Creating Synergy!

I recently attended the Bigger Small Talk Conference here in Fargo and day two of the festivities was all about finding your genius. I had longed to find my genius, hoping it was in there somewhere, and fearing that I was, perhaps, geniusless. Oh the horror of being sans genius for the rest of my life. Enter Dick Richards, author of "Is Your Genius at Work: 4 Key Questions to Ask Before Your Next Career Move."

So, as we begin the journey in our search for the holy genius grail, individuals were standing to declare that they had discovered their genius. Consisting of a Gerund (ing word) and a noun, people were slowly standing, trying on different genius' and seeing how they felt. Well, after a resumé which reads a little schizophrenic, and having ventured down different tangents and which ever path I was invited to travel, feeling a bit like Dorothy in the wizard of Oz, I was really hoping to find something that fit.  I felt like I have the tools that I need and enjoyed the characters and experiences the yellow brick road had provided, I just need to find my way home to my genius.

So as about a safe third of the attendees had finished standing and declaring their genius, some more confidently than others, I chose to stand and share what I had discovered. I stood and declared that my genius was in "engineering experiences" to which Dick responded, "nope, that isn't it" and as I described what it is that I enjoy doing, what I do without even being asked or paid, words that I don't know that I had ever uttered, crossed my lips and resonated more strongly in me than anything in a long time. "Creating Synergy," he declared to be my genius! Yep, that feels good, really good. So I scribble it on my name badge and try it on for size. Removing the "engineering experiences" which fit, but felt a bit like the 80's shoulder pads I SO loved. At the time, seemed like a good idea, but in reality, a bit big and cumbersome, and a bit out of proportion. Now with my genius was written in ruby red Sharpie, there was no place like my genius "home."

 So, why Creating Synergy? I think it stems from the middle child "can't we all just get along" syndrome. I always seem to find my way into the middle of people and situations, trying to make everyone feel a part of the team, feeling good about themselves and their work, and collaborating to create something bigger together than could evolve in their individual realms. Case and point, my dream for this site was a place where others come come and contribute and learn, more than just me, but a group of friends. I am energized by the process of brainstorming, and finding new ways to look at old problems, and coming up with new solutions. Finding new ways to infuse technology to ease old struggles. And creating visual synergy as well, matching the style and collateral of a company to its culture, making sure that interior and exterior are one.

So, in the spirit of Creating Synergy, I have decided to add another category to my blog in which I share tips and techniques I have found over my years of being an employee and a manager to help prevent burnout, which I have seen and lived too many times. You will find those tips on the home page and then also archived in the left navigation as well.

Please join me on my new yellow brick road and if you have a tip you would like to share, I would love to hear and share it. You will find a number of things out there, but what I hope to share, are the fun and creative and inventive that those even on a tight budget can employ. Here's hoping you find that yellow brick road to your very own genius and know that "There's no place like home, there's no place like home!"