Happy New Year!
What's your vibe... Have you created a fresh bucket list for 2026? Is this a time for reflection, or do you love to choose a word for the year?
There are New Year's suggestions everywhere we turn. Here's what I've found to be most powerful for many of my clients and for me.
Pay attention, and keep paying attention to the choices you are making. You make them every minute. And, create a system for paying attention, because without it, there are too many distractions in our world.
Also... Life is short. Have fun and keep it simple.
Although I sent a newsletter within the last week, as I watch the snow fall on this first day of 2026, I feel inspired to reach out to all of you again. I've been listening to a few talks on AI over the past month, and it led me to today's topic, an oldie, AND a very, very relevant issue for this crazy-fast-moving era of technology we are living in.
It's the niceness dilemma. Do you have it, or do you know someone who does?
With widespread technology integration, the need for effective communication is even greater.
As I wrote last week, effective communication requires difficult conversations, and to have those conversations, we often need to set aside the nice persona.
Imagine for a moment new conversations with your team or colleagues about the ethics of integrating AI into your work. What if you are afraid to speak up for fear of not sounding nice, while a few folks choose to use AI unethically?
Imagine that you notice a potential bottleneck as your company integrates more AI, but no one is noticing or talking about it, and your niceness keeps you from bringing it up, wasting valuable time, energy, and money?
Hard truth: it takes presence, not niceness, to be listened to. Presence is our human advantage.
I'm distinguishing niceness vs. kindness at work. Think of it this way: Being nice is telling someone what they want to hear. Being kind is telling someone what they need to hear.
How is niceness getting in your way at work?
Be honest with yourself, look over your last two weeks at work, and identify specifics. It can be very small.
In January, what is one way that you will replace niceness with presence?
My challenge to you: If this resonates, take a few minutes to write your answers. Keep it visible next week, and take action.