We Spend Weeks Together in a Tiny Van…

Published about 2 months ago • 1 min read

Hi Reader,

July 28th is our wedding anniversary.

36 years.

Wow! How can this be true? Where have the past 36 years gone?? Charlie and I have had so much fun on this journey together. But I'm not going to pretend it's been seamless. It hasn't. There have been hard seasons. Seasons where we had to choose each other on purpose. Seasons where we had to relearn how to communicate all over again.

But here we are. And I'm so thankful to be doing life (and sometimes work) with my very best friend and partner. We travel a LOT! We spend weeks on end in a tiny Sprinter van. When others ask about our travels we always say: "You have to love each other a lot!" At this point, it's much more than love. It's a choice. It's with purpose that we choose to wake up every day and be each other's partner.

We often talk about how the work I do professionally is the work we do in our relationship.

Our relationship strength doesn't happen by accident.

36 years and still learning. Celebrating this week.

What Marriage Taught Me About Leading a Team

Strong relationships don't survive on good intentions. They survive on consistent practice. On saying what you mean. On listening when you'd rather defend yourself. On coming back to the conversation even when it's uncomfortable.

My husband and I have learned a lot in 36 years. One thing rises to the top every time.

Assumption is expensive.

When we stop checking in and start assuming we know what the other person means, things go sideways. Fast.

Your team works the same way.

The manager who assumes silence means agreement. The business owner who hopes the issue will resolve on its own.

It won't.

What we live is what we teach. Staying clear. Staying honest. Staying connected. That's not just good marriage advice. It's good leadership.

One Question Worth Asking This Week

Where am I assuming instead of confirming?

One relationship. One expectation. One honest look at whether you've actually been clear.

If you're not sure where to start, the Leadership Gap Scorecard will show you. It's a 12-question assessment built on the CALG framework. Free. About 5 minutes. And it's honest.

Find out exactly where your leadership gap is so you can stop guessing and start leading with clarity.

Take the Leadership Gap Scorecard

We're celebrating this week. And I'm glad you're part of this community.

Cheering you on,

Sharon Justice

Founder, Leadership Coach & Strategist

Justice Leadership

sharon@justiceleadership.com

P.S. 36 years in and I'm still learning. That's the point. Hit reply and tell me what relationship you're investing in this week.

108 Avon Lane, Greenville, NC 27858
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