​

ISSUE 27

8 JANUARY 2025 | READ ONLINE​

Hi Reader,

Have you ever felt out of sync with the rhythm of your life or career? Like you’re trying to sprint through a season that’s asking you to slow down or waiting impatiently when everything around you feels dormant?

Here’s the thing: Life and leadership are cyclical. Just like the natural world, we go through seasons. Each one serves a purpose, but only if we embrace it. Resist, and you’ll find yourself exhausted, spinning your wheels in frustration. Align with it, and suddenly, even the hardest moments feel meaningful.

When I look back, the most transformational shifts in my career came when I understood what season I was in. When I stopped trying to force a harvest in winter or resist the rest that winter required.

Let’s go deeper into these seasons and what they teach us about purpose-driven leadership:

Spring: Planting the Seeds

Spring is a time of possibility. The air is full of potential, but here’s the catch. It’s also full of uncertainty. You’re working hard, investing energy into ideas and relationships, but the results aren’t visible yet.

In leadership, this is when you’re building a foundation. You’re developing skills, forming connections, or starting a new project. It’s exciting, but it can also feel lonely. You might wonder, “Is this even working?”

Trust that it is. In spring, your job isn’t to see results - it’s to plant intentionally. The seeds you sow now will grow in ways you can’t yet imagine.

Summer: Nurturing Growth

Summer is vibrant, alive, and full of action. But let’s not romanticize it. Summer can also be hard. It’s when the days are long, the work is demanding, and the heat is relentless.

In leadership, summer feels like juggling priorities. You’re seeing progress, but it comes with responsibility and challenges. The key here is stamina. Not every seed will grow, and not every project will succeed. Protect your energy and focus on nurturing what truly matters.

Autumn: Harvesting the Rewards

Autumn is the season of fulfillment. The work you’ve put in pays off, whether it’s career growth, a completed project, or the clarity of a lesson learned. But here’s the catch: Harvesting requires intention.

In leadership, autumn is about recognizing and celebrating your wins. It’s about gathering insights and preparing for what’s next. Too often, leaders rush through this phase, eager to jump into the next thing. Don’t. Autumn is when you fortify yourself for the cycle ahead.

Winter: Reflecting and Resting

Winter is misunderstood. It’s quiet, slow, even bleak at times (hello, Pacific Northwest clouds and rain). But beneath the surface, transformation is happening. Roots are deepening, and clarity is forming.

In leadership, winter is when you step back, reassess, and realign. It’s a time for tough questions:

Am I on the right path? What needs to change? What’s worth carrying forward? Winter isn’t about doing. It’s about being. It’s about letting go of what no longer serves you so you can make space for what’s next.

Why This Matters for Purpose-Driven Leaders

The best leaders don’t fight the seasons. They work with them. They recognize that growth isn’t linear and that every phase, even the challenging ones, holds value.

Think about your current season. Are you planting, nurturing, harvesting, or resting? Are you resisting the season you’re in because it feels uncomfortable or inconvenient?

Leadership isn’t just about action. It’s about alignment. When you honor your season, you lead not only with clarity but with sustainability.

This Week’s Reflections

Here’s what I’ve been writing about this week on LinkedIn:

💡 “Ever had that Barbecue Moment?”: I joined Christian Harris on his podcast, The Safety and Risk Success Podcast. We discussed many topics, but one that made me chuckle was a reflection on what happens when people ask about your job. Catch it here.

💡 “Your Dream Job Isn't On LinkedIn”: I wrote about how you can design your dream role in ways you may not have thought about. Read it here.

💡 I've just started a Mindfulness Certification Program. It's a mix of neuroscience, meditation, and mindfulness. I wrote about staying grounded in this post.

Books I'm Enjoying Right Now

🌟 "Wintering" by Katherine May: This book beautifully explores how embracing life’s winters can lead to unexpected growth. It's a must-read if you’re in a reflective phase.

🌟 “The Great Work of Your Life” by Stephen Cope: This book has been a profound guide in understanding purpose and alignment. If you’re questioning your path and if you enjoy yoga, you might like this one.

Your Turn

What season are you in right now, and what is it teaching you? Hit reply - I’d love to hear.

Here’s to leading with purpose, one season at a time.

- Megan

​

P.S. If you’re ready to align your career with your values and create a purpose-driven path, join my group coaching program starting February 3, 2025.

It’s 4 weeks of transformation, complete with access to the Design Your Brilliant Future course and community, private podcasts, videos, scripts, templates, and so much more.

Use code EARLYBIRD50 to save $50. Learn more here.

​

​