LaPora Lindsey

Military Spouse Appreciation Day offers a moment to pause and recognize a life often lived between the lines. To be a military spouse is to build a life in motion: to begin again, again and again, in new places, with new rhythms, and without a clear map. Behind every transition, every deployment, every shift, there is someone holding the center steady with love, determination, and an unwavering sense of purpose. It’s why the military spouses we work with stand out in such a profound way. They take experiences that are often unseen and give them voice. They write not from the sidelines of the story, but from within it, because they are the story!

Ashley Bugge - Author Brunella Costagliola, Author W. Brand Publishing Julie Tully Amanda Huffman Elva Resa Publishing LaPora Lindsey

Two years ago, I was brand new to the Omaha area. Aside from one coworker’s family my husband knew after the military moved us here, I didn’t know anyone.

On a whim, I decided to attend a local conference ICAN. Easily one of the best decisions I’ve made.

Today, over 80% of my local network can be traced back to that one event.

And no, I didn’t walk away with hundreds of connections. I left with three.
But those three turned into conversations. Those conversations turned into ideas and invitations. And those ideas and invitations turned into more relationships, more rooms, and more opportunities.

That’s how networking works.

I share this because I’m genuinely grateful for spaces like this, where someone can walk in knowing absolutely no one and walk out more connected than they ever expected.

Proof that you don’t need a big network, you just need a starting point.

Comparison messes with how you see yourself at work.

It happens fast. Someone gets recognized. A peer seems ahead. A team gets called out for doing well. And in that moment, you don’t just notice it—you start interpreting it.

But that’s not the real issue. 👀 🤯

The problem isn’t comparison itself, it’s how you’re interpreting it in the moment. And that’s what shapes how you show up at work.

➡️I put together a simple 90-second reset to with that. If you want it, comment “RESET” and I’ll send it to you.

DC, it’s been great—loved facilitating the workshop, but it is time to head home.

A couple of weeks back, I had the opportunity to serve as a moderator for the Global Women’s Forum. And the most impactful part for me was the conversations beforehand.

Getting to connect with the panelist ahead of time shifted the dynamic. You don’t just hear polished answers… you understand what actually drives how they lead.

By the time we got on stage, it was a conversation with more depth (with time constraints of course 🙂).

That, to me, is what moderating is about, setting the stage for some good conversations.

Meadows (1993) used a simple analogy for systems thinking: a tub filling with water, while also draining the same water. The reasoning was that to add something to system (in this case an organization) doesn’t happen in isolation; other factors are always affecting it, adding or subtracting.

Engagement works the same way. Contributions or efforts shared in the workplace might not be seen or valued, because the system around shapes how it's received. Like drops in a tub or bucket, every effort matters, BUT until we see the whole picture, adding more alone won’t create progress.

Mistranslation and miscommunication are only some of those reasons engagement effort does not become workplace value. What have you seen?

Illustration by me.

This time, we’re heading to Lincoln.

I’m excited to be speaking at the University of Nebraska’s Professional Development Day with their academic advisors. This group sits at the intersection of guidance, decision-making, and impact (my favorite).

This keynote workshop will be a mix of strategy, reflection, and a little bit of challenge (the good kind).

Looking forward to a fun and meaningful session.