Between my junior and senior years of college, I met Ms. Wanda Baker. She was a social service caseworker, and I was assigned to her as part of my social work internship. Before I met Ms. Baker, the Social Service Executive Director warned me that she was different. Ms. Baker rarely followed the agency's protocol handbook.

Years ago, my son introduced me to author Simon Sinek's TED Talk on the value and importance of starting with why before introducing a product or service. The conventional approach begins with what it is. However, if we can answer why there is a need or want to be fulfilled, we clearly define our market.  

A few weeks ago, I offered to become a non-lawyer advocate for a woman and her adult son struggling on several fronts—housing, the courts, mental health, and life. This was one of many families trying to make it but caught in a downward spiral.

Never underestimate the value of a kind word, smile, positive gesture, or open ear. Small acts of generosity and kindness can significantly improve another person's day. Of course, you know that...we've all heard that or similar bits of wisdom.  

Shadow strengths are my term for an individual's less apparent capabilities. I suspect that most of us are aware that we utilize only a portion of our cognitive abilities.

Weakness is a comparative label that is too easily assigned when expectations aren't met. Word labels are influential.

Any thoughts, observations, and learnings I may share about work and life come from an unconventional perspective.