Hello Reader,

Happy New Year!

Each month, I open my chair to you — sharing reflections on conscious leadership, practical tools to sharpen your skills, and resources that support both personal and professional fulfillment.

This is a space for conscious leaders. Because in a world driven by data, the greatest advantage isn’t more information — it’s the courage to stay deeply human.

“ Begin as you mean to go on. — Charles Haddon Spurgeon

From My Chair to Yours

The holidays were beautiful, but also busy, emotional, and, for many of us, stressful in ways we didn’t expect. There’s joy in family gatherings and rituals… and then there’s the kind of stress that comes from trying to be everything to everyone, while also showing up as our best selves at work.

After the holiday rush, it’s not uncommon to show up in January and immediately feel pulled in too many directions: mentally, emotionally, and physically. Some of us carry extra pounds of expectation, unspoken guilt, or the sense that we “should” bounce back instantly.

This season reminded me of two things:
1) Leaders aren’t exempt from human stress — we feel it fully.
2) How we respond to that stress matters more than the stress itself.

If you’ve noticed your energy dip or your patience fray over the holidays, you aren’t weak or flawed, you’re human. And there’s science behind why fresh starts (like January 1st) can actually help us reset and build new patterns if we know how to work with them.

A great resource for understanding this is a recent conversation on The Mel Robbins Podcast with Dr. Katy Milkman, a behavioral scientist at Wharton. In Episode #356, they explore how moments like the New Year create psychological “fresh start” momentum, and how that momentum can help you form habits that stick — not by relying on willpower, but by understanding how the brain actually works.

You can listen to the episode here:
👉 https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-356/

Reflection: What one small leadership pattern do you want to reset this month — not by force, but by intention?

Conscious Leadership Corner

After demanding seasons, many leaders respond by accelerating. More discipline. Tighter goals. Higher expectations. The belief is that momentum comes from intensity. In reality, sustainable leadership begins with awareness. Noticing where pressure shows up first and choosing intention over habit. That pressure usually lives in one recurring moment during the day. Conscious leadership does not require fixing everything at once. It requires one stabilizing choice, repeated until clarity returns..

Micro-Practice: Reset Without Pressure

• Identify one moment in your day that reliably feels rushed, reactive, or tense
• Choose one small adjustment you can make in that moment, such as pausing before responding or clarifying expectations
• Repeat that adjustment consistently for the next five days
• Notice what shifts in your energy, communication, or decision-making

You are not overhauling your leadership. You are reinforcing your capacity to lead with steadiness and intention.

Books That Built Me

Atomic Habits — James Clear

• Why it mattered: After a back injury, I had to rethink how I approached exercise and consistency. This book helped me let go of the all-or-nothing mindset and reconnect with movement gently, without pressure or self-judgment. It reframed progress as something built through trust and patience rather than force.
• Key takeaway: Sustainable change comes from small, repeatable actions that align with who you want to become, not from dramatic resets or sheer willpower.
• Who it’s for: Leaders who want to rebuild momentum after disruption and are ready to create change that feels steady, humane, and realistic instead of exhausting.

Explore the AWARENESS Leadership Advantage

If this newsletter resonates, you’ll love the AWARENESS Leadership Advantage — my signature course designed to help leaders reconnect with their power, presence, and purpose.

We start another cohort of leaders on January 23rd. Join us today!

This month, try one of the reflection questions or micro-practices above and hit reply to tell me what you noticed. I read every response.

If you know someone who would love this newsletter, forward it along — they can join us here.

Until then, I hope you have a powerful day,
​

Joanna Douglas
Conscious Leadership Coach, Speaker, Teacher Founder of Enneagram Ensight

Exciting Projects Coming in 2026

January 18th and 31st online: Design 2026 with Intention: a workshop collaboration with Joanna and Lynn Stine to create 2026 with intention, purpose, and fulfillment. Join the waitlist when more details are available!

January 23rd - The 2nd AWARENESS Leadership Advantage cohort starts at 2:30pm Central - see the "learn more" button above.

March, Women's Leadership Circles, join the waitlist when more details are available, you'll be the first to know!