Dear, Reader
Whew, what a year! 2025 stretched many of us in ways we
didn’t see coming. Whether your challenges manifested as transitions, loss of revenue or clients, grief and loss, global instability, or life patterns that once served you no longer fitting, I’ve heard so many people describe this year as one of testing and evolution.
For me, it began with big questions about what my professional future would hold, and it is ending with a sense of clarity and renewed enthusiasm. A lot happened in between, and I’m genuinely grateful for both the highs and the lows of 2025 that have brought me to the threshold of 2026.
What has become clear is that our antidote to chaos and instability is getting back to basics. How do we care for ourselves and others? How do we lead with as much awareness as possible, so our people feel safe to show that same awareness?
I hope you enjoy the insights below; they’re offered with you in mind. Please read all the way to the end for powerful testimonies, new programs launching in 2026, and a few of my favorite, thought‑provoking articles from this year.
Take good care over the holidays, and I’ll see you in 2026.
In radiance,
Monthly Insight:
Leadership isn’t measured only in revenue, metrics, or titles; it is also measured in how fully you show up for your people, beyond salary and benefits.
As you rise in leadership, the problems become more complex, and you often face choices between “bad” and “worse,” like what to do when revenue drops, or a grant disappears, and positions are on the line. Even then, the basics of leadership still matter most: how you communicate, how you show up, and how you invest in the people doing the work with you.
Over the years, working for and alongside leaders, it has become clear that when you give 100% to leading your team, clarity, accountability, empathy, and support, you are far more likely to receive that same level of commitment in return. In my recent LinkedIn article, I call this 100/100 Leadership and explore what it looks like in practice, particularly during challenging times.
If you’re curious about how to lead this way without burning out or becoming a martyr, you can also download my short guide, Five Tips for 100/100 Leadership, for practical ideas you can try with your team this month.
Are you managing yourself to get the most out of your leaders? 100/100 leadership is not about working harder; it is about leading with greater awareness and intention. Here are Five ways to do that:
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Self Awareness
- Notice your patterns under stress: Do you withdraw, micromanage, or avoid difficult conversations?
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Ask Don't Tell
- Replace directives with coaching questions: “What do you see?” “What options are you considering?” “What support do you need from me?"
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Listen Deeply
- In every 1:1, make it a goal to understand their world better than they do: workload, pressure points, aspirations, and fears.
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Seek Feedback
- Ask your people, “What do you need more of or less of from me to do your best work?” Then act on what you hear.
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Know Your Leadership
- Understand your natural leadership style and how it interacts with other styles, for better or worse.
