Ideas don’t just magically come to people. We have to seek out ways to cultivate our creativity and innovation so that we can always be thinking about what's next.

We all have so many demands on our time and energy, and there’s only so much that we can take on.

Feedback is hard, no matter how often you give it. But I do it because I know that it builds trust, clears up misunderstandings, lets people know where they stand, helps people work more efficiently and effectively, and so much more.

My biggest birthday wish is that we don’t lose hope—that even though there are certainly challenges, we as leaders remember that we can make a difference and that that’s always in our control, no matter what.

I don’t think it has to be like this. In fact, I know it doesn’t because our team left behind the 9-to-5 long ago. I believe there’s a better way—and fortunately, I’m far from the only CEO to think so.

Celebrating how long a person has been with our team means recognizing their loyalty, time, energy, and the investment that they have given to the organization.

I’m so committed to avoiding burnout that I’m going to do something I’ve always wanted to do but that is way outside my comfort zone.

We need to get out of the habit of saving our feedback for reviews and instead make it part of our ongoing team conversations.

This is vulnerable for us. It’s the first time we’ve ever looked at our year this way, which means there will almost certainly be things that change.

Right now, we have an amazing chance to change our world at work for the better.

The first week of any new year is my most favorite time to look inward and get really clear on what I want to manifest in the 365 days ahead as well as the goals I want to set for myself.

Without question, the habit of intentionally taking time to do things that help expand my mindset has been instrumental and invaluable to my growth as a human and leader.

We’ve prepared some things for you to enjoy over the next few weeks while we are away, and I’m so excited to share them with you!

Now, our retreats are focused on connection, and we tackle strategy conversations on Zoom on an ongoing basis so nothing piles up.

We’re going to have to work really hard to keep that human connection alive. Could it be as simple as this?

When you take the initiative to pinpoint the specific items you can help with, it’s easier for the person on the other side to accept that support.

What would make us look forward to such a busy time instead of dreading how busy it might feel? What would help our team feel supported so that we aren’t drained and depleted by the end of it?

This post is about the “and”: How it’s possible for something to be so hard and so compassionate at the same time.