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Ray Knickmeyer

@rknickme.bsky.social
117 followers 306 following 117 posts

Designer-Turned-Leadership-Consultant. Currently trying to start a business that aligns with my values. Lover of cats, bird watching and photography.

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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Insta's got a new wordmark. So that'll be the design think piece obsession for the next month or so in between all the AI slop.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
LinkedIn really wants me to follow the CIA for some reason. What are they trying to tell me?
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
You use the term vibe-coding in one LinkedIn post and it's an invitation to the AI commenters to come on into the party. Gotta be more careful.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Got a new lens for better bird photos. Pretty pleased. Look at this handsome hawk. Taken with a Fuji XT50 with a 70-300 zoom lens at Huntley Meadows.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
I know in the grand scheme of things it's nothing - but I'm so mad I couldn't buy raspberries this week for, you know, reasons.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
I'm reassured of my own humanity whenever I've spelled a word so incorrectly the spellcheck thinks I've invented something new.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
I've mostly been avoiding being in the heart of DC these days for obvious reasons - but I am braving the National Mall tonight for a really good reason: to see Galaxy Quest at the National Air & Space Museum. Because there is good in this world goddammit.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
My cat has a storied history at the vet now. Yes, Cthulhu is a known angry-girl. Today she had to be fully burrito'ed in order to have blood work done. She's still wandering the apartment yelling about it.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Why does LinkedIn think I am a generic male executive in desperate need of building a six pack of abs? Is that what executive presence has actually meant all along? Because I hate it.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
So I wrote a thing over on my new Beehiiv home. Check it out if you have thoughts on burnout, living your values, and defining a better, grounded version of success for yourself. There's a pretty good photo of my cat Archie in there too if that's more your jam. ksf.beehiiv.com/p/reframing-...
ksf.beehiiv.com
Reframing Success - A Personal Story
The titles that were dragging me down. A personal reflection on how corporate reframes success in our minds and some ways to recenter how we think about that - grounded in our values.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Swapped my newsletter over the Beehiiv this week - the hardest part is I can't seem to remember to stick that extra 'i' in there whenever I write Beehiiv (I quadruple checked this to make sure it was there) ksf.beehiiv.com
ksf.beehiiv.com
Home | KSF Alignment Lab
Insights to help your team move faster, decide better, and operate with less friction – while keeping kindness at your center.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
I think I need to diversify my bluesky portfolio. It's all reflecting pool discourse and AI pontificating. I need more animal photos in the mix as a palate cleanser.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
This week I'm refilling my design collaboration cup going back and forth with my tattoo artist to nail my new sleeve. It's been a minute since I got to do a proper critique loop and it's fun!
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
oof - this hits hard.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Fantastic screed. Couldn't agree more. www.theringer.com/2026/05/28/t...
theringer.com
The 40 Most Rage-Inducing Problems in Tech
The bugs, broken apps, and nightmare customer-service bots we can't escape, presented as a blessed and sacred addendum to Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical on AI
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
I'm in that part of building a business where I'm trying to get over marketing myself. Then I read something that says I should be commenting on 30+ linkedin posts a day and well, I just will not. I cannot.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
I recently brought home approximately 1 million old photos from my parents' basement to scan for posterity. Great decision. Look at this photo of my mother with a kitten!
a tiny tabby kitten on its hind legs grasping at a women's raised hand.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
I'm not by nature a rage-full person - but man do I hate that specific AI illustration style everyone uses on LinkedIn. You know the one. It itches my brain in just the wrong way.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Thinking about switching up my newsletter to beehiv - anyone got feelings on the platform? Good? Bad? Meh?
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Just a little pride month / professional celebration - I'll be speaking at Out & Equal in October! My favorite conference - we love corporate gay prom.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Every time I write an outreach message for LI or email, normally to someone I literally already know and like - I get paranoid that they will incorrectly clock my words as AI. Can I not use good grammar in peace?
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Saw three different suggested "posts" on LinkedIn today for Instashots, AI headshots. This is just to say: ugh. I hate it.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Leveraging my 'focus time' calendar block today to dye my hair pink. Seems like a good use of an afternoon.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Is it cool to post newsletters on bluesky? Hope so. I just dropped this deep dive on team values and it's pretty tight. Recommended for leaders feeling a bit lost in corporate spin these days. open.substack.com/pub/rayknick...
open.substack.com
Naming and Owning Your Team Values ⚖️
Stop leaving values on a shelf. Learn how to use Information Architecture to sort, define, and operationalize team values that actually drive hard decisions. 📐
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
