That quote carries a simple truth that gets harder the longer I live. “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” — Dalai Lama What I appreciate about it is that it doesn’t say kindness is easy. It doesn’t say people will deserve it. It doesn’t say you’ll agree with them. It doesn’t say you won’t be frustrated, disappointed, hurt, or exhausted. It simply reminds us that kindness remains a choice. I’ve found that kindness is often hardest when I feel most justified in withholding it. When I’m certain I’m right. When I’m moving too fast. When someone has let me down. When life feels heavy. But that’s also when it matters most. Kindness isn’t weakness. It’s strength with restraint. It’s telling the truth without tearing someone down. Holding people accountable while remembering they’re human. Choosing grace without lowering your standards. The older I get, the more I believe some of the most important things we create aren’t products, campaigns, brands, or businesses. They’re the moments when people feel seen, valued, respected, and loved. And the beautiful thing about kindness is that it spreads. One conversation changes another. One act influences the next. What seems small today can echo much further than we realize. Maybe that’s why this quote is so powerful. It removes all our excuses. Be kind whenever possible. And according to the Dalai Lama, that’s always possible. #BeingHumanKind #Kindness #HumanConnection #Leadership #MakingCreativeMatter

I think the smartest people I know are walking around with entire libraries in their heads. The problem is that libraries aren't very useful if nobody can access them. One of the biggest opportunities I see for organizations today is finding better ways to share knowledge, stories, expertise, and experience across teams. That's true whether you're talking about culture, leadership, sales, onboarding, branding, or AI. Proud of the Rule29 team for exploring this idea and building tools that help organizations put their best thinking to work. Check out our thinking around brand products: rule29.com/brand-products #MakingCreativeMatter #Leadership #BrandStrategy #KnowledgeManagement #ArtificialIntelligence

Every organization has knowledge. The challenge is making it useful. Too often, your best ideas, processes, stories, and expertise live in a handful of people's heads, buried in old presentations, hidden in shared drives, or scattered across teams. When that happens, growth slows down. Teams duplicate effort. New employees take longer to ramp up. Customers get inconsistent experiences. The organizations that scale well do something different. They turn knowledge into tools. Tools that help sales teams tell a better story. Tools that help marketers move faster. Tools that help leaders create alignment. Tools that help employees make better decisions. Tools that help customers get the answers they need. That's why we've developed Rule29 Brand Products. From custom AI assistants and brand playbooks to messaging frameworks, workshops, strategic toolkits, and training resources, each product is designed to help organizations capture what makes them unique and put it to work every day. Because a great brand isn't just something people see. It's something people can use. If your best thinking disappeared tomorrow, would your team still know what to do? Explore our Brand Products: rule29.com/brand-products #MakingCreativeMatter #BrandStrategy #Leadership #AI #Marketing #BrandBuilding #BusinessGrowth

One of the most valuable leadership lessons I’ve ever learned came from the Stockdale Paradox, which I recently heard Brené Brown mention on Adam Grant’s podcast. I’d actually forgotten the name of the paradox, but now I can see the impact its had on me… “You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end… with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality.” — James Stockdale What I’ve learned from this is simple: Hope isn’t a strategy. Facts aren’t enough. You need both. I’ve come to think of it as gritty faith and gritty facts. The people I admire most are able to face reality exactly as it is while still believing a better future is possible. They don’t ignore the challenges, and they don’t surrender to them either. That’s a balance I’m continually trying to practice. #Leadership #StockdaleParadox #GrowthMindset #BeingHumanKind #MakingCreativeMatter

For @internetsociety's IGF report, we created several illustrations with Savannah Glitschka. Here’s one we also animated, proof that great design can flex across print, digital, and social. #MakingCreativeMatter

Yeah, this blog title may be a little cheeky, but after a deep dive into Formula 1 (thanks to my daughter Ava and her love for “Drive to Survive”), I couldn’t help but be struck by how much the world of @F1 isn’t just about racing. It’s a model for high-performing teams, resilient brands, and cultures built on trust and shared purpose. From the Grandstands to the Brand Stand: How My Daughter and Brad Pitt Evolved the Way I See Teams, Brands, and Storytelling linkedin.com/pulse/from-gran… #F1 #Teamwork #BrandPurpose #AvasArena #DriveToSurvive #MakingCreativeMatter @avaahrens30

Check out the latest episode from the @rule29 podcast @DesignOfPodcast 👇 #MarketingWithHeart #MakingCreativeMatter

Design and printing that inspires action. See how we collaborated with @oneilprinting to elevate @UNICEFUSA events, crafting experiences that connect and create impact. Explore the case study: oneilprint.com/unicef-events… #MakingCreativeMatter #MadeToImpress

We’re proud to be shaping a platform built for purpose, powered by people, and designed to make every message matter. This is creativity, ownership, and impact—working together. #MakingCreativeMatter #ForEveryMessage #MadeToImpress

#MadeToImpress #MakingCreativeMatter

Wrapped our Q2 Town Hall with O’Neil & Rule29 — a time to align, celebrate, and refocus. When our team is united, we serve better. As an employee-owned company, we’re here to help our clients and community thrive. #MadeToImpress #MakingCreativeMatter #PurposeDriven

Love this! #MakingCreativeMatter

If you know Rule29, you know we believe in the power of design. But did you know we’re employee-owned & part of the O’Neil family? For 25 years, we’ve helped brands stand out with purpose-driven strategy & design. Learn more →rule29.com/about #MakingCreativeMatter #Rule29

Looking for some brand strategy and creative? @rule29 has what you need 👍🏼 #makingcreativematter

I can’t explain the amount of positive energy and the gratefulness for spending two days together with most of the @Rule29 crew in person. Amazing peeps 👍🏼 #makingcreativematter

It’s great to be in person with @rule29 Omaha #MakingCreativeMatter @oxidedesign

We are honored that our very own Justin Ahrens was a judge in @FastCompany 2020 World Changing Ideas Awards. Our client, @Nasoni's Da Vinci Fountain Faucet received an honorable mention! Congrats! #MakingCreativeMatter bit.ly/2ZN0AaW

Do you think your logo design has what it takes? Enter to be among the top 3,000 logos in @logolounge Book 12. Learn more: logolounge.com/articles/logo… #MakingCreativeMatter #Logos #Branding

Crazy that it’s been 20 years! Here is post one starting with 2000. 😍👍🏼 #makingcreativematter

We are proud to announce our work on the new Level Ground branding and our bourbon book, Simply Bourbon, has won awards from GD USA. We can't wait to continue evolving the Level Ground brand and to tell stories that matter. #MakingCreativeMatter