Mar 29 - Week 12

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Picture of the Week:

New Orleans French Quarter balcony scene—a vibrant, festive snapshot capturing the essence of the trip.



Overall:

An eventful week balancing work milestones, personal achievements, and moments of indulgence. From New Orleans adventures to corporate stakeholdering to hydration goals and new shoes breaking in, the week was packed with both productivity and enjoyment.


Takeaways

• Preparation and execution matter—from work events to travel planning, being proactive kept things smooth.

• Strategic moves at work helped manage workplace dynamics effectively.

• Balance is key—between indulgence (New Orleans dining, jazz) and discipline (hydration, fitness, taxes).


Behavioral Takeaways:

1. No surprises, no sudden moves. Proactive planning kept work stress minimal.

2. Small adjustments yield big results. Hydration goals, structured stakeholdering, and even delaying a conversation helped maintain control over outcomes.


NOTES:


Work:

• Grand opening of TIAA Corporate Center in Frisco, TX. A spectacular new space with modern amenities.

• Workplace dynamics with Bev & Monica. Managed disruptions strategically, leading to structural shifts.

• Addressing Disruption vs. Defensiveness: After witnessing Bev derail a meeting firsthand, I raised the issue with Monica, her boss, expecting a constructive conversation. Instead, she became defensive, dismissing the concern as “carrying tales,” while others, including Micky, were already aware of the problem.

• Natural Consequences & Structural Shift: Without confrontation, Bev’s exclusion from key meetings happened organically, limiting her influence. Micky then solidified the change by consolidating research under me and placing Phil in charge of Thought Leadership, effectively sidelining Bev’s role.

• Two Leadership Mindsets: While Monica resisted change, Tammy, another peer, leaned into learning. She actively sought insights on building strong teams, and in the same week, I was asked to lead an engagement initiative—choosing Tammy as my co-lead, reinforcing a culture of growth over defensiveness.

• Executive committee stakeholdering. Ensured alignment and no surprises for upcoming work.

• Work prep completed—speeches, presentations, logistics, and reports all finalized.


Home:

• Haircut & laundry done in preparation for travel.

• Packing, bills, and taxes scheduled for Sunday.


Health & Fitness:

• Hydration progress: Increased from 30 oz/day to 60 oz/day and now targeting 75 oz/day.

• CBD-infused massage at the Ritz in New Orleans—a well-deserved recovery moment.


Music:

• Hopeful for a small piano session amidst travel prep.


Writing & Reflection:

• Book Review: Seeing Like a State—a deep dive into governance, standardization, and unintended consequences.

• Essay on illusion and self-deception through the arts


Social:

• Weekend in New Orleans with Mini —a mix of indulgence, exploration, and celebration.

• Live jazz at the Davenport Lounge (Ritz-Carlton).


Sports:

• Visit to the Superdome, site of the Eagles’ Super Bowl win—a pilgrimage for an Eagles fan.

• 2004 India-Pakistan cricket documentary—a deep dive into sports diplomacy.


Travel Plans:

• New Orleans weekend trip.

• Florida and Salt Lake City


Entertainment:

• Netflix binge: State of Play, Black Doves, and 2004 India-Pakistan cricket documentary.

• Fine dining in New Orleans—Beignets, Bananas Foster at Brennan’s, and an elevated food experience.



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