I am committed to being in right relationship with what matters most. Although I will falter, because that is the human condition, there is imperfection even with good intentions.

The phrase “right relationship” first came to consciousness during a retreat some 20 years ago. At that time, I questioned how I was being in my relationships with myself, those in my personal and professional circles, in my community, societally, and as a citizen of the planet. I quickly realized that I first needed to get “right” with myself, which required a level of honesty I had not previously allowed.

This right relationship with self is still being fleshed out. It is mostly about unlearning what I’ve internalized while leaning into manifesting the intentions that are mine to complete in this lifetime. We’ve heard to be mindful of our attention and intention, but I submit for your consideration that intention (and mindfulness) is a poor predictor of change.

Mindfulness without discipline, the efficacy of action, and grasping one’s place in the scheme of things, makes understanding the meaning and significance of this one precious life, and clearly seeing the gaps, elusive. Yes, we can be mindful of the gaps while opting to be in a relationship with what is possible: to mutually care for the other.

Although this might not be new information, it is worth repeating. Without a bit of soul-searching, attention + intention + action can become just another check-the-box activity—conceptualizing, then moving through the motion, without internalizing.

The question to ask is: how will that type of surface behavior result in a real change?

On A Personal Level

I have been told that I am too introspective. When I hear this, depending on who is making the declaration, I get in my feelings. I bristle at the idea that being introspective might be a problem, when it might not be.

In a world that is in turbo drive, being introspective doesn’t always jive with quick, pithy business approaches. With a commitment to better understand the gaps between positive intention and action, I will at times take the longer, less traveled path. This is not to be contrary, but to challenge what I think I know and to understand for myself.

One thing is certain: relationships are not static. They shift, people change, and insights deepen with the changing seasons. This commitment to being in right relationship with what matters most includes my livelihood.

Personal Informs the Professional

At the heart of any well-being strategy is the PEOPLE and their relationships with OTHER PEOPLE in SYSTEMS and ORGANIZATIONS. Given the diverse workforce and the ways people work, it is imperative for organizations to understand their needs. Designing a meaningful vision for well-being begins with listening.

Listen. Listen. Listen.

I hold a strong belief that those most affected by well-being initiatives must help shape them. While scientific evidence and benchmarks provide valuable guidance, they must be interpreted with a critical eye to ensure alignment with the organization’s context and the lived experiences of those in it.

I aim to design and implement broad-responsive strategies that are nimble enough to adapt to a shifting ecosystem. This takes a systems-thinking approach, examining relationships, feedback loops, and structures that influence behavior, processes, and outcomes. By asking questions that illuminate how policies, practices, and culture interact, we build awareness of how change can be both supported and sustained.

When organizations view their well-being strategies from the perspective of value on investment (VOI), they are less likely to cut their programs during challenging economic or geopolitical times. Their relationship with these strategies becomes an investment in the PEOPLE and the FUTURE they are manifesting.

I believe when we are clear about how we want to be in relationship, the gap between our desires and reality begins to close. Naming that, and practicing it, is paramount in a mutually supportive relationship. I deliberately examine what informs the choices made to align attention with intention and action, remaining receptive to the nuances that shape right relationships.

Supporting your well-being. Supporting our collective well-being.