Kroger Health’s Post

While walking in Mexico City last night, I decided to walk into one of the best restaurants in the world and see, by some chance, if they had space for one. Guess what..they had a random cancellation and only one seat available, but this post has nothing to do with food. The restaurant is El Pujol in Mexico City and was just ranked #15 of the top 50 in the world; I've never had a meal of quite this caliber. It was only me, and I was sat at the bar for the 8-course tasting. For anybody who loves food, this is like walking up to the box office on the day of the Taylor Swift show and getting a seat in the front row section. However, this post is about connection, not food. I sat next to two other people who were also there alone. Both were from completely different places with randomly different life stories, but for those three hours, we shared a moment that we all knew was genuinely special and something we would never be able to fully describe to anybody else. At the end of the three hours, we said our goodbyes and returned to the world, never to see one another again. I’ll never forget Michael and Darbin; they will always be part of an incredibly special memory. Somebody once told me that there are friends for a reason, friends for a season and for life; these two men were friends for a reason and it was awesome! Two main takeaways I have from this night: 1) Sometimes in life, you simply need to show up. Nobody could believe that I just walked in, and it was a long shot, but none of this would have happened if I didn't show up and ask. What would it look like to SHOW UP for what you really want and that you may believe is out of reach? 2) Appreciate the relationships and opportunities with others for what they are, letting go of any need for reciprocation or validation. I believe these types of events happen all the time in our professional lives. If we can appreciate those around us for the moments we are together, we can find more joy and satisfaction in the time we spend working without the pressure of future expectations. To my Pujol friends, I will appreciate you both more than you will probably ever know. #CultureFirst

Staff engagement and company culture is paramount to a successful business. And what better way to do it than with food? 😋 Here's one way The Y Principle's team uses both to create a great employee experience. Like to know more? Ask Y.

Well I made it to my Presidential year for Aging Section! The theme this year was that Leadership is Like Ice Cream. My first job was working at Baskin Robbin’s, so I thought it was an appropriate theme. Section memberships are a lot like dessert at the end of the meal. We aren’t necessary to having a good meal, but enhance the experience. We can make a good experience great. We wrapped up with this quick excerpt “Ice cream is like leadership. There are many different flavors and textures. Some taste like cinnamon, some taste like fruit. Some include chocolate, some are enhanced by adding things. There is joy in trying new options, finding new favorites. People respond differently to different flavors. Even people whose leadership has always been vanilla enjoy trying something new once in a while. Some people commit themselves to a particular kind of leadership and are unwilling to try anything else. They lose track of the fact that it is by trying new things that we remember what draws us to our favorites. We may taste something that gives us a new favorite.” So stay tuned this year, #itsgonnabesweet Would you like dessert? Some closing thoughts as I wrap up this long post. I know many are hesitant to commit to the 3 year term for the Presidential Series, but if you ever get the chance to apply, just do it! You’ll never know what you’re capable of until you go outside your comfort zone.

If we want to tap the untapped potential in America’s workforce, we have to secure their foundation first. How does that work in practice, though? I had an engaging conversation with Whole Foods Market's Nicole Davia on this topic this week at an Opportunity Forum Guild co-hosted with Whole Foods Market in Austin. Some insights Nicole dropped that I think are widely applicable and important to share:  - Checking in matters. Whether it’s tapping employees on the shoulder to see how they are doing, ask what they need or talk about their future, personal touches make them feel welcome and, no surprise, have an exponential impact on confidence.  - Lean into DEI to create access (and understand barriers). It's understandable that leaders that may not have as much experience with DEI practices to be hesitant about leaning in — or not knowing what to say. Just getting started is key. The only way through is trying and learning. - Secure (and don’t underestimate) the foundation. Reflecting on her own work, Nicole made it clear just how much the power of truly foundational learning — like high school completion and language training — can have a catalytic effect for her business and her workforce. My own perspective, which I shared:  - No one achieves their best — for themselves or for your organization — without a baseline of support. (Including many of the elements Nicole highlighted!)   - The way we address that, and make sure we’re securing the foundation in a way that drives our businesses forward and taps that untapped talent, is by digging in on specifics. Which is what made this event so impactful. Thank you Nicole, Mike Van Lente, Courtney Vandiford, MBA, MA and the entire Whole Foods team for engaging and for other folks who were able to attend and join the conversation including Katie Brown, PhD Ramona Arora, PhD. from Disney, Kimberley Wolterstorff Gregorie, Vashti Canty and others.

