Amy P Wilkins is joined by Meb Francisco, a dynamic figure in data technology and leadership. Meb reflects on her transition from multicultural analytics to a tech-centric role, highlighting the challenges and growth in the "messy middle", or as she calls it, the "arid desert." Through personal anecdotes, Meb offers insights on leadership, the power of embracing uncertainty, and the value of reflection to inspire listeners to embrace their own career challenges.

Meb Francisco delves into how acknowledging one's imperfect preparedness can act as a springboard for personal and professional development. This episode is packed with central themes such as vulnerability, self-awareness, navigating career transitions, overcoming self-doubt, seizing opportunities, and the importance of community support. By sharing her journey through professional deserts, Meb encourages listeners to tackle daunting challenges with resilience and see them as opportunities for growth. Her motivational message focuses on building empathy, assisting others through their own challenges, and recognizing the transformative potential of embracing difficult transitions.

• Embrace Vulnerability: Meb emphasizes recognizing personal gaps and being open about them as a key to growth and learning.
• Community and Support: Lean on your community and be vulnerable enough to ask for help when needed.
• Learning Through Experience: Facing difficult challenges can lead to immense personal growth and empowerment.
• Recognition of Past Successes: Remember times you have overcome similar challenges, boosting confidence to face new ones.
• Empathetic Leadership: Use personal experiences to support and uplift others in their professional journeys.

After you go through that desert and you realize you come from the other side, you realize how much you've grown.You miss every opportunity you don't take.Nobody was giving you this role; you earned it. That seat is yours.Nobody is born knowing. So if it could be taught, it could be learned.Embrace that messy middle. You'll thank yourself for it tomorrow.There's something that you have that they need. Own the worthiness that is in you and understand the value that only you can provide.When somebody extends a hand and says I'm here to help believe them, lean into them.There is power in saying, I'm not where I want or think I should be.

Mentioned in this Episode

Meb Francisco leads a team of data operations, engineers, AI specialist and compliance teams responsible for integrating both structured and unstructured data to extract value in every signal. She is a strategic data partner with a 20-year career, specializing in developing advanced audience strategies, data solutions, and tech stack integrations.

Using a data agnostic approach to insights and innovative data mining techniques, Meb strives to bring audience insights and analytics to the forefront of the discussion. Her mission is to inspire, inform, and push the boundaries on how data can be used to drive business results. Meb has worked with major marketers across a broad range of products and service including: Coca-Cola, Bayer, Astellas, Walgreens, Target, eBay, Uber, Nestle, NBC Universal, MARS, Citi, among others.

She holds an Executive Diploma in AI in Business from Oxford University, and a Master's of Science degree in Integrated Marketing from New York University with a specialization in Marketing Analytics. She sits on the board of She Runs It, an organization focused on helping women lead in Marketing, Media, and Tech. Notably, she led the deployment of the Covid Vaccination Demand Model for Walgreens, earning multiple industry awards, including the iCOM Data Creativity awards, Best use of real time Marketing at the Festival of Media, the Grand Prix Internationalist Innovation Digital solutions award, and the Echo Gold Award from the ANA master's in Data and technology, among others. She is also part of the 2022 Adweek all-star class, representing the top 19 Media Executives driving media agency evolution.

Mebrulin "Meb" Francisco LinkedIn Profile

Amy P Wilkins is a leadership coach, former media executive, and the founder of Choose Awe—a coaching practice devoted to helping women leaders navigate transitions with clarity, courage, and self-trust. After decades in senior leadership roles, Amy now empowers women to lead with purpose and thrive through the "messy middle" seasons of life and leadership.

In this episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle, Amy P Wilkins explores the challenges and growth opportunities for women leaders who find themselves in transitional or difficult phases of their careers. Drawing inspiration from a story shared by Linda Thomas Brooks, Amy emphasizes the notion that success is not merely about winning but about how you play the game, which resonates with leaders stuck in the messy middle. The narrative emphasizes that genuine leadership entails stretching beyond one's comfort zone to embrace growth, particularly when faced with ambiguity and pressure.

Listeners will encounter themes centered on the importance of a growth mindset, supported by research from Carol Dweck, which suggests that seeking challenges rather than avoiding them fosters continuous development. Further, Amy references psychological safety, based on Amy Edmondson's work, discussing how high-performing teams thrive in environments prioritizing open dialogue and safety in disagreement. Ultimately, this episode delves into why leaders must focus on evolving their game by seeking feedback and surrounding themselves with diverse perspectives rather than relying solely on past successes.

