Pankaj Jain (P.Eng, MBA, PgMP, PhD)’s Post

As leaders, it's important to remember that our employees are human, not superheroes. Practicing empathetic leadership, seeing the humanity in our team members, and providing genuine support is crucial. Let's be mindful and understanding of the challenges our employees face. Together, we can create a workplace culture that values empathy and inclusivity. #EmpatheticLeadership #Inclusivity #Support #Humanity #WorkplaceCulture #blackwomenmatter #mentalhealthisimportant

In a "diversity desert workspace," leadership plays a crucial role. How leaders respond to team members' fears over unfair challenges greatly influences morale and trust. Dismissing these emotions can impede team cohesion and development. As a leader, your actions significantly impact team engagement. To foster an inclusive environment, listen, empathize, and reflect. Embrace uncomfortable conversations for personal growth. Remember, allyship is a vital component of inclusion! Start by exploring Triumph in the Trenches: Navigating Success for Black Professionals, featuring the inspiring stories of 22 Black professionals overcoming adversity. #Leadership #TeamDynamics #InclusiveWorkplace#eliminatediversitydesertworkspaces https://lnkd.in/ejgHPcTk

The untapped potential of an organization often lies in its people. Optimizing human processes, structures, and people practices of leaders and the organization is a key element to bringing out that potential. Progress happens when people challenge the status quo with questions and new thought. Introducing new ways of operating, thinking, and supporting the human capital of an organization is the start of change. As stewards of organizational performance and culture it is our responsibility to introduce that change. Change...another word for "Disrupt" After 3x speaking at DisruptHR Denver, I AM NOW AN ASSOCIATE BOARD MEMBER!! I hope to continue the notion that in order to change the workplace, we must be the change. We must think differently, question the status quo, and introduce new ways to create a ripple of change. I look forward to new thoughts, new questions, and new speakers to help us continue to #DisruptHR. Hope to see you all this Spring for DisruptHR Denver 16.0!

Andrew Eichmeier, Interfraternity Council Chief Justice and former Pi Kappa Phi chapter president, was featured in Purdue University's Steps to Leaps Student Spotlight! Here is a small excerpt of what he shared, "Andrew learned the most about leadership from being the president of his fraternity. He was completely immersed in his job leading 150 men who arrived on campus from all around the world. He loved getting to know his fraternity brothers – there were so many personalities! For many of his new brothers, attending Purdue was their first time living away from their parents and this experience brings unanticipated challenges. As a result, Andrew found this leadership role helped him to develop his people skills and understand that not everyone responds the same way to the same advice. Part of this lesson was learning how to teach others the importance of being accountable for their actions. This lesson taught Andrew how to better communicate to not only get his ideas across but also take suggestions and work together as a team to solve problems. To address his well-being, Andrew emphasizes that it is important to know when to take a break and focus on yourself. He says that well-being is not only learning how to manage your time well but also understanding when it is time to rely on the help of others. When working collaboratively, Andrew says to build a team within your network so that you can take a break and delegate to others when you need to. Your team can then fill in for you while you are away (and vice versa). It is vital to take the time to rest so that you can avoid burnout and recuperate." To learn more, visit: https://lnkd.in/dJBe8bUB.

Nearly 16 months ago, I shared a wild idea and dream over coffee with Marc A. Newman that started “what if…(we in Chicago began managing The Philadelphia Center).” I’m big proponent of “first draft” thinking and this was most definitely a first draft thought. He saw value in it—we headed over to Lisa B. Lewis’ office to begin what became the professional adventure of a lifetime (aka Project Rocket Ship). This 16-month journey involved meetings on meetings; influencing and aligning; all the quant strategies and scenario planning; more aligning; calls, emails, texts at times and planes when Lisa and I had a few minutes connect—mountain tops, funerals, airplanes, islands—and fundraising. And we’re here!! Someone’s belief in your vision is one of the most humbling and inspiring gifts. Lisa, you’ve been unwavering and bullish on this idea from the beginning and every day since—thank you! You rallied your colleagues, gave me hope when I thought we should throw in the towel, and were just the most incredible brainstorming partner. I’m immensely grateful to you! Gratitude must be shared with easily the 30-40 people we worked with to make sure a program like TPC could embark upon this new chapter. My thanks to so many of you!! Critical place-based learning + practical application (urban experiential learning) with a robust toolbox of inquiry is the future of the liberal arts and an informed and engaged society. I’m grateful and energized to be doing this work and rebuilding a program in Philadelphia. We are doing our part. We are developing thinkers and doers who understand the realities of urban paradoxes, racial inequity, power, and discrimination. Our alumni are using their toolbox of inquiry and CQ and EQ to make the world a more just place.

