Welcome to Curated Morning. A compendium of news, information, and stories that economic development professionals, community development leaders and elected officials read every week to stay in touch with what is happening in our economy.

The Main Thing:

I was describing Flow to someone the other day, and they looked at me with that look on their face that said, “Are you joining a cult?” I suppose the word Flow has something to do with it. Flow is a “heightened state of consciousness,” there is no doubt about it. But it is not something relegated to psychedelic substances or the ingestion of some stimulant.

Flow is a way to get more done in a shorter period, giving you more time to do what you want. Being in Flow lets you be hyper-focused on the task at hand, something that many of us sorely need in this era of attention-grabbing devices, videos, posts, and reels.

As we end the five-part series on Flow and Resiliency, I hope you have had the time to read and follow some of the suggestions in this series. If you haven’t, consider going to my blog and starting with the April 1st entry, “Busboy Lessons,” and working your way up to the most current post. I think you will be inspired, and in the end, if you are like many of us, you will try a couple of the techniques and ideas I have written about in these blog posts.

I am interested in hearing what you think of this series. I am planning more like it and hope you will follow along.

​Read the most recent in the series here. ​

Focus On Leadership

How Emotional Intelligence Trumps Technical Skills in Leadership

What This Matters: Economic developers often focus on technical expertise and community data, but managing relationships with stakeholders, business prospects, elected officials, and community members requires exceptional emotional intelligence. The four components of EQ — self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management — provide a framework for becoming more effective in community development's high-stress, relationship-intensive work.

Take Action: Start by practicing self-awareness through regular emotional check-ins before important meetings or calls, noting your triggers and energy levels. Develop self-management strategies like delaying responses when agitated or deliberately sharing positive energy when feeling upbeat. Improve relationship management by checking in with stakeholders to understand how someone is truly doing and asking direct questions when sensing frustration.
​

Unleashing Your Community's Innovation Power: The Divergent Thinking Advantage

A growing body of research shows that divergent thinking—the ability to generate multiple solutions to a single problem—is not just a cognitive skill, but a crucial tool for successful innovation. Jim Kwik writes about this in the article Unlock Your Brain's Idea Factory: The Science of Divergent Thinking. Unlike convergent thinking, which narrows options, divergent thinking expands possibilities by creating connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. This skill isn't just for artists and designers; it's essential for problem-solving across all sectors, particularly in economic development.

​
​Why This Matters: You shouldn't always rely only on what is taught at economic development conferences and meetings. Economic developers constantly face complex challenges requiring innovative solutions—from workforce development and business attraction to infrastructure planning and community revitalization. The ability to generate multiple approaches to these challenges can significantly improve outcomes. Communities that foster environments conducive to divergent thinking are more likely to develop distinctive economic strategies that set them apart from competitors.

​
​Take Action: Incorporate divergent thinking exercises into your next strategic planning session by starting with question-storming instead of answer-seeking. These exercises are practical and can be easily integrated into your existing processes. Create innovation zones in your economic development offices with different environmental cues to stimulate creative thinking. Partner with your local workforce development board to offer training programs that teach job seekers and employers divergent thinking skills. Finally, establish a regular "Innovation Hour" where your team practices divergent thinking techniques on real community challenges.

​
​

Why Your Organization Needs an AI Transformation Champion

​
​Why This Matters: Economic developers are increasingly helping local businesses adopt new technologies to remain competitive. Understanding the organizational challenges of AI implementation—beyond just the technical aspects—is critical for providing meaningful support to your business community. Companies in your region that properly manage AI transformation's human and organizational implications will be more likely to succeed, creating sustainable job growth and economic stability. Additionally, economic development organizations are adopting AI tools, making this leadership approach relevant to your operations.

​
​Take Action: Create AI readiness workshops for local businesses on technical implementation and organizational change management. Develop a "CITO mentorship program" connecting businesses implementing AI with experienced transformation leaders from larger companies. Include questions about AI leadership structure in your business retention surveys to identify companies needing organizational transformation assistance. Partner with local universities to create executive education programs focused on developing the unique skill set required for AI transformation leadership.

Other Articles of Interest this week:

Technology -- Semiconductors have a big opportunity—but barriers to scale remain by Bill Wiseman, Henry Marcil, Marc de Jong, Raphaela Wagner, Taylor Roundtree, and Teddy Stopford | McKinsey Insights -- Global semiconductor companies plan to invest roughly one trillion dollars in new plants through 2030. But first, the industry must overcome challenges.

AI -- How a small Kentucky city used AI to help chart a course for its future by Patrick Kulp | Tech Brew -- Bowling Green worked with Google Jigsaw to solicit and categorize a city's worth of opinions.

Economic Development-- Amazon to triple rural delivery network in face of tariff uncertainty by Randyl Drummer | CoStar -- E-commerce giant to spend $4 billion to open facilities in smaller US town.

Green Economy-- 'Green' Could Increasingly Mean Profits Instead Of Sustainability As New Political Reality Sinks In by Billy Wadsack | BISNOW -- Many companies and large metros like Dallas-Fort Worth are still prioritizing sustainability and the environment as the nation prepares to celebrate another Earth Day on Tuesday.

Mentoring -- Mentoring: A solution to common business workplace frustrations by Kerrie Dorman | eliteBusiness -- Frustration in the workplace is not a rare emotion. What are the causes and how do we tackle them?

Something You Should Read:

Most of us have never lived through the period we live in today: The Tariff Years. Over the past thirty years, as a professional economic developer working with government, corporations, and mom-and-pop Main Street businesses, I have lived through numerous downturns, including major economic failures, and somehow survived. Some may argue that economic downturns have no consequences for economic development agencies because more opportunities present themselves in slower economic times, and companies and communities need more help.