• Leadership involves continuous growth through challenging oneself beyond comfort zones.
• A growth mindset enables leaders to embrace challenges as development opportunities.
• Psychological safety is crucial for effective team performance and encourages novel ideas.
• True leadership is not about always winning but about learning and improving one's play.
• Diverse perspectives within teams lead to better decision-making and innovation.

Winning and playing your best are not the same thing.Leaders with a growth mindset are more open to feedback, more willing to admit what they don't know, and far more likely to keep learning even when they're already successful.Psychological safety doesn't mean lowering standards. It means creating an environment where people can speak up, challenge assumptions, admit uncertainty, and take intelligent risks without fear.In the messy middle of leadership…the temptation is to rely on what's worked before, to default to expertise instead of curiosity.Leadership development doesn't happen in comfort. It happens at the edge of what we know.Growth doesn't come from easy wins. It comes from being willing to be challenged.

Mentioned in this EpisodeThriving in the Messy Middle with Guest Linda Thomas Brooks: Navigating Media and Technology Without Losing Your Ethical Compass Carol Dweck: A Summary of Growth and Fixed MindsetsAmy Edmondson: Research on Psychological Safety

Amy P Wilkins is a leadership coach, former media executive, and the founder of Choose Awe—a coaching practice devoted to helping women leaders navigate transitions with clarity, courage, and self-trust. She now channels her senior leadership experience to helping women to lead with purpose and thrive through the "messy middle" seasons of life and leadership.

In this episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle, host Amy P Wilkins talks with Linda Thomas Brooks, an accomplished leader in media, marketing, and communications. Linda shares how her career, filled with pivotal moments and decisions, highlights the importance of pushing boundaries, staying adaptable, and maintaining core values. Her extensive experience across various sectors offers invaluable insights for women leaders aiming to thrive amid chaos and change.

Linda discusses her transformative career journey, which includes significant roles leading organizations like General Motors Media Works and the PRSA. She emphasizes the importance of having a strong ethical foundation in media and communications and describes how to navigate the challenges that arise when values are tested. Linda's candid discussion reveals the mindset shifts necessary for personal and professional growth, alongside her strategies for dealing with the demands of leadership, such as surrounding oneself with supportive people, being open to learning, and always challenging oneself to think critically.

• Resilience and Adaptability: Linda highlights the necessity of being adaptable in leadership roles across different industries and the value of learning from challenging experiences.
• Ethical Leadership: Emphasizing the importance of ethics, Linda discusses the need for leaders in media to uphold integrity and social responsibility, especially in content curation and dissemination.
• Continuous Learning and Mentorship: Encouraging ongoing learning, Linda underscores the role of mentors and the significance of absorbing knowledge from others with more experience.
• Values and Decision-Making: Deciphering one's core values and understanding their importance in decision-making processes can be pivotal in navigating professional landscapes.
• Embracing the Messy Middle: Emphasizing acceptance of challenges as part of the journey, Linda encourages women leaders to embrace the messiness and learn from it for personal growth.

If you were ever bored in this job, it would be your own fault.Surround yourself with really smart, nice people who up your game.Just because I can carry the burden doesn't mean it's not a heavy one.Remember to recognize the weight you're carrying and give yourself permission to feel it.Every voice matters, but it's equally important to gain the wisdom of those more experienced before making your mark.The messy middle is just another step along the way.Mentioned in this EpisodeWhat? So What? Now What? Critical Reflection Model

Linda Thomas Brooks is a visionary leader whose career spans the intersections of nonprofit leadership, media, technology, and ethical communications. Most recently, she served as CEO of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), where she championed initiatives to combat mis- and disinformation and led the development of industry standards around ethical AI use. Under her leadership, PRSA was named Global Public Relations Association of the Year, and Linda was honored as an Industry Champion in the PR News Top Women in PR Awards.

Throughout her career, Thomas Brooks has brought strategic insight and operational excellence to high-impact roles—from President and CEO of the Association of Magazine Media to EVP of General Motors Mediaworks, overseeing $750M in annual media investment. She also served as President of Ingenuity Media at The Martin Agency and helped shape marketing strategy at Trilogy, a tech firm focused on business transformation. A founding executive of the Institute for Advertising Ethics, she has been instrumental in advancing responsible advertising practices adopted by Fortune 500 companies and top universities alike.

Widely recognized for her industry impact, Linda's accolades include Advertising Age Women to Watch, the AAF Hall of Achievement, and Folio's Top 100 Execs. She serves on advisory councils at The Ohio State University and is a sought-after speaker and advisor on media ethics, consumer behavior, and the evolving communications landscape.

