As someone who works in multiple verticals and various team structures and corporations, I see firsthand how misinformation is altering discussions. Even more so on social media and online interactions. It’s becoming harder to distinguish real people from algorithm-driven voices, and this fuels division. But beyond these digital conflicts, I hope we remember that each vote and viewpoint has merit. Regardless of who won or lost in the election, both sides are filled with people / Human beings / whose voices deserve respect.

The growing wealth gap, divisiveness, and dissatisfaction with the government reflect the frustration many feel. People need to be educated to see beyond the misleading actions the people in power leverage to maintain and gain more control. People want change not out of loyalty to a party but because they crave a leadership/government that serves them and their loved ones. Our shared struggles and dreams unite us far more than politics and opinions divide us.

Through my travels and interactions across diverse cultures, I’ve learned that, beneath the surface, we are all remarkably similar. We all laugh, hurt, and care. If we could see beyond our differences, we’d realize that most of us want the same things: happiness, stability, and connection.

So, let’s approach disagreements with empathy, whether online or in person. We gain nothing from tearing each other down. If you find yourself debating politics or life online, ask if it’s improving your life in the long term and not just a quick boost. I believe in graciously respecting both victories and defeats and recognizing humanity on the other side.

Take care of each other, spend time wisely, and remember that we’re all in this together.

#humanbeings #respecteachother #gracious #inthistogether

Back in 1991, I went to an auto show, and they had this ‘machine’ that evaluated handwriting. Here are the findings of my handwriting analysis:

·       You are adept at putting matters in their proper perspective
·       You investigate situations carefully you like all the facts
·       You are sympathetic and a good listener
·       You have a creative mind
·       You prefer to do things by trial-and-error method
·       A change of pace does wonders for you
·       You have a tendency to try to cover too much territory
·       You express yourself well

#throwbackthursday #tbt #handwriting #analysis

When we are face to face with death at a young age, we tend to look at life differently. We develop a perspective that can see beyond the surface and propaganda.

Sometimes that can come off as detached and cynical. We have to work at nurturing the softer side and balance out using our heart and mind, while staying empathic and open minded.

Our world is full of division and derision. We have to do our part to reverse this.

We also need to try to work together to reverse decades, if not centuries, of greed and the need to control others by dividing and pitting one against each other for the sake of greed, power and a money-hungry group of people.

Instead, we should help each other to coexist peacefully, regardless of background and beliefs.

“The purpose of propaganda is to make one set of people forget that other sets of people are humans.” – Aldous Huxley

Throughout history, there have been many articles, books, documentaries and films warning us of the path we humans have been on…

Some songs that provide insights on this:
“Us and Them” by Pink Floyd
“Crime of the Century” by Supertramp
“Driven to Tears” by The Police
“Right in two” by Tool

Don’t blindly follow the path without looking beyond the surface with an open mind. Never place blame on others for the road you are on. It’s your own asphalt.


#thoughtsoftheday #divide #derision #propaganda #belowthesurface #supporteachother #coexist

Just because we can hear doesn’t mean we’re great at listening. And even if we’re good listeners, there’s always room for improvement. There’s a ton of info out there about why listening is so important, but let’s dive into a fun example.

Remember when AI models used to mess up simple tasks like counting the Rs in “strawberry”? They’ve come a long way, and so can we with our listening skills. Besides that, to get better, more accurate results, we need to provide additional details (parameters, prompt engineering). We need to ask ourselves, what other details we need to provide for the AI engine to better understand what we are looking for.

It got me thinking about this while listening to my music library with my various headphones. Each type—wired, wireless, in-ear—has its perks and quirks. Depending on the music genre, I pick specific headphones. Classical, jazz, live pop—you name it, I’ve got the perfect pair.

Listening to music this way has sharpened my listening skills. When I focus on different instruments like the guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards, I’m not just hearing the music; I’m dissecting it. I analyze the production, the mix, and the arrangement to understand what the artists are trying to convey. This deep dive into music helps me listen better in conversations too.

