Editor’s note: Veteran entrepreneur and investor Donald Thompson writes a weekly column exclusively for WRAL TechWire. It’s published each Wednesday.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – As an exercise in optimism, I like to end the year by making a short list of people, products, and businesses that kept me motivated toward excellence over the past twelve months. I encourage you to do the same. List making is good for productivity, introspection and goal achievement, and according to Inc.com, it’s also a great way to improve your perspective.
In short, a good list brings order to chaos, helps us understand where to spend our energy, and works as a memory aid to remind us of moments and resources we might have otherwise forgotten. With that in mind, here are a few of my favorite things this year.
- My favorite podcast of 2021: The Josh Bersin Company
In today’s tight talent market, expert advice and market predictions are especially important if you want to stay ahead of the game. Josh Bersin gives both high-level insights and granular takeaways on corporate talent, learning, and HR technology
- The hobby that kept me centered: Racquetball
There’s a great quote from comedian Brian Regan that says “Racquetball is the only sport where, simultaneously, you can be looking at the ball, and it’ll hit you in the back
of the head at 90 miles per hour.” For me, racquetball is a form of therapy and a lesson in agility, balance, and focus – three essential skills for business leaders.
- The book I enjoyed most this year: Traction by Gino Wickman
Throughout the year, my team has been implementing Traction’s “Entrepreneurial Operating System” (EOS), and so far, I’m really excited by the level of operational efficiency, focus, and clarity that the system is creating for our team. If you’re growing a business, I highly recommend it.
- One DEI resource I’m excited about: The Diversity Movement’s 2022 Diversity Holidays Calendar
Keeping track of diverse holidays isn’t easy, but it’s an important step in creating authentic DEI programming that celebrates the various cultures of your team. This calendar is available as both a printable pdf and a live, subscribable, online edition, which integrates with your own work calendar and connects to valuable learning resources so you can learn more just by clicking on the links.
- One personal highlight from the year: Being named to the Forbes Next 1000 list
This list of change-making entrepreneurs inspires me and serves as a strong reminder that I’m probably heading in the right direction. The future of work centers on strong, inclusive leaders who are willing and able to “measure success not only in dollars, but in impact and fulfillment.” I’m proud to play a part in creating that future.
- One personal goal for 2022: Get my new book across the finish line!
Part memoir and part leadership guidebook, Underestimated: A CEO’s Unlikely Path to Success is set for publication in 2022. I’ve been working on this project for years now, and I’m excited to finally see it go live. In it, I share leadership lessons from my childhood, young adulthood and first decades as an executive, even after I dropped out of college, ran up some pretty big credit card debt and almost got evicted…
(7) My favorite comfort food of 2021: Blueberry pancakes from Cracker Barrel
Yes, this was also my favorite comfort food of 2020.
(8) One great gift if you’re still on the hunt: A subscription to MasterClass
MasterClass is an incredible present for anyone who loves to learn. For just $180 a year, you get unlimited access to video lessons from some of the most successful professionals in the world. FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss teaches workplace negotiation; Bill Clinton teaches inclusive leadership; world racing champion Lewis Hamilton teaches a winning mindset; and Malala Yousafzai teaches how to create change. And to sweeten the deal, right now, their annual subscriptions are 2-for-1, so you can give one away and also keep one for yourself.
As you write your own “Best of 2021” list, look to see which themes run through it and how you can use what the exercise reveals to create a more purpose-driven, fulfilling and impactful 2022. I hope what you find feels helpful and inspiring. Enjoy the rest of your year, my friends.
About the Author
Donald Thompson is an entrepreneur, public speaker, author, podcaster, Certified Diversity Executive (CDE) and executive coach. With two decades of experience growing and leading firms, he is a thought leader on goal achievement, influencing company culture, and driving exponential growth. He is also co-founder and CEO of The Diversity Movement, a results-oriented, data-driven strategic partner for organization-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives recently named to Inc. Magazine’s 2021 Best in Business List in DE&I Advocacy. Donald serves as a board member for several organizations in marketing, healthcare, banking, technology and sports. Donald’s autobiography and leadership guidebook — Underestimated: A CEO’s Unlikely Path to Success — will be released in 2022. Connect with him on LinkedIn and at donaldthompson.com.
