Mirror Mirror πŸ‘Έ


Reader, have you ever felt so seen that it made you cry?

My youngest daughter is a high school senior.

We've done all the things--senior pictures, senior prom, college decision.

Last Friday was Senior Luncheon, a tradition where parents and students gather to hear school faculty members speak about the students.

Faculty members select the students for whom they speak.

Sports coaches often spoke for the members of the team they coach.

Extra-curricular and specialty subject teachers also choose students similarly.

Each student is honored in a four to five-minute speech that is a varying mix of a light roast, achievement, and character.

There are lots of inside jokes and many choked-up voices as the staff valiantly sum up the indelible impact of each student.

This ritual is possible for one reason.

At this school, community is given center stage and equal footing with academics.

It is more than words because it is woven into the fabric of daily life.

Every day begins with 30 minutes of community time connecting and celebrating, not just exchanging announcements, and students enjoy a shared free period when no classes are held so that students can socialize, work on projects, and interact with the faculty.

This adds to faculty roles greater than lesson plans, classroom management, and grading, plus unfailing belonging for angsty teens.

Students and faculty forge meaningful, undeniable bonds.

Hearing these educators celebrate the unique and beautiful attributes of the young men and women they've helped to grow and prepare for life is a gift for everyone in the room.

After those speeches, I felt like I knew all Sarah's classmates and was genuinely touched by the love spoken.

Reader I have two reasons for sharing this with you.

First, it is important to see an example of intentional culture in the wild that works. Francis Parker School of Louisville knows and lives its values.

Second, I am once again struck by the power of such significant words spoken at a terminus point.

I can't help but ask how much more valuable it could be to have these words and sentiments powering people during their journey.

Which is why pouring into one another in meaningful and celebratory ways is at the heart of my 5-point STAR TREATMENTπŸ’« system, a set of operating norms designed to optimize individual fulfillment, team engagement, and organizational performance.

Friday brought tears to my eyes many times, but it also buoyed my spirits because I know that I am teaching businesses how to build beautiful communities like this and maybe in six years when Sarah emerges from graduate school to start her career she will be able to work for a company that has made STAR TREATMENTπŸ’«their everyday normal.

If you are ready to experience true community in your team, let's talk.

​
​

Are you subscribed to The Story I'm Telling Myself Podcast? Give us a 5-star review and share an episode with a friend: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music​

​

Join me this week for these live episodes

Episode 34 live stream available through LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube​

Episode 35 live stream available through LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube​

Episode 31 (rescheduled) live stream available through LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube​

​

The Story I’m Telling Myself is for anyone who wants to overcome the limitations of self-doubt and live a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Through candid conversations, you'll discover:

  • The hidden costs of listening to your inner critic: How fear and doubt sabotage your confidence, happiness, and success.
  • Transformational strategies for silencing the negative voice: Learn how to overcome self-doubt, embrace vulnerability, and step into your true potential.
  • The power of a mindset shift: Discover how changing your internal dialogue can lead to extraordinary results.

Real-life stories of courage and resilience: Gain inspiration from everyday people who overcame their negative self-talk to live a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music.

​

Rita Ernst, Positivity Influencer

My weekly emails are for you if you want a transformational SHOT OF POSITIVITY that makes you think, gets you laughing, and sparks a positive change. Start each week inspired.

Read more from Rita Ernst, Positivity Influencer

Reader, you're here! Thanks for opening this email. In 2022 I published my book, Show Up Positive. It's a simple playbook to increase the positive experiences in your life by choosing daily actions that foster positive behaviors in the world around you. It is a battle plan to feed the good wolf* inside you. *A grandfather describes to his grandson a battle between two wolves within oneself. In this metaphor for inner conflict, one wolf is kind and good, the other is mean and bad. The boy...

Reader, stop pushing the boulder. My client: "The two new city managers are doing a good job of holding people accountable. I'm not sure some of the team members like it. We might lose a few, but they've got to take swift action to get the revenue up." Me: "You know that's the hard way. Managers don't want to be babysitters. This isn't generating job satisfaction for them or their staff. But there is an easier way that realigns, reengages, and recommits the team to working together."...

Reader I bet you can relate to this one. It's Wednesday morning pickleball in my neighborhood. There are only four of us, and the other three are seasoned players. My internal narrative about not being good enough and letting my partner down starts playing. I focus on my breathing and remind myself to play my game: stay present, accept your errors, celebrate others, have fun. We are rotating through the same partner pairings. Everyone is making their fair share of missed shots. I'm working on...