Grateful and Grounded: Finding Steady Ground in a Season of Change
Wow. It’s November. Can you believe it? Every year seems to move faster than the one before it, and 2025 has been no exception. It’s been a year of motion—of shifts in business, in teams, in the economy, and in each of us personally. Change has become our constant companion, and yet in all the movement, I’ve been asking myself one simple question: how do I stay grounded?
For me, that starts with gratitude. Not just the kind we post about or say around the dinner table once a year, but the kind that becomes a daily practice. Gratitude that changes the way we see the people around us, the work we do, and even the small, passing moments. I’ve learned that gratitude doesn’t just make me feel better—it brings me back to what matters most.
Sometimes gratitude looks like something small—a wave to a driver who lets you merge, a genuine thank-you to a colleague, or a moment of acknowledgment in a meeting that could’ve easily moved on without it. Those small acts remind us that leadership isn’t always about authority or achievement. It’s about awareness—seeing people before positions, and humanity before hierarchy.
And then, there’s the other half of the equation: being grounded. In a season full of shifting priorities, headlines, and emotions, staying grounded is an act of courage. It’s about knowing what we believe, holding fast to our values, and being steady when the winds of change start to blow. Being grounded doesn’t mean standing still—it means standing firm. Like a tree by the water, rooted deeply enough to bend without breaking.
At Translator’s Consulting Group, we talk often about inclusion, leadership, and growth. But underneath all of it, the real work is about helping people stay connected—to their values, to one another, and to the bigger “why” behind what they do. Because when we’re grounded in that connection, we make better decisions. We give feedback with compassion instead of frustration. We lead people, not processes.
As the year comes to a close, I know that many of us are stepping into end-of-year conversations—performance reviews, team reflections, maybe even personal resets. My encouragement is simple: approach those moments with gratitude first. Gratitude opens the door to honest dialogue. It sets the tone for accountability that feels supportive, not sharp. When we lead with gratitude, feedback becomes an opportunity for growth, not a source of fear.
That’s also what coaching is about. Our coaching isn’t a quick fix or a pep talk—it’s a partnership in perspective. It’s about creating space for leaders to pause, reflect, and realign before they act. I’ve been coached myself for over a decade, and I can tell you firsthand: the power of coaching lies in the pause. It helps us notice the patterns, name the truths, and move forward with intention.
As we head into the closing months of 2025, I’m holding two commitments close—to stay grateful and to stay grounded. Those two things aren’t just personal goals; they’re leadership strategies. Gratitude keeps us human. Grounding keeps us whole. My hope is that wherever this season finds you—leading a team, running a business, or finding your next step—you take a moment to plant your feet, breathe deeply, and give thanks for where you are and who’s walking with you.