Volume 4, Issue 6, Fall 2025

Welcome to Volume 4, Issue 6 of The Root.

In order to support our growth, we require a strong network of roots.  They anchor us and serve as a conduit for nutrients to help us develop and deliver on our goals.

This fall has been busy. I am pursuing studies in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. At the same time, I continue to focus on my coaching and leadership development business. 

To say 2025 was a bit of a struggle for many, might be an understatement.

In this time of constant pressure and change, I picked up The Art of Possibility, to offer hope to my mind. To reframe what is possible. To opt into a growth mindset, rather than a reactive one.

Thank you for trusting me with your time.  I hope you realize that you matter.

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Off the Shelf – My Book Pick

The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander

In a time in a world where everything seems a little uncertain – layoffs, conflict, the changing macroenvironment and daily reminders of disruption, my mind needed a way to consider what was possible. 

• How do we move forward? 
• Create positivity? 
• Make a difference?

This book, The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by Rosamund Stone Zander and her husband, conductor Benjamin Zander is just what I needed. I initially listened to this on audiobook, and the philharmonic music accompaniments are so lovely. It was a meditative & insightful listen. Audio, eBook or paper, you can’t go wrong.

World of Measurement

One of the best takeaways for me, was the idea that our self-worth comes from a world of measurement.  From the very start with academics (grades and GPA), and working life (performance measurement systems), we can’t escape it.

But what if we decide the meaning of our lives is more than those measures? 

What if we decide our own measurements vs those that we have held ourselves against most of our lives?  

If we are living in this fixed mindset of scales, assessments, grades, titles, etc., we might tell ourselves we feel safer if we are compared or contrasted to others.  

But do we? 

• What if we took away these measurements we’ve held ourselves to and created new possibilities for being? 
• What could that look like?

The Universe of Possibility

If we allow ourselves to open beyond the world of survival, beyond what we are measured by, we can open ourselves up to a more generative and larger capacity to think and create.

It doesn’t have to be one or the other.  It can be yes, AND.

We can offer possibility within the subsets of our life that are ruled by measurement. 

Creators, Inventors and Writers consider what’s possible to go beyond what we know to be true. 

We can consider what could be vs. what is. 

Zander & Zander explain that by considering what’s possible, we almost lift our heads from “daily achievement”. We consider how we might engage with others, and the environment with greater connection and meaning-making. 

• Step one 
  • Go beyond the idea of “survival thinking” if true scarcity is not reality. (unfortunately, during this time, survival thinking is necessary for so many, I don’t want to minimize this need).

My Key Takeaways

There are so many great takeaways (12 Possible Practices) to shift our mindsets from fixed to growth, from survival to possibility.  These twelve are beautifully illustrated above by Reading Graphics.com 

Here are a few of my favorite concepts and takeaways 

Giving an A

Since we live in a world of measure, what if we approached everyone in our daily lives as if they deserved the A or A+?

By doing so, we release our need to judge, and enter with more humanity into situations and relationships.  Rather than expecting an A, we consider the possibility of experiencing the A.

As Zander & Zander share – the idea of granting the A to others (and ourselves) releases the pressure and expands our thinking. 

• We behave less cautiously. 
• We respond with less perfectionism.(the book and audiobook offer beautiful stories of musicians released from a perfection mindset to allow a more freeing, expressive performance) 

Being a Contribution

This one was my favorite.

The authors ask us:

“How will we be a contribution today?”

In this way, it’s not only about us, but those who we may contribute to.

In a world where we might want to make an impact, making an impact can feel impossibly large. But if we want to make a contribution, it seems possible to see how small actions can make a difference.

• Ask a colleague to have coffee and ask/listen to what brings them joy
• Connect with a stakeholder to ask their experience on a project
• Bring in donuts to a meeting (this one works, I promise)
• Thank someone who may not always feel appreciated

In each case, we move from our own self-oriented view of survival to a more relational connection with others.  I do believe these small contributions create a ripple effect of positivity.  

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Rule Number Six

While I don’t want to ruin it for you, this rule is about not taking ourselves too seriously.  (They use spicier wording)

 The beauty of this rule, is that once discussed with others we have relationships with, we can politely call out — “Remember Rule Number Six”. 

It’s a polite reminder to lighten up! 

• The overall premise of the book is to look beyond our routine, to see what’s possible. Give and you will see more generativity. 
• Surrender the boundaries that keep us in a fixed mindset (but not those that honor our time).   How can you live in possibility today?

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Previous Newsletters

If you are interested in any of the issues of past Root newsletters, please find them below.

Thank you

Thank you for reading. I hope you found some reflections that offered ways for you to ground yourself in times of uncertainty, to allow you to find opportunities to contribute and create new possibilities. One connection at a time.