Years ago, and for about 10 years, I worked with a client.  Let’s call her Louise.  

Louise is thoughtful, intuitive, bold, and one of the best major gift fundraisers I’ve worked with.

Louise is gracious, full of energy, and a consummate hostess who invites you into her home.  Literally.  For wine, for meals, for overnights.  And to rescue you from life’s little obstacles like flat tires or no-show taxis (back in the day before Uber).

un·com·pro·mis·ing /ˌənˈkämprəˌmīziNG/ adjective: showing an unwillingness to make concessions to others, especially by changing one’s ways or opinions. 

Doesn’t strike the right tone in the workplace? 

Recently I’ve noticed a disturbing trend.  

Leaders of professional service firms who are withdrawing instead of communicating.  

What does that look like?  

It looks like lost business. 

More damagingly, it’s lost relationships.  

I recently asked the founder of a consulting firm what business they turn down. This question was met with a surprised look and a lengthy pause. When the founder responded I heard through an exhale “oh boy, I need to say no more often.”

I am a leader who says no to business.

Anyone who has worked directly with the founder of an organization knows one thing. Founders are passionate, visionary, and driven. They set their sights on the horizon while maintaining focus on what's right before them.

A few years back I realized that I was not clear of seeing and I was not clear of hearing in my career. I did not always “see” what so obviously appeared before me. I did not always “hear” what my authentic self whispered to me. I deflected. I powered through. I put on my suit of armor. Every day. I did not “hear” until the volume became an uncomfortable level. One day my authentic self screamed, “it’s time.” It was (finally) time to align my actions with my values.

Then came the climb.

Someone recently said to me, “I can’t wait to see what you’ve been planning during the aftermath.”

By aftermath, they meant the period of time following my transition out of a company where I spent almost 22 years of my 32-year career.