In August, Barb received an award from AIPG president Chuck Drake

Hi Barb,

Summer is turning to fall, and I'm pivoting too.

As you may recall, I took a sabbatical from April through July to travel and to listen into what I'm called to do.

I settled on this: to help scientists, especially students and early career professionals, to complement their technical knowledge with skills like listening, leading, planning, and making decisions. 

It wasn't a flash of insight - rather a slow dawning realization that young scientists were reaching out to me on Linked In, and that I had something to offer them: my experience as a nerdy young scientist who had to learn to collaborate and work with people. 

After all, I learned the hard way -- by making mistakes and procrastinating. Maybe I could make it easier for them. 

A week after I decided to shift my focus, the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) awarded me a Presidential Certificate of Merit for championing networking among early-career geologists.

I hadn't gone looking for that kind of validation — it just landed at the right moment.

I'm back at work now, clear on where I'm headed.

What does that mean for you and this newsletter?

Going forward, I'll be writing for scientists — particularly geologists. That's a narrower group than many who have been reading my emails the past few years. And, the topics will broaden out beyond leading better meetings to how to work with and communicate well with people.

Thank you — genuinely. Whether you've been here for one issue or many, I appreciate you reading what I've written, and I'm grateful for your patience during these quiet months while I found my footing again.

Now, you have a choice.

I'd love to have you keep reading if you want to. But if my new direction isn't for you, no hard feelings. Unsubscribing is easy (link below), and I'm grateful for the time we've been connected.

Either way, would you do someone you know a favor? Forward this email to a science student or working scientist. I'd be delighted to welcome them into our community of scientists who want to make a difference. 

Warmly,

Geologic Networking Online:
Practice a skill that makes science careers thrive

Real collaboration can start with one short conversation. That's the idea behind Geologic Networking Online (GNO), a free hour of connection with fellow geologists, hosted by AIPG.

Save the dates:

• Tuesday, October 20 at 3:00 PM US Central Daylight Time
• Tuesday, December 8 at 11:00 AM US Central Standard Time (note time change!)

Each hour-long session includes a quick warm-up and a networking tip, then three short breakout conversations (8–10 minutes each) in pairs, trios, or quads.

All geologists are welcome — undergrads to retired, AIPG members or not. Everyone has something to learn and something to share.

To join: follow AIPG on LinkedIn and watch for their GNO posts — registering gets you the Zoom link. I'll share the registration links in these emails too. 

Liberating Structures Stories from the Field 

Liberating Structures Stories from the Field shares 39 inspiring stories of how people worldwide have used Liberating Structures (simple, easy to learn and use activities in meetings) to work with people. 

I contributed a story about how I used "15% Solutions" to help a group refocus on what they could do on their own, even though they had lost their funding. 

Learn more: https://montagshappen-verlag.de/produkt/liberating-structures 

Related blog posts
--  The five human skill areas for thriving in the future of work

What is One Thing That is Bringing You Joy? 

Amy Leneker suggests opening conversations — and even meetings — with this question: “What is one thing that is bringing you joy?”

This questions may sound small, but it does real work. Answering it helps both speakers and listeners feel better, think more clearly, and show up more positively for whatever comes next.

It reduces stress and builds relationships — exactly the kind of human skill that makes collaboration actually work.

Try it in your next conversation and see what shifts.

For more on joy and stress in the workplace, read Amy’s book, Cheers to Monday.

Read previous newsletters in the Newsletter Archive. 

Want even more tips? Access Ten Tips to Foster Online Engagement.

If someone forwarded this newsletter email to you, you may subscribe here.
You may also sign up for topics that you want to hear more about. 

Photo Credit: Mike McCarthy