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Articles by Jen Levisen
Put Your Whole Self In...and Definitely Shake It All About
It's easy to think of our personal and professional lives as two separate things. I used to think that my personal values were distinct from my professional ones - that my career had its own set of priorities and goals that didn't necessarily intersect with who I am at my core.
Opinions: Collaboration that Fuels Progress
This week was a pivotal moment for the mindful MATERIALS community, for the building materials industry, and for everyone really. Building on the success of the Forums (launched in 2023), the second annual mindful MATERIALS Forum Summit took us further into the heart of the building materials industry’s challenges and opportunities. The diversity of voices and perspectives defined this year’s Summit.
Concurrents: Whatcha Readin’?
Years ago, at the end of an interview, I asked a question that both my subject and I were equally tickled by — me, because I’m nosy like that, and the subject because she was an avid reader. “What’s the best book you’ve read this year and why?” Her answer and please keep in mind this is from 2018: “Oh, I love it! I have a reading list I share whenever I give a presentation. I have a Kindle because I travel so much, but right now, there are two books on my nightstand.
Concurrents: An Ode to Archibald
For some, it’s cars; for others, it’s art, handbags, or jewelry. For me, no material belonging has evoked such a sense of reverence, admiration, and desire as the Poltrona Frau Archibald Chair. Designed by the renowned Jean-Marie Massaud, this chair is more than just a piece of furniture; it is a testament to the sublime marriage of form and function, a symphony of elegance and comfort that has captivated design enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and this writer alike.
Concurrents: Our Invisible Threads
I’ve spent the last year+ wrapping my brain around the complexities and possibilities of mindful MATERIALS’ Common Materials Framework — what it is, what it allows, its hierarchical structure, etc. At this point, I can confidently TACO ‘bout it you know? #iykyk But beyond all that – beyond the data, eco-labels, standards, and levels – my favorite part is the why behind the CMF — why it was created, why it is needed.
Concurrents: Celebrating Impact
Giving Voice To Those Who Create Workplace Design & Furnishings by | When your association has 15,000+ members across 58 countries, it takes an exceptional individual to not only make things work but flourish. IIDA, the commercial interior design association, is working to create a more equitable and compassionate world by expanding what it means to be included and amplifying the voices of its members. It is fortunate to have Cheryl Durst at the helm as executive vice president and CEO.
Concurrents: Redefining Togetherness or Why Priya Parker's 'The Art of Gathering' Can Change How Our Industry Comes Together
In this digital age, the true essence of gathering has lost its significance. We’ve grown accustomed to our regular routines of meetings, school events, parties, and social events without understanding the deeper purpose behind them. Allow me to introduce Priya Parker’s “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters,” which acts as a roadmap to the heart of human connection. Parker’s book is a testament to the transformative power of gatherings.
Concurrents: What Makes a Commute Worth It?
Giving Voice To Those Who Create Workplace Design & Furnishings by | In our rapidly evolving professional landscape, commercial and corporate workspace design has become pivotal in shaping culture, enhancing productivity, and fostering innovation. To learn more about the latest trends influencing workspace design, I reached out to Erica Waayenberg, the Head of Research & Content Development at ThinkLab.
Concurrents: The Building Industry’s Materials Holy Grail
Imagine a world where you can access highly organized, holistic sustainability data in the tools you already use for design and procurement. Where you can quantify the embodied impacts of social health equity, human health, carbon, biodiversity, and circularity of a building and actively report impact reductions and ESG metrics to clients and investors. Where you can actually track how product-level decisions reduced the embodied impacts of a project.
The Good Stuff (or a not necessarily simple formula for professional happiness; but one that I think will be worth knowing) -
Giving Voice To Those Who Create Workplace Design & Furnishings by | A friend shared some advice recently on LinkedIn that stopped my scrolling — list out all of the things you like about your job. And all the things you don’t like about your job. And then try to do more of what you like and less of what you don’t. In a world of deadlines, meetings, and never-ending to-do lists, it’s easy to lose sight of what brings us happiness in our professional lives.
The Big Pause - officeinsight
The only thing better than the “Let’s circle back after the holidays” memes, is that they appear in my Instagram feed earlier and earlier each year. Like that meme in December? Funny. That meme back in October? So funny I shared it with people. But beyond the laughter, there lies a profound truth. Work inevitably slows down this time of year, not necessarily as an excuse to avoid responsibilities, but as a natural rhythm.
Concurrents: The Power of Influence
Giving Voice To Those Who Create Workplace Design & Furnishings by | I’ve long believed the architectural and design industry holds unrivaled influence over our world. And that influence extends beyond just the spaces and buildings themselves; it encapsulates the very materials that shape and fill them. Commercial design in particular knits a beautiful pattern of people, places, and things. People breathe life into spaces.
Concurrents: The power of stories
I’m 50/50 on remembering people’s names. I’m more likely to remember a random detail about someone or when we met — what they were wearing, where we were, how I was feeling, how someone made me feel, how they took their coffee — than I am someone’s name. And I no longer feel badly about it. My husband remembers hundreds of students’ names each school year — good for him. And as someone who has actively named two human beings, and one fur baby — it’s fine. Why, you ask?
Concurrents: It's Delightful, It's Delicious, It's De-lovely
Fall has meant one thing at my house for the last 19 years: soccer. My husband is the coach for a neighboring community’s high school boys’ soccer team and absolutely THRIVES during all of it. But on my end, mid-August through early November often feels more like survival of the fittest. Balancing a career, a household, the busy lives of two growing boys, and our golden retriever often leaves no time for anything that’s not on my daily to-do list (diligently prepared the night before).
Concurrents You’re BHAG is Showing
Giving Voice To Those Who Create Workplace Design & Furnishings by | What I hope your stretch goals feel like Have you ever had a professional goal come true? And not just any goal, but a big, hairy, audacious one? We’re not talking about a goal like crossing everything off your to-do list (seriously though, if anything were going to be big and hairy, that would be it). More like a goal for something you wanted but didn’t know quite how to get.
Your Villain Belief: What's Holding You Back From Moving Forward?
We've seen enough superhero movies to know that you can't ignore the villain. You must find it, look it in the face (in an overly dramatic scene where you're sure the villain will win), and take it down. A few years ago, I was on a yoga retreat in Nicaragua. I was simply looking for a glorious glow from equal parts tanning and relaxation. Instead, I found a day of ugly crying, serious soul searching and a belief that changed me forever. What I discovered was the idea of a vikalpa.
Turn and Face the Strange: Why Your Real Self Is the Most Persuasive
The first step in developing a persuasive character is learning to be unapologetically yourself. I know, I know, "Be yourself" is nothing fresh. You've heard it a million times. It's something you say to a friend who's preparing for a job interview or about to ask someone out on a date.
The Untrends: 8 Marketing Trends That Will Never Die
The marketing world is filled with trends and buzzwords and bull…oney, so we combined our more than 20 years of experience—geeze, when did that happen??—to pinpoint the elements of marketing, communications and branding that will never go out of style regardless of hot new mediums, industries, technology or data points. These are the trends that are not trends at all. 1) Be different. This is one of the oldest tricks in the book and still goes unnoticed by the majority of marketers.
Your Strategy Needs a Soul, Now More Than Ever
Classic business strategy has always been the path to achieving an organization's vision, while staying true to its purpose and values. Traditional approaches draw on examples of success from the past, which business strategists used to provide organizations with roadmaps that solve challenges and guide them to where they want to be. But today's problems and tomorrow's opportunities cannot be solved with yesterday's solutions.
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