Abdo

White space on a calendar is a leadership strategy. This week is one of our firm’s Focus Weeks — intentionally cleared of recurring internal meetings. The idea: free up space to serve clients, move bigger projects forward, and breathe. The white space I’ve had this week gave way to some wonderful time spent with people I value. Morning tea with Erin Peterson . Lunch with Whitney-Lehr Koening at this cute little table by a window. A walk to lunch with my partner Scott Clinton, CPA this afternoon. There was some laughter, some tears… Real ideas shared, real catching up. Two of those conversations were with people who don’t work at Abdo — they work alongside me in a different way. They inspire me. They encourage me. They remind me that the relationships that shape us as leaders often live outside our org chart. Relationships don’t survive on good intentions… they survive on time. And as leaders, we have to build the time in — because it won’t build itself. Who’s on your list that you keep meaning to connect with? Don’t wait for the perfect window. Create it.

I reached out to a business I frequent today to share some feedback. (Okay, it was Delta Air Lines … I’m a frequent flyer. ✈️💎) When I said I wanted to provide feedback, the automated system asked: “Have you already filed a formal complaint?” Wait… what? When did “feedback” become synonymous with “complaint”? I wasn’t contacting Delta to report a problem… I was reaching out because I had a genuinely great experience. Someone showed up, did their job well, and made my day better. And I wanted to recognize that. (Shout-out to the fabulous flight attendant — Bonnie!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) Too often, feedback only shows up when something goes wrong. We’re faster to point out what’s broken than what’s working. What if we flipped that? What if positive feedback wasn’t the exception… but the norm? Compliments > Complaints Recognition > Criticism Gratitude > Grievances Let’s make appreciation louder. 📣📣📣