There’s a moment, usually early in the day, when everything feels possible. Before the emails stack up, before the meetings blur together, before the noise of the workday competes with our attention and energy. It’s in that sliver of space that we get to choose how we show up. And in my world, as an extroverted-introvert, that choice isn’t always easy. People often assume my work as a coach and consultant comes naturally because I thrive in conversation, connection, and colla

A Leader's Moment of Realization There comes a moment in every leader’s journey when you realize… your team might just be smarter than you. For me, that moment came years ago when I was working for a telecommunications company. I was leading the Learning and Development team for all three regions of the company, but here’s the twist: I was the least experienced person in telecommunications in the entire group. My team members had come from a variety of cellular companies and

Happy Halloween! Hi hooman friends,   It’s me, Snickerdoodle, your Chief Wellness Officer, broom-riding in with some tail-wagging truth this Halloween…   This week, I did something a little spooktacular. I dressed up as a witch: hat, tutu, sass, and all. At first, I wasn’t so sure. What if the other pups barked behind my back? What if the hoomans didn’t recognize me? What if I looked silly?   But then I remembered something important: 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗮

A reflection from SRJ Collaborative The "Old" Telephone Game Collaboration is often hailed as the heartbeat of a successful team. It’s the buzzword we all love. An ideal state of synergy where ideas flow, teams align, and outcomes soar. But here’s the truth: collaboration fails more often than we admit. Not because of a lack of tools, talent, or even trust, but because of poor communication. More specifically, it fails when we assume understanding instead of confirming it.

Shout out to Firehouse Pet Shop - Wenatchee, WA Hi hooman friends, It’s me, Snickerdoodle, your Chief Wellness Officer, wagging in some tail-tapping truth today: the past is practice. When I first went to my favorite pet store, I’ll admit it, I was nervous. The smells! The toys calling me from just inside the double doors! The other dogs! My tail was tucked, and my paws were unsure. But my hooman kept bringing me back. Each visit, I got a little braver, a little more curious,

Lost Lake, Washington Hi Hooman friends, It’s me, Snickerdoodle, your Chief Wellness Officer, wagging in some 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭-𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘥𝘰𝘮 for your Friday. Last weekend, my hoomans decided we needed a break from the smoky skies and forest fire haze at home. So, we packed up the van and escaped to one of my favorite places on earth, 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲. The air was crisp, the water sparkled, and best of all… I was 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗵! Ohhh friends… I ran through the

A reflection on seasons, shedding, and staying rooted As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin their annual descent, it’s tempting for even the most grounded among us to feel a dip, whether in energy, motivation, or morale. The long days of summer are behind us, the sunlight stretches shorter, and the rhythm of work starts to feel heavier. But just because the leaves fall doesn’t mean we have to. In fact, this season can be a powerful invitation for leaders to root deeper,

Hi friends, It’s me again, Snickerdoodle , your loyal Chief Wellness Officer at SRJ Collaborative. This week’s message is one I take to heart (and paws): Live Inspired. Now, inspiration doesn’t always show up with flashing lights and big fanfare. Sometimes it’s quiet. Like the smell of fresh grass after rain. Sometimes it’s simple. Like the way a squirrel defies gravity. And sometimes it’s just… choosing to begin the day with a tail wag instead of a sigh. Here’s what I’ve lea

Hico & Miranda I spent last weekend on a brand-new adventure exploring a horse show! It was my very first time being around such big animals, and let me tell you, they are huge! At first, I wasn’t sure what to think, but I stayed calm, observed, and let my curiosity lead the way. And you know what? It turned out to be amazing. I was on my best behavior, made some new four-legged acquaintances, and even cheered on my older sister as she rode her new horse in their very first s

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