Everyone is carrying something in their metaphorical (and this time, literal) backpacks. 

While sitting in a meeting, or boarding a plane, or joining a call, we all have things in our backpacks that we are carrying, which may not be known or understood by the people around us. 

Let July be July. Let August be August.
and let yourself just be even in the uncertainty.
You don't have to fix everything.
You don't have to solve everything.

Managing people, especially at the middle manager level, does often equate to more stress and more problems.

But it doesn't have to be this way. 

Sometimes the most delightful conversations aren't planned, and they make me wonder: Where might we create just a little more room for serendipity this week?

Where might we slow down, step aside, offer encouragement, or simply give someone else the right of way?

Getting clear on why we are doing what we are doing before we jump into action.

a single coffee shop has the potential to transform the feeling of a city, just as a single leader has the potential to transform the feeling of a company or a team. 

What's on your list for the summer?

And, how are you currently embracing the energy of July? 

It's often palpable when we experience this type of pride of ownership —whether from the restroom attendant who cares about making everything sparkly, or a seat that was saved just for us, or a dinner prepared by hand and served to just a handful of tables behind a hidden door. 

We don't need to practice friction-maxxing for everything, but we might want to practice it for some things —specifically things that align with our values and priorities.

Sparking a feeling of joy does not need to be complicated, time intensive, or expensive.

Sometimes the most satisfying moments are not the biggest accomplishments or the largest projects, but the ones where we can clearly see the impact of our efforts. 

As leaders we can take a moment to notice, remember, acknowledge, and appreciate. 

Acting with intention does not need to be big, fancy, or expensive. 

It can be as simple as a single white candle, added to the table in the lobby, and placed with care next to the sign.

We have an opportunity to treat every person we encounter with care, whether that person is checking us into our hotel room, or the lifeguard at the pool, or our server at the restaurant, or a colleague on our team. 

Some hard decisions and conversations will be inevitable.

And as leaders, we have a choice about how we deliver it and the ripples we create as a result. 

We can do anything, but we can't do everything.

It can be easy to fall into the trap of “the elephant looking small in the distance,” where more seems possible than reality allows.

How can we make you feel welcomed? 

How can we make you feel safe? 

How might a small gesture make your day just a little bit better? 

These are things we can do anytime, even without a sign on the wall. 

Power can be defined as: ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something. 

During times of uncertainty, we can get clear on what doesn't change — our values, our north star, the kind of leader we want to be.