As August fades and September dawns, we find ourselves in that rare in-between - the denouement of summer and the on-ramp to fall. The air still carries warmth, but there’s an undercurrent of change. The days shorten, shadows lengthen, and the rhythm of nature shifts quietly beneath our feet. This is not yet the bold arrival of fall, nor the lingering fullness of summer - it is something more subtle, more liminal. And isn’t that exactly how mental health - and leadership - often works? True change rarely arrives in one dramatic moment. It happens in transition. In the slow turning of seasons. In the quiet noticing that things aren’t quite what they were, but not yet what they will be. For me, these last several months have carried that same spirit. Unexpected pauses. Redirections. New opportunities slowly forming out of old foundations. Coaching with executives who want to lead without losing themselves. Consulting with institutions navigating transitions. Speaking about mental health not as an “extra,” but as the foundation of culture and performance. And most recently, listening deeply to families who are navigating the hidden complexities of higher education. Like the shift from summer to fall, these moments don’t arrive with fanfare - but with a quiet insistence that things are changing. And that change, if we pay attention, is not something to fear. I t’s something to embrace. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month - and it’s worth remembering that awareness, like the seasons, is about rhythm and presence. It’s about pausing long enough to notice the small shifts in ourselves and in others. Asking the question. Reaching out. Choosing to walk alongside. As leaders, as colleagues, as friends, our work is not to demand immediate transformation. It is to honor the transitions. To model that well-being isn’t a side project, it’s the soil in which everything else grows. Summer may be ending, but what follows isn’t loss - it’s the layering of what’s next. The colors, the clarity, the perspective that only comes when seasons turn. So I’ll leave you with this question: What transition is quietly asking for your attention right now? Because in honoring it, you may just find the foundation for what’s to come.
The Power of Cascades: What Nature Has Taught Me About Leadership and Mental Health
July’s Repositioning: Steering Toward Mid-Year Clarity and Well-Being
June: MENtal Health Awareness Month A Call to Action
Where Every Obstacle Becomes a Metaphor for Meaningful Leadership
February into March: Walking the Talk in Leadership &Mental Well-Being
Lead with LIFE
It's not "balance"
Built on the pillars of trust, authenticity, and shared growth
As a leader, you’ve spent years mastering the art of appearing strong and capable—the one with all the answers. But what if the key to true leadership isn’t in how well you manage to hold it all together, but in how willing you are to be transparent? Transparency, especially about your mental health, is not a sign of weakness. It’s a powerful signal to your team that you are human—that you, too, face challenges, and that it’s okay for them to do the same. This openness creates an atmosphere of trust and safety, where people don’t have to hide their struggles or pretend to be perfect. They can show up fully, knowing they’ll be supported. When you’re transparent with your team—whether about a stressful period in your life or how you manage your mental health—you’re setting a powerful example. You’re letting them know that taking care of themselves is not only acceptable, but it’s encouraged. This simple act can shift the culture of your entire organization. People will feel more connected, engaged, and loyal when they know their leader values authenticity and well-being. Taking that first step toward transparency is uncomfortable. It means letting go of the need to always appear in control. But the impact is profound. You’ll build stronger relationships with your team, foster a more supportive workplace, and most importantly, lead with a depth that inspires true loyalty and respect. And that’s the kind of leader who makes a lasting impact.