Ties Us Together | Carry| Little Book of Ikigai
Hello there! Welcome to my weekly LEAPS.
You’re receiving this email because you subscribed to my weekly Wednesday feature or our mailing list. Every Wednesday, I share 5 things using our LEAPS approach:
Learn: something new or an idea
Energy: an energy (good or bad) word and it’s meaning
Action: something to do
Processing: a question to consider
Shout out: something or someone that I want to celebrate or acknowledge
LEARN
Something Worth Sharing
Ties Us Together
Strong relationships, teams and cultures are built on three essentials: acceptance, clear expectations and kindness. They begin within. When we understand ourselves, accept our strengths and limits, set healthy self-expectations and treat ourselves with compassion, we create the steadiness that holds us together internally, which then strengthens how we externally connect with others.
This inner grounding shapes how we show up. Acceptance gives people emotional safety. It includes acknowledging the realities of a situation and the pressures shaping behaviour. Kindness helps us interpret those realities with generosity rather than judgement. These qualities become part of what ties us together, especially when things are uncertain.
Clear expectations then provide the structure that keeps relationships resilient. Many strains come from unclear assumptions. When expectations are named and aligned, clarity becomes a form of care, reducing anxiety and preventing unnecessary conflict.
In leadership and culture, these principles scale. Leaders who blend acceptance, kindness and clear expectations create trust, safety and performance. Cultures shaped by these forces become steady, fair and connected, held together by shared clarity and compassion.
When acceptance, expectations and kindness work in harmony, they become the foundations that hold us together and tie us to one another in ways that support growth, resilience and genuine connection.
ENERGY
An emotion or energy; a stand-out word / s
Carry
In life, we can often end up carrying invisible items such as baggage, responsibilities and burdens. The word ‘carry’ is from Late Latin CARRUM which was originally a "two-wheeled Celtic war chariot". I know from experience that it can feel like dragging a chariot when we fail to off-load part of the past and expectations.
ACTION
Something small that you can do that might make a big difference
Lighten the Chariot
Write down three things that you’re currently carrying that drain your energy.
Next to each, write one small step that would lighten the load.
Then, select one of the steps and do it.
PROCESSING
A question to think about and consider (you can discuss this with someone or write your thoughts down)
“What do I need to accept that would strengthen a key relationship?”
Whether you’re thinking about a loved one, a child, a colleague or a friend, consider what acceptance would make the relationship stronger. Perhaps you think about your relationship with yourself too - and what needs to be accepted.
I’d love for you to send me your own stories / thoughts about this. Drop me a line with your answer / thoughts on this question
SHOUT OUT
Who / what I think deserves recognition - my gratitude or to be celebrated.
Eye Contact
A shout out to the simple act of eye contact, one of the most underrated transformers of connection. A steady, genuine glance can signal safety, presence and respect in a way words often can’t.
Whether in a conversation with a partner, a colleague or even a brief interaction with a stranger, eye contact has the power to soften edges, build trust and strengthen human connection.
BONUS GIFT FOR YOU
The gift is only available to those that subscribe to the weekly LEAPS email
insert sign up form here
The artwork featured in this section is all copyrighted and for private use only. If you wish to use these online, in blogs / features or in presentations etc - we are happy to discuss licences. Please get in touch. The downloads do not have watermarks.
If you’d like to discuss having your ideas, business or culture captured visually - you can also let me know via email.
LEAPS is a process used by our team and clients all the time - and even my own family on a daily basis.
I’ll be sharing a set of LEAPS each week with you and encourage you to do your own version:
L: what have you learned?
E: what’s your energy / feeling word
A: what’s one thing you need to do?
P: what are you thinking / processing?
S: who or what can you shout out?
