Happy 2025! As we step into a new year, I want to begin with a heartfelt thank-you for being here and for engaging with this work. Today, I’m sharing some reflections, a look at recent changes within our organization, and an invitation to consider how you’re choosing to lead this year.

Evolution and Growth: A Personal Reflection 

For more than 20 years, my focus has been on bringing the IEP Method® (Intentional Energetic Presence®) to individual leaders and teams. Over time, many of these leaders brought the work into their divisions and, in some cases, their entire organizations. While this approach allowed us to make a meaningful impact, it also placed immense demands on me personally — requiring me to be in the room, on stages, and deeply involved in every engagement.

I loved it. AND… as the work scaled and my books gained more visibility, I hit a limit. I didn’t have the infrastructure, team, or scalable systems to take things further. In hindsight, I was burning out in ways I didn’t fully recognize at the time. The way we were operating wasn’t sustainable.

Three years ago, I made a pivotal decision: to grow our team, train other coaches and facilitators, and build a platform that could provide ongoing training and community. The goal was to serve organizations at scale while creating a more sustainable model. Along the way, I learned some crucial lessons:

• Many leaders want to bring this work to their teams but often overlook their own development. I heard often, “My people need this… but I’m good.” Yet the truth is, sustainable change starts with the individual leader.
  
  
• Balancing my role as a CEO with my passion for teaching and delivering the work was challenging. As we worked towards partnering with larger organizations, I got further away from what I love most: helping leaders show up as their best selves.
  
  
• Growth often feels like being out of your comfort zone. But there’s a difference between being uncomfortable and being incongruent. During this time of transition, while I believed we were on the right path, my gut told me otherwise.

A Shift Back to the Core

Fast forward to today, and we’ve emerged stronger and more aligned than ever. Over the past three years, we’ve built a robust infrastructure: a dedicated team, an online training platform, self-paced courses, and even an IEP Method® app. We’re equipped to serve organizations on a massive scale, but we’ve also recognized the need to refocus.

What do we keep coming back to?

Authentic leadership and cultural health start with the individual. 

You cannot create sustainable change without doing the personal work first. When individual leaders grow, they build healthier teams. Healthy teams create cultures that are resilient, innovative, and genuinely positive.

That’s why, this year we’re doubling down on serving leaders directly. While we continue to support teams and organizations, our primary focus is YOU — your presence, your impact, and your leadership journey.

Choosing Your Leadership Impact

Leadership impact and peace are choices. Every day, you decide how you show up — for your team, your family, and yourself. But let’s be honest: many leaders are exhausted. They’re juggling ambiguity, managing others’ stress, and spinning countless plates. To lead effectively, you need space to breathe, reset, and build your energetic presence.

Here’s what we know for sure:

1. Culture change starts with people change. Without individual growth, cultural transformation is superficial at best.
   
   
2. Leaders need support. The pressures of leadership require intentionality and tools to manage energy and focus.
   
   
3. Broad programs don’t work without individual buy-in. Check-the-box leadership development initiatives don’t address the root issues.
   
   
4. IEP is the key to sustainable impact. Honoring and cultivating your presence is the foundation for authentic leadership.

What’s Next for ACI

In 2025, we’re introducing new programs, tools, and opportunities to help leaders build their IEP and lead more effectively:

• A Renewed Focus on Individual Leaders: We’re prioritizing programming that serves individuals, knowing that this will naturally ripple out to teams and organizations.
  
  
• Expanded Offerings: This includes upgraded self-paced training programs, a new app, and a 2-day session designed to meet the unique challenges of leadership today.
  
  
• Upcoming Events: I’ll be back on stages delivering keynotes, releasing two new books (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026), and relaunching Contagious You and Contagious Culture anniversary editions with updated content.
  
  
• Customized Engagements: Whether through private coaching, leadership team sessions, or organizational rollouts, we’re here to support you at every level.

A Personal Note of Gratitude

To everyone who has been part of this journey — clients, team members, advisors, and supporters — thank you. Your trust, feedback, and collaboration have been invaluable. As I step back into more hands-on delivery and teaching, I’m energized by the opportunity to bring this work to more leaders in a way that’s impactful and sustainable.

If you’re ready to prioritize your presence and impact this year, I invite you to explore our new offerings and join us on this journey. Let’s make 2025 a year of intentional leadership and meaningful change.

For more information about our programs and upcoming events, visit our website at ActiveChoices.com.