My Word for 2025: Alignment
Each year, I choose a word to guide my focus and intentions for the year. For the second year my word is alignment. It is a hard one, so I am not ready to move on yet. It is a reminder to ensure all actions, decisions, and responses reflect my core values: honesty, equity, and loyalty.
Choosing alignment as my word feels both empowering and grounding. It challenges me to pause and ask, “Is this in alignment with who I am and what I believe?” It is not always easy; life is full of compromises and gray areas. But alignment offers clarity. It means living authentically, making decisions rooted in purpose, and showing up consistently for others.
This is not just personal. It is foundational to the work I do with managers, teams, and organizations. Through culture and core values workshops, I help leaders identify the values that matter most to their teams and align their workplace culture with those principles.
This is critical because alignment is the glue that holds our reputations and teams together.
When core values are clear and authentically practiced, they guide how decisions are made, how people interact, and how goals are pursued. This creates a workplace culture that inspires trust, fosters collaboration, and drives meaningful outcomes.
On the other side, when there is a misalignment, when stated values are merely words on a website or when actions contradict declared priorities, it creates confusion, disengagement, and dysfunction. People want to work in environments where they feel valued, supported, and connected to a greater purpose. Alignment makes that possible.
I often ask teams to define their shared values, not aspirational ideals but leveraging existing and actionable traits. This process not only unites teams but also equips leaders with a powerful tool: a clear lens through which to make decisions, even in difficult moments.
The work I do with leaders, teams, and organizations mirrors my personal commitment to alignment. Just as I strive to ensure my choices reflect my values, I help leaders and teams ensure their cultures reflect theirs. The result is stronger relationships, more effective communication, and a workplace where people can thrive.
As I move through this year, my word reminds me to always remain true to what matters most. It also challenges me to help others find their alignment, because when we align our actions with our values, whether as individuals or as teams, we release full potential.