CLOSEOUT '21 - Three Little L-Words

Another year for the books. Can you believe it's December. It's inevitable that we run checks and balances on the year. What went well. What didn't and what (if anything) can we plan for in 2022? 2020 pretty much knocked the stuffing out of us as we endured disruption like we'd been thrown in an old school washing machine. 2021 kept coming but this time deeper waters submerged us in more permanent change.

I have three simple questions for you as we close out the year. Don't think too hard - just let the answers come up.

1.? ? ? What did you LEARN? 12 months of unprecedented times - lots of firsts, more curve-balls and a permanently altered lifestyle. A year ago you lacked the perspective you have today. As you look back in review, think of the bumps in the road, dead-ends and outcomes that didn't go to plan. Who did you become when the chips were down? I most certainly become more like water going with the flow and less like a bulldozer - my usual MO to #getshitdone.

2.? ? ? What will you LEAVE behind? We're always evolving and part of leadership is to keep expanding the mind, making better decisions, and becoming more powerful as an enabler of others. To do so we must release what no longer serves, unhelpful behaviors, antiquated beliefs, unnecessary ego, pointless perfection. Most people I speak to weigh their priorities differently now. Name one thing you are leaving in 2021? Mine is voicing my intuition too early because we are now in data-lead times so I start there first.

3. How are you becoming a better LEADER? Pull up some examples of specific leadership moments when you showed up this year. It doesn't have to be brash Branson dancing on tables with his big smile, bevy of blondes and a hot air balloon or Elon's twitter feed. It may be listening. It may be cheerleading. It may be quietly restructuring a business to reserve resources. It may be making some tough (and unpopular) decisions. It may mean finding partners to bolster the business. It may be a steady hand. It may mean a ballsy call to action. It's my favorite definition of leadership - Be what’s missing in the room. I have been working on my whispers in the wind to enable others so it's not all bluster from the stage.

Leading in good times is easy. We need you now. Do your best. Hold others up. Be the beacon of hope we all need you to be. Happy New Year - and just sneaking in another L-word. I LOVE you. I LOVE the work you do - keep going! Make it count.