Linda Thomas Brooks LinkedIn Profile

In this episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle, hosted by leadership coach and former media executive Amy P Wilkins, we delve into the complexities and pivotal moments women leaders face in transitional phases of their careers. Amy provides an introspective look into the concept of building a guiding coalition within organizations, inspired by her enlightening conversation with Sarena Diamond.

Throughout the episode, Amy highlights the importance of recognizing when a shift is necessary, whether it's continuing to invest in the current organizational structure or acknowledging a misalignment that demands action. Drawing on her personal leadership experiences and insights gained from her conversation with Sarena, Amy emphasizes the importance of guiding coalitions in driving change and shaping company culture. This episode encourages leaders to reflect deeply on their commitment to their current roles and the potential impact of their influence.

Serena Diamond is a renowned leader committed to fostering organizational change and alignment. With a career marked by substantial influence in her field, Serena advocates for shaping culture through strategic internal collaboration. Her insights on guiding coalitions in leadership provide invaluable guidance for those navigating the complexities of organizational dynamics.

• Understanding the importance of building a guiding coalition as a leader to influence change within an organization.
• Realizing that willingness to invest in a guiding coalition can signal alignment and belief in the organization's potential.
• Differentiating between frustration and misalignment to make informed decisions about staying or leaving.
• Acknowledging the courage it takes to shape culture internally and the invisible nature of this work.
• Reflecting on personal willingness to lead and influence as a signal for career direction and alignment.

A guiding coalition exists to help leaders influence change from within. It's how ideas travel and silos loosen, and it's how culture actually shifts.Frustration says, this is hard, but I care. Misalignment says, I no longer believe my effort here will matter.Staying doesn't mean everything is aligned. It means the misalignment feels workable.Sometimes the messy middle isn't asking you to try harder; it's asking you to be honest with yourself.When that willingness disappears, it's not a character flaw; it's just data.Staying doesn't mean everything is aligned. It means the misalignment feels workable.The messy middle isn't something we pass through once. It shows up again and again, and each time we meet it with a bit more awareness, a bit more choice, and a lot more self-trust.

In this episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle, your host Amy P Wilkins has an enriching conversation with Sarena Diamond on navigating and thriving in transformation leadership. With a career spanning over thirty years, Sarena sheds light on the importance of leading with heart and embracing the inevitable chaos within change processes. She recounts her own journey from a corporate transformation executive to a solopreneur, emphasizing the necessity of people-centered and values-driven leadership.

Sarena shares her experiences navigating organizational change, particularly during unpredictable times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlighting the significance of maintaining a robust network and fostering a guiding coalition, she demonstrates how leaders can not only endure but thrive amidst uncertainty. The discussion touches on essential themes such as building personal and professional networks, leveraging LinkedIn for personal branding, and leading without losing oneself. Sarena's insights provide a roadmap for leaders looking to stay anchored as they adapt to change, offering a valuable perspective on the transformative power of collaboration and shared vision.

• Building a strong network with diverse perspectives is crucial for effective leadership and navigating the "messy middle."
• Embracing change and allowing oneself to be vulnerable can lead to unanticipated growth and innovation.
• Developing a personal brand and maintaining an active presence on LinkedIn can significantly enhance leadership visibility and influence.
• Creating a guiding coalition helps leaders share decision-making responsibilities, fostering a more united and effective team.
• Continuous learning and curiosity are fundamental in adapting to rapid changes within organizations and industries.

The best leaders through the change are the ones who make teams want to share, learn, and be part of the solution.We recognized that in the face of adversity, we were not only thriving but making all kinds of changes.There is power in the LinkedIn platform and the ability to connect with people who are like you.Creating a guiding coalition for the rest of the organization is so important.If you were on Gilligan's Island, all of a sudden, you'd have to figure it out. I say to people all the time that I am good at helping navigate change now because I've learned a lot of lessons about how not to do it. It's lonely going by yourself. You get better by allowing other people to be part of this journey.

Related to this EpisodeThe New Career Playbook: LinkedIn and Amplifying Your Unique Voice

Sarena Diamond, CEO & Founder of Diamond Solutions Group, is an executive consultant who helps business leaders bring big vision to life and turns "what if?" wonderings into "way to go!" celebrations.

