2023 is here, whether you are ready or not. One of the most valuable things I have been doing at the beginning of the year is to come up with my word for the year. Last year, my word was “impact”. It helped to center me when I was going in too many different directions.

Throughout the month of December, I have been partnering with various clients on end-of-year actives. Workshops to develop the sales team and off-sites to discuss tools to navigate our crazy, busy culture. For another client, we explored his end of year reflections of his leadership team.

In two weeks, I am doing a workshop for a local manufacturing company. Over the last three years, I have created and facilitated several workshops for them, having worked with their leadership team, sales teams and middle managers. What took me aback is the subject of this next workshop: dealing with difficult clients and colleagues. Apparently the team is worn out, some feel demoralized by their customer’s bad behavior including being yelled at.

About two weeks ago, I had a coaching call with a people manager at a fast growing tech company. She started the call with “200 people got laid off today, including my boss. No warning.”

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak to about 60 women at a Charleston Chamber of Commerce luncheon. This highly interactive session had these women asking questions, trying new things, and
learning dozens of communication tools and techniques.

Have you ever thought about your personal brand? What does your brand say about you? How do you want to be seen by others at work?