Last week, we wrapped up something that quietly moved me.

Three sessions. Complete strangers. One shared intention — to learn, connect, and practice the Skills to Flourish. Our online gathering drew people leaders from East Africa, England, Ireland, Turkey, and across the United States. And somehow, through time zones and wildly different life contexts, something real happened.

At a time when so many people and organizations are navigating rapid change and uncertainty, I continue to believe that the most important capabilities are often the most human ones: self-awareness, presence, empathy, resilience, trust, and the ability to genuinely connect with others.

These are the kinds of human skills that shape how we show up — at work, in leadership, in relationships, and in life.

Here’s how we set the tone each time we met: a mindful moment to arrive. A one-word check-in — tired, inquisitive, energetic, curious, hopeful — because showing up honestly matters more than showing up polished. Then we each set an intention for the hour. Many people turned on Do Not Disturb to be fully present. That small act says a lot.

These aren’t just warm rituals. They’re repeatable routines that make time for what’s important — something easy to say and much harder to actually do.

During our session on Finding Positivity, I was struck by how similar we all are beneath the surface. Where do you find awe? What brings you pride? What genuinely brings you joy? The answers from Nairobi and New York, Dublin and Dallas weren’t all that different. We come from so many different places, and yet — we are so much the same.

The takeaways participants shared were simple and honest, which is exactly why they stayed with me:

“I have resisted the gratitude journal for too long. I’m putting a notebook by the chair where I have my morning coffee.”

“I want to tell more people that I’m grateful for them — because I am.”

“I can make a difference.”

These aren’t the outputs of a corporate training deck. They’re genuine shifts — small movements in the direction of a life lived more intentionally.

And honestly, that matters deeply right now. Leading through change and uncertainty isn’t only about strategy. It’s also about how people experience one another in moments of pressure, transition, and challenge. It’s about whether people feel supported, connected, trusted, and capable of showing up well together. That’s one of the reasons I care so much about human skills development, both in organizations and in everyday life, leading me to create Positive Foundry almost ten years ago.

The group’s generosity in the chat at the end of each session was genuinely heartwarming to me. And when the feedback came back with the most common suggestion being to make the sessions longer — I smiled for a long time. Most people don’t vote for longer sessions these days. 

I do this work because I am a student at heart. My greatest joy is when I can pass something along to another person that nudges them toward a more positive direction. That’s it. That’s the whole reason.

Thank you to Inspiring Workplaces for offering these sessions to your community and for trusting me to lead them.If this resonates with you, our next cohort opens in September. I’d love to see you there. 🌱