My last note of 2025 and a real thank you
Thank you for being with me in 2025. I don’t know and talk to each and every one of you, but you are the reason I keep doing what I’m doing. Your messages, your quiet reads, your direct reach-outs …they keep me supported and inspired. You are top of mind. You matter.
This is my last newsletter of the year. I’ll be back next year. I hope you’re taking some time off, really off, even if you’re not going away. Reflect. Rest. Re-energise. Recommit to what matters. One of those things is you.
10 things I learned in 2025
You come first. It’s not selfish; it’s caring and grounded. When you’re doing well, those around you, your work, and how you show up get better.
It’s been a hard year on humanity. So much loss, hatred, and divide. It was heartbreaking and it affected me emotionally for months. I realised I can’t change the world, but I can change my world, one small act at a time. I made a habit of smiling at a stranger (not in a weird way) and trying to make someone feel good. Small things ripple.
Toxic leaders encounter. This year I came through a particular one who almost shook my confidence. With my network’s support, I came out stronger, more grounded, and more mature. Keep two things: (a) you now know what not to do; (b) don’t let manipulative, toxic, narcissistic behaviour rent space in your mind or heart. Detox straight away.
Don’t keep your head down for long, you miss the shift. The world is moving faster. Irrelevance creeps in quietly.
Yes, technological advancements are exploding, but foundations matter more. The foundations your organisation is built on comes first. Fix the cracks, fill the gaps, and elevate before adding more.
Last year I burned out. This year I didn’t. I watched my limits. I also became more aware of emotional baggage. I built a cadence of speaking and connecting with people around the world, naming what I’m feeling and thinking, and leaning on my trusted network and mentor to keep that baggage in check.
Learn from others, in the arena. I’ve had the privilege to keep working with a great CEO I learn from and watch in action, Dermot O’Gorman, WWF-Australia CEO… and others I’m grateful to know and work with. These are the most fulfilling learning experiences.
Community accelerates progress. Not just the ones that are about meet-ups for fun or resources, but spaces that feel warm and safe. That’s I have built/building inside TLI (the Transformation Leadership Institute) I also believe in having your own mentor and coach. That has been my number one reason for progress in career, business, and life.
Not all sharp words are the same. I saw more sarcasm, lashing out, and unsolicited opinions. I shut most of it down, especially when it was intentional. But sometimes someone’s just having a bad day. Twice, I chose to chat. One was going through a divorce; another had a health diagnosis. We kept talking for over two months. They were grateful. I was too. Know who is who. Your heart will know if you truly listen.
Don’t slow your learning. Watch your excuses. “Not now.” “I’m overwhelmed.” “Maybe it’s not for me.” “I’ll do it myself.” “I’m too busy.” Excuses feel true from the inside. They’re only tested from the outside. Take stock. Some opportunities pass while we’re explaining them away.
Bonus point: Choose who you work with. From April 2025 I committed to be intentional and selective on who I work with, with corporates and individuals. I asked more and better questions, clearly defined success and consulted my heart. I said more NOs than YESes and it was well worth it. I safe guarded my energy, values and reputation. Of course that’s not fully attainable in some cases if you still have a job or in a corporate setup.
Wishing you an amazing 2026 filled with peace, love, care, blessings, and ease. I’m cheering for you, even if we haven’t met.
Try this today:
Write one sentence: “In 2026, I recommit to ______ because ______.” Put it where you’ll see it on January 1.
Comment below and tell me the one thing you’re recommitting to next year. I read every response.
The Last AMA Was Value Packed
In our last AMA, we covered two realities that hit a lot of transformation leaders.
1) When the change sponsor changes- watch out! What that means and what to do
We covered how a sponsor change can make the program feel like it’s restarting, because trust, decisions, and direction often reset overnight. We talked about what that means for you: you can’t assume sponsorship is intact just because the role exists, you have to re-establish it. We also covered what you can do immediately to protect momentum.
2) When BAU starts swallowing the transformation
We covered how transformation loses momentum when it turns into delivery tasks and reporting, and the original “why this matters” fades. We talked about what that means for you. We also covered what you can do: re-anchor the work in outcomes and trajectory (not activity), and keep driving the reality shift instead of just tracking the plan.
🎧 Want the full discussion + detail? The full AMA recording is inside CMC (Change Makers Corner) (free to join). Join and listen to the replay. Here is the link to join:
(click join free community and compete your profile to complete your registrations - takes 2 min)
🗳️Cast Your Vote
Would love to hear from you on how can TLI empower you in 2026. Please cast your vote here and feel free to comment or reply with more.