After 30 years of climbing corporate ladders and achieving success by all the traditional definitions, Sarena now serves as a global transformation executive with a track record indesigning and deploying strategic transformation. With expertise in Organizational Change Management, she engages high-performing teams while delivering innovation, operational excellence, and process improvement initiatives.

As CEO and Founder of Diamond Solutions Group, Sarena leverages her corporate experiences from Accenture, IBM, Pepsi Cola, and Mellon to inspire teams to embrace change more easily and bring leaders' visions to life in client environments ranging from Fortune 100 enterprises to PE-backed ventures.

Sarena holds an MBA from Pace University, a BS in Computer Science from Russell Sage College, and a certification in Collaborative Storytelling for Social Impact from Georgetown University. Sarena is an energetic public speaker, avid community volunteer, and conscientious board member. Most significantly, Sarena is "Mom" to three terrific adults and "Honey" to a loving, supportive partner.

Sarena Diamond LinkedIn Profile

Join Amy P Wilkins on Thriving in the Messy Middle as she shares insights on the pressures that come with leadership roles when we find ourselves in the "messy middle" of our careers and lives. This state is typified by transitions, challenges, and complexities that can often lead to confusion and self-doubt. Many individuals report feeling "off" or lost in their roles, yet often struggle to name these sensations explicitly. Most people aren't lacking motivation or capability. They are lacking language. This observation highlights the importance of naming one's experiences without self-judgment, enabling a more accurate understanding of one's current state. By developing this language, leaders can resist the urge to rush through transitions and acknowledge what Amy describes as the Messy Middle Archetype™.

Drawing from her own experiences and those of her clients, Amy introduces the Messy Middle Archetype™ as a framework for naming these seasons of uncertainty and change. Amy guides listeners to recognize where they stand, encouraging identification and fostering self-compassion. She explores six archetypes women often experience: Juggler, Restless Achiever, Quietly Burning Out, Dreamer, Rising Leader, and Seeker. Each archetype represents a unique stage of growth or challenge, offering opportunities for personal reflection and development. Tune into this thought-provoking episode to discover how naming your archetypes provides a burst of clarity and inspiration in your leadership journey and leads to meaningful action.

• Understanding your Messy Middle Archetype™ can bring clarity, fostering self-compassion as you navigate life's transitions.
• Whether you are a Juggler, Restless Achiever, or another archetype, recognizing and naming your experience can provide insight into your leadership journey.
• Language matters: Developing a language to express where leaders find themselves can help eliminate judgment.
• Energy focus over intensity: Emphasizing steadiness, presence, and self-trust can empower leaders to make meaningful and sustainable changes in their roles.

Thriving isn't about perfection. It's about growth.You may recognize yourself in one archetype. You may hear pieces of yourself in several. You may move between them over time.What would happen if I stopped doing something? And why do I believe I can't? - On the Juggler archetype Confidence doesn't automatically arrive with the title.- On the Rising Leader archetype The Seeker's work is awareness and willingness.- On the Seeker archetypeEach archetype offers an invitation to AWE, awareness of where you are, and willingness to honor what's true without the story we add to it.

Join leadership coach Amy Wilkins in this Messy Middle Moment episode, as she delves into the often daunting topic of personal branding. She emphasizes the importance of establishing a personal brand well before it becomes a necessity and how this can be a powerful tool in professional growth, even when navigating the uncertain terrains of career transitions. Drawing from conversations and experiences, Amy provides actionable insights on maintaining visibility and building credibility.

Amy highlights the significance of platforms like LinkedIn in showcasing leadership and professional presence. Drawing from last week's conversation with Melissa Cohen, who recast her perspective on LinkedIn usage, the episode underscores the transition from treating it as a digital resume to a dynamic storytelling space. Amy also breaks down statistics that reveal the effectiveness of consistent posting in increasing engagement and visibility. Amy emphasizes showing up with authenticity, investing in your future self, and owning your narrative. Embrace the discomfort and build your brand with intention and courage. Keep thriving through life's transitions with these empowering insights.

• Start Before It's Needed: Amy emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand before it becomes an urgent necessity.
• Consistency is Key: Regular and intentional engagement on platforms like LinkedIn can greatly enhance professional visibility.
• Overcome Self-Doubt: Embrace the discomfort of posting content consistently, as it leads to greater opportunities and network presence.
• Visibility Equals Leadership: Being visible is an act of leadership, not vanity; it's about sharing your voice with authenticity.
• Invest in Future You: Cultivating a personal brand is an investment in your future professional self, building credibility and leadership presence for when the time is right.

