When my kids were younger, they collected Pokémon cards. Later in life, they played Pokémon Go. For the uninitiated, Pokémon is a simple adventure where you befriend creatures, train them, and battle other trainers. As the creatures gain experience, many evolve into stronger forms with new abilities—small wins that add up to significant growth.
Thinking about this year in Pokémon terms, my ambition and focus for 2025 is to EVOLVE—my Word for the Year. Further, my sabbatical has been steady training: one walk, one lift, one conversation and page at a time. The change didn’t arrive with fireworks. It arrived as daily experience points (XP). Six months in, I feel stronger, clearer, and ready to evolve to the next level.
The more I “trained,” the clearer I saw it: communication embedded in purpose, clarity and impact; leadership grounded in everyday virtues; and life rooted in the things that matter most.
Today, I can say this: clarity increases when you give it room. Small actions (often imperceptible to others), repeated daily, create change you can see and feel. Simon Sinek captures this truth well in a short reel; consistency compounds over time.
Health, Strength, and Playing the Long Game
I still think like an athlete, but now I train for longevity. I’m building strength and flexibility that will serve me in my 80s and beyond. The gains over these months look modest on paper and in the mirror; however, the results feel great in real life. I wake with more energy. My posture is better. Friends, neighbors, and family notice.
While external validation is nice, what keeps me going is my ‘why,’ which includes my family and seeing the number of older people hunched and hobbling. In Karl Pillemer’s book “30 Lessons for Living,” the author shares wisdom from “the elders.” The core lesson “treat your body as if you are going to need it for 100 years.”
AL’s Insight: Intensity has its time and place, but it’s not always sustainable. That’s why consistency beats intensity. Create, stack and strengthen the habit, keep the promise (even if it’s to yourself), show up, and celebrate the wins (no matter how small).
The Whisper is becoming a Voice
A quiet idea is becoming clearer and growing louder: most of what we admire in leaders comes from simple, human virtues we learned in elementary school: truthfulness, courage, kindness, generosity, respect, and many others. That idea has become a framework I call Lead with Light™. It’s a practical way to calibrate values, cultivate character, and illuminate the path for others. I’ll share more soon.
AL’s Insight: Virtues are simple (and universal) positive character traits or qualities that serve as the foundation of leadership. They transcend cultures, ethnicities, gender, religion, and politics. When leaders practice and strengthen them, cultures shift, and people flourish.
What’s Next for Al (me, not the bot)
I published my Services page, which outlines three ways I’m serving leaders and teams:
Fractional Leadership
for Communications
Fresh perspective, embedded leadership, an inclusive collaborative spirit, the ability to juggle the day-to-day with high-stakes moments.
Strategic Communications Consulting
Strategic comms planning, clear messaging and compelling storytelling that move people—and your mission—forward.
Lead with Light
Leadership Coaching
Uncover your purpose, align your values with virtues, gain confidence and make impact that creates ripples far beyond what you see.
If one of these meets a need, let’s talk.
Reflections That Stuck
I’ve talked a lot about reflecting. Here are lessons that I would’ve loved to have learned earlier in my career.
- The Power of Space: Time free from meetings (especially on Fridays) and inboxes creates opportunity for focus, deep work, and reveals what truly matters; priorities rise to the surface on their own.
- Pace Matters: Intensity has it’s time and place, but it’s not sustainable. A steady rhythm, like the drum beat of your favorite song, creates a calmer and steadier mind that leads to better work; life appears more vibrant and feels like a journey where you savor each day and appreciate it for the gift it is.
- Identity Beyond Work: While I’m still working to accept some unrealized potential, I’m learning to value who I am apart from titles and roles; character outlasts job descriptions and has a ripple effect that extends far beyond our own line of sight.
- Embracing Simplicity: Decluttering rooms and file cabinets lifts the emotional weight on my mind and spirit. The work to simplify continues, drawer by drawer, closet by closet, room by room. I can attest to the idea that simplicity restores attention and peace.
- Strength in Stillness: Tai Chi and mindfulness build a quieter kind of power and increased sense of balance. Quiet and calm is a form of confidence and strength. It affirms my belief that you don’t always have to be the loudest one in the room to express your point of view or make a positive impact.
Relationships and Reciprocity
Sabbatical shines a light on connection and community. Some relationships deepen; others fade. That’s data, not drama.
There’s no doubt that people get busy. That said, I also know that people make time for what (and who) is important to them.
The important thing to remember is that relationships aren’t always 50-50. There are times when a relationship with a colleague or friend is 60-40 or 70-30, where you’re giving more than you’re getting. However, your relationship remains strong because you know that when you really need it, they’ll be there for you.
