Southwell Solutions LLC

08/29/2024

What feedback have you received from employees about their productivity and focus in the current work environment? How does the feedback differ when it comes to hybrid or remote work environments?

Are your employees jazzed about how:
🌟 increased flexibility to manage their own schedules leads to improved work-life balance and higher productivity
🌟 the shift to hybrid or remote work allows employees to dedicate more time and energy to their tasks because they’ve eliminated commuting
🌟 they feel they concentrate better in a home environment that’s free from the usual office distractions

Or maybe your employees are struggling a bit:
💡 feeling isolated and missing the spontaneous collaboration and social interaction that office environments offer
💡 not having an ideal workspace at home is creating distractions and interrupting their focus
💡 communication is breaking down and making it difficult for employees to stay aligned and engaged

Whatever the feedback, it’s a treasure trove of insights that can guide you toward creating a more productive and inclusive workplace that supports all employees. Turning those insights into actionable strategies is the magic potion!

Creating a work environment that supports all employees is not just a goal — it’s essential for your business’s success. Where do you need support? From fostering connections and collaboration, optimizing workspaces, and enhancing communication, let’s work together to make it a reality.

Contact me today to learn how we can enhance your workplace’s productivity and inclusivity. 📩

Send a message to learn more

08/13/2024

What specific challenges are you encountering with employees returning to the office, whether in a hybrid model or full-time? 🔍 Navigating the transition back to the office presents unique challenges. Understanding these obstacles is the first step to creating a supportive and productive work environment for all employees.

Are any of these a pain point for you?

- identifying specific pain points and resistance factors employees face
- crafting policies and practices that accommodate both neurotypical and neurodiverse employees
- creating workspaces that cater to employees' diverse working needs and styles
- equipping managers and teams with the knowledge to support an inclusive culture
- encouraging feedback and continuous improvement to adapt to employees' evolving needs

Contact me to discuss how I can support your business navigate these challenges and fostering a more inclusive, productive environment. Working together, we can transform your workplace into a space where everyone thrives!

For more on neurodiversity and workplace design, take a look at
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/exploring-intersection-neuroscience-design-design-build-workspace-u3y8c/?trackingId=1kRlghjATsCGdQ%2BOAiIzxg%3D%3D.

08/05/2024

Psychological safety is crucial, even though it may not always come easily. Reflecting on our actions and their impact on others can be daunting, especially when we're forced to confront our insecurities and emotions.

This article highlights both the difficulty and benefits of this reflection.

https://buff.ly/3PvBKoS

Remember, we "have the privilege to disrupt and interrupt patterns of inequality and inequity, even after perpetuating them."

A few months ago, an assistant principal at my school gave me feedback I wasn’t prepared for. This colleague, who I manage, shared that during a recent ...

07/29/2024

I was honored to participate in the thought-provoking discussion Exploring the Intersection of Neuroscience & Design. A few key takeaways:

✅ Neurodiversity represents a broad spectrum of brain processes, including sensory processing, compartmentalization, and reaction to and need for new stimuli.
✅ Each neurodivergent individual is unique in how they experience the world.
✅ Build flexibility into office design to support each employee's productivity and focus.
✅ Empower employees by giving them the agency to create optimal working conditions through inclusive policies and practices.
✅ Curiosity is crucial in cultivating an inclusive office design and workplace environment.

A huge thank you to my fellow panelists, Jennie Perlmutter and Kadi Rae Smith, for their invaluable insights and contributions to this enriching discussion. And so much appreciation to Ashley Takayama and DESIGN+BUILD for promoting this important conversation.

https://youtu.be/1YmJW1-T-go?si=Z6fkxuEZ-1Mdjvjs

How can neuroscience inform the design of more inclusive and accessible workspaces? This roundtable aims to promote a more equitable workplace through a coll...

05/08/2024

I read this article about 5 Navy SEAL principles to improve communication. The 55-38-7 Rule resonated as a valuable tool (more about that later). But where I got high-centered was the part about eye contact.

"In professional settings, eye contact is key for building connections and credibility. Whether you’re in a meeting or presentation, keep eye contact to show engagement and interest. It demonstrates your focus and presence, enhancing connections and respect at work."

