It’s that time of year again when I invite you to look ahead to 2026 in a slightly unconventional way.
Let’s be honest, 2025 has been a whirlwind for business leaders: organizational shifts, economic uncertainty, industry disruptions, and plenty of unexpected turns. Anything you planned in Q1 may have unfolded beautifully… or been completely derailed. And as I’m writing this, it feels like 2026 may bring its own share of volatility and change.
Why Leaders Need an Anchor in Unpredictable Seasons
When leadership feels unpredictable, having something simple to anchor you can make all the difference. That’s why each year, I choose a “Word of the Year.” One word that helps me stay intentional, no matter what’s unfolding around me.
I share my word at the end of each year to show you that I practice the same leadership principles I teach. My own reflection becomes a springboard for you to choose a word that supports your own growth as a leader.
This time, the word came earlier than usual. I knew in early December 2024 that “Fluid” would be the word that traveled with me in 2025. I’ve always been inspired by a short poem by John O’Donohue:
What’s the first image of flowing water that pops into your mind when you read this?
For me, it’s a lazy river. The kind where you can gently float in an inner tube without any effort, direction, or urgency because you trust the current.
Of course, that’s not exactly how leadership works. While I wished for ease, I also knew 2025 would require adaptability, resilience, and the ability to stay present during rapid change.
Why “Fluid” Became My Leadership Lens for 2025
When I picked Fluid, I knew many forms of water existed. I was looking for a word that would help me stay present with whatever was happening, accept it (which doesn’t mean liking it), and be patient as the way forward appeared.
Here’s how those forms mirror the leadership journey:
- Raging rivers.
Sometimes business moves with such force that everything is swept up in the momentum. There’s no malice or intention behind the disruption. It’s simply the intensity of change.
- Waterfalls.
Imagine being the drop of water at the edge of a cliff. In leadership, this can feel like standing at the brink of a major decision or unexpected change. Do you surrender to the freefall and trust your strategy, or paddle against the inevitable shift, hoping to stay where you are?
- Stagnant ponds.
Sometimes water settles into stillness, unaware that other droplets are evaporating or drifting away. In leadership, this mirrors seasons when progress slows. It’s not failure; it’s a period of waiting, recalibrating, or preparing for what’s next.
- Transformation.
Water changes form and becomes liquid, solid, gas, only to become liquid again. It might even be absorbed by plants or animals to fuel a different journey entirely. In the same way, leaders evolve as circumstances shift.
What My Year of “Fluid” Looked Like as a Leader and Consultant
Many of you know I said goodbye to my faithful four-legged friend, Larry, at the end of 2024. It was sudden, and the shock felt like I’d been pushed off the edge of a cliff.
Three weeks later, much sooner than planned, a new puppy arrived (Lenny). Grief and chaos overlapped as I found myself outside every hour, boots on, coat zipped, ready for rapid-response puppy training. A very literal reminder that when you’re not paying attention, things can quickly flow where you don’t want them to.
Professionally, I accepted that a lucrative consulting contract was ending. It would’ve been easy to fear that my flow of work and income might dry up like a stagnant pond. Instead, the floodgates opened. I experienced a surge of new opportunities, including more than 20 public speaking engagements. Letting go of what I couldn’t control created space for paths I hadn’t previously considered.
Then there was the St. Thomas trip. Due to flight delays, I landed 24 hours before my travel companion, who also happened to be the designated navigator. Learning to drive on the opposite side of the road, and follow a map alone, brought stay in your lane to a whole new level. Once my niece arrived, the rest of the trip flowed like a lazy river.
I also traveled with my mom, niece, and new dog to the banks of the Mississippi River. We watched the sun set, the water move, the leaves change, and ate outstanding pie from one of the top-rated bakeries in the country every day we were there. Zero regrets.
Leadership in a High-Pressure Year
If things have felt like they’re moving too fast, you’re not alone. 2025 has been a lot.
Inflation, tariffs, healthcare costs, government shutdowns, shifting political dynamics… it’s been intense for everyone, from executives to entrepreneurs to entire organizations adjusting their strategies.
I’d love to promise that 2026 will be easier, but the signals don’t point in that direction. Which is why now might be the perfect time to release the usual pressure of creating resolutions, strategic plans, or ambitious performance targets.
Instead, choose a Word of the Year.
A Leadership Practice: Choose One Word for 2026
One. Single. Word. A word that:
- Inspires you
- Challenges you
- Calms you
- Supports you
- Balances you
Picking a Word of the Year gives you the freedom to align towards what you want without attaching too tightly to outcomes. It brings clarity to decision-making, reconnects you with your values, and helps you lead with authenticity, even in volatile seasons.
A Free Resource to Guide Your Reflection
If you want support in this process, I highly recommend the free workbook “Unravel Your Year” by Susannah Conway. It’s a meaningful way to reflect on what unfolded during the year and what you want more of in the next one.
You don’t have to complete every section, just choose what resonates and let the rest go.
Download the free workbook here. What’s Calling to you as you think of the year ahead? I can’t wait to see how your word (and year) unfolds.