Leaders need to maintain professional boundaries, and certain decisions, concerns, and vulnerabilities cannot be shared openly. The higher the position, the fewer people can fully relate to the weight of the role. This loneliness, though rarely discussed, is a reminder that even the most capable leaders need spaces where they can be heard, understood, and supported without judgment. Creating environments of trust within and beyond the workplace is essential to breaking through this isolation and enabling leaders to thrive.

Unbeknownst to them, my staff made me feel very much heard, understood, and supported this week. They surprised me (a feat in itself!) by presenting a lovely card with confirmational and favourable remarks. Their gifts (pictured here) captured who I am and what I believe in. They put effort into hearing what I say, pay attention to what I care about, and take time out of their busy lives, showing me that the work matters.

In any organization, effective communication is the foundation of success—and at the heart of it lies the art of active listening. For employees and employers, active listening is essential to building trust, fostering collaboration, and achieving shared goals.

I am so proud of this team – for the care they show our clients, each other, myself, the rest of the leadership team, and our community. In a world that sometimes feels divisive and isolating, I am comforted that a sense of commonality can still be fostered and that goodwill isn’t a fleeting effort.

I will be forever thankful to my Initiate family for your belief and trust in me. The privilege of leading you is one I never take for granted. The honour of watching you realize your potential is what fuels my fire. Securing your future in a thriving agency – one that will be here for decades to come – hopefully with many of you at the helm, is WHY I do what I do. Every. Day.

To others reading my “musing”, I wish for you the same sense I have of feeling heard, understood, and supported in your workplace or other pursuits. It is a feeling like no other, and it supercharges my days.