Winter 2025 Newsletter

Dear Readers:

It turns out that the oft-repeated Chinese proverb: “We are living in interesting times,” is an English statement with no link to China. The phrase typically is used to mean we are living in a chaotic or turbulent time. I doubt many of us would argue with that characterization.

Whether it’s international issues, personal matters or workplace issues, we have all confronted some disagreeable interactions these past few years. The reasons are numerous, and many of us strive to return to a sense of civility, camaraderie, and an agreed-to way to manage our differences.

My contribution to the solution was publishing a second Amazon #1 bestseller, “Can we all just get along?” Rodney King – Courageous Communication: A Return to Civility,” along with blogging, scheduling interviews and podcasts, writing articles, and conducting conflict management trainings. By year’s end, I learned that the book received a Goodey Business Book award, for which I am grateful.

What does 2025 hold for me? I’m not particularly superstitious; however, I have found that the odd years seem to be my best years. So, I’m going to update my 2019 book: Consequential Communication in Turbulent Times: a Practical Guide to Leadership, and continue on my journey of discovering how to contribute to a more peaceable, kind environment.

I would love to hear what you plan to do in 2025. Email me at [email protected] with your goals, or any other comments, questions, or war stories you would like to share. I promise to publish them – with or without attribution.

That’s always your choice.

Diana

My 2025 New Year’s Resolutions: Eager to Hear Yours

As we break out the bubbly, sing Auld Lang Syne, and hold tightly to those we love, we typically ponder what New Year’s resolutions we will make for 2025. Among the most popular? Lose weight, exercise more, improve eating habits, and save more money.

All are worthy goals. Those I’m adding to my list come right out of the book I published this year, breathing life into the adage, “It’s not what you say, it’s what you do.”

Recent Events

In Person Events:?

I was invited to serve on a panel of female architects on “starting your own business.” I engaged with many able women eager to learn the good, the bad and the ugly about taking the leap into self-employment.

I also marked my second appearance at Vromans Bookstore – one of the best Indy bookstores anywhere - for a discussion on my latest book, followed by a book signing.

LinkedIn Live:?

I shared the virtual stage with Karin Hurt, in an engaging LinkedIn Live conversation hosted by international megastar author Julie Winkle Giulioni.

Podcasts:

I was interviewed for podcasts hosted by “Superstar Communicator,” Susan Heaton-Wright, which focused on the book, and coaching podcaster Prabin Sharma, where we delved into the whys, and how-to’s of a successful coaching practice.

Personal Events

Principal for a Day and Grandparents Day: Valuable Lessons Learned

Principal for a Day and Grandparents Day: Valuable Lessons LearnedUndoubtedly like many communities nationwide, Pasadena asks community “do-gooders,” to serve as a principal at one of its many schools. I mention this because that experience coupled with attending my granddaughters’ “Grandparents and Special Friends Day,” was uplifting and important as we commit to a more civil society.

In the Pasadena Unified School District, I served in an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, which is focused on global citizenship, critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, integrity, responsibility, kindness, generosity to others and a commitment to lifelong learning; although not an IB school, my granddaughters’ elementary school – they are in the second and fourth grades – entertained us in song about understanding and accepting one another, embracing our differences, truth-telling, patience, and kindness. These and other important values focused on learning were made apparent in the classroom visits.

The collective lessons I learned? We are leaving the world in the hands of succeeding generations that embrace important international values, focused on acceptance of and valuing one another. Read more about my uplifting experience in a recent blog, here.

Always eager to hear your thoughts.?

Diana

I can be reached at?@DianaPM Author, LinkedIn.com/in/leadership-consultant-usa, at or [email protected].