If these tariffs were designed and implemented to create an even playing field for existing manufacturers or to 'restore' manufacturing to our shores, somehow, most of us (those paying attention) missed that memo, or it ended up in our spam box.

This mass tariff strategy is not good, particularly for our friends and allies. We have managed to alienate them through this trade war. More importantly and critically, there is the risk of capital flight for the United States. If we can't be relied on as sound and trusting trading partners and ones with stable monetary and fiscal policies, capital in the form of treasury notes investment will go elsewhere. That outcome will have a devastating impact on our ability to pay down our debt.

Enough of my thoughts. Here is an article from the smart people at Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania. Ironically, our "Tariff in Chief" graduated from Wharton.

The article The Economic Impact of Tariffs by Shankar Parameshwaran, featuring the work of Kent Smetters (Boettner Professor, Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy), provides an obvious understanding of the outcomes of the tariffs:

"Tariffs will impact the U.S. economy through at least three main channels: a direct tax on imported goods; a reduction in imported goods and capital flows; and increased economic policy uncertainty … (researchers) estimated that the rise in economic uncertainty will reduce investment in the U.S. by about 4.4% in 2025".

If you are interested in Tariffs and their economic impact, let me know, and I will provide more coverage.

Overheard:

There is no quote this week. Since I was celebrating my birthday last week, I was looking for a positive quote on ageing. I came across this article that resonated with me. While I am not in my eighties, I am solidly into my sixth decade. I particularly like the first tip, and as the author says, most of these tips apply to any age.

Consider my publication of this article a public service and my gift to all of you. If the NY Times paywall blocks you and you want to read the article, let me know, and I will find a way to get it to you.

The Rabbit Hole:

Vandaley Industries Again

Not so long ago, I confessed my George Costanza-like affinity for architecture (a cultural reference to Seinfeld for those not into 90s comedy shows). While I have never publicly professed a mendacious claim to being an architect like George, it would be a fun job.

This is why I was interested in the article about architecturally stunning buildings linked below, and I hope it will also pique your interest.

However, they missed one. My vote for the missing building is the former State of Illinois (James R. Thompson Center). I have visited that building many times, including getting an inside look at it right after it was built. Although it was plagued by heating and cooling issues and started showing some wear and tear as it aged, I always loved that the State, or more appropriately, Governor Thompson, commissioned a building like this. Google is now the proud owner of the building and is undertaking an extensive remodel, but will keep the atrium intact, which is the main feature of the building
​

​You can see the stunning buildings here, and my favorite is the Flame Towers in Baku, Azerbaijan. Their seemingly out-of-place position on the city skyline seems delightfully out of place.

​

What's in Your Pantry?

As a self-proclaimed foodie, I'm always on the lookout for new flavors. Lately, I've been drawn to the vibrant and diverse world of Asian cuisine. So, when I stumbled upon this article about must-have Asian sauces, I was thrilled. If you're a fan of the flavors I'm currently exploring, you'll definitely want to check it out.

Cooking is a hobby, and once I have tasted something I like, I want to try making it at home; therefore, I have collected some of these sauces for my pantry (five of the eight).

My favorite is Korean Gochujang, a thick, sticky, fermented red chili paste. It has some kick but is not harsh. Try it for those who aren't into super spicy foods. I put it into my enchilada sauce. It's my take on Korean/Mexican fusion.

​Find the list of sauces here and do your inventory. ​
​

Not a Rabbit Hole

The plan was to dig a hole and build a secret tunnel into my friend's basement. We got to about eight feet deep when his Dad filled it in and told us our project was over. Bummer. Two ten-year-olds had to go on to do something else that summer.

But, on the other side of the world, the Soviet Union was digging a hole much deeper. Ultimately, the Kola Superdeep Borehole became the deepest hole dug by humankind. It is still the deepest, as no one has bothered to try digging something deeper. It is 40,230 feet deep, deeper than Mt. Everest, which is tall by about 11,200 feet.

​
​This interesting video describes the Soviet Union's effort, the process, and why they had to stop. And if a simple drilled hole isn't enough for you, check out this video about the deepest navigable cave known to humans. If you are claustrophobic, avoid this one.

Thanks for Subscribing and Reading

If you know someone who might enjoy this newsletter, please feel free to share it with them.

If someone forwarded this to you and you would like to subscribe, you can do so by clicking below. All the cool people are doing it!

Let's work together!

With over three decades of experience in economic development, public administration, and small business, I can now bring my expertise to benefit you. What are the issues facing your community? What obstacles are you facing in growing your business? Let's work on this together.

While I am experienced in a wide variety of sectors and issues, here is where my interests lie, and thus where I can benefit you most:

1. Organizational and Leadership Development -- Culture assessment, culture shifts, board and leadership development, mentoring, coaching, strategic planning, innovation, economic development education, and strategic foresight. Click here to schedule a conversation about how we can collaborate on this topic.
2. Small Business Ecosystems -- Start-up environment assessments and benchmarking, scaled peer-to-peer mentoring systems (C7), Incubation, and small business ecosystems design. Click here to schedule a conversation about how we can collaborate on this topic.
3. Personal Transformation -- Transformative personal coaching, training, and education in high-level productivity concepts of Flow, Grit, Resiliency, and leadership. Additionally, leadership masterminds cater to both new leaders and wise elders. Click here to schedule a conversation about how we can collaborate on this topic.

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​