Culture is the secret ingredient that transforms a good team into a great one, akin to how the perfect spice can elevate a dish to culinary excellence. As we observe Jewish American Heritage Month, let's embrace the rich traditions of Jewish cuisine, renowned for its communal spirit and deep flavors, to enhance our organizational culture. 🍽️ Envision your organization as a kitchen where every team member adds a unique ingredient to a shared dish. This approach mirrors the essence of a traditional Jewish Shabbat dinner, where recipes steeped in heritage and community come together to create something extraordinary. It’s in this diversity of talents and stories that innovation and peak performance truly flourish. This month, let’s weave the enduring values of Jewish tradition with the zest of modern innovation into our workplace. By enriching our culture with the diverse flavors of respect, collaboration, and heritage, we craft a recipe for success that nourishes and inspires. Let’s celebrate the unity and achievement that a well-cultured organization can achieve. #CultureAndPerformance #JewishAmericanHeritageMonth #DiversityInAction

🍽️ **Exploring the Cultural Significance of Food: A Journey Beyond Taste** 🌍 Hello LinkedIn family! I'm thrilled to share a recent piece from our blog that dives deep into the profound impact food has on our lives, cultures, and workplaces. "Food: More Than Just Sustenance" isn't just about the flavors on our plates; it's about the stories, traditions, and connections that come with every bite. 🔗 [Read the full article here](https://lnkd.in/g6mtQ4TJ) Here’s what you’ll discover: - **The Emotional and Symbolic Dimensions of Cuisine:** How food serves as a bridge to understanding diverse cultures. - **Food in Social Celebrations and Religious Ceremonies:** From family dinners to festive feasts, food is a centerpiece that brings us together. - **The Role of Food in Cultural Identity and Heritage:** Each dish tells a story of history, geography, and people. Whether you're a food lover, a culture enthusiast, or someone exploring career opportunities in vibrant, inclusive environments, this article offers food for thought (pun intended!). It also highlights how embracing cultural diversity can enrich our professional and personal lives. Let's discuss! How has food influenced your understanding of different cultures? Share your experiences and let's celebrate the diversity that food brings into our lives. #FoodCulture #DiversityAndInclusion #CulturalHeritage #WorkplaceDiversity #DiversityEmployment Join us at Diversity Employment, where every culture, tradition, and story is celebrated. Let’s make our world more inclusive, one plate at a time. 🌐 https://lnkd.in/gUcMeawq

My first Black tech fest ✅ Last week my friend Chante Richardson invited me to attend the black tech fest event with her and it truly was an eye opening experience. 🧠It made me realise how important it is to be surrounded by likeminded people who are experienced and at the forefront of technology and innovation. Hearing about their journeys and how they have overcome challenges in the tech world was not only enlightening but also reassuring. The experience was amazing, from the speakers to the food, music and so much more! 🗣️I had the privilege of engaging with lovely individuals such as Pritesh Joshi (Deloitte), Bola Oyetade (Spotify) and Ismaaeel Kuku (Just eat takeaway). But I also want to give a shout-out to Spotify, Tesla, Just Eat Takeaway.com, Bloomberg, Wise, Goldman Sachs, Colorintech, Samsung Electronics, King, PwC, J.P. Morgan, and Google DeepMind. Not forgetting the amazing guest speakers; Kevin Osei, Hosanna Hali, Corey James, Adam Asad, Danielle Antoinette Bowman and all the other people who took time out to provide insight and answer questions. 📈What stood out to me was the different roles tech played within companies that would not appear to be tech based. I learnt about the diverse roles that are not obvious within the technology sector. Overall, I would definitely recommend black tech fest for black people who want to get into tech. 10/10 experience. I am looking forward to attending more tech events, networking and meeting new faces. #blacktechfest #networking #blacktech #diversityintech #growth #blackhistorymonth