There is something about building something with one’s hands that seems to resonate. There is a resilience in being able to bring forth out of different parts and ingredients a thing that is whole and new. Of course, in American culture there is a deep notion of creation and springing forth from hard work, and with experience and knowledge that can make someone a craftsperson. Maybe this urge has increased the more that we are surrounded by convenience and things that are ready made. To still be able to pull something together and build it might remind us that we still have it in us.

Despite this, we see a decrease in people entering the skill trades. Looking at the total composition of those working in the trades, the population continues to age. Young people are not seeking these opportunities, even though there appears to be an uptick among Gen Z. No doubt there is a need for such workers.

A recent survey found that 91% of those who are in the skilled trades tend to be very satisfied with their careers. Additionally, at a time when so many jobs are being threatened by AI and even off-shoring. It is hard to send plumbing or electrical to someplace else to get one. And while technological advances can improve the productivity of construction and other work, it is not likely to replace people any time soon.

Our guest today, Jesse Hernandez, knows something about skills trades and the workplace culture that surrounds it. He grew up in this world, with a father who was a plumber. He got his own journeyman’s license. Through his professional journey he noticed that he had a love for teaching which grew into a professional speaking for the skilled trades industry. A big emphasis of his speaking is to create building sites and an environment that is personally growthful and emotionally supportive.

We cover a lot of different areas in our conversation. We explore how some poor decisions led him to 12 Step recovery. Topics like experience, strength, and hope all resonated with the changes he thought needed to be made on the worksite. The foundation of service to others informed the messages that he spreads to others. We discuss how there is a shift in the construction industry toward a people-centered culture. We also discuss his accidental discovery of being a content creator, and finding new avenues to share his message.

Ultimately, we end with the importance of knowing how to say you need help, and that you don’t have to suffer alone.

Jesse Hernandez LinkedIn

Depth Builder website

No BS with Jen and Jess YouTube

I never expected the word “algorithm” to play such a significant role in life and society. Growing up, I thought an algorithm was something that we would leave to math classes. The last time I took a math class to complete my undergraduate degree requirements. After that, I figured I was done with algorithms.

But nope. Algorithms have been thrust back into our lives. We live in an age where not only are we trying to learn the algorithms, but we are trying to beat the algorithms. There are forces largely unknown that are not just determining what we see, but the extent to which others can see us. For those who are trying to make content, post content, and be seen, it can be a major uphill battle. As more and more material gets tossed out into the online world, it is harder and harder to be noticed.

There is this pull to become brands, to become products, to be commodities that are recognizable to customers. We gear materials to accomplishing those ends, with hopes that we can become definable in a particular kind of way. But like the tree that falls in the forest, if content is posted online but no one is there to see it, does it make any noise?

To help us with the question of what makes content that connects and beating the algorithm, we welcome Tyler Schmoker to the podcast. Tyler has an interesting history in the area of military intelligence through his time in the US Army. From that, he started his own company called Winsly that works with a range of businesses to help them with security, innovation, risk assessment, and business strategy, amongst other things.

We talk with Tyler what makes for information that resonates with your audience. We explore how he has used lessons from real tradecraft to crafting social media content. While the term ‘propaganda’ now has a negative connotation, at its root it means creating messages that are meant to prompt and elicit certain behaviors. But we can only do that if our message is built to connect to our audience, and they can see it.

To do so, we have to apply a programmatic approach, documenting what works and what doesn’t, learning lessons, and building a base.

We discuss how to use the lessons he learned from his intelligence work and how he applies that to business clients. We talk about whether “military intelligence” is in fact a contradiction in terms. We look at the ethics of technology and AI, especially when it comes to social media. Specifically, we look at how to leverage these insights to platforms like LinkedIn, and create content and communication that connects.

Tyler Schmoker - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-schmoker-76997756/

Winsly - https://www.winslyllc.com/

Social Media for Security Professionals - https://securityjournalamericas.com/a-social-media-for-security-part-1/

When I was growing up, it was not uncommon to hear someone being told “Don’t be so sensitive.” Typically this was said when a person was being accused of reacting too strongly to some minor action. Another similar statement could be “why are you so sensitive?”

Sensitive skin is referred to as being problematic and requiring special care. A sensitive stomach is something that can easily cause us problems. Eyes that are sensitive to the light can make it hard to see.

It seems that being sensitive, or too sensitive, is something to be avoided.

The problem gets exacerbated when we put other variables into the mix. Men are not supposed to be sensitive. Women are allowed to be sensitive, but not too sensitive. Or maybe they are expected to be too sensitive because that’s just how they are.

But what about leaders? How sensitive are leaders supposed to be? Is sensitivity a virtue in leadership, or something that is supposed to be avoided? Does sensitivity cloud our judgment, or give us insights that allow us to make better decisions?

Heather Dominick talks about how she was a victim of her own sensitivity. She experienced how being highly sensitive could negatively impact her mindset and her life. Despite all of this, she never realized that she was highly sensitive, and rather than being a flaw it was a character trait that she could use to help herself and others.

Starting as a drama teacher, she decided to start her own business during the height of a recession. It was during this time that she started to understand what it meant to be a highly sensitive person.

As a result, she began to think about her entrepreneurial journey differently. She describes it as a lightbulb moment, where she changed what she thought was necessary to create success.

From this she created her Highly Sensitive Leadership Training Program for Entrepreneurs. It is a different approach from what has been traditionally thought necessary for business success. Rather than seeing sensitivity as a liability, she now views it as an asset and feature. Rather than trying to change who she is, she sees her sensitivity as part of her journey. And as we discuss, how this applies to designing experiences with sensitivity and awareness.