This screams neurotypical norms!

But those are not the only norms.

Judging someone as disengaged, disinterested, or unfocused solely because they don't share your neurotypical norms for eye contact is the exact opposite of hashtag .

Communicating in the Navy SEAL environment likely necessitates direct eye contact. But this principle doesn't wholly translate to the rest of the world.

When we communicate, we must be hashtag and hashtag . For those who are neurotypical like me, we must learn about and embrace hashtag .

Applying these principles will lead to a noticeable transformation in your communication, interactions, and organizational culture.

02/26/2024

When you look at others, what do you see?
Do you notice a different skin tone? A different language? Dressing differently than you, what do you see?

What if you instead look for what you share?

I’ve been blessed to visit Marrakech twice.

It’s a stunningly beautiful city! It feels as though there is delightful, melodic music playing somewhere off in the distance everywhere you go.

Walking through the ancient streets of Marrakech one evening, a grandfatherly gentleman who spoke Arabic, French, and a tiny bit of English guided us from the riad where we ate dinner back to the main street. No cars were allowed on those old and narrow roads, only motorbikes, so you had to find your way back through the maze of tiny alleys to a main street to get a taxi.

As we walked, a young girl of about six appeared, waving at us and chatting with the grandfatherly gentleman. He hugged her when she first arrived, and then he guided her to make sure she was protected from the motorbikes that passed by, his hand gentle against her shoulders. At one point she glanced back at me, and I greeted her in my very limited French (by that I mean the amount of French that allows you to be polite and ask if someone speaks English). She returned my greeting in French with the biggest smile.

I have no idea if she was related to that man. But as I thought further about that short walk, I recognized two very important things. First, this grandfatherly gentleman spoke at least two languages - more than most Americans - and was even able to briefly chat with me in English. Second, he was kind, gentle, and caring for that little girl, protecting her from danger and showing her tenderness and affection.

Moments like this one remind me of all that we humans share. Regardless of the language we speak, the way we worship, the color of our skin, or the culture we live with, we all want and need love, respect, safety, food, shelter, and compassion.

02/20/2024

Oregon Hidden Legacy is doing amazing work to provide a glimpse into the realities of our past. Check out these podcasts!

https://buff.ly/3SKLWei

These real stories shed light on the injustices that shape our present. Beyond the shadows of injustice, they also offer a glimpse into the lives of loving families, caring individuals, hard workers, and leaders. They paint a fuller picture of humanity's resilience and compassion. I encourage you to listen and learn.

Oregon’s Hidden Legacy is a visionary & audio platform committed to uncovering the untold narratives of the underrepresented communities and lives within the state of Oregon & throughout The Pacific Northwest. Our mission is to explore the rich tapestry of these communities' experiences, struggles...

02/16/2024

💬 Quick question: What do YOU do to amplify others' voices? 📣

I've been doing some soul-searching and challenging myself on this front because, let's face it, we can always do more, right?

I get it. Amplifying others' voices can feel tricky, especially when we're talking about live and in person. Sometimes we wonder if we're doing it right or if our efforts are enough. Well, you're not alone in that boat. But here's the deal – amplifying someone else doesn't have to be a mountain climb. It's about consistency and intention.

If you're not sure how to amplify others, here are some ideas for you:

1️⃣ Listen & Learn. Always start by actively listening. Absorb different perspectives, learn from diverse voices, and let that knowledge shape your actions.

2️⃣ Share the Spotlight. It's not always about being in the limelight. Share the stage! At work, don't speak for someone. Invite them to the meeting. Encourage them to contribute. Introduce them in a way that positively reinforces their perspective, creativity, expertise, and ideas. Retweet, repost, and shout out others who are doing incredible things. It's about elevating others' voices alongside yours.

3️⃣ Give Them Credit (Always!). If you're sharing an idea or content, always credit the source. Doesn't matter if you're sharing a person's post or sharing an idea in a meeting. It takes no effort to start with, "Lin shared an incredible idea with me yesterday" or to tag them in a post. It's a simple yet impactful way to acknowledge and appreciate someone's idea and work.

