Gratitude Week: Part I

The Gift of Intentionality

As Thanksgiving approaches here in the U.S., I’m kicking off a “Gratitude Week” series as a set of reflections on the people, practices, opportunities and moments that I am grateful for this year.

I’ll start with intentionality.

One of the unexpected opportunities of Milestone Leadership is the flexibility it gives me. I have the freedom to choose the number of clients I work with, the kinds of problems I take on, and the cadence of my work. That level of choice is rare, I’m extremely grateful for it and something I don’t take for granted.

Over the last few months, I’ve been more deliberate about allocating a larger portion of my time to leaders and organizations whose work feels meaningful, sometimes in the social-impact or climate space, sometimes in health tech, sometimes simply in companies led by people who care deeply about their teams and communities. The common thread isn’t the sector; it’s the intention. Working with leaders who are trying to do something that matters and who want to lead well while doing it is energizing and very rewarding.

I’m also grateful that the work takes me outside the U.S. After years working on global initiatives at Microsoft, and now my involvement at Unreasonable, and Watson, a global lens is really rewarding and in my wheelhouse. Many of the leaders I work with are leading ventures in other parts of the world, and I love the perspective that brings. It’s fun to tap into my international experience in a way that actually helps them increase their leadership impact.

I’m also reminded of how fortunate I am to do work that aligns with what I value: purpose, connection, growth, and balance. It’s a version of ikigai that fits where I am in my professional and personal life; spending time with people and projects that matter, keeping wellness and balance as a high priority, and being grateful for the chance to do work that feels aligned and meaningful.

As I start this week of gratitude, I’m thankful for the leaders who trust me with their journey, the flexibility this work gives me, and for the opportunity to choose with intention where I focus my time and energy. Choosing with intention isn’t just good practice. It’s a privilege.