Community + Connection

Attending the National Retail Federation (NRF) event this year was an inspiring reminder of the incredible power of positivity and community. From engaging conversations to powerful insights shared by industry leaders, I left feeling more motivated than ever to continue fostering positivity within the business and retail community.

I wanted to share my key lessons learned this week beyond all the fantastic technology that the show provides. Why does this matter? Because when we slow down and listen to the words around us, we can be truly inspired to continue the mission of building a community based on connection. I have always believed that retail fosters two core pillars: community and connection.

The first quote that truly resonated with me came from a dear friend and colleague, Sharonda Weatherspoon Senior Vice President of Stores at Ralph Lauren, during a conversation, Sharonda shared this insightful perspective with me.

"Life as it is, or Life as it should be"

Why this matters: When we live in the "life as it should be," we're actually worrying about things, projecting expectations on people and situations that are not realistic, which can cause us to experience disappointments and negative emotions. This profound insight encourages us to stay grounded in the present and focus on what we can control, opening ourselves up to new possibilities. Taking this one step further, I'd also encourage us to live life in how it could be. This mindset puts us in a place of imagination, possibilities, and positivity. It allows us to think bigger than what it should be. At the end of the day, life doesn't owe us anything—we owe it to future generations to build a better future. I love this because when you're having that moment of asking, "Why isn't that person or situation like this?" it pauses you to take stock, get present, and lower resistance and resentment. This, in turn, reduces the stress we put on ourselves and our teams. This reminder was to get present and operate from a mindset of gratitude.

Another powerful moment was hearing from Karrie Helm Senior Director of Stores for Evereve, who shared,

"When the leader gets better, the team gets better."

This truth underscores the importance of continuous leadership development. As we navigate 2025, with AI and technology taking over routine tasks, leaders have more opportunities to focus on coaching and developing their teams, ultimately driving stronger performance and customer service. If you are not investing in your people’s development, you are not going to have a competitive advantage. Technology is important, yes, but humans are equally—if not more—important.

I also heard Amanda Baldwin CEO of Olaplex say,

"Leadership is a skill that can be learned like any other skill."

I really appreciated this perspective. This is so true. We need to truly understand that people can learn and develop leadership skills. When leaders say you cannot teach empathy, that is a recipe for disaster. Empathy can be taught, and so can communication, feedback, and coaching skills. Too many leaders say there are "no good" people but in reality, we develop great leaders, it's a choice. The Women in Retail Leadership Circle event last night was a fantastic lineup of brilliant women.

Greg Buzek President and Chief AI Officer at the Retail Orphan Initiative (RetailROI, Inc) also offered a refreshing perspective:

"Today's agenda is just a suggestion."

This mindset serves as a valuable reminder that while planning is important, it's the genuine connections and meaningful conversations that truly make a difference. Frustration can set in when we get too stuck on the plan. With the ever-evolving world of retail, things change moment to moment, and I loved this perspective. Greg had a room of over 150 people at this year's Super Saturday, and this quote helped everyone stay present and focus on what truly mattered—the people and the mission. I was highly encouraged by the young people I met at the session I held on "Making meaningful connections in a digital world of work, using LinkedIn".

Reflecting on these insights, I am grateful for the support I've received on my journey. Participating in the NRF book club with my book The Positive Effect, hosting a podcast, and engaging with Rethink Retail have been incredible experiences. I'm excited to partner with our community in even bigger ways this year. From my first experience being on a panel as a Senior Vice President of David's TEA stores over five years ago to now being a featured global retail Author was a moment I am forever grateful for. You never know where life can lead you, just stay open to learn, grow and add value to those around you.

As we embrace 2025, I invite you to join me in fostering a positive and connected community.

Together, let's focus on growth, leadership, and meaningful relationships.

- April

P.S For more on cultivating an incurably positive mindset, check out my book Incurable Positivity on Amazon and visit: www.aprilsabral.com.

PP.S Together, we can make a difference. JOIN MY FREE COMMUNITY where positive leaders connect.