For my Virginia friends, get out and vote on the redistricting today. A Yes is a clear vote against the current anti democratic administration.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
I did a thing. Launched my newsletter today - the focus is on helping leadership teams cut the misalignment tax and build better, shared visions and working models to drive impact in this ever changing and complex business environment. Give it a look. rayknickmeyer.substack.com/p/ksf-alignm...
rayknickmeyer.substack.com
KSF Alignment Lab Volume 1
Blue Oceans, Dragons, and Anchors
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Excellent thread!
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
It's really special getting to work with a for-real brand designer and not just an AI. I am so excited for where my new company's identity landed! Can't wait to roll it out. Spoiler: features one of my favorite birds - the barn swallow.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
I spent yesterday doing - ugh - math on pricing models so today I rewarded myself by bird watching for 2 hours at the park. I saw a yellow bellied sapsucker, so my energy is now restored.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
I'm building a new workshop and suddenly realized I'd woven in a whole sea-based adventure theme to it including blue oceans, dragons, and anchors. Too whimsical?
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
New social media post type that makes me involuntarily annoyed: "Ok, I'm calling it - such and such is totally happening". Really? And what secret knowledge are you blessed with my good chum?
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
I've been trying so hard to add structure to my self-employed days with calendar blocks but it's just impossible to compartmentalize the world. "focus time" is increasingly a joke. 😒
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
I'm trying to learn how to "LinkedIn" again, which was my greatest fear in starting my own business, even more than "will I make any money". I'm so worried about becoming a performative corporate faker. Now, I'm worried about knowing how to BlueSky as well! Someone return me to the 2002 internet.
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Reposted by Ray Knickmeyer
Dr. Casey Fiesler @cfiesler.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
I just had to share this video with you all because it has almost 300k views on Instagram and almost 1000 comments from people who are VERY VERY MAD to learn about this. But seriously don’t let them dull your ✨sparkle✨
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 29/11/2025
Dorian Gray, picture of elegance. Taken with a #fujifilmxt50 #photography #catsofbluesky #tabbycat #skycats
A pale gray tabby cat lying on a gray blanket and looking at the camera
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
My father, with guitar. Taken with a #fujifilmxt50 and lightly edited. #familyphotography #photography
An older gentleman holding a guitar
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
They are filming something at the Arcade in Cleveland and the cops (+stunts) are in the room next to mine! Taken with my Google Pixel and cropped for better composition. #cleveland #travelphotography #funnysigns #thearcade
A blue sticker on a wooden door that reads Cops in large letters + Stunts in a much smaller and lighter text
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
A tree branch affixed to a bamboo pole, seen at To-ji Temple in Kyoto. Taken with a #fujifilmxt50 very lightly edited. #photography #travelphotography
A tree branch affixed to a bamboo pole
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
Shin Godzilla looms over Hibuya Square in Tokyo. #travelphotography #godzilla #japan #photography taken with a #fujifilmxt50 and edited in Lightroom to get balance exposure.
Shin Godzilla posed in front of Toho.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
From Kyoto, Togetsukyō Bridge near sunset but just past golden hour. #travelphotography #photography #japan taken with a #fujifilmxt50 and lightly edited to add some pop.
Togetsukyō Bridge near sunset stretching from the left across the river with a smattering of tourists walking across.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
Cthulhu Cat, bathed in light, showing off her wonderful coloring. #catsofbluesky #skycats #photography taken with a #fujifilmxt50 and lightly edited.
A calico cat on a window perch, with stark color markings on a bright white background
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Godzilla peaks over Toho Cinema in Shinjuka. Taken with a Google Pixel 7. #godzilla #japan #travelphotography #photography
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
Mount Fuji as seen from the north shore of Lake Kawaguchiko. #travelphotography #photograhy #japan taken with a #fujifilmx50 and lightly edited
Mount Fuji in summer, framed by green leaves and water
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
A very handsome fellow at Neu Vegan Cat Café in Osaka. #catsofbluesky #akycats #photography #travelphotography taken with a Google pixel 7.
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
The 5 story pagoda at Toji Temple in Kyoto, framed by flowers. #travelphotography #photography taken with a #fujifilmx50 and lightly edited.
A 5 story pagoda framed by green leaves and pink flowers
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 20/09/2025
The cheering section for the Hanshin Tigers at Koshien Stadium, Osaka. #travelphotography #baseball taken with an old reliable Google pixel 7.
A full baseball stadium with cheering squad waving flags for the Hanshin Tigers
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Lucky cats beckon at Gōtokuji Temple in Tokyo. #travelphotography #photography taken with a #fujifilmx50
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Bad fortunes left behind at Senso-ji Shrine, Tokyo. #travelphotography #photography taken with a #fujifilmx50
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Sacred sake barrels at Meiji Jingu shrine in Tokyo. #travelphotography #photography taken with a #fujifilmx50
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Ray Knickmeyer @rknickme.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
The fish is fresh in #seattle #travelphotography #photography taken with a #fujifilmx50 and lightly edited
A neon sign shaped like a fish that says “fresh”
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