We are often triggered to shrink back to who and what we think we should be. 

Are you fading into the fabric or standing out?

Are you a connector naturally, or is it something you want to work on?  We can be better at being a connector by listening to the people around us and consciously looking for opportunities of who or what we can connect them with.  It requires us to be intentional in our desire to help someone else find what they’re looking for, maybe even before they recognize it.

What would this actually look like?

✔️No mistakes.

✔️No emotional reactions to stressful situations.

✔️Sufficient time allotted to coach every team member in their own unique way.

Is there a balloon it's time for you to let go of? To give yourself the time and space to figure out the next leg of your career or life journey can be a powerful gift.

Leading ourselves is the foundation for being able to lead others. And, sometimes, the right next step in that leadership is letting go and finding the next balloon when the right one comes along.

As leaders of organizations, we often think about how to deliver feedback to the people on our teams. We've learned various strategies on what to do, what not to do, how to prepare. Yet, it still often feels hard and uncomfortable.

Think about the flip side. Are you getting feedback from your teams, your clients, your colleagues, or your board members? Do you have someone who is providing you with the tough love or "radical candor" that you need so you can lead effectively?

When you hear a similar message three times in short succession, it's time to listen.

When you think about the idea of making one bold ask each week or one bold move a day, what's your first reaction?

Do you run your calendar or are you letting it just happen?

🤔Does your calendar look like overlapping meetings from the time you start your day until it's time to stop working?

🤔Are there important things that aren't showing up on your calendar - upcoming days off, times to plan and reflect, time to eat lunch?

🤔Can you clearly see if your priorities (assuming you know what they are) are showing up on your calendar in the right proportions?

On Thursday evening, I had the opportunity to listen to renowned negotiation expert and Wharton Professor Emeritus, Stuart Diamond, author of the international best seller "Getting More. How You Can Negotiate to Succeed in Work and in Life" share his views on what most of us are doing wrong. His strategies work from getting your young child to take a bath to negotiating business deals to resolving political conflict.

Happy 2024! I hope the week has started off well.

This week has been focused on setting myself up for success for the first quarter.

The holiday season is wrapping up, and this week between Christmas and New Year's is always the time I spend more time reflecting on what I wanted from the year and what the reality ended up being.