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Ever wonder what teens are actually saying when they spout seemingly random phrases like "skibbity toilet" or greet each other with words like "mango"? This special episode features an enlightening conversation with my brilliant 14-year-old niece Carsyn that might forever change how you perceive Gen Z communication.

Recorded during our pre-Beyoncé concert excitement, our discussion takes an unexpected turn from Renaissance Tour merchandise tips to decoding what adults often dismiss as "brain rot" language. Carsyn brilliantly explains that what appears to be linguistic nonsense actually serves as a sophisticated tool for instant connection. These random phrases aren't about excluding adults or representing diminished language skills—they're innovative shortcuts to community building in a world where meaningful connection feels increasingly rare.

The most profound moment comes when Carsyn observes, "People are so used to being different that they don't even care about coming together." This wisdom from a high school freshman suggests something remarkable: perhaps today's teens are intuitively developing communication patterns that prioritize unity over division. While older generations might focus on precise language and careful self-expression, Gen Z understands that sometimes, the content matters less than the connection itself.

This episode will leave you with unexpected hope for our collective future. If Carsyn's generation values connection enough to invent entirely new ways of creating it, perhaps they truly will be the ones to "pull us all back together." Listen now and discover why those seemingly random phrases your teen uses might actually represent something beautiful about their approach to human connection.

Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com

Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect

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Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.

I'd love to hear what you think!

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Kindness is perhaps the most underrated leadership trait in business today. When was the last time you saw "kind leader" featured on someone's resume? Yet this powerful quality might be exactly what's missing from many leadership approaches.

This episode unpacks what true kindness in leadership actually means - having empathy, considering viewpoints in context, knowing when to hold back, and pivoting when situations require it. Far from being weakness, kindness represents a sophisticated leadership approach that balances human needs with organizational objectives. For women especially, demonstrating kindness often comes with unfair judgment, mistaken for weakness or a Pollyannish perspective.

Through a personal career example, I share how my kindness was once misinterpreted as lacking edge during an operating review. Instead of pushing a team beyond their capabilities or making unrealistic demands, I acknowledged reality, showed kindness to people and the situation, and developed alternative solutions to move forward. This approach required courage to stand before senior leadership and advocate for a measured, realistic approach.

The truth is, kind leadership doesn't mean being a pushover - as I like to say, "don't let the smooth taste fool you." Leaders who prioritize kindness aren't missing the strategic imperatives. They're approaching challenges with values intact, asking crucial questions: What's best here? What's needed? How can I show up effectively?

If you're battling misunderstandings because kindness is your operating mode, stand firm in your integrity. Your strength will prevail, situations will improve, and you'll advance your mission. Most importantly, when people look back years from now, they won't remember specific metrics or strategies—they'll remember how you made them feel. And that might be the most important leadership legacy of all. How will you demonstrate kindness in your leadership today?

Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com

Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect

Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️

Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️

Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.

I'd love to hear what you think!

Send us a text

Finding yourself stuck between summer's freedom and fall's structure? You're not alone. August represents that peculiar transition period where we crave both relaxation and readiness, unstructured days and clear direction.

Getting unstuck starts with stillness. When was the last time you intentionally sat quiet enough to hear your own heartbeat? Not because an app prompted you, but because your soul needed that grounding? Whether it's wrapped in a cozy blanket, sitting among trees, or standing on a mountain peak—your personal environment for stillness matters. This isn't just self-care; it's self-connection, creating space where your inner wisdom can finally be heard above life's constant noise.

Once centered, you have three potential paths: do nothing (sometimes the wisest choice when environments are unstable), just start (building momentum through small consistent actions), or go big (leaping toward what your heart already knows needs to happen). The paralyzing factor isn't identifying these options but choosing between them. We become immobilized by "what-if" thinking and fear of wrong choices. The liberating truth? Just pick. If your choice doesn't serve you, pivot—you'll still be in a different place than where you started. Progress isn't always linear, but zigzagging still creates movement away from stagnation and toward possibility.

As you navigate this August transition, consider where you might feel stuck and what stillness might reveal about your path forward. Amazing things happen when we listen to our hearts and, most importantly, when we finally choose to pick a direction. Share this episode with someone who needs this message, and connect with me on Instagram @shontrapowell_provennotperfect, YouTube at Proven Not Perfect™️. Listen, Follow, Like, Share... let's build community and see great things together!

Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com

Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect

Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️

Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️

Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.

I'd love to hear what you think!