The Letters Project

Throughout my career journey,  I have written countless letters in my mind - most often in the wee hours of the night - when I lay awake thinking about what I would say if I could be totally honest. I actually went as far as writing a few, but never sent them.  And I still wonder ... what would that leader have done if they had received such a letter?  Would it deepen their own self-awareness? Would they change their ways?  Would they realize the adverse impact they had on commitment, innovation, productivity, and general well-being? 

Would it matter? I suspect YES, it would have mattered. 

I ultimately pursued a PhD in Organizational Psychology and have built my career around leadership development, talent management and organization effectiveness. Now, my mission is coaching leaders to elevate the human experience at work to optimize outcomes.  We spend so much time at work, and the fact that 'life is short' is more than just a bumper sticker. I want to uncover what inspires others and helps people play BIG and live courageously.  In some cases, a leader is one of the most influential forces in ones personal fulfillment and that is a big responsibility. And, too often, those same leaders dont even realize it.

Would that letter matter?

So, here I am - and here YOU are. And, I say, lets write those letters - and if we never give them to our bosses directly - maybe they will pick up this book and hear our collective voices about the human experience of their leadership. Heck, maybe one of the letters is one they've actually written to their boss. Because, at the end of the day (perhaps a long grueling workday), we all share one thing ... 

we are all human - first and foremost. Let’s make it count