Description

I spent time this week in a musical improv class, and it was a masterclass in one thing: staying on the beat. In improv, if your mind wanders for even a second, you’re out of sync with the whole team. It made me think about a request my son made when he was little for my "phone-free attention." That request stuck with me because giving someone our undivided focus is the most basic act of leadership we can offer. In this micro-lesson, I’m exploring why inclusion isn’t a grand gesture—it’s the radical, simple act of being fully present.

Takeaways:

• The Gift of Presence: Why undivided attention is a non-negotiable leadership skill.
• Mental Leftovers: How to stop dragging the energy of your last "scene" into your next meeting.
• Tactical Grounding: Why staying in the moment sometimes requires tools like compartmentalizing (or even fidget toys).
• Your Challenge: Where are you finding it hard to stay on the beat today, and what’s one thing you can do to tune back in?

Good Vibes to Go: Watch the documentary Come See Me in the Good Light on Apple TV. It’s about poet Andrea Gibson navigating their terminal diagnosis. It sounds dark but it’s actually joyful, love-filled, and even funny.

Connect with Me

• The Newsletter: This week in the newsletter, I wrote about prime-time disability leadership in Major League Baseball coverage, funding the first Inuit-led university, and more! Subscribe to the 5 Things Newsletter here. 
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