As they say, “asking for a friend”— should I take credit for The Standard Media Newspaper headlines that pierce or excite like a needle in a balloon factory or leading compliance to the principles of press freedom and editorial independence acknowledging public sentiment usually referred to as the voice of the people that is as varied as night and day? Well, there’s that old fashioned allure of influence, visibility, position, all phones answered, all jokes funny sometimes rib cracking, access to places and people and the surprising reactions of those that make or do not make the headlines.
To be honest, or as my sons say I can’t lie the praise for these headlines has felt like wearing an oversized hat at a small gathering – awkwardly grand to say the least, yet borrowed from those who go to large events and know when to wear it! They know that when they pick public sentiment scientifically through deep and consistent research, they can create headlines that resonate with audiences, get more eye balls and pure praise. Who knew leadership in Media came with so many nuanced noises and silences, even that side eye if I speak for some of my family members?
But seriously since early April I have been in a limbo; halfway between renewal and my own personal comedy show!
After a much needed medical trip to India (with a well-chosen caregiver, my posh baby sister Abby) forced a helicopter view of my life – minus the helicopter budget of course – I found myself squarely in crossroads where 3 paths only emerged each shouting “pick me!”
Before India I had been posting about Turnarounds – I now have had a total rethink of what that term “turnaround” actually means, but the 11 factors still count on what to look out for when aiming to steer a business towards better results. I got feedback on some of the tools I alluded to and I am now set on a long term conversation around Continual Improvement, Lean, Kaizen, atomic habits tools that have led my 20+ career and perfected intention as I call it.
Let me share these 3 crossroads, but keep this in mind – Sustainable change is not a single heroic salad eating moment or one off 5km walk to shed those inches but a daily practice, measured steps, intention for a different looking future e.g. a well run business.
Ok Crossroads, forks, and contradictions felt the same to me. Sometimes they intertwined, separated…even left! Only to wake me up with a fright at some odd hour in the middle of the night!
Here goes. First, fighting for what matters from where I am. In the past, I might have launched a massive turnaround head-on; now I might apply lean gradually – identify the smallest viable change that moves the needle. For me, that means tackling integration and improving personal health through bite-sized coping strategies, while pursuing building something bigger than myself via steady, measurable improvements. It also now means forming a support network for leaders and dreamers craving sustainable growth—as if we’re on a quest for the Holy Grail of constant progress. I battled doubts like an awkward talent-show contestant, remembering that shared effort illuminates the way forward. Perhaps the next blog series will be “The Art of Incremental Awesomeness.” Who needs drama when there’s Kaizen?
The second path—and perhaps the more painful one—asked me to leave behind what no longer serves me – to eliminate waste (Muda, Mura and Muri). I confronted the fear of stepping away from the familiar: day structure, or limiting mindsets about life and work. Letting go is becoming a radical act of self-love, like shedding layers of a cocoon. This is fundamental to Lean: identifying and courageously removing activities, habits, or beliefs that drain energy without adding value. As I distanced myself from musts, I prioritized well-being and reclaimed the mental space to dream bigger – creating capacity for value-adding work and growth. In this regard I am glad that I joined this very interesting industry.
The third path required me to summon wisdom in the face of unavoidable challenges – to practice radical acceptance as a form of problem-solving; a powerful tool for navigating uncertainty. I learned to embrace life’s beautiful messiness: acknowledging chronic health challenges, facing setbacks, and breathing through pain. Lean teaches us to see problems clearly, not hide from them. By accepting what I cannot control, I can focus my energy on my reactions and decisions – establishing healthy boundaries (standard work for self-care) and building resilience. Each brave step toward self-care, even amid uncertainty, has become a leap of faith grounded in reality.
Choosing any of these paths has also become an act of self-agency flowing from self-awareness, conviction, and integrity. I refuse to delegate my life’s direction. Instead, I will step forward courageously. In this landscape, ambivalence is morphing into clarity. Braving life is specific and requires personal engagement; there’s no shortcut – only the continuous path of personal Kaizen.
Throughout this season, I’ve deeply believed in the power of community nurturing growth. This understanding has fueled my shift towards Kaizen and Lean. I yearn to be more than a business change catalyst, I want to be a beacon, helping others build sustainable systems for their lives and work. My mission is born from — perfected intention.
So here I am, raising the quirky, comedic roller coaster of journey. Let’s see where these paths will take me. After all, life is about twists, turns, and perhaps a few amusing stories along the way.
Look out for the series of these amazing lean tools and how I’ve taken on the place in between, crossroads.
