Practicing Compassionate Leadership & Baking Oreo Cake

I had such a wonderful time hosting extended family this holiday season. One of the highlights was including my cat and nieces when making my “famous” Oreo cake. This year, I taught them my super-secret recipe. It was all about Teamwork! 

I used to make just one Oreo cake; however, a few years ago - two family members got into a little back and forth about the last slice. Since then, I have been proactive by baking two Oreo cakes. Now, there’s always enough for everyone to have a second slice. As I reflect on this experience, here are three things that come to mind: 

(𝟭) 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻? How would your family benefit if you incorporated succession planning and knowledge management into your lives? Thinking ahead is a gift you can do today that benefits your loved ones tomorrow. It can be as big as discussing end-of-life wishes or as small as sharing a beloved recipe. 

(𝟮) 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻? Baking two cakes takes more time, effort and money. However, the ROI is priceless. When we remember our end-goal, making value-based decisions becomes easy. 

Putting out fires is something we all must do at one point, however most fires are preventable. It’s also important to keep in mind that some things that get burned can never be replaced. 

(𝟯) 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆? I included my 17-year-old cat Xena into my holiday festivities in a creative way. Every single family member who watched the video above, had a HUGE laugh watching her “help” crush the Oreos (it was their favorite part of the video!). 

Is there anyone in your family, workplace, or friend group who you can help feel like they belong by inviting them to participate in creative or innovative ways? This is how we strengthen relationships, practice inclusion, create memories, and demonstrate compassionate leadership. 

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🪻As a clinical sociologist, I facilitate organizational effectiveness and learning culture. I lead data-informed solutions and change management interventions. I provide leadership development, facilitation, keynote speaking, and consulting for continuous improvement that drives strategy, collaboration, and mission driven priorities.

I believe in bold, authentic, and transformative people-centric leadership. From this lens, I prioritize equity and collective wisdom to engage others. Innovation, inclusivity, and creativity are my superpowers. Growth is my mindset.

If you’re ready to overcome organizational challenges and retain your people or engage your members, DM me, I’d love to connect. 💞.