DIVE In Round-Up: 12 Lessons Blue Yonder Associates and Customers Taught Us in 2022
Blue Yonder,
décembre 21, 2022
5 min read
Each Wednesday, we share how Blue Yonder associates and customers DIVE in — their personal stories of diversity, inclusion, value and equity. Throughout the year, each has offered meaningful takeaways that allow us to see the world through their eyes.
As we reflect on the year, let’s look back at 12 — one for each month — remarkable lessons Blue Yonder associates and customers taught us in 2022:
January:
As an African immigrant to this country that I love so much, I proudly bellow our national anthem. Every time I sing it, I ponder on some of the unsung stanzas with the thought of what do these words mean to American citizens today? At such a perilous time in our history, the tables can be turned at any point and one must ask themselves which side of justice and the fight for freedom would one be on?
February:
My takeaway from that day and the conversation with my father is that empathy and AI are interdependent and shall be incomplete without the other. The AI-driven world might become handicapped without empathy and vice versa. So, the world is transforming itself to co-exist and co-evolve with artificial intelligence and heart-tificial empathy — one is the mind and the other is the soul of the future world.
- Nayana Kishore, “Artificial Intelligence vs. Heart-ificial Empathy”
March:
I was happy to see that the operation (to collect donations for Ukraine) was a success in various ways, which allowed for less pensive thinking in front of the TV and more action within our community. We met beautiful people and even encouraged our children to participate, which will hopefully instill a sense of community and giving in them. While we had never planned or organized anything to this scale beforehand, I attribute the success to many volunteers and the solidarity we all felt helping the families in Ukraine.
- Olivier Vattier-Delaunay, “Blue Yonder Associate Organizes Community to Help Ukrainian Relief Effort”
April:
My advice is to never stop believing in yourself. Be convinced of your capabilities. Make your managers, your supervisors, your team members listen to your opinions, and don’t shy away. I think as a woman, there is a tendency to doubt ourselves. Don’t be afraid of bringing up new ideas or challenging your male colleagues. Some young women starting in supply chain have a problem speaking up.
- Naissa Von Pein, Director of Indirect Spend and Procurement Excellence at Dole Sunshine Group, “Willpower and Inclusivity: A Story of Setbacks to Comebacks”
May:
There’s no silver bullet, but try and balance your life. Work is not life: life is not work. Get outside. Walk. Be in nature. Even a 10-minute walk around the block, especially if it can be in a park, can help. And talk to someone – find someone to talk to – doesn’t matter who, but don’t bottle things up and soldier on.
June:
The important thing is to phase out the inappropriate and support freedom of expression. We are making the right strides to ensure inclusivity and broader acceptance. The more people who stand beside us, the more visibility we receive. Having a great attitude and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable will enhance our ability to strengthen human connection. Allow yourself to be uncomfortable, even if only for a minute, and the world can become a better place.
- Maddi Cook, “Allyship: Doing More by Saying Less”
July:
The key for me when it comes to strong role models is that we shouldn’t see each other as competitors but instead try to encourage each other to take on more responsibilities and to see each other as enriching the organization. I think this is important to avoid unconscious bias.
- Kristin Szekat, Innovation and Incubation, VP at DHL, “Creating the New Normal”
August:
Experiences like these can help make the world a better place, even if it’s one small action at a time. Although many of these intense experiences can be rewarding and life changing, I still believe that traveling to a foreign country isn’t necessary to make a substantial impact. Still, I hope people choose to get uncomfortable and understand the abundance of possibilities for creating impactful experiences.
- Leonardo Viapiana, “Blue Yonder Associate Makes the Impossible Possible During Missionary Visit to Cambodia”
September:
There will be many factors that contribute to suicide and mental health is a common one. Talking about mental health, creating space for conversations about people’s distress, depression, and anxiety, as well as normalizing the perceived “abnormality” that is associated with having suicidal thoughts – these are all some of the ways that each of us can help create action through hope.
- Hannah Eales, “Suicide is Not Selfish”
October:
I want to pay homage to my heritage because you must start with whatever is close to you and then spread your wings to other people in need. It is good to motivate yourself and others. I know I did it because I wanted to do something meaningful in terms of helping others, and many friends gave positive feedback on my unique idea. I was able to fulfill my potential, assist the needs of my people and give others a new look at how celebrating yourself could also mean celebrating others.
- Yolanda Vargas-Kohler, “Lending a Helping Hand by Celebrating Heritage: How One Blue Yonder Associate Donated to Her Homeland of Colombia”
November:
No matter your party affiliation… vote in your primary elections because your vote, your voice does matter; vote in your runoff elections because your vote, your voice does matter; vote in your local, state and national elections because your vote, your voice does matter.
- Kellie Allmon-Davis, “Voice Heard from the Inside of an Election Booth”
December:
When we become more accepting and accommodating to those with disabilities everyone benefits. Many of the accommodations asked for can benefit an entire company.
