The Main Thing:

We are in the throes of a revolution. I'm not talking about the recent election, although it may be a harbinger. I am talking about Artificial Intelligence, or as we affectionately call it, AI.
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Of course, AI has been around for a little while. In 2018, I attended a conference in Boston about AI. I didn't understand much, but it was enlightening nonetheless.

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Today, we have a variety of tools at our disposal. With an internet connection, you can do amazing things with AI, such as language translation, image recognition, and even predicting weather patterns. And from what I hear, we are just scratching the surface.

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AI isn't a privilege reserved for the urban elite. It's a tool available to everyone, regardless of where you live. Even the smallest rural towns and Main Street USA can harness the power of AI to their advantage.
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I wrote about this 'revolution' in my post this week. Please read it and let me know what is happening in your community. I would love to hear about your experiences with AI, whether in your workplace, school, or local community.

​Read more here.​

Focus on Leadership​
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​How Being Second Choice Affects Your Sense of Belonging at Work by Samir Nurmohamed | Knowledge at Wharton --

Even Hollywood legend Al Pacino wasn't immune to being a second-choice hire - a situation that new research from Wharton professor Samir Nurmohamed reveals can have significant and lasting impacts on workplace success. His groundbreaking study shows that employees who learn they weren't the first pick often feel less integrated with their teams and hesitate to seek crucial feedback. But there's hope: the research also uncovers how inclusive leadership can help overcome these challenges. From Hollywood to corporate America, this fascinating exploration of workplace dynamics offers essential insights for managers and employees in navigating the delicate situation of being an "alternate choice" hire.

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​Ready. Set. Scale. Shaping leaders for hypergrowth by Alok Kshirsagar, Arne Gast, and Claudy Jules with Fleur Tonies | McKinsey Insights

Many of you have fast-growing startups in your communities. Are you able to provide them with the assistance they need? This article examines the critical challenges of leadership development in fast-growing startups. It focuses on four key questions: who leads (expanding beyond founders to critical roles), how to empower leaders (through customized development), maintaining entrepreneurial spirit across all levels, and adapting founders' roles from operations to strategic leadership. The Authors emphasize that effective leadership development must balance rapid transformation with preserving company culture. This transition is crucial for startups' survival and growth as they move from early-stage operations to scaled organizations.

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​5 Books to Help You Excel as a More Innovative Leader by Ryan C. Warner Ph.D. | Psychology Today --

This article highlights five essential books for leaders seeking to enhance their innovation capabilities and creative thinking. The recommended books include Peter Drucker's "Innovation and Entrepreneurship," which emphasizes innovation as a learnable skill; Ed Catmull's "Creativity, Inc.," drawing from Pixar's success; Behnam Tabrizi's "Going on Offense," focusing on continuous innovation; "Monetizing Innovation" by Ramanujam and Tacke, addressing the financial aspects of innovation; and Dr. Joan Fallon's "Goodbye, Status Quo," which explores overcoming personal barriers to innovation. The article emphasizes that innovation is a skill that can be developed through systematic study and practice, rather than just innate talent, and encourages leaders to take time to absorb and apply these lessons in their professional roles.

Other Articles of Interest this week:

Technology -- To Lead in AI, the US Needs a Silicon Revolution by WIRED Staff | Wired -- US Commerce Department undersecretary Laurie E. Locascio says America needs to invent new chip manufacturing techniques.
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Economic Development -- Is Your Company Losing Money Due to Climate Change? Consider Moving to the Midwest, Survey Says by Kristoffer Tigue -- Some 300 senior-level executives, working in 14 industries, said climate change is hurting their businesses. Nearly half of them think the Midwest would be less financially risky.

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City/Rural -- How a Sales Tax Helped Oklahoma City Get a Piece of the Summer Olympics by Jared Brey -- Oklahoma City has invested the proceeds of a one-cent sales tax in dozens of projects in and around its downtown for the last 30 years. The 2028 Olympics will hold softball and canoe slalom events there, 1,300 miles away from the rest of the Games.

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Green Economy-- Urban Pulse: Identifying resilience solutions at the intersection of climate, health and equity by Resilient Cities Network | This report provides comprehensive insights on the climate and health priorities in cities worldwide, based on a survey of 191 respondents in 118 cities in 52 countries.

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​Mentoring-- Five Ways That Mentoring Can Make You A Better Entrepreneur by Peter Burns-- Being a mentor can present numerous benefits, making it a powerful ingredient in the recipe of what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.

