Hey Leader,
Last week at Fast Company Fest in NYC, I found myself in a session with Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation.
What really floored me was hearing, ‘You hear laughter in the hallways again.’
He was talking about schools that banned cell phones.
I hadn’t realized that in so many schools, laughter had gone quiet, kids glued to devices, heads down, connection lost.
It made me think, this isn’t just about schools.
Our workplaces are full of the same tension
People connected, but disconnected
On our phones, on Slack, on Zoom… together but not really
If you’ve ever led through that noise, you know the pull.
Seventeen directions at once, constant pings, and trying to keep everyone engaged while still holding yourself together.
Last week reminded me that leadership isn’t just about managing the noise.
It’s about choosing the connections that actually matter.
Lead boldly, live fully, & don’t forget to breathe.
In your corner,
Scroll-Stoppers
This week’s most valuable scroll-worthy stuff, from tools to truth bombs!
Reunited with old bosses, met people I’ve admired for years, and left thinking way bigger. FCFest was the reminder I didn’t know I needed.
Brené Brown on How to Lead With Vulnerability at Work | The Interview
Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation, the book that sparked the “laughter in the hallways” insight.
Try This Today
Quick experiments for calmer inboxes, lighter loads, and more human leadership.
Check your connections.
Look at your calendar. How many meetings build real connection vs. just noise? Swap one for the kind that does.Plan one intentional gathering.
Invite colleagues, peers, or friends into a conversation that sparks new thinking, and it doesn’t need to be fancy.Mute the noise.
Pick one channel (Slack, email, social) to shut off for 2 hours. Notice how much sharper your presence feels when you step back in.
Your Power Reframe
Because what you believe shapes how you live & lead.
I used to think that connection meant showing up everywhere, at every meeting, every dinner, and every conversation.
But the truth is, presence beats volume every time.
One real moment of presence creates more trust than a week of “performing” leadership.
This Sparked Something
Little joys, leadership sparks, & random things we’re loving this week!
Tool that made life easier: I was procrastinating on my next program outline, so I bribed myself with the hot tub. Set a 30-minute timer, scribbled ideas between steam clouds. Totally worked. ~Alli
Dinner that hit the spot: My husband and I went to dinner with two people I’d never met. Three hours later, we’d covered everything from microplastics to leadership to what it’s like working at Apple. Zero small talk. Just the best kind of conversation. 😂 ~Alli
Moose update: Moose has taken over the sunny rug like it’s his C-suite. He says no meetings before 10 am. ~Alli
Joy move of the week: Taking a slow morning just for myself. Coffee, journaling, and no rush. ~Pau