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Hi Reader, Welcome to Your Dose of Mana — a quick, weekly note with: If your biggest business challenges are actually people challenges, you’re in the right place. 1 Real Story There’s nothing like being in a room full of blind people to gain clarity of vision. Last month, I attended the Helen Keller Achievement Awards in New York with my friend Kathy Nimmer, who was being honored. Kathy is extraordinary. And the event itself was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when people refuse to let perceived limitations define them. But something unexpected happened while I was there. At the end of last year, I decided I was done raising guide dog puppies. After nearly 30 years. Seventeen dogs. It felt like that chapter had run its course. And if I’m being completely honest, part of that decision was tied to my last experience. I left feeling like what I brought to the table wasn’t valued. And over time, I began confusing that feeling with irrelevance. So I assumed that chapter was over. Then I got to New York. And I found myself in conversations with leaders from other guide dog organizations who saw my experience very differently. They were excited about it. Not just my puppy-raising experience. But the combination of:
They saw the connections others hadn’t. And suddenly I found myself wondering: Maybe this chapter isn’t over. Maybe I’m just meant to walk a different path. 1 Leadership Insight Sometimes an experience leaves you feeling unvalued… …and you mistake that feeling for irrelevance. Read that again. Not being recognized in one space can quietly convince you that your contribution doesn’t matter. That your best work is behind you. But often that isn’t true. It’s more likely your value hasn’t disappeared. It simply wasn’t being recognized in the environment you were in. And sometimes all it takes is one conversation, one opportunity, or one new room to remind you: You’re not done yet. 1 Practical Takeaway Before you walk away from something you once loved, ask yourself: Am I truly done? Or did I stop feeling valued? Those are very different things. Sometimes endings are real. And sometimes what feels like an ending should actually be a redirection or a relocation. A different path toward using your experience in a way that feels more meaningful. Don’t let one experience define you or your future contribution. You may not be finished. You may simply be headed somewhere you couldn’t see yet. 1 Dose of Art A little whimsy. A little joy. A little doodle.
Doodle by Gary Schechner, 6/1/2025 Even though this is a “mass email” I mean it when I say—let me know what you are up to. Reply, book a Zoom, pick up the phone. I’d love to catch up. If people issues are slowing down your business, let’s fix that. Thanks for letting me show up in your inbox. More joy. Less friction. Always. |