blog site.
Note: I may have a follow-up post, as Brian and I are scheduled to connect in the next few weeks.
Overheard :
“Don’t believe everything you read or see on the internet or social media as some of it is dubious in its origins.”
Abraham Lincoln
Listen, Eat, DRINK, Watch, Read, View
Next to a Manhattan, my next favorite alcoholic cocktail is the Old Fashioned. Simply put, a classic Old Fashioned is whiskey, sugar (or a sweetener) bitters, and a 'peel' for garnish. The ingredients are simple, but the execution can ruin it. In a busy local bar, execution is often ignored, resulting in disastrous results.
My kin in Wisconsin might argue that an Old Fashioned is made with Brandy and a splash of soda. In Packerland, that may hold when you need something more substantial and more alcohol-forward when watching a game, ice fishing, snowmobiling, or eating 'all-can-eat' perch dinner (extra tartar sauce, please) on a Friday night. But for me, a civilized Old Fashioned is made carefully by buying a seasoned and trained bartender and sipping slowly.
Read this article about a small competition seeking the best Old Fashioned money can buy.
LISTEN, Eat, Drink, Watch, Read, View
Imagine a formerly enslaved person being revered as a classical music composer in the early 1800s’ many years before the Civil War. These are the surprising things we learn about history as we uncover our heritage. For people living in Connecticut, learning about Sawney Freeman was unexpected and enlightening. Bringing his music to life was essential for those involved in the project.
Today we can listen to the compositions of Sawney Freeman, a former black enslaved in Connecticut (yes, there was slavery in the Northeast dating back to 1600), who escaped and became a composer of music and played gigs and weddings around New England.
Connecticut Public Radio has uncovered this music, and today, we can listen to it (I am listening to his music as I write this), enjoy the talent of this extraordinary man, and read about his story.
Please read the article here and listen to his music, too.
LISTEN, Eat, Drink, WATCH, Read, View
When was the last time you had anchovies? On your pizza, perhaps? In a well-made Caesar salad? Did you know that anchovies are one of the main ingredients of Worcestershire Sauce? That's right, Worcestershire Sauce is a fermented sauce made from Malt vinegar, spirit vinegar, anchovies, tamarind, garlic, onions, molasses, sugar, salt, and spices.
This is beside my point, however, because I want to point you to foods that are good for your brain. Worcestershire Sauce is not on this list.
Good brain foods include green tea, nuts, and other non-processed foods. There is only one on this list I would not eat: kefir, a fermented dairy product similar to yogurt. However, I eat many of these almost daily and some (blueberries and nuts) several times a week. Perhaps that is why I am so smart (if you disagree, email me and let me know; if you have read this newsletter this far down, I am impressed).
Read about and eat these foods. Your brain will thank you.
Thanks for Reading
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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