Below are a couple questions that I’m reflecting upon.
Reflective Questions:
- Which relationships deserve renewed attention and care?
- Where is it wise to release with gratitude and make room for what’s next?
AL’s Insight: We’ve all heard of Jim Rohn’s quote, “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” Sometimes you must let go of what you have in order to reach for what’s next. Letting go with gratitude and grace creates space for relationships aligned with who you’re becoming.
Identity, Income, and Ambition
I’ve worked steadily since I was ten years old. Stepping away from a regular paycheck felt odd (and a little scary) at first.
That said, I learned early in life that I was more than my title and the work I did. When someone would ask “what do you do?” I’d reply to their questions with a question of my own, “When?”
If I focused on titles, I wouldn’t have had access to the rooms I’ve been in. I’ve had the honor and pleasure to work shoulder-to-shoulder with C-suite leaders and executives who’ve led large organizations. They’ve respected my opinion and valued my contributions. It’s affirming and quite gratifying when I see them, and they’re genuinely pleased to see me. And even years later, I’m confident that if I reached out today, they’d take the call.
Ambition still lives here—there’s still a pull toward next-level communications leadership. I could be enticed to step back into the ring for a purpose-driven company that has a reputation and track record of living their corporate values. While that may be rare, it’s not a unicorn. They’re out there, so I’m leaving that option open.
In the mealtime, I’m entertaining different opportunities where my talent and abilities can help organizations and leaders on a contract basis. At the same, time I’m developing and refining the Lead with Light™ leadership framework.
Reflective Questions:
- When you’re in a transition, ask what matters? What do you stand for? What’s true?
- How do you measure success… by outcomes—clarity, trust, progress, traction, momentum—or by ladder rungs?
AL’s Insight: Ambition evolves. Your career, like life, isn’t linear. Make plans while remaining flexible; build bridges while maintaining established connections, create lift by listening to your inner voice (The Whisper that Yearns to be a Roar), and measure your impact by the ripples you make with people and the world around you.
Productivity and Pace
I’m consistent without rushing. Tasks take the time they take; depth matters more than speed. This rhythm fits.
Reflective Questions:
- What would change if “productive” meant doing fewer, but different or better, things?
- Where does depth of focus produce the greatest ripple effect?
AL’s Insight: While getting $h*t done is important, real productivity is alignment with what you believe and what you stand for—clear priorities, consistent effort, steady progress, and meaningful results.
The Virtue of Self-Discipline
Daily workouts, regular writing, weekly decluttering, and strengthening simple habits are shaping me in quiet ways. Discipline feels like freedom when it serves a purpose.
Reflective Questions:
- How is this practice forming identity beyond work?
- Is this (whatever this might be) helping me become the person I’m striving to become?
- Which habits deserve protection because they build the future I want?
AL’s Insight: If you want to see what’s important, look at your calendar and your checkbook. You may like the idea of a thing, but it’s not really important if you don’t invest your time and money in it. Self-discipline is the freedom to schedule your calendar around what’s important. It’s investing in (or saving for) something that is enduring. Self-discipline protects what matters and turns intention into progress.
183 Days to Now: What’s Changed?
- Relationships: Reciprocity guides where I invest; appreciation guides how I release.
- Identity: Purpose and contribution define ambition; title follows, not leads.
- Pace: Steady, thoughtful engagement creates deeper, more fulfilling work and a calmer life.
- Discipline: Small, repeated actions deliver visible results and quiet confidence.
What I’m Building Next
- Learning: Deepen Tai Chi practice; beginning to learn sign language; explore piano. Curiosity keeps me young and enthusiastic.
- Fitness: Raise the bar on strength and mobility goals through year-end.
- Work: Clarify opportunities where I can help senior leaders connect with purpose, find clarity, and communicate with impact.
Goal: Arrive in January 2026 clear-eyed, energized, and ready to make a meaningful impact.
Parting Thoughts
As the fourth quarter of 2025 approaches, I’m more excited and energized than ever. I’ve gained greater clarity. With that clarity, I’ve set a direction and can develop a map. I’ll take a page out of my own playbook to move from Dream to Done.
I’ve enjoyed the past six months and learned a lot. I’m looking forward to the next set of lessons I’ll learn in the months ahead.
An Open Invitation
If this resonated, please leave a comment and tell me what you’re learning right now: about purpose, pace, practice, or something else. Sharing is caring.
If you’re a leader planning a major initiative, navigating change, or building a content and channels strategy that serves your audience, explore my Services page and schedule a discovery call.
As you walk through the world and go about your day… Be clear. Be kind. Lead with Light.
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