November 13 was World Kindness Day, but most of us don’t wait for a date on the calendar to know this: Our nervous systems already understand that kindness isn’t an event. It’s a way of being present. When we choose to notice—our friend’s expression as they share a story or a different tone in a…

I’ve been thinking about how much energy we put into becoming different, when maybe the better question is this: What keeps showing up in your work or relationships that actually works? What instincts have you trusted all year without naming them? What do you return to when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or in need of clarity?…

This season tends to stir up a lot—plans, traditions, and expectations we barely notice we’re carrying. Many of us step into hosting or attending with the best intentions: to make people feel welcome, cared for, and nourished. But sometimes, in the swirl of doing, we lose the part that matters most—the part where we actually…

Fall has a way of reminding us that letting go isn’t a loss. It’s preparation for something new. The trees don’t resist; they know what needs to fall. Every year, this season shows us what grace looks like in motion. The branches don’t cling to what’s done growing. They make space for rest, for reflection,…

I recently lost my pen case. My six beloved fountain pens—the ones I carry everywhere—were gone. Some were given to me by dear friends as gifts, and I’ve used all of them to journal and start my day, every day, every morning, for years. I did just that when I recently went to Denver. I…

Last month, we introduced the idea that the roles we learned to play in childhood — the ways we adapted to stress, earned connection, or kept the peace — may still be shaping how we lead today. These patterns aren’t flaws. In fact, they were incredibly intelligent strategies at the time, helping us as individuals…

Lately, I’ve been asking myself one simple question before I walk into a meeting or conversation: “Am I open or protected?” I can’t relate if I’m in protection mode. It’s been a quiet way to return to myself … just enough to shift the energy I bring into the room. If this idea resonates, I…

According to Deloitte’s 2024 Global Human Capital Trends report, emotional intelligence and self-awareness are among the top five leadership capabilities identified for navigating complexity and building resilient teams. Some of the most important clues we have about our natural leadership tendencies are found in our earliest experiences on a team—our family team. I wrote about…

Have you ever found yourself overfunctioning on a team, overextending while silently thinking, “Why am I the only one handling this?” Or perhaps you notice your tendency to play the peacekeeper, smoothing over tension while your own ideas sit politely in the backseat. Maybe when things get stressful, you default to “lone-wolf mode”—better to do…

We’re six months into the year, and summer gives us the extra light we need to check in with ourselves. Last December, I shared a variety of end-of-year reflection questions that can help you learn from your experiences and set intentions for the year. You can explore these questions for you, your team, and your…