What we know about resolutions, is that most of them fail. Why do they fail? Because they’re typically not integrated into a broader long-term personal plan. Loads of energy and attention get poured into resolutions early in the year. Then time passes, entropy sets in, the inertia of the previous status quo sets in, and the hopes and dreams of New Year’s Eve are eventually dashed—leading to disappointment and regret.

As a global society, let’s use the Holiday Season to reflect on how we approach interactions with our fellow cosmic travelers. When alignment is a challenge and viewpoints don’t seamlessly calibrate, seek first to understand—not immediately jump to tearing others down who don’t share our opinions or worldview.

If more of us seek to understand, we will continue to make progress toward a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive future state.

To be “bankable” requires an understanding of how the business functions, what your role is in the value streams that you influence, and how the value you help create generates revenue and operating income.

Ever hear someone say “Trust me,” or “To Be Honest With You…?” These are phrases that some of us say out of habit and I believe we should actively work to jettison them from our vocabulary. 

When I hear someone repeat one of these phrases, the first thing that comes to mind is: “so are you lying to me the rest of the time?” My ability to trust individuals who overuse these phrases is challenged, and in a workplace where balancing trust with accountability is paramount, we don’t need to be injecting language into conversations that immediately makes us question the veracity of what our colleagues say.

Moreover, what does hardcore even mean? To some, that might be five 10 hour days a week. To others, it might literally mean working around the clock and catching a few zzz’s—leaving a pool of drool on the break room couch! This lack of clarity, coupled with mass terminations and ultimatums will create an environment of suspicion, insecurity, and self-doubt. Trust and accountability have no way to take root in an organizational culture like this. Active disengagement, obfuscation, mistrust, and a$$ kissing are the most likely results.

This coming Tuesday is “Giving Tuesday,” where charitable organizations around the world make appeals for year-end contributions. My ask of you today is to include your local United Way in your philanthropic plans as we close out 2022.