LEADING YOURSELF, FIRST” with COMMUNICATION THAT STEADIES YOU & YOUR TEAM
Welcome back to Your Choice! — your weekly leadership resource designed to support you in being the Leader of Yourself, FIRST.
We’re excited to offer you a FREE HOLIDAY GIFT – a 90-Day Guide that led several of our clients to better outcomes, more positive energy and next level performance this year. Download the 90-Day Guide to Next Level Connection, Communication & Community here and save it as a resource. It can be a great support as you close out 2025 and start 2026.
Last week, we explored how intentional leadership sets the tone for finishing the year strong. This week, we’re highlighting key insights from our new video conversation on how leaders can lead themselves, first through communication, clarity, and energy — especially in December’s full and fast-paced environment.
In the video, we share real stories from this year’s coaching work — moments when leaders elevated their communication, protected their energy, and shifted their approach to create greater alignment across their teams. Here are a few highlights:
1. “Leading yourself, FIRST” begins with communication awareness.
We reviewed the four leadership communication styles — Telling, Coaching, Supporting and Delegating styles — and why effective leaders choose the style that fits the moment instead of defaulting to their own habits when communicating.
2. Great leadership requires emotional steadiness — especially at year-end.
Whether guiding employees through transitions, leading teams through deadlines or organizations through a new strategy of growth — emotional regulation is a core leadership skill. Leaders who pause, breathe, and reset — communicate with far more clarity and calm.
3. Intentional communication builds trust faster than speed or volume.
We shared client examples of leaders who shifted from directive communication to coaching or supporting styles of communication — immediately increasing alignment, engagement, and accountability.
4. Leadership energy is a strategic asset.
Protecting your time, attention, and presence strengthens how you communicate and models steadiness for your team and future growth.
We know this month is full of experiences that can be rewarding, exciting and create lifelong memories. We are also mindful that this time of year can be extremely challenging, while being met with complexities that we do not experience on a daily basis. When you choose to lean into Leading Yourself, FIRST by refocusing, rejuvenating and realigning with who you are — you will create what’s most meaningful to you!
This Week’s Action Step: Choose one communication style you want to use more intentionally this week. Practice it in one meeting or conversation and notice how the energy shifts.
