Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work in environments where appreciation wasn’t just a fleeting gesture—it was woven into the fabric of the culture. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with talented, creative, and mission-driven individuals who inspired me daily. These experiences have shaped not only who I am as a leader but also the values I hold close. My journey of professional and personal growth has been deeply enriched by the positive environments I’ve been part of and the continuous learning opportunities I’ve received, all of which have taught me the true power of gratitude.

Team learning is more than just a collaborative effort; it’s a process deeply rooted in neuroscience. When individuals learn together in a team, the brain's social and cognitive functions are activated in unique ways, enhancing the learning experience and outcomes.

Envision working in an organization where work feels more like play, where failure is not penalized but rewarded because learning from the past improves the future. Envision working in an organization where everyone has an opportunity to become an expert in his/her current job and/or develop for a future role. And imagine this organization not only builds intrinsic motivation for employees, but cultivates team learning, all leading to improved performance results.

Times they are a changin’. And, without a clear approach on developing our talent, our talent will not develop technical and interpersonal/soft/relationship skills needed for optimal results. We are going through so many unprecedented changes: technological advancements; employee exodus/resignations; social awareness and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI); remote work, masked work; political divisiveness; physical and mental stressors and more. This is a time for upskilling, for reskilling, and for career conversations.