I never thought quitting my varsity volleyball team would be part of my becoming. It felt like failure. But my first trip to Japan in 2000—at 20, for my Hatachi—changed that. In Goshogawara, Aomori, wrapped in a too-short kimono, the women smiled, “You’re the tallest Japanese person we’ve ever dressed!” They didn’t call me gaijin. They knew my jiichan and baachan. In that moment, I belonged—not by fitting in, but by being seen. My jiichan pointed to signs with his calligraphy, telling stories I felt more than understood. Belonging isn’t given. It’s felt—remembered through the body, when we’re still enough to receive it.

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Empathy. Self-awareness. Presence. These aren’t just “soft skills”—they’re survival skills in a tech-saturated world. In my journey of blending ancestral stories with AI tools, I uncovered something deeper: the future of leadership doesn’t lie in choosing between innovation and tradition, but in learning to lead from both. From my conversation with David Cory of EITC to the robot monk at Kyoto’s Kōdai-ji Temple, I’ve seen how the ancient and the emerging can harmonize. The real edge today? It’s in embracing the paradox—rooted in heritage, open to what’s next.

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What if leadership isn’t about control, closure, or constant output—but about creating space for insight?

That’s the question I found myself asking during a recent ice storm that took out the power for days. With no Wi-Fi, no meetings, and no distractions, I was left with time. Time to pause. Time to listen. And, unexpectedly, time to refine the finishing touches on the Human Impact Kata: Managers’ Impact course.

At first, I resisted the stillness. Like many of the leaders I work with, I’m used to moving things forward. But in that pause, something shifted. I began to see things I hadn’t noticed before—patterns, connections, themes I had been too busy to see. And one of them was this: So many of the qualities I had built into the course began with the same letter: C. Read More…

We’ve been sold a lopsided story about leadership: hard skills are non-negotiable, while soft skills are “nice to have.” But here’s the truth we don’t say out loud—soft skills aren’t soft. They’re the root system. We’ve been worshipping the branches—what’s visible, productive, fast. But without roots—presence, emotional clarity, humility—none of it holds.

In Japan, this isn’t a buzzword—it’s embedded in the spirit of Shokunin Kishitsu: the quiet discipline of showing up fully, with intention and pride. Skills aren’t separated from the soul. Leadership isn’t about being rigid—it’s about being supple.

This past weekend at AutoHACK, I witnessed something quietly powerful—leadership not as title or authority, but as presence, purpose, and partnership. In just 26 hours, 130 students tackled real-world challenges with heart, hustle, and humanity. As a mentor, I didn’t just guide—I was inspired. What if leadership isn’t about having answers, but creating space for better questions? What if it lives not in performance, but in presence? This weekend stirred something deeper, and I’m exploring it through my upcoming book And so, a tree still grows and a new leadership perception study. Tell me—what does leadership mean to you?

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My journey with the Ensō Mindset began with the quiet presence of my Jiichan, my Japanese grandfather. Though I never watched him practice calligraphy, I can imagine his brush moving across the canvas, creating bold strokes in his shodō paintings—an artist and a businessman shaping the world with deliberate, intentional movement. His art, now in my hands, became the inspiration for how I understood leadership, resilience, and ultimately, how my own brain worked.

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What if leadership wasn’t just about learning frameworks but about becoming them? What if, instead of simply understanding resilience, adaptability, and connection, you lived them so deeply they shaped every decision, every interaction, every challenge you faced? That’s the essence of The Human Impact Kata—a transformative practice designed to go beyond theory and embed leadership into who you are. Learn More About the H.I. Kata

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The Ensō (円相) circle, inspired by Zen philosophy, represents the beauty of imperfection, continuous practice, and the fluidity of mastery. In the heart of Japanese tradition lies a profound approach to mastery—one that transcends skill acquisition and delves into the very essence of learning, growth, and transformation. This philosophy is encapsulated in Shu Ha Ri (守破離), a framework that guides practitioners through stages of disciplined practice, adaptation, and ultimate transcendence. Rooted in centuries of martial arts, tea ceremony, and other revered disciplines, Shu Ha Ri is not just a method; it is a way of life.

To dive deeper and truly embody these principles, be sure to join my free webinar, where I will guide you through this path of intentional practice and real-world application. Sign up here 👉 Register Now

🔹 Mastery isn’t just about learning—it’s about embodying. Are you ready to step into the journey? 🔹

Have you ever had a leader who said all the right things—but you didn’t feel them? They meant well, but deep down, you wondered… Do you truly see me? Do you understand what fills my cup?

That gap—between words and presence—is what separates transactional leadership from authentic, felt leadership.

In Zen Buddhism, the Ensō (円相) is a hand-drawn circle—imperfect, fluid, and never complete. It symbolizes growth, presence, and continuous learning.

The deeper I explored Japanese philosophy, the more I saw a pattern: words tied to leadership, resilience, and transformation all shared one kanji—心 (Kokoro, heart-mind).

My Jiichan (grandfather) embodied this. While I grew up in Canada, he remained deeply rooted in Japan, shaping me in ways I only later understood.

We all have that voice in our head. The one that whispers, “Who do you think you are?” The one that convinces you to hold back, stay small, hesitate just a little longer. It doesn’t yell—it’s quieter than that. But it’s always there, lurking in the background, planting doubt.

And here’s the truth: Nobody thinks about you more than you do.

That voice? It’s relentless. Analyzing, replaying, second-guessing. And yet, we rarely stop to ask: Is this voice guiding me—or keeping me stuck?

