CaseBarnettLaw.com
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MARCH 2020
HOW WE LEARN TO BE HUMAN MY UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
I’m a pretty well-rounded person.
And I don’t say this to brag. I only mention it because it’s so surprising to me. I, like many others, grew up in a generation where we were expected to be very good at just one thing. In school, we were expected to be either intelligent, creative, or athletic, and focus on what we were good at. Then, as adults, we were told to either be really good at our jobs or really good at caring for our family, but we couldn’t be both. The idea was, if you were good at one thing everything else would fall into place. But that place was usually last. Lawyers are especially guilty of this. Too frequently, we get so caught up in the law and the little details that we forget what it’s like to be human. Over the years, I’ve come to realize it’s possible to live a more balanced life. We don’t have to sacrifice everything else in order to be good at one thing. In fact, the more well rounded you become, the better you are at everything. This isn’t to suggest we have to be “perfect” in everything. Life is a journey, and everything is a learning process. But when we make a point to be more attentive to our families, for example, it translates to being more attentive with our clients or coworkers. In high school, I took an ethics class where we discussed the idea of authentic human development. What does it mean to be truly human? Being human isn’t about putting all our attention into one area of our life because to paraphrase Walt Whitman, we contain multitudes. The journey I’m on doesn’t just help me as a person. I can see how it helps us at the law firm. Attorneys are responsible for relaying their clients’ stories of tragedy, triumph, and suffering. How well we tell these stories to a judge and jury will impact the outcome of the case for our clients. Understanding the human condition helps us better represent our clients, especially if we are telling stories that are completely different than our own experiences.
At the Indio Courthouse on a recent work trip. Case had a court appearance, signed up a new client and met with an existing client. We made a long weekend of it
by having Nicole and the kids tag along!
experienced real suffering that I know nothing about. It’s difficult to tell stories you can’t relate to, which is why attorneys need to be well-rounded people who don’t forget how to be human.
Empathy is a powerful force. It can help us understand people no matter who they are or how different our personal experiences may be. Being well
rounded means connecting with ourselves and being honest about our own needs as people. When we achieve this, we’re able to better relate to others.
I don’t know what it’s like to lose a cherished family member, suffer a traumatic brain injury, or be betrayed by a nursing home. My clients have
–Case Barnett
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The Scientifically Smarter Way to Make Business Decisions HEADS OR TAILS?
listen to music, or even enjoy a piece of chocolate. Neuroscientists believe the insula is responsible for self-awareness, particularly for recognizing changes in your body. When you have to solve a problem, your basal ganglia start working on a solution, even if you aren’t consciously thinking about it. If you make a conscious decision that agrees with the subconscious solution of your basal ganglia, your brain gives off a subtle reward. The decision doesn’t have to be logical to feel right — that’s your gut feeling. However, if the conscious and subconscious parts of your brain don’t agree, your insula detects the discrepancy and registers a threat. It’s the “I have a bad feeling about this” response. Fabritius and Hagemann note that gut feelings “represent the most efficient use of your accumulated experience.” According to the authors, flipping a coin is the best way to really listen to your basal ganglia and insula. Your subconscious brain has already made a decision; flipping a coin helps you test your intuition about each option. If the coin lands on heads and you feel relieved, then heads is the right choice. However, if the coin lands on tails and you’re uncertain or want to flip again, then that’s your intuition saying the other option is the better choice. So, the next time you’re caught in a pickle, grab the nearest quarter and put your intuition to the test.
You have two options in front of you. They both sound great, are backed by research, and could transform your business for the better, but you can only choose one. Which do you commit to? When you’re faced with two equally worthwhile options, science says the best way to make a decision is to flip a coin. When you flip a coin, you’re not really leaving the decision up to chance; you’re actually calling on your intuition to guide you. The practice is often regarded as unscientific, but there’s a lot of research to support making intuitive decisions. Friederike Fabritius and Hans W. Hagemann, authors of “The Leading Brain: Neuroscience Hacks to Work Smarter, Better, Happier,” explain how we develop that “gut feeling.”
Intuitive decisions are driven by two structures in your brain: the basal ganglia and the insula. The basal ganglia are connected to movement and building habits. The insula, part of the cerebral cortex, becomes engaged when you experience pain, feel love,
OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST “Look no further! We all have preconceived ideas about lawyers, but when our child was involved in a traumatic accident in California, miles away from home, we needed help from someone who could help us to understand specific legal details and insurance issues involved in California. But even more importantly, we needed someone who would be an advocate for our child and help to get life back to normal. We were very fortunate to find Case Barnett. Case and his team were immediately there for our child, assisting in all of the details, big and small, that are necessary to dealing with the difficulties following an accident. Our relief was immediate that we’d found someone who cared about our child’s well-being first and foremost and who was going to help us 'make it right' again.
