IRON SHARPENS IRON

Here's one:

You want to get better as a leader?

You are who you run with.

Upon reflection from just a few nights ago, we often don’t fully realize how much we are shaped by the people we decide to spend time around. Their standards. Their questions. Their courage. Their energy.

I had the good fortune to spend time in great conversation at the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant’s Holiday Reception with Sandy Ogg, Andrea Marcille, and Dr. Paula Harkins, EdD, LSSBB Harkins (that one’s easy 😄).

Look them up. Each of these leaders is having a real, measurable, meaningful impact both inside the Coast Guard and well beyond it.

And even in casual conversation you pick up on clarity of purpose, strength of conviction, and willingness to lean into hard things.

And you walk away a little sharper, more focused and motivated to be better … even after a party.

Think about it. Who are you spending time with?