40 Views "When you’re a seeker of everyday magic like I am, there is no shortage of joyful delights."

View 14 of 40 // Kat Gordon. Courage, grace and wisdom. Kat's literally been a force of change for the advertising industry, challenging, motivating and empowering us all to elevate women into roles of creative leadership. As I sat in the crowd at the 3% Conference years ago, I found my community. Little did I know how much of a personal role Kat would play in our agency and in my life. She provided the counsel and support we needed in a moment of crisis for Campbell Ewald and I'm so grateful for the moments of mentorship that continue today. I love how her journey is now taking her impact from the stage to the individual as she's coaching and hosting creative leadership retreats.

Kat answers some questions from her experience to give us all a little perspective.

What should every new mom know?

That you don’t have to be good at all the motherly things, despite what Instagram says. Find 2-3 things you love doing and make those the signature way you shower love on your kids. For me it was reading to my boys, creating ritualized holiday traditions, and driving on all their school field trips. Beyond that, I didn’t fault myself for things I could be doing, but didn’t. There will always be moms doing more, but find ways to embody your love that are authentic to you and do them with consistency. Your kids will remember you and associate you with love you gave freely, not out of obligation or guilt.

What brings you joy?

Asking my dog if she wants to go on a walk and watching her do zoomies around the house in excitement. Playing on my tennis team. Watching the hummingbirds at my feeder. Hanging with my sister and niece on their screened-in porch in Massachusetts. Shavasana at the end of yoga. Beautiful hikes. Receiving funny texts from my sons. Getting Wordle in 2. Seeing a friend realize a dream. Exploring a new country or culture. Flower arranging. Losing myself in a really, really well-written book.

When you’re a seeker of everyday magic like I am, there is no shortage of joyful delights.

What mantra would you share?

A quote that blew me away the first time I heard it is this: “I used to walk into a room and wonder if people liked me. Now I walk in and wonder if I like them.” (Author unknown.)

Any people-pleaser (or recovering people-pleaser) can remind herself that being true to your own instincts and preferences is the only thing in your control, and leads to more alignment in friendships, family and work teams. Tying your worth to someone else’s random assessment of you is a form of self-abandonment. The day I refused to do it any longer, my life improved immeasurably.

What is worth the effort?

Cooking. We have somehow internalized the fact that there are so many shortcuts to meal prep, that meal prep is something we should be outsourcing or avoiding. Yet I can attest that taking time to make delicious, beautiful food – even if only for yourself – is time well spent. The act of working with your hands is a meditation and the result is good for your health, your budget and the planet. If you have the gift of having others around your table to enjoy your food, even better. When my 20-something sons come home for visits, I always make their favorite dishes and the look of appreciation and excitement on their faces is precious to me.

What surprised you?

I recently became a Leadership Coach and am surprised by how much I absolutely love coaching my male clients. After so many years leading The 3% Movement and being a champion for women, I kind of thought women were my “thing.” Yet I realize that men have so few sanctioned spaces where they are invited to be self-reflective and vulnerable. Bearing witness to their hopes and dreams and holding space while they open up is magic.?

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What is 40 Views? In 2021, I reached a milestone year (I turned 40, eek!), and I wanted to take a beat to listen, learn and get some perspective from women I admire as I entered a new chapter of adulting. I thought this exploration would be something others could enjoy as well. So even after the crazy (and remarkable) changes of 2021, this journey continues during my 40s era as I share 40 POVs from incredible, strong and ah-mazing women, answering questions that share their truth with the rest of us.