“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” – C. S. Lewis

I’m noticing a subtle yet important theme in my work with leaders and teams lately. Our conversations are moving beyond strategy and results into how people are with each other on the daily. There’s a growing intention to strengthen communication, hold tension well, make thoughtful decisions with rising pressure, and choose getting it right over […]

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“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” – Rabindranath Tagore

Whether ‘acts of service’ is one’s love language or not, I’ve come to a place of believing that leadership is a precious form of service. This gives great meaning to leadership. If we accept the assignment, we get to support people in expanding their gifts and contributions. In doing so we sometimes feel a direct […]

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“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few.” – Shunryu Suzuki

Sometimes we think we’re supposed to have this figured out by now. The inner narrative strikes: we should be further along, more certain, and less unsure of ourselves. Without meaning to we add pressure, doubt, and stress. Along the way, we may lose touch with what’s here and available in us right now. I see […]

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“One must still have chaos in oneself to give birth to a dancing star.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Last night was the first session of a new professional development community of practice. As we shared wishes for the next six months, I named an interest in bringing real working tensions for peer coaching, learning, and growth. Those who know me know I’m always developing something and I better be to have the great […]

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“Between the stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.” – Viktor E. Frankl

This season can stir a lot. For some, it sparks joy and inspiration. For others, it awakens grief, pressure, or the subtle ache of “too much.” I sense many of us carry a mix. And when we’re stretched, our animal brains love to sprint ahead of our wiser selves. The truth in a pause helps […]

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“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

We don’t have to use a hammer to get a point across, to be heard, to influence. When was the last time any of us used or experienced aggression and it worked? Assertiveness can be gentler and more effective. Assertiveness can be expressed as naming needs and wants with clarity, conviction, emotional and relational intelligence. Assertiveness […]

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“We work on ourselves in order to help others, and also we help others in order to work on ourselves” – Pema Chödrön

The leaders I most admire practice humility and downright dig growing. They look inward and outward, supporting others while staying committed to their own development and healing too, where needed. They are attuned to themselves and strengthen tuning in with those around them. Every challenge, courageous conversation, and moment of collaboration becomes a chance to […]

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“Love who you are when you’re with people.” – J. Lovitt

Do you love who you are when you’re with the people in your orbit? When I was 16, heartbroken and sprawled on the floor in pajama pants printed with red hearts, tissues surrounding me in a near perfect circle, a family friend asked me a question I’ve never forgotten: “Do you love who you are […]

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“The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh

Last night, my spouse and I were walking by the ocean, flowers blooming in a spectrum of colour. We found ourselves debriefing on something simple, yet vital to our connection years later: how to be present and really listen to each other without interrupting and judgment. I’m grateful we can talk about these things openly […]

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