Choosing Less, Creating More
As we integrate new Christmas gifts into our lives — sweaters, socks, books, toys — something else often happens quietly alongside the joy.
We take a fresh look at what’s already there.
What still fits? What feels worn out? What no longer matches who we are now?
That sweater that once felt perfect is suddenly too tight. Some old toys have lost their magic. The well-intentioned gifts from years past no longer belong in this season.
Thoughtful leaders do this same kind of inventory, not just with their closets, but with their work habits, communication patterns, and expectations of themselves.
And this moment ... right here, at the start of a new year ... is the perfect time to choose again.
Not by adding more, but by subtracting what no longer fits.
Right now, we’re being encouraged to add constantly: more scripts, more frameworks, more productivity hacks, more content, more “thought leadership”
AI has only accelerated this. It’s never been easier to produce more words, more posts, more noise.
And yet… many leaders feel heavier, not freer. More overwhelmed, not more effective. More visible, but less connected.
Adding more often creates weight, not impact.
The leaders I see rising above the noise aren’t the ones chasing every new trend. They’re the ones practicing discernment.
They’re closing loops. Letting go of habits that once served them. Choosing coherence over constant motion. Creating collaboration and trust with less, not more.
It’s the same reason we eventually reach for the sweaters with clean lines, good stitching, and tags that don’t irritate the back of our necks.
Quality over clutter. Presence over performance. Connection over scripts.
So instead of packing our calendars, conversations, and teams with more techniques this year, what if we made space for something simpler — and far more powerful?
Well-crafted conversations. Curiosity instead of control. Moments of presence that quiet the room and invite real collaboration.
The new year doesn’t require reinvention. Sometimes it simply asks for coherence. And from that space, we can build trust and true collaboration.
Truly,
Jackie
Quiet Signals
A few gentle reflections to carry with you.
- What's one habit, script or expectation you could gently retire?
- Where might less effort create more clarity or trust?
- What would it look like to lead with presence instead of polish in a conversation this week?
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. Reply to this email and I'll send you the calendar invite & link.
The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher
A fantastic book to remind us people relax when they feel understood.
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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.
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