If you’ve spent your career proving yourself, solving problems, and holding everything together, that voice isn’t just an occasional whisper—it’s a constant hum. It reminds you to be responsible. To anticipate challenges. To brace yourself.But what if that voice—your internal competition—is actually what’s keeping you from expanding?

Living Your Values: A Way of Being

Saying you have values is one thing. Living them is another. A tree’s strength lies in its roots—deep, unwavering, and essential for growth. In leadership, our roots are the values we embody, not just the words we speak. They must be practiced daily, nurtured over time, and strengthened through experience. Without strong roots, a tree cannot withstand the storms; without deeply held values, a leader cannot navigate challenges with resilience.

“A tree with strong roots can withstand the most violent storm, but the tree can’t grow roots just as the storm appears on the horizon.” — Dalai Lama

Leadership, like nature, thrives when it is deeply rooted. Resilience is not built in the chaos of the storm but in the quiet, intentional work of cultivating the values that ground us. Courage, vulnerability, self-awareness, and perspective are the foundational roots that sustain great leaders, enabling them to inspire trust and navigate challenges with grace.

Without these roots, leadership feels fragile and reactive. Leaders who avoid risk, shy away from hard conversations, or operate without self-awareness create instability, leading to disconnected teams and cultures of fear. In contrast, leaders with strong roots create environments where people feel safe, valued, and inspired to grow.

You know that perfect hum when you rub the rim of a crystal wine glass? It’s not magic—it’s alignment. The right balance of pressure and motion creates a resonance that’s both powerful and harmonious.

What if your life could hum like that?

At Ensō Mindset, we explore the art of aligning your why—your core purpose—with your actions. Through the synergy of Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle and the wisdom of the Ensō, we’ll guide you to create harmony between your internal values and your external world.

Start your journey toward clarity, flow, and purpose today. Together, let’s turn your “And So” moments into a legacy of growth and impact.

Have you ever paused to think about how much you’ve grown this year? It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to reflect—but when you do, it can be transformative. In fact, research from Harvard Business Review shows that structured reflection can boost leadership effectiveness by up to 20%. That’s a compelling reason to take a moment to look back before stepping forward.

As we close 2024—a year that likely tested your resilience and pushed you to adapt—there’s no better time to reflect on the journey that brought you here. I love the metaphor of a tree’s trunk for this. Just like the rings of a tree tell the story of its growth, every year leaves a mark on your leadership, shaped by both challenges and triumphs.

Set Your Year Off with High Intention and Power Goals

As the calendar turns to 2025, it’s time to pause, reflect, and step into the year with clarity and purpose. That’s what The Resilient Leader: Wisdom of the Tree 🌳 is all about—helping leaders like you build a strong foundation, grow intentionally, and thrive through challenges.

Inspired by the themes in my upcoming book, The Resilient Leader: Wisdom of the Tree, this two-part workshop series offers exclusive tools and insights to shape your year with authenticity, resilience, and vision.

The Wise Owls in the Leadership Tree: Cultivating Your Kensho Flock

Leadership is not a solitary endeavor. It thrives in connection, nurtured by the wisdom of those who guide, challenge, and inspire us. In my leadership journey, I’ve come to call these mentors my “Wise Owls”—figures perched high in the canopy of my leadership tree, offering perspective, insight, and encouragement to help me grow.

The metaphor of the tree is central to how I view leadership. Like a tree, a leader is rooted in core values, strengthened through resilience, and stretched outward by the branches of connection and influence. The fruit of this growth is the wisdom we share and the impact we leave on others. However, no tree grows in isolation; it is nourished by the ecosystem surrounding it. For leaders, this ecosystem is our Kensho Flock—a circle of Wise Owls whose guidance helps us to thrive.

Racing across open waters has taught me profound lessons about leadership, mirroring the unpredictable storms leaders face. Just like a tree weathering wind and rain, leadership requires deep roots, flexible branches, and the resilience to stand tall through adversity.

The Resilient Leader: Rooted in Purpose, Flexible in Action

The wisdom of the tree offers a timeless metaphor for leadership. A resilient tree doesn’t resist storms; it bends, absorbs, and adapts while remaining deeply rooted in the soil that sustains it. Leaders who embody this wisdom recognize that strength comes from within—anchored in values, nourished by learning, and tested by challenges.

What if the secret to authentic leadership lies in something as small as a seed?

Much like a seed carries the DNA that determines its growth, your leadership DNA holds the unique values, experiences, and strengths that define who you are. These elements form the foundation of your growth, just as a seed’s roots anchor it in the soil. Growth, however, doesn’t happen automatically—it begins with curiosity, the first root that drives exploration and transformation.

Curiosity is more than just a spark; it is the first root of leadership growth. It compels us to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and embrace change.

What if the secret to authentic leadership lies in something as simple as a tree? Trees embody resilience, adaptability, and connection, offering profound lessons for leaders. Like a seed growing into a strong and flexible tree, leadership requires nurturing roots in self-awareness, values, and relationships, while branches extend outward toward growth and opportunity.

The tree’s wisdom isn’t about striving for perfection but embracing change, balancing strength with vulnerability, and fostering collective growth. From the “wood wide web” of interconnected roots to the ability to bend without breaking in a storm, trees remind us that true leadership thrives through connection and adaptability.

The Resilient Leader: Wisdom of the Tree is a transformative framework rooted in timeless leadership principles. From deep roots of values and resilience to the branches of influence and the fruits of impact, this metaphor guides leaders to grow authentically while nurturing their teams and organizations. Discover how alignment, emotional intelligence, and purposeful action can help you weather storms, foster growth, and leave a lasting legacy. Grow your leadership from within—because every tree starts with a seed.