The best time to build your brand is before you need it.LinkedIn users who post at least once a week for 20 plus weeks receive five times more engagement per post.Visibility is leadership and not vanity.You're not late, you're not behind, and you don't need to be polished to be powerful.Your brand is your reputation, your impact, and your voice.

Mentioned in this EpisodeThriving in the Messy Middle podcast with featured guest Melissa Cohen, a LinkedIn and personal branding strategist: The New Career Playbook: LinkedIn and Amplifying Your Unique VoiceThroughout the episode, Melissa unveils the concept of personal branding, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and showing up as one's true self even when navigating messy middle moments. Amy and Melissa explore mindset shifts essential for thriving in chaos, enriching the listener with life-changing lessons from transitions and professional evolution.

Research ReferencedHow Social Media Consistency Builds Unstoppable Results, Storykit New Insights Suggest Posting Frequency Is Key to LinkedIn Success, Social Media Today How Often Should You Post on LinkedIn in 2025? Data From 2 Million+ Posts, Buffer How LinkedIn posting frequency impacts growth, Medium Women who LinkedIn: The gender networking gap among executives, ScienceDirect

This IN HER VOICE: STORIES OF LEADERSHIP episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle, hosted by Amy P Wilkins, features an insightful conversation with branding strategist and LinkedIn guru, Melissa Cohen. Melissa shares her journey from a high-powered fashion career to becoming a personal branding expert. Amy and Melissa discuss how Melissa's unexpected career pivot at Ralph Lauren during the pandemic led her to uncover a new calling in helping others build a personal brand on LinkedIn.

Throughout the episode, Melissa unveils the concept of personal branding, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and being one's true self, even in messy middle moments. They explore navigating career pivots, the power of authentic storytelling, and using LinkedIn to enhance visibility. Melissa emphasizes the importance of starting, building a network, and using AI carefully while maintaining a unique voice. Amy and Melissa discuss mindset shifts essential for thriving in chaos, enriching the listener with life-changing lessons from transitions and professional evolution.

• Non-linear Career Paths: Careers today are rarely linear, often involving lateral moves and pivots. Embrace change and be open to exploring new directions.
• Power of Personal Branding: Melissa emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand, highlighting LinkedIn as a platform that can create unforeseen opportunities and broaden one's professional visibility.
• Begin with Comments: Getting started on LinkedIn doesn't require perfection. Engage through commenting and build visibility gradually, fostering connections and conversations.
• Utilize AI judiciously: While AI can support content creation, it shouldn't replace one's unique voice. Authenticity is key to branding.
• Network and Relationships: Cultivate a robust professional network. Relationships are crucial in career transitions and can provide unexpected opportunities.

Everything good that has happened to me in the last five years has happened because I decided to be visible and keep showing up on a regular basis.Your voice is one of the most precious assets that you have. So be really careful who and what you trust it with.There's no perfect time, and the perfect time is now.We're all multifaceted individuals. We all have talents… and I think we fall so easily into that trap of only focusing on what we do for work.Content is king, but comments are the keys to the kingdom. (citing Dan Roth's insight on LinkedIn engagement. Daniel Roth, Editor in Chief, VP of Content Development at LinkedIn)Your voice is one of the most precious assets that you have.

Mentioned in this EpisodeThe Spotlight Effect Wonderland Dreams by Alexa Meade

Related Blog ArticleWhen Growth Doesn't Look Like a Climb

Melissa Cohen is a LinkedIn and personal branding strategist who helps leaders, founders, and executives elevate their visibility, credibility, and business impact. Earlier in her career, Melissa held leadership roles in the fashion industry, contributing to the global growth of iconic American brands, including Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Nautica. That brand-building expertise continues to shape her strategic, high-touch approach today.

Melissa is the creator of The Caffeinated Chronicles, a widely read LinkedIn newsletter, and the co-author of the Amazon best-selling book Your Career Resilience Blueprint. In January 2024, she was recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice by the platform's editorial team. She is a member of the Board of Directors for Her Move Next, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to empowering girls and young women through the power of chess, community, and competition. She was a founding member of Chief, the largest network of senior women executives.

Melissa's Website Melissa Cohen LinkedIn Profile @MelissaBethCohen Linktree DIY Influence Membership Community: Co-founders Melissa Cohen & Julie Morris Check out Melissa's #linkedinnuggets - Amy's Nugget is featured HERE

In this episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle, Amy P Wilkins, leadership coach and former media exec, draws listeners into a compelling reflection on choosing a "word of the year" and its transformative power in leading a purposeful life. Amy unveils her chosen word for 2026, "AWE," exploring its profound significance beyond just being the name of her company. With a thorough understanding of navigating complex life transitions, Amy shares insights that illustrate the rejuvenating impact of awe, both psychologically and emotionally.

