When Your SOS Becomes a Story of Strength: Turning the Page for 2026

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season, taking time to celebrate with loved ones, and setting aside time to relax and recharge as you head into 2026.

As we all know, a new year brings resolutions, commitments to new habits and practices, and excitement around new experiences and adventures. While you are contemplating how you are going to embrace the next 365 days, I'd like you to consider something else:

How will you turn your SOS into a Story of Strength in 2026?

In my book Open Up! Step into the Leader You Are Meant to Be, I encourage leaders to turn moments of pressure into catalysts for growth, clarity, and impact. In 2026, instead of viewing challenges as setbacks, let's view them as signals.

When most of us think of an SOS, we picture someone adrift at sea, desperately waving their arms from a life raft, hoping to be seen. It’s a moment of vulnerability, urgency, and exhaustion.

But leadership doesn’t require frantic motion. What if, instead of waving in the dark, you became the lighthouse? A lighthouse doesn’t hide its cracks or dim its light—it stands firmly in who it is. Its strength comes from clarity, not force. Showing up with authenticity and inner resolve creates a steady signal that others can trust, follow, and respond to. True leadership isn’t about calling louder for help; it’s about becoming visible enough that connection, support, and momentum can find you.

I want to encourage you to add one more resolution to your list for 2026: "This year, I am going to turn an SOS moment into my Story of Strength."

To help you get started, I created a quick exercise:

• What is an SOS moment you have experienced? (The experience can be from any area of your life)

  • What did you learn about yourself through this experience?

• Now that you've re-evaluated your SOS, how can you turn it into a Story of Strength?

  • How will your Story of Strength help you embrace curiosity, empathy, and connection (the CEC Method)?

    
    

This year, let's each resolve to use our individual Story of Strength as a catalyst to embrace the CEC Method so we can inspire and empower others and create results that benefit the greater good.

I am excited for you to join me on this journey, and in the coming months, I will share additional suggestions to help you develop your Story of Strength and use it to embrace Open Leadership. In the meantime, please feel free to share your initial thoughts and ideas in the comments below.