When I was writing my last post about BFF, I realized that I had far too many reflections to capture in a single, cohesive post. So many people there have touched my life in extraordinary ways and it is not hyperbole to say that this remarkable team helped me become the adult, the professional, and the human being that I am today. I want to thank you all.
In the first chapter of Meditations, Marcus Aurelius makes a list of those who most impacted his life - family members, teachers, friends, and critics - and writes down the lessons he learned from them. In that spirit, I wanted to share lessons that I have learned from my team at the Foundation along with my gratitude.
(I am a huge fan of Gregory Hays’ moving, poetic translation of Meditations. My attempts at poetry are an homage to his work.)
October 31, 2018: Some of the beautiful people mentioned below when we dressed up as our favorite thing for halloween - the Alaska Airlines Fruit & Cheese Platter.
Leonetta
To lead by example and with kindness. To give feedback with love and receive it with gratitude. For helping me identify and develop my strengths and weaknesses. For your commitment - to our mission, to our organization, to our team, and to each of us as individuals.
Elyse
That the most successful team is made when the individual talents of each person are given space to flourish. To work hard for the sake of excellence. To look towards the future while planning for today. That serenity in the face of volatility inspires others to be steadfast.
Greg
To fight for good processes. To tear down inefficient processes.
Melissa
To do exceptional work quietly - with no expectation of praise or reward. For your entrepreneurial spirit, endless creativity, and indefatigable work ethic. For your green thumb and advice about plants. For your delicious sweet treats.
Jess
To show up with real authenticity, confidence, and vulnerability. For gently correcting me when I made mistakes. For laughing with me about typos and funny quotes. For endless conversations about food and restaurants and for sitting through an hour long presentation about noma. For your marvelous fashion sense. For your encouragement, inspiration, and vocabulary.
Nicole H
To immerse oneself fully in the task at hand. To live life passionately. To remember the point of work - any work: the greater good. To sacrifice momentary comforts for experiences, ephemeral, culinary, and otherwise. For your amazing hugs, baked treats, and unceasing support.
Michael
To work faithfully and efficiently - and to save room for family. For your jokes, immaculately constructed for maximum impact.
Jackie
For your love and support. For taking a risk to hire me. For your huge vision and sense of responsibility to all the children of the world. For bringing your whole self and your devoted attention wherever it’s needed. You are the strongest person I know.
Michele
To look for passion and common cause behind heated words before looking for malice. That ideas are worthless if they cannot be clearly communicated or planned for.
Nicole D
To handle mistakes - my own and those of others - with sincerity, understanding, poise, and resolve. That sturdy plans, definitive decision-making, and strong relationships form the foundation for successful projects and teams. My first manager and my favorite manager.
Val
To be uniquely myself - and to invest time looking for myself if I hadn’t found him already. To prioritize physical and mental health. To make creativity integral in the beginnings, process, and output of good work. For an exceptional naturopath referral. For ordering the best SR pens. For a brilliant dog - Agnes: I will always look forward to her overwhelmingly loving greetings.
Molly
To lead with gratitude towards others and empathy for myself. That the workplace can and should be equally fun and serious, goofy and professional. For your music selections - even when you had to teach me about the artists.
Sara
For your constant council and constant jokes. To pay attention to detail and to fix even the tiniest errors before they can accumulate. For your willingness to provide moral support regardless of whether I really needed it. For teaching me when to take things seriously and when not to. I miss sitting across from you.
Kasey
The epitome of a team player. For welcoming me on my first day, your birthday, with open arms - even though I was unexpected. For your patience, your wisdom, your enthusiasm, your laughter, your joy. To dive into work wherever it is required, with a smile.
Rebekah
For simply being real. For reminding me that my feelings are valuable no matter how big or small. For laughing and crying with me. For being there when I need you. To focus on what is truly important - the welfare of our fellow human beings.
Megan
To be articulate and diplomatic in all circumstances. For your ability to parse and navigate bureaucracy, while doing your best to avoid creating unnecessary bureaucracy for us. For bouncing back no matter the pressure or challenge. For your great taste in baked goods.
Mike
For your sunny attitude, your infectious smile, your pats on the back. To question costs and scopes. To ensure every dollar is going towards the right work.
Carly, Andre, Elektra, Ann, T2, Mariel, Magda, and my countless friends and partners outside of BFF
For your professionalism. For knowing when to accept criticism and when to push back, gracefully. For holding an extraordinary amount of information straight. For tactical lessons in design, advertising, digital infrastructure. And for delivering consistently beautiful, ingenious work. To future work together.