Something You Should Read

In your work you may need to work with venture capital or those who run and operate venture capital firms. I have yet to gain experience. So I was intrigued and delighted to see that 1440, the new news outlet I wrote about last week, has something called “Topic Areas.” These areas are designed to be user-friendly, covering complex topics like venture capital in a way that's easy to understand for everyone, even those in the hinterlands.

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Venture capital is a topic that piques our interest and sparks discussions. We might think we understand it, but could we explain it to a seven-year-old? Probably not. That's where 1440 comes in, making complex topics like venture capital relatable and engaging for all of us.

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There's a wealth of knowledge waiting for you at 1440. In addition to venture capital, they cover a wide range of topics, from science and technology to health and medicine, world history, and society and culture. It's a treasure trove for the curious mind.

​Check it out here. ​

If you use Wikipedia, you know that they sometimes ask for a small donation to help fund the operation. The following request follows the same idea.

This is a FREE newsletter. I hope you are enjoying it. It takes a weekly commitment to bring it to you. It also takes a wee bit of money for subscriptions and another platform I use to send it.

Instead of a subscription fee, perhaps you would consider a small donation in the form of a metaphoric cup of coffee?

$5.00 Thanks for the Coffee! I am going to take this and run down to my local coffee shop (remember, buy local)! There, I will sip on my black bold... Read more I'll take it Black, no Cream, Please!

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Overheard :

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."

Abraham Lincoln.

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Listen, Eat, Drink, Watch, READ, View

Growing up, I was free to roam the neighborhood on my own without a supervised "playdate." I grew up in an era where I often said goodbye to my mother in the morning and went off with my friends to play all morning until we came home for lunch. Then, it was back out the rest of the afternoon.

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We engaged in moderate misbehavior but nothing too serious. The worst thing was our affinity for the nearby railroad tracks, where we often explored and hoped to find some hobos, but to our disappointment, that never happened, leaving us with a lingering sense of curiosity.

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Adjacent to the tracks was 'Freds' Rent-All ', a shop that rented tools and equipment to contractors. But for us kids, it held a different appeal: a cold pop machine that dispensed glass bottles of grape and orange juice. On a sweltering summer day, the prospect of this icy treat was enough to send me on a treasure hunt through my pockets and the couch cushions, determined to find the 15 cents required for this refreshing reward.
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​This linked story explores the world of Nehi and other soft drinks that have faded into obscurity.

Do any of these beverages spark a nostalgic memory for you? You may have a favorite childhood drink that's not on the list list?

Listen, Eat, Drink, WATCH, Read, View

At the Curated Morning, we're all about our coffee. Whether it's a robust black brew or a comforting latte, we share a love for that morning pick-me-up. It's not just a drink, it's a ritual, a moment of calm before the day begins.

Starbucks may have popularized the Italian-style coffee shop in America, but the history of these establishments runs deep. This video delves into the rich tapestry of coffee culture, from the humble beginnings of the first coffee shops to their evolution into the global hubs of social interaction we know today.

​Check it out here. It's an interesting video that examines the history and culture of coffee shops. However, it can be tedious, as the video often does not match up with the narration. It's a quickly edited assortment of video clips, some unrelated to what you see on the screen. A faulty AI prompt likely created it.

Listen, Eat, DRINK, Watch, Read, View

Finally, an Autumnal recipe that isn’t flavored with pumpkin. If you are a fan of Negronis, this might be something you should try next. It is the Autumnal Negroni. Unless your bar is fully equipped, this might be a recipe you must bring to your favorite mixologist to make for you. Because who has Cynar, Fernet Branca, Orange Bitters, and Peychaud’s Bitters in their basement bar?

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Check out this pumpkin-free recipe and toast Autumn and all its glory with this warming drink. The recipe is here.

Thanks for Reading

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Whenever you’re ready, there are several ways I can help you:

1. Economic Development: If you are looking to supercharge your economic development organization, I can help by strategizing and developing a roadmap to success. Set up a time to talk to me here.

2. Culture Change; Is your organization changing? Would you like to create an asset out of your culture? Do you know how to assess team strengths? Let me help you. I'm a certified culture change practitioner. Set up a time to talk to me here.

3. The Green Economy; The world is changing. Some of it is positive, and some of the change is not. Let me help you develop green economy opportunities for your community. Set up some time to talk about here.​

4. Mentoring Programs: Circles of Seven (C7) is a proven and award-winning model for mentoring. Whether it is for business or your community leadership program, I can develop a mentoring program for you. Let's talk about your situation. Set up a time here. ​

If you have any thoughts or comments regarding any articles in this newsletter please feel free to contact me through email at martin@martinkarlconsulting.com.​

You can review my services and offerings at www.martinkarlconsulting.com​

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