“If you’re in need of an outstanding and caring legal team in Southern California to help you ... you’ll have found them with Case Barnett. ” –Terri H.
This publication is intended to educate the general public about personal injury and elder abuse. It is not intended to be legal advice. Every case is different.
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If you dive deep into the tactics of successful businesses and startups, a common thread among them is that culture reigns king. More and more value is placed on fostering an uplifting atmosphere for employees, which allows them to generate better business. The general consensus says great culture is built over time and can take many tries in an attempt to get it “just right.” But one book suggests that you might not need to look very far to pinpoint the biggest influence behind company culture. In “Five Frequencies: Leadership Signals That Turn Culture Into Competitive Advantage,” a team of four authors compile their years of extensive experience working with companies to execute cohesive strategies for building effective culture. Jeff Grimshaw, Tanya Mann, Lynne Viscio, and Jennifer Landis have witnessed company cultures of every type be successful and fail. They concluded that culture doesn’t cultivate from the many but, rather, is affected by the few. In this case, the few are the leaders of the business. Boost Your Company’s Culture With ‘Five Frequencies’ BUSINESS? ARE YOU VIBING WITH YOUR
Easy Irish Soda Bread
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
• 4 cups all-purpose flour • 4 tbsp white sugar • 1 tsp baking soda • 1 tbsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 cup margarine • 1 1/4 cups buttermilk, divided • 1 egg • 1/4 cup butter, melted Ingredients Directions
The authors assert that leaders are, at every moment, transmitting signals to their team, whether intentionally or not. Teams take cues from those who lead them, so if leaders aren’t dialed into the frequencies they’re giving off, they could be transmitting troublesome signals. Instead, leaders should always be dialed into their “vibes” and be particularly aware of five specific frequencies: 1. Their decisions and actions 2. What they choose to reward and recognize
1. Heat oven to 375 F, and lightly grease a large baking sheet. 2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and margarine. 3. Stir in 1 cup buttermilk and egg, and mix until dough comes together. 4. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface. Form dough into a round before placing it on baking sheet. 5. In a small bowl, combine melted butter and remaining 1/4 cup buttermilk. 6. Brush the raw loaf with this mixture and cut an “X” into the top. 7. Bake loaf for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean after being inserted into center of loaf. You may need to continue brushing the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.
3. What they do and do not tolerate 4. The way they show up informally 5. How they compose formal communications
“Five Frequencies” illustrates how correctly tuning into these frequencies can give leaders the tools they need to make bad culture good and good culture great. Full of tried-and- true examples from real companies around the globe, this guide proves that culture is not something tangible you can hold, nor is it a procedural element you can simply implement. It’s something people feel, and it’s built and explained by the behaviors that surround it. This means it can be difficult to manage, measure, and, most importantly, change. But if leaders take the time to look at themselves and the actions they exemplify, they’ll have a solid foundation to start.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Page 1 Can We Forget to Be Human?
Page 2 The Science Behind Gut Feelings
Our Clients Say It Best
Page 3 How Your Vibes Affect Your Business
Easy Irish Soda Bread
Page 4 Celebrating National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day
GIVING BACK TO LOCAL COMPANIES ON NATIONAL MOM AND POP BUSINESS OWNERS DAY
that will bring them great joy and last a lifetime.
March 29 is National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, which is huge for small businesses everywhere. Mom-and-pop businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy; Small Business Trends reports that mom-and-pop businesses account for 64% of gross domestic product (GDP) and generate 78% of all new jobs. Furthermore, no matter what turns the economy takes, small-business owners are less likely to lay off their employees than big corporations. Mom-and-pop businesses support all communities, and you can support them by celebrating this unofficial holiday! Shopping locally has a massive impact on your community. Local businesses return three times the amount of money to the local economy than larger corporations do. With that big of a returned investment, your community can support even more small businesses that generate a wealth of jobs and keep the cycle going. In addition to the economic boost, products from small businesses are usually higher quality, which makes them a better value for your dollar. Take this day to shop for birthday and holiday gifts for your loved ones GIVE YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY A BOOST!
GET SOCIAL AND SPREAD THE WORD!
While small businesses utilize every form of marketing available, social media is essential for their success and growth. After shopping at your favorite mom-and-pop business, share that experience on your social media! When you write a post on Facebook or take a picture for Instagram, be sure to tag the business and use relevant hashtags so your friends, family, and everyone else in your community can shop there too. Writing reviews on Google Reviews and Yelp helps establish validity for the company. When another potential customer looks for reviews, they know they’re getting quality products and services from a well-established pillar of the community. The local businesses that are active on social media may post deals and sales for that day only, so keep your eyes peeled and be sure to follow all your favorite businesses!
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