Highlighting the roots of her approach, Amy outlines her "AWE Framework" – Awareness, Willingness, and Energy – as essential elements to cultivating personal growth. She discusses how fostering awareness allows individuals to recognize their true selves, willingness encourages bold action despite fear, and energy sustains progress and intentionality. Each concept underscores the importance of living strategically and embracing the unknown with a growth mindset. As Amy articulates these concepts, she utilizes key terms such as "growth zone," "resilience," and "creativity," emphasizing a scientifically validated understanding of how awe can expand our thinking, enhance well-being, and spur empathetic interactions.

• Choosing a Word of the Year: Selecting a word to guide the year provides a focused vision and grounds you amid life's unpredictabilities.
• Embracing Awe: Awe bridges the exhilarating and the terrifying, serving as a catalyst for growth and creativity.
• The AWE Framework: Awareness, Willingness, and Energy are key aspects for self-growth and navigating challenges.
• Reflection Exercise: Visualizing your achievements by the end of the year can help identify the word that aligns with your goals.
• Scientific Benefits of Awe: Experiencing awe leads to stress reduction, mood enhancement, and increased empathy.

Awe is the only word that captures that magical tension of being exhilarated and terrified at the same time.Awareness is about paying attention to the truth of where you are right now. Without judgment, without performance, without the story.Willingness is where transformation actually begins.When I choose awe, I'm choosing to elevate my energy, to stay connected to the things that sustain, inspire, and stabilize me.Energy is the expression of our choice. It's how we embody the next version of ourselves.A single word that shapes your attention, a word that reflects your aspirations.

Research Referenced: Scientific studies about the power of awe. The Power of Everyday Awe Eben Harrell, Harvard Business Review What Is Awe? Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley Eight Reasons Why Awe Makes Your Life Better Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley

In this episode of Thriving in the Messy Middle, Amy Wilkins delivers a thoughtful reflection on the crucial, often overlooked practice of year-end reflection for leaders. As 2025 draws to a close, Amy emphasizes the importance of acknowledging both big and subtle wins, supporting your leadership, relationships, and well-being. Discover the AWE framework—Awareness, Willingness, and Energy—to help propel your leadership in 2026. This reflection nurtures clarity and confidence, enabling impactful growth beyond mere metrics. Dive into this Messy Middle Moment to reflect, reset, and prepare for the upcoming year's challenges and achievements.

• Reflecting on past achievements is crucial before planning for the next year, avoiding a negativity bias that focuses on failures.
• The AWE Framework comprises Awareness, Willingness, and Energy, facilitating a strategic reset for leaders.
• Recognizing subtle wins reinforces effective leadership behaviors and influences future success.
• Shifting to celebration impacts energy positively and aids in shaping intentional leadership for the coming year.
• Leadership growth extends beyond metrics, reflecting meaningful decisions and moments of resilience throughout the year.

Your ability to lead what comes next is shaped by your willingness to reflect on what's already happened.By acknowledging progress, even small progress, you reinforce the behaviors that help you lead effectively.It's the subtle wins we tend to miss—those moments that directly contribute to your impact and reputation as a leader. If you don't pause to examine the year that was, your brain defaults to what didn't happen, what you missed, what you postponed.How you feel about the year influences how you lead in the next one.What energy do I want to bring into my leadership in 2026?

Related Blog ArticlesIt's Time for Leaders to Protect Their Most Precious Resource – Their Energy

Research Referenced: Scientific studies in neuroscience support the idea that recognizing progress encourages the perseverance of those beneficial behaviors, leading to sustainable, positive change.

Baumeister, R. F., et al. (2001). Bad Is Stronger Than Good. Review of General Psychology.Amabile, T. & Kramer, S. (2011). The Progress Principle. Harvard Business Review Press.Di Stefano, G., Gino, F., Pisano, G. & Staats, B. (2014). Learning by Thinking: How Reflection Aids Performance.Grant, A. & Gino, F. (2014). A Little Thanks Goes a Long Way. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.Bersin, J. (2012). The State of Employee Recognition. Bersin & Associates.Schultz, W. (2015). Neuronal Reward and Decision Signals. Physiological Reviews.Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions. American Psychologist.Boyatzis, R. & McKee, A. (2005). Resonant Leadership. Harvard Business School Press.