Lead UNITED

Date: Thursday, April 25
Event name: Discovering Your Working Genius Featuring Connor Johnson
Time: 8:30-10 a.m.
Location: United Way of Cass-Clay (4351 23rd Avenue S., Fargo, ND 58104)

Have you ever felt burnt out, frustrated, grumpy at work? Have you ever found yourself in those magic moments when you were enjoying yourself at work? Why does that happen?

Well, did you know there are six different types of ‘work’ that exist across three phases of ‘work’? Did you know that you cannot find fulfillment and joy out of all six? In fact, some of them will frustrate you instantaneously, some you will be fine with for a bit, and some will provide you infinite happiness and satisfaction.

This impacts darn near every aspect of our work!

Hiring, Department/team structure, team meetings, productivity, conflict, teamwork, leadership. They are all impacted by what we find fulfilling and what we find frustrating.

By applying the working genius, individuals and teams can become aware of where they all stand with the work they do. If we can be aware of our working genius as well as our working frustrations, we can better perform together, not just more effectively, but more happily.

Date: Thursday, May 16
Event name: United Way Day of Action

Join us for United Way Day of Action on Thursday, May 16. Together we’ll work to complete much-needed volunteer projects, raise awareness around community issues that impact us all, and help our neighbors in need. Rally a group of coworkers and friends and let’s make a difference in the community we all call home.

Learn More! 

Date: Wednesday, June 12
Time: 3:30-5 p.m.
Location: The Lights Indoor Event Space

Let’s be honest, you’re pretty awesome. In today’s competitive landscape, personal branding has emerged as a critical tool for professionals seeking to stand out, advance their careers, and leave a lasting impact. There’s just one tiny hiccup — you don’t actually control your brand, you only influence it. (Wait, what?) In reality, your brand is simply perception (Umm ok, so does that mean…). In other words, it’s what people say about you when you’re not in the room. (Ah, crap.) Don’t freak out, we got you. Leveraging our unique blend of marketing and HR backgrounds, you won’t find a better duo to help you…talk about you. In this session, we’ll break down how you craft, influence, and promote your brand in a way that not only gleans best practices from the world’s biggest brands but also how to make an unforgettable impression employers are sure to notice.

Date: Wednesday, October 9
Time: 8:30-10 a.m.
Location: United Way of Cass-Clay (4351 23rd Avenue S., Fargo, ND 58104)

There are two types of leaders. The first use their intelligence to amplify the capabilities of others. The second drain intelligence from those around them. This session will explore how to create and maintain a productive and engaged culture, while also unpacking the disciplines that distinguish those who get the most from others from those who drain their energy.

Date: Thursday, December 5
Time: 8:30-10 a.m.
Location: United Way Volunteer Activation Center (4351 23rd Ave S, Fargo)

Right here in our community approximately 1,000 people experience homelessness and approximately 20% are children. All families deserve a warm place to sleep and call home. That’s why we’re inviting you to volunteer to help make tie blankets for families in need. Watch your email for your invitation to sign up!

If you’ve ever met Jessica Hoeper, you know her energy is magnetic! It was such a pleasure to have her present and share her expertise on Embodied Emotional Intelligence with our United Way of Cass-Clay Lead UNITED network!

There were so many amazing takeaways from this session, here are just a few of our favorites:

• Self-awareness is a journey, not a destination: While 95% of people believe they are self-aware, research suggests only 10-15% truly are. Emotional intelligence is a skill that requires constant practice and growth. Thankfully, life offers us endless opportunities to learn and improve.
• Our feelings are data, not facts: Acknowledge your emotions, but don’t let them control you. As Jess said, “You can be frustrated without becoming frustrated.”
• There are four domains of EQ: Emotional intelligence is multifaceted, encompassing self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.
• Embodied emotional awareness requires flexibility: Being attuned to your emotions and how they manifest in your body is crucial. It also requires the ability to adapt your thinking and responses to different situations.
• Leaders with embodied EQ lead to higher performing teams: Studies show that leaders with strong EQ foster more collaborative and successful teams.
• Empathy is crucial to boosting morale in teams: By understanding and acknowledging the emotions of others, leaders can create more positive and supportive work environments.

Thank you, Jess, for the insightful session!

Together, we gathered with the purpose of practicing and inspiring kindness in our community and in turn we were able to create 575 Celebration Care-Kits! It’s incredible what we can accomplish when we all come together and Live UNITED! Thanks to the Great Plains Food Bank, these kits will soon be on their way to local food pantries with the goal of sparking joy and helping individuals and families celebrate those special milestones in their lives. ❤

A sincere thank you, we couldn’t have done this without you!

I also want to again give another shoutout to all the amazing partnerships that were essential for this event to happen. Thank you to our year-round Lead UNITED program sponsors, West Acres Mall for allowing us the space to gather, Heyer Engineering our Brewing Up Kindness Partner this year, Cash Wise for their continued support in ensuring we have all our supplies needed to create these kits, Crafty Taps our beverage sponsor, Short Printer our card provider, Coca-Cola our pop provider and ALL the businesses and individuals who donated, hosted drives, bought supplies and raised awareness for this cause. It takes a village, and you are the core of bringing this event together – thank you!

More meetings. More commitments. More responsibilities. More seniority. More power. More money. Is it worth it? Do we actually want that? Have we really stopped to think about it? In this session, we we’re invited to step off of the hamster wheel and pause to evaluate what success really means to us.

A huge thank you to Laura Caroon for giving our United Way of Cass-Clay 2024 Lead UNITED programming an incredible kickstart! In a world that often screams “more, more, more,” Laura’s message was a beautiful reminder: We are enough, exactly as we are.

Our worth, doesn’t depend on our achievements, the size of our homes, or the curated perfection of our Instagram stories. Our true value lies in our hearts, our connections, and the positive impact we make on the world around us.

Takeaways:

• Celebrate your successes! Every win, big or small, deserves a moment of recognition. Acknowledge your hard work and let yourself feel proud.
• Allow yourself to take a break. We’re not machines, pushing ourselves too hard can lead to burnout. Recharge your batteries by taking time for relaxation and activities you enjoy. (Pro-tip for all you overachievers out there, this will in turn lead to more productivity.)
• Have the courage and curiosity to explore and do the things you want to do. Life is full of possibilities, so don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try new things.
• You are more than what you do. Your work is inherent, not dependent on your job title, your productivity, or any external measure. Embrace your authentic self and shine your light brightly.

Thank you, Laura, for inspiring us to embrace our authentic selves and lead with kindness and compassion in 2024.