Strands of Genius: Inclusive & Accessible Research, Honoring the Friction of Disability, Adele's Superhero

plus our thoughts on: traditions

Nov 23, 2021

WORKING ON | finishing up some projects before Dec 1

LOOKING AHEAD | Nashville, TN :: Nov 22-Dec 2 | Beersheba Springs, TN :: Dec 2-18 | Atlanta, GA :: Dec 18-20 | Nashville, TN :: Dec 20-30

:: WHAT’S NEW & WEEKLY GRATITUDE ::

I’m not going to lie, the chaos hammer has come down hard on me this last quarter of the year. But like most things in life, there are lessons to be learned and memories to be shared. My patience is tested daily, and the continuous exposure to new challenges requires a mindset shift. Despite it all, I’m grateful for the perspective and trying to find little moments for myself. I’ve started a practice of acknowledging 3 things that I’ve done for myself each day which helps keep from being completely overwhelmed. One foot in front of the other! Moment by moment.

This week, we’re especially thankful for:

Very warm SoCal weather, farmers markets, UGA bulldogs victory, King Richard (highly recommend watching), holiday movies on every channel/platform, Hello Fresh meals, the cathartic feeling of cleaning out your closet, Sunday morning Crossfit classes, purple hair color, my feather pillow, the doctors and nurses caring for my parents, my money mastermind group & YOU!

:: THE LINKS ::

INCLUSIVE & ACCESSIBLE RESEARCH

I’ve recently been exploring market research industry trends and have concluded that there is not much information out there about how to run inclusive and accessible research. In the first of a series of upcoming posts, I start to dissect the importance of conducting inclusive and accessible research. It starts with us challenging ourselves to be more open minded, collaborative and to question our assumptions more. (Medium)

HONORING THE FRICTION OF DISABILITY

In this video, Liz Jackson, the founder of The Disabled List shares “how the things that disabled people radically fight for become the things that are empathetically done for us”. It’s an insightful perspective into design and the power of creating ‘with’ rather than ‘for’. Also, #comicsanstakeover (AIGA)

ADELE’S SUPERHERO

Obviously Adele’s ‘One Night Only’ special has racked in some serious viewership over the last couple of days, but the news that got me was this story of her reuniting with an old teacher of hers. Over the years, many fans have shared how Adele has impacted their lives, so it’s especially cool to see the teacher who had a profound impact on her life! It’s a powerful reminder to never underestimate the effect you have on others. (Variety)

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:: WHAT WE’RE THINKING ABOUT: TRADITIONS ::

This Thursday marks Thanksgiving in the United States. It’s long been synonymous with eating as much food as humanly possible and American football. And of course followed by early morning shopping for Black Friday. In the last decade or so, however, the day after Thanksgiving sales have now become Thanksgiving day sales or even pre-Thanksgiving sales. And we can’t forget Cyber Monday! It’s been an evolution in traditions.

The pandemic, of course, brings in a whole new realm of traditions. Some people are opting out of turkey dinners for zoom happy hours and cheese boards. Some people are ordering Whole Foods for pickup instead of spending all day in the kitchen. And some have already set up their Christmas decorations.

I can’t help but wonder how many of the new traditions formed during this time will continue to exist in the years ahead or if they, too, will wane or vary as they have in years past. Or if the old traditions will become ‘new’ traditions again? Or will things continue to change at such a rapid rate they won’t be around long enough to be considered ‘traditions’? At which point will we have a continuous shift in culture and definitions surrounding holidays?

:: AND NOW… SOME ADAM GRANT… ::

Adam Grant @AdamMGrant

Great minds don’t think alike. They challenge each other to think differently. The people who teach you the most are the ones who share your principles but not your thought processes. Converging values draw you to similar questions. Diverging views introduce you to new answers.

If we can ever be of help to you, even outside of a formal engagement, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

rockON,
faris & rosie & ashley | your friends over at geniussteals.co

@faris is always tweeting
@rosieyakob hangs out on instagram
@ashley also writes for deaf, tattooed & employed

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It's called Genius Steals because we believe ideas are new combinations and that nothing can come from nothing. But copying is lazy. We believe the best way to innovate is to look at the best of that which came before and combine those elements into new solutions.

Co-Founders Faris & Rosie are award-winning strategists and creative directors, writers, consultants and public speakers who have been living on the road/runway since March 2013, working with companies all over the world. Our Director of Operations is nomadic like us, our accounting team is based out of Washington, our company is registered in Tennessee, and our collaborators are all over the world. Being nomadic allows us to go wherever clients need us to be, and to be inspired by the world in between.

Hit reply and let’s talk about how we might be able to work together :)

Strands of Genius