A gift you already have
Cozy, quiet mornings near the Christmas tree are moments I truly treasure.
The glow of soft lights makes our glittery mementos sparkle just a little more. Wooden silhouettes mark special traditions: a simple nativity scene near the top, a handful of national park animals tucked along one side. Each one tells a story.
And beneath the tree are the gifts — each carefully chosen, wrapped in pretty paper and tied with shiny bows.
This season of giving usually centers on the gifts we can place under the tree. But the ones that create the most meaningful moments aren’t found in any store or online cart.
There’s one in particular I hope you’ll open — not later, not someday — but right now.
It’s the gift of your presence.
Not productivity. Not performance. Not polish.
Presence.
The kind that says I’m here with you — not distracted, not rehearsing, not rushing ahead to what’s next.
This gift is often buried under good intentions:
- the need to please
- the fear of getting it wrong
- the quiet pressure to prove we belong
It’s easy to overlook because it isn’t shiny. It doesn’t announce itself. It doesn’t come with talking points or a script.
And yet, it’s the one we need most.
Because this year has been a lot.
Uncertainty in the job market. Economic whiplash. Constant change, now amplified by AI reshaping how we work, communicate, and connect.
So many conversations this year felt rushed, transactional, or hollow. So many people quietly craving to be seen, not solved.
And that’s why your presence matters now more than ever.
Not as another thing to do better. But as a way to come home to what already works.
As we head toward a new year, here’s what I find myself wishing for you:
+ Less proving. More connecting.
+ Fewer scripts. Deeper listening.
+ Fewer performances. More permission to be human.
Because impact and influence don’t come from having the right words at the right time. They come from helpin people feel understood.
And when you give that gift — in meetings, in conversations, in moments that matter — something shifts. People open up. Trust builds. Collaboration replaces tug-of-war.
That’s the work I’m leaning into as we close out this year and what I’m carrying forward into 2026.
If you're intrigued, stay close. There’s more to come... conversations, gatherings, and spaces where presence isn’t just encouraged… it’s practiced.
For now, my wish for you is simple:
May you slow down just enough to offer the gift only you can give. And may it be received more fully than you expect.
Truly,
Jackie
Quiet Signals
A few gentle reflections to carry with you. You don’t need to journal for an hour. These are meant to be noticed, not perfected.
- Where did you feel most present this year?
Not most productive. Not most impressive. Most here.
- Who makes you feel genuinely seen when you talk to them?
What do they do — or not do — that creates that feeling?
- Where might presence matter more than having the right words?
One conversation. One meeting. One relationship.
- As you look toward 2026, what would it mean to bring a little less polish — and a little more humanity — into how you show up?
Let these questions sit with you. No answers required.
Signal Boosts
If you want to explore this idea a bit more, here are a few ways to go deeper — all optional, all pressure-free:
January No Reading Required Book Club
We’re gathering on January 20 to explore The Trusted Advisor a classic on trust, presence, and influence that doesn’t rely on charisma or cleverness. No reading required. Come curious. Leave with insight you can actually use.🎧 A simple listening experiment
In one conversation this week, try this:Don’t fix. Don’t advise. Don’t relate it back to yourself.
Just listen and reflect back what you hear.
Notice what changes.
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Hi there! I'm Jackie.
I help thoughtful people turn clarity + connection into the kind of leadership others want to follow.
LinkedIn Website
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