Photo 262219821 | 2024 New Year © Zpkovalev | Dreamstime.com

"Change is constant. Improvement is not until you invite change. Remember, too, it's worth it when you love it.” - Janet M. Harvey, CEO of inviteCHANGE and Author, From Tension to Transformation: A Leader’s Guide to Generative Change (Publication Date is 1.9.2024)

Do you know what the Hebrew word "Abracadabra" means? I create as I speak; one translation of that literal meaning could be magic! Words are how human beings construct their life experience and express what generates value and love. It feels magical when the lyrics of a song make us cry, or the lines in a play make us laugh. We are constantly constructing our reality, even when we don't say the words out loud, silent, speaking inside our heads, dreaming, and envisioning a future that has us thriving. The start of a New Year inspires me to envision, collaborate, and generate a world where everyone loves their life's work. 

One of my favorite new colleagues in 2023, Ms. Sarah B. Lange, shared the meaning of Abracadabra with me in a conversation about my new book (Available for Pre-Sale Now!). We discussed the importance of the words we use to express ourselves. As global leaders, we are learners, always curious to discover how we can get better at activating others to show up, participate in their lives fully, and care deeply about creating a world that works for all. Each time, I risk putting words to the page, and with today's technology out to the airwaves, I am more humbled by the responsibility. I am response-able. Yet, the task is more significant than that. It’s up to me to leverage my ability to discern what’s useful and uplifting, relevant and respectful, and a source of practical inspiration for anyone. I thought writing a second book might be easier than the first, or at least less emotional. Nope. I still tear up reading parts of this book, the ones that share client stories of trying times and then triumph, and the courage to be authentic, to take a stand for good, for dignity, and for the commitment we have to each other to cherish our shared humanity. The moments when every leader experiences unbearable tension, and then they pause, reflect, and embrace the change that generates breakthroughs. 

I owe everything I’ve learned and shared in this book to the more than twelve thousand hours I’ve spent with leaders and their teams worldwide who chose to lead organizations of all sizes and types of industries and missions. Each person who courageously engaged in self-learning and boldly stepped into a fuller expression of themselves than they thought possible generated more excellence, joy, and love for the thousands of people they led. My knowledge of this positive ripple arising from generative coaching solutions has fueled my commitment to coaching and the experience of bliss through my daily work. Their stories, experiences, learning, growth, and change make this book a timeless resource and a salute to the legacy of leading from sovereignty.

My time in reflection as 2023 ended filled my heart with deep gratitude for the hundreds of people who partnered, collaborated, ideated, mentored, coached, and supported me to bring my excellence into the world. As a guest on Coffee, Coaching, and Callings – A live podcast created for coaches, leaders, and helping professionals on a mission to lead a successful and heart-centered life - the hosts invited me to share about the book and my intention with writing. My hosts, Laurel Elders, MCC, CEC, Founder of The Institute for Integrative Intelligence,  and Dr. Kristen Truman-Allen, PCC, Founder and CEO of PULP Leadership Coaching, are extraordinary leaders and coaches. Our conversation explored many practical ideas that any leader and person committed to human development and thriving will find useful. I will share that my experience was one of inspiration as we collaborated and embodied generative change inside our dialogue. 

One more fantastic human being I met during 2023 and extended the privilege to join in a podcast conversation is Ben Owden, a Leadership Development Trainer at WhyLead Consultancy in Tanzania. We explored how to embrace judgment as a catalyst for growth and the roadmap to invite change for everyone we lead (including ourselves) to thrive. There are so many wonderful guests on Ben's Podcast, Why Lead? And I hope you do choose to listen and explore many as you envision and construct your 2024 experience.

While catching up on published research and year-end data reports, one headline from Gallup took my breath away,  “…over half of managers in the U.S. are quietly looking or actively seeking to leave their current employer for opportunities elsewhere.” This declaration breaks my heart because many of us spend most of our waking life in a professional setting. The data trends this year signaled this finding; however, what I find most disturbing is that due to the tension caused by this phenomenon and the cold, hard facts of attrition of talented leaders, organizations are too slow to respond or respond with solutions that are based in the past and not suited to today's business environment.

The gentlemen referred to as the "founding fathers" of America had one mindset principle in common: open to hear and be influenced. Through this principle, leaders across the nation envisioned the experiment called American Democracy and made it manifest now for 247 years. That principle offers a way to sustain excellence, and within that principle is the generative skill to learn. One of my goals for 2024 is to renew my commitment to learning, and I hope you will join me and share because we are all better together!

Here's to loving your life's work even more throughout January and beyond!