The best of 2025
Dear 2025,
I had high hopes for you. It seemed like there was something special about the year being 2025. As such, my word for the year was “abundance”.
I optimistically wrote the word on a poster and stuck to the wall behind my monitor, along with my goals for the year. I can barely look at that poster now because a better word for 2025 would have been “struggle”, or perhaps “dumpster fire” 🙄
I could talk about all the crappy things that happened this year, but I know 2025 was crappy for many, so in my last newsletter for the year I thought I would share all the great and fun things I got to do.
1.I participated as a mentor in the Australasian Railway Association Women’s Mentoring program. I was matched with an incredible Safety Business Partner, who was taking the next step in her career. She was open and honest and we both learnt a lot from each other. Here’s some of her feedback:
“I found Lisa to be very insightful especially when talking about how to work with different personalities and giving me guidance on my own perception of difficult conversations. With Lisa’s support I was able to change my mindset when facing strong personalities and having those conversations I used to dread. For anyone who wants to be held accountable and to think outside the box Lisa is a fantastic mentor to work you through this.”
2. Delivered coaching with a number of clients. Two of note include:
A leader in a multinational manufacturing business who is getting ready to step up into a more senior leadership role. His company is investing in him now so when he steps up, he has what he needs to be successful. How cool is that?
A person leading Diversity & Inclusion work in their organisation. With the orange man in power and challenging economic conditions it’s been a tough year for this work. Coaching was a perfect solution to support this person’s work and career.
Would you like some coaching to set you up in 2026? Let’s talk.
3. Co-facilitated and coached on a women’s leadership program with Xplore. Helping women to be successful is complete heart work.
There’s often criticism aimed at women’s leadership programs but Xplore’s programs make a massive difference to the participants and the organisation that chose to run them. Women are retained in their organisations and they are supported to progress to more senior roles. We need much more of that.
Want to know how these programs can support women in your organisation in 2026? Book in some time.
4. I joined the Institute of Directors in New Zealand earlier in the year, and recently secured my first governance role with New Zealand’s Blind and Low Vision Education Network. It’s a pretty special organisation that also supports my son Aiden at school.
A couple of weeks ago I attended my first Board meeting, which was pretty exciting. I have been learning about how to view an organisation from a governance and risk perspective, apply my career experience, and be part of a diverse board. I have lots to learn but feel like I’m making progress.
5. I worked with my favourite client, their HR team and their people leaders in the transport and logistics industry. They have the clearest commercial case for developing a diverse and inclusive culture that I have seen so far, and they are a delight to work with.
I delivered a number of projects and learnt about their business in more detail. Be the first to grab their case study.
6. I designed and delivered a full day workshop for an organisation who are evolving how their employee network groups operate and deliver work. A fun day with an engaged and committed group of people with some great outcomes.
More recently when I caught up with their HR leader, she told me they had made great progress since the workshop, which was fantastic to hear. I always want my solutions to move work forward.
7. I started writing a book. More on that soon. The imposter syndrome is strong. Am trying to get up the courage to “work in public”. Got any tips? 😬
Thanks to everyone who I have worked with in 2025, and who have also engaged with my newsletter. It means a lot.
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you have a lovely break over the December/January period and I look forward to working with you in 2026.
Lisa xx