The Open Line

Jackie Brown March 1st The Open Line Honest conversations. Real presence. Leadership people want to follow. ↓ Influence starts earlier than you think. In the previous email we took a look at what happens when a group of colleagues slows down enough to think together. They created a shared understanding, made better decisions then forged a new, faster path forward. But how can we get that same sort of cohesion in a room where the power is skewed? What does a program lead do when they need to...

Jackie Brown February 15th The Open Line Honest conversations. Real presence. Leadership people want to follow. ↓ Alignment's big miss Eight pairs of eyes looked up at me as I invited them to share what surfaced in their paired conversations. This workshop was just a few minutes in and this group was already leaning in, eager to learn more. Right away, one participant shared what came up in her conversation. Immediately across the table, someone else agreed and heads started nodding around...

Jackie Brown February 1st The Open Line Honest conversations. Real presence. Leadership people want to follow. ↓ Bringing presence to power Wow. January. Feels like a whole year happened within its 31 days. Would it be fair to say we're all carrying more than what we're saying out loud? And yet, I keep noticing how some of that weight lifts — briefly, quietly — in surprisingly small ways. A warm smile to a cashier. Someone listening without checking their phone. A real conversation over a cup...

Jackie Brown January 18th The Open Line Honest conversations. Real presence. Leadership people want to follow. ↓ The bad side of good ideas As I grabbed another tissue from the bedside table, my laptop shifted, but I could’ve sworn I heard the group simply move on. I sat upright, trying to think through the cold meds, to focus on the meeting. Yup, they did it. They barrelled straight from good idea to planning. And all I could muster was a sigh as I leaned back on the pillows. What is it...

Jackie Brown January 4th The Open Line Honest conversations. Real presence. Leadership people want to follow. ↓ 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...

Meaningful eMail Resources for crafting a meaningful second half Hi there Reader, Happy New Year! I hope the turn into 2026 is feeling spacious, steady, and full of possibility for you. This time of year naturally invites reflection — what we’re carrying forward, and what feels ready to be released with care. As I’ve been doing my own reflecting, one thing has become clear: it’s time to bring the Meaningful emails and the season of Shifting Success to a close. This work has centered on one...

Jackie Brown December 21st The Open Line Honest conversations. Real presence. Leadership people want to follow. ↓ 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 —...

Jackie Brown December 7th The Open Line Honest conversations. Real presence. Leadership people want to follow. ↓ The moment she felt her value. Her fork froze halfway from plate to palate.Her eyes froze too, staring at me like I’d just sprouted reindeer antlers. Then she sat back and said, “Why didn’t I think of that? How could I have forgotten something I’ve done for years?” My lunch companion—courageously taking college classes mid-career—had been thinking about picking up a retail...

Jackie Brown November 23rd The Open Line Honest conversations. Real presence. Leadership people want to follow. ↓ The moment a client stopped rehearsing and started leading. “You gotta help me with this performance review I’m doing tomorrow!” She was so worried about it. I could see the tension in her shoulders, her face, and hear it in the rushed tone as she launched into just how difficult this employee — this conversation — was going to be. The employee was passive aggressive. A long-timer...