Hi Michelle,

Do you have any specific hopes for the new year?

Thank you for the optimistic, fun question. I’ll share a wish list related to communication since that’s usually what’s on my mind.

With fingers crossed and with a nod to the power of visualization:

I wish we’d all pause today to answer: Why do I do the work that I do? Who benefits and how?

• Less stress and worry, more meaning in our daily lives!

I wish we’d get better as a species at seeing the futility of judging a book by its cover.

• Less stereotyping!

I wish we’d ask more often how those who are different from us experience the world.

• More empathy and inclusion!

I wish we’d remember how resilient the human spirit is, that even difficult change brings important gifts gained only through struggle.

• More belief in ourselves to succeed when the going gets tough!

I wish more people enjoyed and embraced negotiation.

• Better outcomes are often possible if we ask!

I wish more employers prioritized recognizing good effort and offering training opportunities, at least annually.

• More learning!

I wish more people would try a different method of managing disagreement when their go-to style isn’t helping the situation.

• More constructive conflict!

I wish more teams would select overarching priorities to work toward and develop tactics to achieve them.

• More strategic planning!

I wish we’d offer praise to those around us more often; not just to the rock stars.

• More recognition of those who are trying and more reason for people to try!

I wish more folks would re-read emails before they hit send and use a brief, descriptive subject line.

• More action taken on their messages!

I wish more people would embrace courage as communicators to ask the hard questions and share genuine feedback.

• Less complacency and more active shaping of organizational culture!

Finally, I wish I was a better listener – more interested in what’s being said and felt than in what I’m saying and feeling – more fulfilling relationships! (You’ll find me working on it daily and not just wishing.)

We start every day anew as a communicator. Proclaim a fresh start for yourself and celebrate even the smallest wins. They matter more than you may ever know.