When I talk to someone, I try to break down what they’re saying, how they’re saying it, what they’re NOT saying, and the emotions behind their words. It’s like listening to a song in a different language—you need to understand the culture and background to get it.

Growing up, I learned a few languages, which helped me keep an open mind and absorb details better. Whether someone’s speaking French or Armenian, I don’t just switch on my mental translation mode. I also switch to thinking in that language, turn on my knowledge of that language/culture, and tune into their unique way of expressing themselves.

Now, about the AK47 and M16 firearm sounds—yeah, I can tell them apart. Growing up and surviving through my teenage years in a political and civil conflict in a third-world country, I had to learn these sound signatures. This is my way of trying to take something positive from the terrible years and events of my teenage years. I do NOT condone gun violence. I learned from this experience that one aspect of listening is categorizing sounds with minimal emotional biases.

The point is, we learn from our environment, experiences, and open-mindedness. When we listen, we should minimize our biases and expectations to make others feel safe and open up. It’s like listening to someone in a different language; we need to understand their words and where they’re coming from.

So, let’s keep working on our listening skills. Listen with an open mind to better understand, ask the right questions, connect, and improve our listening skills.

#AI #listening #music

The function of the hybrid consultant has grown more and more important in today’s corporate environment. These experts are the center of enormous experience, profound knowledge, a wide range of abilities, and extraordinary ability; they are more than just consultants. Their ability to provide excellent customer satisfaction is the consequence of a methodical, comprehensive approach to consulting, not luck. The following are some of the main advantages of hiring a hybrid consultant.

Wide Range of Experience

Due to their vast knowledge in a variety of fields and sectors, hybrid consultants are able to approach every project from a comprehensive standpoint. They are able to make connections, see trends, and apply knowledge from one industry to another, offering creative and useful ideas. Their vast range of expertise allows them to effectively handle intricate problems and provide customized solutions for every customer.

Understanding That Is Beyond Boundaries

A hybrid consultant may fill in gaps that might otherwise call for numerous specialists thanks to their knowledge base that crosses multiple fields. They guarantee that clients receive cutting-edge tactics since they are well-versed in the newest trends, technology, and approaches. Their expertise is not only theoretical; rather, it is based on practical applications, which makes it immediately applicable to clients.

Talent that Produces

The defining characteristic of a hybrid consultant is their talent. It’s an intrinsic capacity to look beyond the apparent, make connections that others might miss, and motivate people to take initiative and be confident. Project success for their clients is greatly impacted by their ability to build relationships, comprehend people, and inspire teams.

Diverse Skill Set

A hybrid consultant’s broad skill set is a powerful advantage. They have a variety of skills that can be applied to every circumstance, from strategic planning to creative problem-solving, analytical thinking to effective communication. Because of their adaptability, they may take on a variety of roles, serving as a project manager, coach, strategist, or mediator, depending on what the customer really needs.

The prioritization of client satisfaction

The most important indicator of a hybrid consultant’s efficacy is client happiness. Their capacity to provide excellent outcomes and their dedication to comprehending and fulfilling the client’s expectations make for a fruitful working relationship. The consultant cultivates a constructive and fruitful working relationship by focusing on establishing trust and maintaining openness throughout the consulting process.

Conclusion

There are several advantages to working with a hybrid consultant because of their extensive experience and customer-focused methodology. Their capacity to deliver customized solutions, together with their dedication to customer fulfillment, makes them an indispensable ally in accomplishing corporate objectives. Every forward-thinking firm requires a hybrid consultant since they are essential in a world where creativity and agility are crucial. Above all, the essential and sincere compassion to provide the art of helping.

#hybridconsulting #consulting #hybrid #clientsatisfaction #talent #skill #experience #understanding #solutions #business #technology

The Art of Helping: This is based on decades of experience from my many professions. It must be authentic and pure. But what exactly does it represent or stand for?!

The Art of Listening: Listen actively and emphatically. Listen to understand, with an open mind in order to learn and grow without any judgement.

