In a time when the world feels weighted with uncertainty, conflict, and divisiveness, there’s a unique call for a different kind of leadership—one that radiates clarity, calm, and possibility. We call this Bright Leadership.

Bright leaders don’t deny the heaviness. They acknowledge it, absorb it, and then choose to bring light into the room—through presence, purpose, and a commitment to lift those around them. They lead with energy that heals, not harms; that clarifies, not confuses; that unites, not divides.

In today’s dynamic work landscape, the days of linear career paths and waiting patiently for your boss to tap you on the shoulder with the next big opportunity are long gone. If you’re still relying on your manager to define your professional future, it’s time for a mindset shift.

Managing your career is your job.

Let’s be honest.

Sometimes, I just don’t want to.  I bet you sometimes don’t want to either.

That project I committed to?

The email that’s been sitting in my draft folder for days?

The strategic plan I should feel excited about but can’t seem to crack open?

The handwritten thank you note to a deserving host?

Even the most motivated among us hit that wall—where the resistance is real, the energy is low, and the desire is nowhere to be found. And yet… the work still calls.

I recently returned from a delightful ski vacation in Europe, and while it wasn’t a third-world cultural experience, I always find value in learning new perspectives, attitudes and practices from other countries and then try to incorporate them into my life back at home.  As a lifelong student of organizational culture, I’m naturally curious about what I can learn from seeing how other cultures operate. 

Every so often, life surprises us with a moment of clarity and gratitude. I recently experienced one when I ran into Antonio, a former member of the San Joaquin Valley Young Leaders Organization (YLO), 25 years after his time in the program.

When we think of company culture, we often frame it within the walls of the workplace—a set of shared values, behaviors, and norms that drive how we work together. But company culture doesn’t stop at the office door. It ripples out into every facet of our lives, shaping who we are as parents, friends, and citizens.

The truth is, company culture is far more than a business concept. It has the power to build a stronger society by helping people lead more conscious, fulfilled and balanced lives.