Wrapping things up!

This week, I’m sharing three personal stories tied to my leadership journey. As the holiday season approaches, I hope these reflections resonate with you and provide a spark of inspiration.

Forged in Fire

The photo accompanying this story is a snapshot from a 30-year reunion with colleagues from my first full-time job. Back in 1991, eight of us were hired as Residence Managers at the University of Guelph, a role born from an organizational shake-up. None of us were particularly “qualified” for the task, but we had the perfect mix of naivety, confidence, and trust in each other to tackle any challenge.

What made our team special was how we wove together our unique skills, perspectives, and attitudes to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Even 30 years later, the bond we share is unshakable. We toasted to our history together, each sharing how the experience shaped us.

I’m struck by how much that first job molded my leadership style. It taught me the value of collective strength—when one of us stumbled, the team lifted them up. We were challengers, each in our own way, united by a commitment to making a difference for the people we served.

To my incredible teammates—Jason, Murray, Heather, Bruna, Chris, Janet, and Marty—thank you for the friendship, guidance, and lessons that continue to influence my leadership journey.

Leadership Lesson: The people who are forged in fire with you will always be a source of strength. They leave an indelible mark on your values, your resilience, and your ability to lead.

You May Not Know This About Me...

I’m a sentimental person. Tucked away in my storeroom is a large box brimming with cards, letters, and pictures I’ve collected over my career. Recently, while clearing out my office, I added 324 more cards—276 of which had handwritten notes. Each one is a token of gratitude, a reminder of the people I’ve had the privilege to impact.

This collection isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a wellspring of energy, comfort, and reflection. When I revisit these notes, they remind me of stories (sometimes embellished now!) that encapsulate key leadership lessons. These stories serve as parables, helping me measure my impact and draw strength when leadership feels lonely or uncertain.

Leadership Lesson: Find a way to measure your impact. Whether it’s through notes of gratitude or another meaningful practice, let the lessons of your past fuel your growth as a leader.

Mirror, Microscope, Telescope

As the year draws to a close, I want to share my approach to reflection—what I call the “Mirror, Microscope, and Telescope” method. It’s a practice that has been integral to my growth as a leader.

1. The Mirror: Look back on your experiences and replay them. Focus on your role, emotions, and behaviors. Let others and circumstances remain slightly blurred in the background of the mirror. The goal is to pinpoint what stands out about your actions and feelings.
2. The Microscope: Zoom in on what you discover in the mirror about yourself. Ask yourself tough questions: Why did I respond that way? What biases shaped my perspective? How did my actions influence the outcome? The microscope isn’t about self-criticism—it’s about finding connections between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that can guide intentional change.
3. The Telescope: Now, look ahead. Take what you’ve learned and imagine applying it in the future. Experiment with different strategies, anticipate challenges, and refine your approach before putting it into practice.

Leadership Lesson: Reflection fuels learning, and learning is the bedrock of effective leadership.

As we head into the holidays, I encourage you to reconnect with someone who was “forged in fire” alongside you. Let that reconnection be an active form of reflection. Take time to uncover insights from your past year and commit to actionable steps to become an even better leader in the year ahead.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with growth, gratitude, and inspiration!