The Art of Reading: Read text, tone, body language, to understand and learn, with an open mind not just to confirm biases or expectations.

The Art of Communicating: Speak with pure intentions to make sure you are understood, not just to sound smart and better than others. Ensure you are connecting with others.

The Art of Hybrid Consulting: The right mix of technical, functional, business, content, and marketing knowledge and talent to see your projects through from start to end.

The Art of Helping: The combination of the items mentioned before, enables us to provide support and lift others. It’s our passion, our purpose. it’s Ingrained in our DNA.

#brand #listening #speaking #communicating #consulting #hybrid #helping #analytics #insights #AI #implementation #integrations #SAP #workday #ADP #UKG #eksperts

It’s my annual New Year’s Day post. As usual, every year I have a hard time picking just one. This year I’m posting more than one song quote so hear me out. Pun intended

“I don’t know what to say about these days
I’m seeing people changing in the strangest ways
Even in the richer neighborhoods
People don’t know when they got it good
They got the envy and they got it bad”
– The Long Way Around by Jackson Browne

“I think I remember the dream that I had,
that love’s going to save us
from a world that’s gone mad.
I guess I just feel like: what happened to that?”
– I Guess I Just Like by John Mayer

“Oh well, happy new year’s baby!
We could probably fix it if we clean it up all day
Or we could simply pack our bags
And catch a plane to Barcelona ’cause this city’s a drag”
– Holiday in Spain by Counting Crows

(Jazz Instrumental)
– Together by Matthew Halsall

Wait! An instrumental? No lyrics to quote!

Over the many years and careers, I have had and continue to hone this art of listening.

One of the many things I learned during my film and audio career is the art of listening to music during the recording and mixing sessions. Since then I listen to music, fully engaged and present to each note, not to mention the silence between the notes.

I chose this instrumental because of the title and more importantly the performance. The musicians have so much restraint and respect to the arrangement and notes to ensure they are serving the song and each other. They give each note space to breathe and each other the space to shine. Together.

Similarly, together, we can help each other shine. We can create a beautiful world around us.

#newyear2024 #happynewyear #music #help #eksperts

I need your help to figure this message out.

“Love” left behind. This device is no longer detected near you. It was last seen near Home.

This message appeared on my phone on my nighttime walk yesterday. I am not sure if the universe is trying to tell me something, or the AI technology metaverse is tracking everything.  I also find it interesting that this message popped up during those two songs and I had my music player app on random.

#AI #metaverse #riddles #universe #tracking #technology

I recently watched Sam Tompkins’ latest live performance of his song Hero, which he recently uploaded. It is such a beautiful, raw and emotional performance. Link is in the comments. It made me think about how some people struggle to get through the holiday season.

For some people, mental health issues such as depression and suicide are a daily battle. Just because they have survived before does not imply, they do not require assistance and support. So please keep that in mind during this holiday season.

Those of you who are going through this and somehow happen to come across this post, you are not alone, despite how it may seem. Reach out and, more importantly, let others in. You are not weak, or you are bothering people. There’s a reason you are still here. You may potentially be someone else’s hero just by existing. You’ve got this.

#EmbracingSelfWorth #depression #suicideawareness #MentalHealthAwareness #youareenough #selfworth #itsokaynottobeokay #breakthestigma #mentalhealth

This is not intended to be cheesy.  Some might think it is or some might be lactose intolerant. Sorry.
We are dealing with challenges every day.
I am sending this to all of my people who are going through their day quietly. Being their wonderful selves.
I wanted to mention each of you but there are so many of you and this site frowns upon that.
Also, some of you do not like the spotlight, which I respect and appreciate even more. It’s more of a reason to show my appreciation of all that you all do.
So, I am checking on my quiet friends and sending an appreciative and positive energy for all your consistent and steady efforts.
Yes, I am talking to you. You are all making it happen and making a difference. Keep at it. It’s in the small details. Persistence, perseverance, chipping away at things on a daily basis. I see you and appreciate you.

hashtag#appreciation hashtag#challenges hashtag#struggles hashtag#iseeyou