Hello {{first_name}} ,
I'm starting something new this year, and you're in the first group of people to receive it.
Once a month, I'll send you an email with something on my mind - a tool I'm using with clients, a pattern I'm seeing in leadership, something I'm wrestling with myself - to help you lead, personally and professionally, with more clarity, courage, innovation and alignment.
Not thought leadership. Just... thoughts. AND leadership.
If that sounds useful, I'm glad you're here.
On Rewriting What Success Means
I came into the year with a deep and personal loss - my father passed in October.
I've been thinking about what that means - not just the grief process, but what it means for how I want to work this year.
He was an enthusiastic, hard working and successful entrepreneur who also showed up consistently for people - important milestone events for his kids and grandkids, weekly lunches with his friends, visiting former coworkers, holiday events with cousins.
He would be present in quiet and meaningful ways that sent a clear message: he deeply cared about and showed up for the people in his life who mattered to him.
I keep asking myself: How can I build something that truly matters like that?
That question led me to write a piece last month about Success Theater - the gap between looking successful and truly feeling successful, defined on your own terms.
It really struck a chord on LinkedIn. Messages came in from leaders/clients essentially saying: I'm tired of pretending to have it all figured out - I want to live and lead on my own terms, based on my values.
Me too.
So here's what I'm thinking as we step into 2026:
What if this year isn't about doing more, but about aligning better?
Not alignment in the corporate buzzword sense. Alignment as in: Does the way I spend my days actually reflect what I feel matters most?
Because if this season has taught me anything, it's that we don't get unlimited time to close that gap.
In honor of my dad, I will be donating a portion of all 2026 revenue to the American Cancer Society. His enthusiasm for life and client service mindset shaped how I lead, run a business and coach. This is one way to honor him and carry forward his legacy.
✶ FROM IDEA TO IMPACT ✶
Something You Can Use Right Now
Last year, I created a tool for myself and my clients to map out what true success looks and feels like (rather than based on others’ expectations).
It's called The Clarity Compass™.
✶ Five prompts.
✶ Thirty minutes.
✶ You'll walk away knowing what success actually means to you - not to your board, your investors, your colleagues, your LinkedIn network. To you.
I've been using it with clients in January planning sessions and it's been... clarifying. One executive leader told me it was the first time in years he'd given himself permission to want something different for himself within his organization.
As a result, he had meaningful conversations with his manager and executive colleagues to craft shorter and longer term role changes ahead.
You can grab this tool here. Use it for yourself or with your team for shared alignment.
What I’m Seeing Right Now
Three patterns I keep encountering in conversations with executives:
THE INTERIM TRAP
Leaders stuck in "acting" roles who won't step into full authority because the title isn't official yet. They're playing small while their teams need them to lead fully and confidently. (Spoiler: the promotion comes AFTER you act like you already have it.)
✶ READ MORE HERE ✶
THE MICROBURST EFFECT
Unexpected disruptions are hitting harder and faster than ever. Leaders who navigate them well aren't the ones with the best contingency plans - rather, they're the ones who can ground themselves, make meaning from the chaos quickly, and pivot forward with intention.
✶ READ MORE HERE ✶
THE THEATER PROBLEM
So many of us can look successful from the outside while feeling misaligned on the inside. If you can get past the feelings of discomfort, this can be an opportunity to reflect and realign.
✶ READ MORE HERE ✶
What I’m Reading Right Now
Last quarter, I read and wrote about three leadership books that impacted me:
✶ The Curiosity Curve by Debra Clary
✶ Scarlett’s Revenge: Business Strategy for a Disruptive World by William Putsis and David Edelheit
✶ AI for the Authentic Leader by Allison Shapira
That's it for January.
If you want to talk about any of this - or if you're navigating something similar - just reply to this email. I read everything.
And if this isn't for you, no hard feelings. You can unsubscribe at the bottom.
In partnership,
P.S. — One more thing I'm doing differently this year: I'm launching "Mini-Mods" each month - practical deep dives into applicable topics on leadership, innovation and business strategy. The Clarity Compass was the first one. More coming.