Category Archives: Inspiration

Connected, but alone

3rd April 2013

Growing up, we had two rules around the dinner table: 1. you must at least try everything on your plate and 2. you had to share one story about the favorite part of your day.

In a family of six, my parents had their hands full with sporting events, friends and homework, therefore making spending time around the dinner table no easy task. However, it was rare that there was a night that went by that we didn’t eat as a family, even if that meant eating in shifts from time to time.

We didn’t have smart phones, personal laptops, iPads and email to interrupt our family time. To say the landscape has changed is an understatement. However, dinner at the Dennihy house hasn’t changed one bit. Sure, the phones are kept in sperate rooms (as opposed to pulling the wall phone off the hook as my Dad seemed to do nightly to keep people from interrupting), but creating genuine personal time is much more of a conscious effort.

A dear friend of mine and I have had endless conversations around technology in our lives over the years, and as we both work in the digital marketing space, avoiding it is impossible. She has been urging me to watch the Ted talk “Connected, but Alone” for just as many years. I finally sat down to watch the talk and I cannot say I was surprised by my love for it.

As we watch technology evolve, it makes our lives so much more simple on so many levels. Connections are now a click, a tweet or a post away. We can have simultaneous conversations with 10 people over a group text all while sending an email and capturing a photo for Instagram. Facebook is in talks to release a PHONE for crying out loud. In short, technology is incredible.

Then why is communicating itself harder than ever before?

Because communication is more than a string of words. Communication leads to relationships, which lead to the betterment of ourselves, which is no surprise, hard work.

In Sherry’s words, “we expect more from technology and less from each other.”

If we want to become more connected, we have to expect more from each other and let technology guide us in getting there – not serve as the sole route.

Is texting a friend easier than spending thirty minutes on the phone each week? Sure is. Do I expect to remain friends without decline over the next decade by sending text messages? Better not put all of my marbles in that bucket.

Now get to work, I owe some people some phone calls / dinner dates / afternoon runs.

Good Days and Bad Days: Perspective

28th March 2013

Some days are good days and others are not so good days…but the good news is, I’m a big believer that your perspective is what decides the fate on those days. Let’s take today for instance.

Today was:

Long,
Filled with meetings,
Last minute client requests,
A little agression,
And overall left me feeling as if I’d been hit by a bus.

BUT I’m typing this with a big ‘ol smile on my face (and probably seeming a little crazy for it).

Today also reminded me:

I work with amazing people who care about me when I’m at my desk and when I’m not.

A coworker left a copy of Sheryl Sandberg’s new book Lean In on my desk with a little note and no other reason but “I thought you might find this valuable.” Little gesture = big impact.

I’m surrounded by friends who constantly amaze me with their outpouring of love, confidence and support.

I’m not even the one who needed it today, but I was fortunate enough to witness it. You can replace all of the meetings and the deadlines, but you can’t replace the people.

I got to see a friend living out his dream as he opened his own restaurant this week and I was finally able to visit.

He’s proof that hard work, dedication and caring about people along the way goes the distance. Just seeing the simile on his face and his interaction with customers was a day maker all on its own, not to mention the food was delicious. If you are looking for a great burger, check out Cheeseburger Bobby’s on Roswell Road in Buckhead. Ask for Ryan.

Coincidence that tomorrow is Good Friday? I think not. Go out and make sure it’s a good Friday indeed.

Leading by Following

2nd March 2013

Saturday morning (or in my case around noon) runs outside are quite possibly one of my favorite parts of the week. Over the last few years, these mornings have progressed from dreaded training runs with strict milage goals to casual time on the trails to step back and enjoy some time by myself – whether that be three miles or 10.

This morning, I brought along my favorite running buddy, a sixty pound little pup who also happens to love exploring just as much as I do. Atlanta is surrounded by some gorgeous hiking trails, which once we are far enough off the beaten path, lend the perfect spot for some leash-less sprinting (shh, don’t tell the park rangers).

My running buddy, she’s also quite the soccer champ.

As we wound about amongst the trees and the mud, I found myself tailing behind my little girl at times and calling for her to join me when she was distracted by a chipmunk or two and had to stop for a sniff at others. Leaders and followers we were.

A mentor of mine and I had a discussion a few months back about leadership not being a title that one is given with age, job description or pay grade. It is something we embody in every daily interaction in which we partake. Leadership means accepting humility and trusting those around you. It is building the talents and confidence of others and encouraging them to carry on and improve.

We often look to becoming a leader in the form of managing others – the same way a master would expect a dog to behave on a leash and do as he/she is told. However, it’s easy to tell a dog to stay with you when they are attached by a rope, it’s another exercise to let them go and watch them stay in your path.

When you build up those around you, turn over your trust and your faith to another, and follow their lead; you just might find yourself becoming a leader who enjoys the view from both sides of the path – something I’m learning to love.

Leadership is certainly not a virtue that develops overnight, whether that be on a dirt trail with a dog, or in the office with coworkers. It’s something we all have to work for, every step along the way, and I must admit, following a little pup through the woods, might be the best form of leadership I can think of, not to mention added growth and endurance for both of us.