Diversity Creates Strength, Not Weakness I’m not sure how a more diverse group of people would ever become friends, cheerleaders, and mentors to each other than being introduced in a Leadership Salina class through the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce. It’s these types of relationships that move communities upwards and outwards. Each of us are unique in our personal backgrounds, run in different social circles, and (just in this one photo) work at these companies: Salina Regional Health Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina, Salina Downtown, Inc., Hutton, Salina Family Healthcare Center, Blue Beacon Truck Washes, Clark, Mize & Linville, Chartered, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, Kansas State University Salina, and Compro Realty. Our 2021 Class has a standing monthly morning coffee meet-up and a private Facebook group where we share wins and challenges in both our personal and professional worlds. We respect our differences of social, political, religious, and worldly views. We’re okay with not agreeing with each other and are open to hearing other perspectives than our own. Typically, asking for other’s perspectives on an issue is the most common ask among our group because it is a safe space we’ve chosen to create. #WhenWeAllWinWeAllWin #LoveSalina #6740wonderful #CommunityStrength #SalinaKs #SK #Leadership #DiversityCreatesStrength Jennifer Bretton, Amanda Otto, Leslie Bishop, Cara Emig, Rafael Mendez, Laurel Michel Driskell, Stephanie Gillig, Josh Doak, Ed.D., April Rickman, Mike Wilson

Incredibly insightful research and learning from the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University's P3 Lab from Kristine Lu, Ph.D., Hahrie Han, and others on the P3 Team about how to build powerful coalitions that can adapt as need change -- something that will be incredibly important for any organizations working to engage voters this year. A couple of key takeaways and questions for us to consider about our work: - Building strategic capacity requires learning and resource adaptability - Accountability and governance are also key to building strategic capacity. - "Who is involved in decision-making? What systems and processes are encouraging people to become authentic partners in this process?" - "From whom does the organization generate the material resources it needs, and are there mechanisms for developing a culture of shared commitment that holds leaders accountable?" 

All I can say is “Wow!” 8 of us from FCS - Focused Community Strategies traveled to Spartanburg to visit fellow Purpose Built Communities network member Northside Development Group a while ago, and they blew us away. If you haven’t checked them out yet, they are doing amazing place-based work, tackling education, infrastructure, and economic vitality. But what impressed me the most: they don’t do a single thing without consulting a core group of community leaders and neighbors. It was obvious walking around their neighborhood just how much time, energy, and humility they’ve poured into those relationships. Building their credibility. Taking feedback. Slowing down. Listening to the priorities neighbors bring forth. I think most of us at FCS were left speechless. Now that we’ve had some time to process, let me say this: #1 I walked away energized - our FCS delegation was furiously taking notes and we’re ready to implement what we learned. #2 It’s clear Northside Development Group doesn’t toot their own horn enough. So here’s a well-deserved shout-out to CEO Michael Williamson and everyone on their team who hosted us: You all are absolutely nailing it, and I’m proud to be doing this work alongside organizations like Northside Development Group. Thanks for raising the bar on what effective Neighborhood Engagement looks like. #neighborhoodengagement #neighbors #placemaking #communitydevelopment

It's great to be part of a local group of talented CMOs with a nice mix of full-time CMOs and a few fractional CMOs to learn from. Shout out to Shayne De la Force and Gaurav Bhatia for their leadership of the DC Chapter. We had a lively discussion about the realities of today's hiring market and the challenges from both sides. But I think the thing that resonated the most was Sue Keith's reminder to hiring managers that applicants are humans and they should be treated with respect and deserve a response. After all, the one/ones chosen will become employees and this is their first step in that journey. As a career coach (my other role), the stories I hear from candidates are mind-blowing.

The below is such a thoughtful post – a testament to how fortunate I am to have found Market Peformance Group as my last position before moving into retirement.  But yes, it is time. A hard decision to make but a co-worker recently reminded me of a quote I used to share… “if you wait, all that happens is you get older” which is a good reminder as to why “now” is the right time. My career, like most people has had its ups and downs, in which I particularly appreciate those (and there are so many) that have supported me with kindness, advice, introductions, patience and inspiration. I’ve learned a lot along the way about the industry - this co-marketing, co-op marketing, customer marketing, shopper marketing, omni-channel marketing industry is always evolving and never boring. I’ve also learned a lot about myself, and I hope that I can continue to give back in the way that so many have given to me. Here’s to the next path! #MarketPerformanceGroup #MPG