The confetti is gone. The big January goals don’t feel quite as shiny. And that quiet voice in your head? It’s starting to ask harder questions. This is the moment that separates leaders who sustain  from those who burn out . Late January is a revealing time. The excitement of new beginnings has settled into the reality of daily progress. What once felt effortless now requires intention. Discipline replaces dopamine. And this is where leadership gets honest. This is when you

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us that our greatest strengths find their highest purpose in service to others and justice for all . Too often, organizations talk about justice, equity, and service as ideals that live at the top - mission statements, executive speeches, or aspirational values on a website. But in practice, justice in organizations is lived or lost every day in the middle. The most burned-out people in your organization are often the same people most respo

If January had a personality, mid-January would be the moment it clears its throat and says, “ Okay… now let’s see what you’ve got. ” The excitement of the New Year fades quickly. The calendar fills up. The pressure returns. And suddenly, the version of you that felt unstoppable on January 1st feels quieter. This is normal. This is human. And this is where real leadership begins. Motivation is emotional. It comes and goes. Leadership, on the other hand, requires something ste

Every January, leaders are encouraged to fix what’s broken. New goals. New systems. New initiatives. But what if the most powerful move this year isn’t fixing what’s wrong but building on what’s already right? Your strengths - individually and organizationally - are not accidental. They’re earned. They’re practiced. And they’re often underleveraged. Last year, one lesson stood out again through Shane Parrish and The Knowledge Project  podcast: The best defense against being s

The last month of the year often feels like a whirlwind. Projects wrap up, goals are finalized, and personal plans compete for attention. In the chaos, it’s easy to feel pulled in every direction. Yet, the most effective leaders approach this season differently. They don’t just survive the holiday rush. They lead themselves intentionally through it , using their unique strengths as anchors for clarity, focus, and impact. Why Strengths Matter Now Your strengths aren’t just too