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SPARK!
A moment of Disruption that begins a new conversation
The Disruptive Element is a company founded on helping people be the best they can be. We are passionate about making a difference in the world one person at a time and building communities as we go.
During times when our 'normal' is different, uncertain, or changing, we want you to know we are here, and we want to help. We hope these posts give you insights, ideas, or support to help you with your own journey.
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Self-Development: Your Brain Plays a Big Role!
Our brain plays a crucial role in self-development, evidenced in 6 key neuroscience principles Principles: It's all in your head! The...
Aug 183 min read
CASE STUDY: Investing in hundreds of women pays immeasurable dividends
Improved engagement, NPS and culture are just a few of the benefits of In Her Element Challenge Unlocking Untapped Potential in a...
May 13 min read
Creating Community Through Advocacy: Adela's Story
Adela is one of those unique individuals who leaves her mark long after the interaction ends. Her passion and enthusiasm for serving her...
Mar 3, 20243 min read
Finding Clarity: Nisreen O'Neill's Journey with In HER Element
Despite her success, Nisreen O'Neill, Enterprise Solutions Architect at Optum Financial, was becoming uncertain about her path as she was...
Jun 12, 20233 min read
Transforming Technologists: How Mike Arulfo Brought Individuals Together Through “In OUR Element”
In 2021, Mike Arulfo, Chief Technology Architect at Optum EveryCare, and the employee resource group, Shades in Technology, kicked off...
Apr 18, 20234 min read
Ever Heard of the Glass Ceiling? Get Ready for the “Glass Cliff”
Picture this: an organization is navigating a leadership crisis. Perhaps it’s facing several quarters of ongoing revenue loss and...
Feb 6, 20234 min read
Language Matters: How To Change Your Communication Style To Ensure Inclusivity
Really… What’s wrong with the words I’m using? Language can affect different people differently—and I’m not talking about slang here....
Jan 30, 20235 min read
Let’s Bust Some Mindfulness Myths
Mindfulness gets a bad rap. Too often, it’s put in the woo-woo box next to manifestation and the Law of Attraction. But it isn’t just a...
Jan 16, 20234 min read
How Sharae Sledge Found a New Confidence through the In HER Element Program
Sharae Sledge, the Director of Finance for the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District, was named the recipient of...
Jan 2, 20232 min read
Declutter Your Brain… It's Like Moving!
It seems like a lot of people are moving these days. We’ve noticed that you really do a deep clean and declutter of your stuff when you...
Dec 5, 20223 min read
The New Workplace Culture Reality — It matters!
In recent years, workplace culture has been defined by everything from company values to whether or not there’s a foosball table in the...
Oct 31, 20225 min read
Hey, Leaders! Your Energy is More Powerful Than You Think
As leaders, we notice how our people show up, and we can tell almost instantly if their energy is high, low, missing, needed, or...
Oct 24, 20224 min read
Meet the recipient of our Fall 2022 Scholarship!
At first, Air Gustafson’s vision of owning and operating a “bark & brew” was just an idea and consisted of daydreaming. While building a...
Oct 3, 20222 min read
Three Common Myths Preventing Leaders From Moving Forward
You know the saying. What got you to your position now may not be what you need going forward. Yet, we see leaders every day hanging onto...
Oct 3, 20225 min read
A Message Sent is Not Always a Message Received
As a leader, do you find that you have to repeat yourself constantly because no matter how many times you explain and re-explain things,...
Oct 3, 20224 min read
Time to Get Off the “Struggle Bus”
During a check-in with my staff where our employees were getting things off their chests, one woman remarked, “I need to get off this...
Sep 7, 20224 min read
3 Ways to Encourage Your Team to Show Up as Their Whole Selves
By now, it’s well established that the modern workforce is not okay. We’ve been through a rough string of years, defined by political...
Aug 17, 20223 min read
Commanding Respect: How Mae Casazza Amplified Her Leadership While Staying True to Herself
Have you ever struggled to balance leadership with being your true, authentic self? This can sometimes feel like an impossible feat,...
Aug 16, 20224 min read
Your Team Doesn’t Need More Training: Here’s What To Do Instead.
In the culinary world, a catch-all for improving a dish is to “just add salt.” While that might help in some cases, it certainly isn’t a...
Aug 4, 20224 min read
Why Don't Vacation "Highs" Last Longer?
We count the days until our vacation. Then, when it finally arrives, we go and have a wonderful time, soaking in the sights,...
Aug 1, 20224 min read
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