The truth is, when news breaks, leaders are often left balancing urgency, responsibility, and uncertainty—all while knowing their words (or silence) will be interpreted. This framework isn’t about saying the ‘right’ thing. It’s about making intentional choices in moments that don’t allow for easy ones. In today’s Finding the Words, I’ll offer a brief breakdown of those considerations and invite you to explore the full resource, linked at the bottom of this post.

You can't do it all alone. You're not expected to. And in times of complexity, when you're feeling overwhelmed, sometimes the very best thing is knowing that you have someone you can turn to, talk with, and work through the complexity together. By focusing on what we can do or who can help, we regain momentum—even if it doesn't solve everything.  Because progress, especially in uncertain times, is rarely dramatic. More often, it’s quiet and incremental. It's bit by bit.

You don’t need a dozen principles to guide you this year. You need one that can carry you forward and help you stay steady—especially on the hard days. And whatever it is, it has to be right for you. Think of it as a grounding practice. A daily prompt. An intention for your leadership—and your life.

So, where to go from here? If you are launching something new, turning away from something familiar, or digging deeper wherever you are, I hope something in this week's reflection can help light your path forward. Because no matter which way you're headed, you can always go further when you're open to the possibility.

So, in this season of gratitude, and for however our paths have crossed this year, I thank you. In one way (or more), you've gladdened my heart, and I hope to have done the same for you.

Remember that accessibility is a practice, not a checklist. You don't have to get it perfect today. You just have to start—and then keep going. That's what it means to keep a movement moving forward.

You don't need to dominate a room to command it. Instead, the next time you step up to speak, remember to prepare so well that you can be present, connect so deeply that others feel seen, and share your passion so openly that it moves people to action. Do those things, and you won't just command a room—you'll change it.

We are all in a pressurized state right now. The weight of uncertainty is heavy and dizzying. But as one nonprofit leader reminded me recently, diamonds are formed under pressure. And just as a brilliant diamond can be formed under pressure, so too can our mission be clarified under intense conditions.

So, what if we made listening, not talking, our greatest act of leadership? When we choose to listen, we will also choose to quiet the noise. And that one simple act can begin to bridge divides, repair harm, and re-humanize the spaces we share.

We can choose to be lost in the work, or we can choose to find meaning right where we are—even in the chaos—and let that meaning guide us forward. So today, I’ll choose to get lost in something that matters. Something small, hopeful, forward-looking. And I hope you can too.

Disagreement will always be part of our work. It can also be good for the work, as long as there are equal amounts of disagreement, respect, and collaboration. If we can hold space for all three, we will not only get through the challenges but also build something lasting.

The opportunity before us is not to be superhuman, but to be that super kind of leader, manager, or peer who says through your actions: You belong here. And you don’t have to choose between being who you are and being who we need you to be.

This is the often-unsung terrain of leadership. Wins and recognition matter, but what endures is how we support the success of others, share knowledge, and offer grace under pressure. Leadership isn't the work that earns applause—it's what we do quietly, when no one is watching.

While the headlines may tempt us to despair, we can choose to live another story: One in which we can meet this moment, with enough resolve, courage, dignity, and authentic hope to change the outcome. We've come together before. It's time to choose together again.

Strategic planning doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. What it does need is readiness at the outset and commitment all the way through. Because the true measure of a plan isn’t how impressive it looks on paper—it’s how fully it comes alive in practice.

When we learn to redeem the free spaces in our days, wherever we can find them—be it a brief walk during a busy day, 10 minutes of meditation between meetings, or an hour of quiet unstructured time—we learn to regain control of our days, our decisions, and our actions. Free space can bring us back.

In a world that prizes polish, the Parody Principal reminds us of the power in being unguarded, joyful, and in the moment. For leaders in purpose-driven work—where heart often matters more than the headlines—it’s a message worth remembering: the most resonant message may be the one you share when you’re just being yourself.

Leading through sustained change and uncertainty is complicated, but not impossible. If you're standing at a crossroads, remember what you're standing on. Let your values be your compass so that you can move through this period of change with clarity, compassion, and courage. Your next big decision may be the start of your best chapter.

To believe in diversity and interconnectedness is to ALWAYS believe in that power, not just when it’s easy or convenient. Soccer Without Borders is a lovely reminder that bringing people together across divides is like planting a garden—the more diverse and interconnected we are from the start, the more fruitful we can be.

We all have moments that shape us, and what we do in those moments ultimately defines us. We're once again living in a time when truth is muddied, and our role in it is often less clear. So here's an invitation: What incomplete truth are you living? And what might change if you told the whole truth?