Welcome to Misti's Insights
The Art of Listening: Overcoming Barriers and Unlocking Connection
What if the secret to stronger relationships, smoother conversations, and fewer misunderstandings was closer than we imagined? Listening might sound simple, yet it’s one of the most overlooked and poorly practiced tools for connection. At its heart, effective...
It Wasn’t About the Massage
Have you ever wanted to give someone feedback — but didn’t, because it felt too uncomfortable? Maybe you didn’t want to hurt their feelings. Maybe you were afraid it would damage the relationship. Or maybe — if you’re honest — you worried it might make your experience...
Your New Year’s Superpower: Allowing
This week, I had an experience that surprised me—and then taught me something important about leadership. Claire, a woman who generously offered support with the details of the Lewes Leadership Lunch (L3), stepped in to help in a few very practical ways. Initially,...
Leadership Lessons Learned from a Social Media Misstep
I remember sitting at my desk, staring at a social media post that had just gone live. It wasn’t just a little off; it completely missed the mark for my brand. Irritation surged through me as I started weaving stories about why this happened. Every reason I created...
How to Make an Apology That Truly Resonates
Giving an apology can be one of the toughest things we do as leaders, especially when our actions or words have caused someone else frustration or hurt. Yet, the ability to apologize effectively is also one of the most powerful ways to build trust, repair...
What If Fear Isn’t the Enemy?
Fear has a way of showing up when you least expect it — like standing on the edge of a five-mile swim in five-foot swells. The water churned beneath me, cold and uninviting. I had only learned to swim a year before. Standing there in my wetsuit, I remember thinking:...
Redefining Hope: A Journey Toward Truth and Connection
What is hope, if not the possibility of a resentment? I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately—how hope can lift us, yes, but also how it can betray us when it’s pinned to outcomes we cannot control. When we place it outside ourselves. When it depends on someone...
Caught Between Expectations and Reality: A Leadership Insight
One of the most profound lessons I've learned as a leader is that tension often arises not from what people do, but from what we expect them to do. This gap between expectations and reality can create frustration, miscommunication, and missed opportunities—not because...
How to Make the Most Out of Your Performance Review
Performance reviews can often feel like formalities or, worse, dreaded evaluations we simply have to endure. But what if you could flip the script and turn your review into a golden opportunity for growth and clarity? One of my clients, Theresa, recently did just...
Living Your Greatness: A Journey of Courage, Clarity, and Small Steps
What does it mean to live your greatness? It’s a question I’ve been asking myself, not as a lofty idea, but as a real, tangible challenge. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reflecting on what it takes to align with your gifts, face fears, and take meaningful steps...
Forcing Solutions: Letting Go of the Urge to Control
Yesterday, I was watching an NFL documentary when something Kirk Cousins said stopped me in my tracks. Reflecting on a challenging season, he shared: “When I try to make things happen, it doesn’t work.” It struck me — not because I’ve ever played professional football...
The Power of Relatedness in Leadership Communication
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been revisiting notes and reflections from years of therapy. These notes are filled with lessons that have shaped how I communicate, lead, and connect with others. They capture countless pearls of wisdom that have influenced my approach...
I Used to Be Somebody
I woke up at 2:30 in the morning with an ache I couldn’t quite name. A quiet, persistent whisper: “I used to be somebody.” Not in the fame or title sense—but in the deep, internal knowing. A groundedness. A certainty that my presence meant something, simply because I...
The Sting of Public Shame: A Lesson in Communication
Have you ever been publicly called out or shamed, leaving you feeling defensive and unsure of how to respond? It’s a jarring experience, one that can linger far longer than the interaction itself. For many, it highlights a core tension in human interaction—how we ask...
Confronting Self-Doubt: A Lesson on Comparison and Creativity
Yesterday, I had a conversation with someone whose precision and clarity left me inspired—but also wrestling with a nagging wave of self-doubt. His name is Vinny, and I had hoped our talk would uncover fresh opportunities or even spark a collaboration. Instead, what I...
“I Tried, But It Didn’t Work” — When Listening Becomes Manipulation
A client of mine recently came to me feeling deeply frustrated. “My employees just aren’t making the adjustments necessary for success.” What she meant was that—due to major shifts in budgeting—her team needed to change how they did their work. Processes, priorities,...
When the 18th Doctor Walks In: A Lesson in Leadership, Patience, and Letting Go
This week I had an experience that caught me off guard—not just because of what happened, but because of how I responded to it. It was a doctor’s visit. Doctor #18, to be exact. I’ve seen seventeen other medical professionals over the past few years, trying to get...
The Miracle of Perspective
This morning at the pool, I met someone remarkable. Her name is Wendy. She’s in her late 70s, with a smile that could light up the cloudiest day and an energy so warm, you can feel it from across the water. What struck me most wasn’t just her vibrant presence—it was...