Just before Christmas, my family and I spent a few days in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A slower pace, ocean air, and space to reflect.
One morning, we woke up early to watch the majestic sunrise on the horizon from our balcony on the 21st floor.
From above, we could see a thick blanket of fog covering the town below, slowly moving toward the ocean.
What struck me most wasn’t just the fog—but how unstable it was.
In one moment, it thinned and disappeared.
Minutes later, it rolled back in thicker and heavier than before, enveloping everything.
When we went down to the beach level, there was no fog. The air felt clear. Calm. If you were standing there, you’d have no idea how quickly conditions were changing above.
That contrast stayed with me—because it’s exactly what leadership looks like.
Leaders operate in shifting conditions. What looks clear one moment can change rapidly the next. Leaders see the volatility forming before it’s felt—but teams experience only the outcomes, not the vantage point decisions were made from. Teams on the ground don’t see the fog, they just feel the effects of decisions made without always understanding why.
When leaders don’t translate what they’re seeing—especially when things are changing—teams fill in the gaps themselves. That’s where confusion, second-guessing, and resistance show up.
That’s why communication matters more than we think.
Not just more information.
More aligned communication.
As we close out the year, it’s worth asking:
What are you seeing that your team isn’t?
And are you communicating it clearly before the fog rolls back in?
Perspective without communication isn’t leadership. It’s just altitude.
This season is a reminder to slow down, gain perspective, and remember that clarity is a gift—especially to the people who trust us to lead.
Wishing you a peaceful Christmas, meaningful moments with those you love, and wisdom as you head into the year ahead.
Have a blessed and wonderful Christmas!