4️⃣ Create Opportunities. Be a connector! Introduce people within your network who can benefit from knowing each other. It's like a networking superhero move.

5️⃣ Challenge Bias. Call out bias when you see it. Be it in conversations or in the content you consume. Make space for voices that may be drowned out by unconscious biases or dominant society.

And here's my commitment – I'm actively working on doing better, amplifying more, and being more conscious of the voices around me.

How about you? What are YOUR go-to moves for amplifying others?

Drop your wisdom below! Let's inspire each other to turn up the volume on greatness! 💙

02/07/2024

I'm often asked about microaggressions -- to discuss what they are, what they look and sound like. While I have several straightforward examples at the ready, I often worry they don't fully convey the harm microaggressions leave in their wake. I'm concerned they may not resonate with the majority, meaning us White folks.

Recently I heard this from Dee C. Marshall in a podcast:

🌟 Microaggression "is an SAT word for racism." 🌟

OMG! Yes! 💯

So, what do microaggressions look and sound like? Well, they could be asking a person of color where they're really from, making comments like "you speak so well for a [racial/ethnic group]," or even touching someone's hair without their permission, which is unfortunately common with Black and African American individuals.

But at their core, microaggressions are quite simply acts of racism.

01/02/2024

🌟 New Year, New Vibes! 🌟

Holy smokes! It's 2024! 🎉 And we get an extra day this year.

For me, the excitement is real, the anticipation is palpable, and if I'm totally honest with you, there's a bit more than a dash of trepidation in the mix, too. 😅

I'm diving headfirst into 2024 and focusing on a positive mindset. But l gotta be real: maintaining positivity isn't always a walk in the park for me. Life has this knack for throwing curveballs when you least expect it, right? I prefer to think of positivity as my trusty sidekick, but it doesn't have a magic wand to dissolve all the obstacles life tosses out.

Yet, here I am, ready to take on the new year with open arms and a hopeful heart. ❤️ How about you? How are you approaching the next 365 days? Are you riding the waves of hope and determination? Are you setting goals and making plans like there's no tomorrow? Or are you struggling to get started?

I'd love for you to share your stories and ideas that may lift each other up. Here's to embracing the unknown, learning from the challenges, and celebrating the victories, big or small. Drop a comment and let me know how you're kicking off this new chapter!

12/29/2023

As we approach the final few days of 2023, are you making New Year’s resolutions? How’s that going? Are you stuck?

I struggled for years to come up with meaningful New Year’s resolutions. When I did, I often didn’t continue with them too long after January. It was overwhelming. I felt defeated right out of the gate. So I put that practice on the shelf.

Instead of focusing on what’s wrong with me and my life and how I can “fix” all of it, I now spend this time of year looking for all of the BLESSINGS in my world. For me, this feels positive and nonjudgmental. It’s a productive way to head into a new year.

The center of all my blessings is the people who have contributed to me being a better human by listening to me, supporting me, encouraging me, standing by me, and calling me on my s**t. For every colleague, client, friend, and loved one who has contributed so fully to me, you make my world richer. And I’m so very grateful.

For all the people I’ve had the privilege of working with this year, I’m grateful for the positive impact we’ve made together. I’ve had the opportunity to witness the growth and transformation of individuals and organizations. It’s truly inspiring to see how open-minded and dedicated people can be when it comes to creating a more inclusive and equitable space. I’ve worked with so many who are dedicated to doing the work, even when it can be so hard.

It is because of all of you that I’m filled with a renewed sense of purpose and determination, excited for what the future holds, and the opportunities that lie ahead.

And if you’re struggling with New Year’s resolutions, maybe it’s time to consider a new approach, one that brings more meaning and fulfillment for you.

12/11/2023

How can we enhance economic growth in marginalized communities?

This is your opportunity to express your thoughts, methods, and knowledge to the influential authorities.

The U.S. Department of Commerce recently revealed the establishment of the "Business Diversity Principles (BDP) Initiative" as part of its strategic plan for 2022-2026, aiming to promote inclusive capitalism and fair economic growth for all Americans.

Learn more about this initiative at the following link: https://buff.ly/3RAL4JM.

Download the Business Diversity Principles Fact Sheet (PDF)