MAHONEY’S MOMENTS
Jim has written regular leadership-related blog posts, along with other several other leaders, for Ohio University’s Voinovich Academy. On this page, you can read his monthly blog posts, Mahoney’s Moments. These moments are aimed at a variety of topics and the content is designed for the moment and intended to cause you to reflect, perhaps consider an approach, or entertain a new idea in your life or work. Enjoy!
Febuary 2026: What the World Needs Now
Oftentimes, I’ll begin a presentation to a group with a multiple-choice quiz question relevant to our gathering. One of my favorites is information that comes from author Daniel Pink in his recent book “The Power of Regret”. He administered the World Regret Survey to volunteers across the globe and shared results. The regret categories that emerged included regrets of four types: Moral (I should have done the right thing); Foundation (I should have done the work); Connection (I should have reached out); Boldness (I should have taken the risk). Which category recorded the most regrets by far?
Connection. My fear is that this category is growing even larger today. Consider Accenture’s Global Banking Consumer Study reported on just last year. Banks have spent billions of dollars and created incredible digital tools but have become in some cases emotionally devoid. We aren’t just talking about banks here. Fast food kiosks have become more sophisticated, and you can order and never talk to a person. Even writing “phone tree” is irritating, let alone being directed through one for a question. Landmark court cases are being played out in California and New Mexico right now where major media companies are being accused of intentionally designing addictive algorithms that perpetuate isolation and endanger children. Synthetic relationships can be hazardous to your health.
This Valentine’s Day weekend seems to be the perfect time to talk about the importance and power of human connection. Digital tools can improve our effectiveness and efficiency, but they should not come at the expense of human relationships. People want to be seen, not observed and be known not as account numbers but as individuals. Human connection validates our very existence and is part of the immune system in our minds. Tech can make us functionally correct, but connection, love, and relationships make us whole. Technology may even get us into the game, but people win championships. If service is what we do, connection is who we are.
A couple nights ago I took my oldest granddaughter to one of my favorite bar and kitchen spots for dinner. Several people said hello to me by name when we walked in. I felt a little like Norm on “Cheers”. My granddaughter seemed surprised and asked if I knew everyone there. I said, “No, I’m not that lucky but that’s a worthy goal.” Who doesn’t like the sweet sound of their own name being called out by someone else? Our challenge today is to use technology to enhance not replace relationships. Lastly, I confess I listen almost exclusively to music of the 60’s on my radio. I love it because the music connects me with people, events, and memories that as I grow older, I appreciate even more. One of the songs I heard this weekend was sung by Jackie DeShannon. Her lyrics seem even more powerful in today’s tech driven world:
What the work needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some but for everyone.
Happy Valentine’s Day!