When Plans Change

A Year of Growth, Gratitude & DALE!

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Friends,

As I sit here reflecting on 2024, I can't help but smile at how life has its own way of unfolding. This year contained multitudes — moments that took my breath away (both the good and challenging kinds), changes I never saw coming, growth I didn't know I needed, and joy that showed up in the most unexpected places.

Life has a way of reshaping our carefully laid plans, doesn't it? This year brought some big transitions – saying goodbye to Deloitte after more than two decades, watching some friendships fade while others unexpectedly bloomed, and learning that sometimes the hardest changes lead to the most beautiful beginnings. When you've spent more than two decades building something, leaving feels like more than just changing jobs. It's like learning a new language, one where success isn't measured in number of hours worked or project deliverables, but in alignment with purpose and authentic impact. There were moments of doubt, certainly. But there were also moments of surprising clarity, where the scariest choice also felt like the most authentic one.

Throughout this time of transition, I've watched Wellbeing Intelligence™ transform from a whisper of an idea into a powerful rallying cry for change. What began as a framework has become something far more vital: our answer to the fundamental question of how we thrive in a world that's increasingly digital, transactional, and disconnected.

Wellbeing Intelligence™ is about seeing the whole system - understanding how our organizational structures, leadership behaviors, team dynamics, and individual experiences interconnect to create the conditions for sustainable human potential. It's about moving beyond surface solutions to address the deeper patterns that shape our workplace experience.

Despite record investments in wellbeing solutions, organizations aren't seeing the returns they need - not because the programs are failing, but because we need a systems approach that aligns human thriving with business performance. The truth is stark: the systems we've built were not designed to optimize both.

The conversations we are having with organizations now are unapologetically bold. They dive deep into the hidden patterns we've been too afraid to question – the systemic barriers that create negative wellbeing outcomes at every level - individual, team, and organizational. It's about breaking down what chokes creativity, dulls purpose, and erodes trust. We're asking ourselves: How do we build systems where business success and human flourishing fuel each other? And more importantly, what role will each of us play in shaping this future?

Wellbeing Intelligence™ is about more than work – it's about redefining what it means to be human in an increasingly digital world.

And rather than seeing AI as either savior or threat, I've come to view it as a mirror, reflecting back to us what matters most about human connection, creativity, and purpose.

The stakes couldn't be higher, and the time to act couldn't be more urgent. Because at the heart of it all, one truth stands clear: thriving isn't optional. It's the way forward.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

This year challenged me to question traditional narratives about hope and gratitude. We often treat hope as a passive emotion – something we either have or don't have. But through personal challenges and professional transitions, I've come to understand hope as a practice, a choice we make again and again, especially in moments when it feels hardest to find. Real gratitude, too, isn't about forcing positivity – it's about holding space for the full complexity of human experience, celebrating growth while honoring the pain of change.

Looking ahead to 2025, I'm filled with both excitement and purposeful nervousness. The WorkWell Podcast™ is returning with an exciting new collaboration with Lyra Health, featuring conversations that have left me buzzing with inspiration — from Dr. Ayelet Fishbach's fresh take on motivation in an age of burnout, to Farah Harris's powerful perspectives on workplace wellbeing and authentic inclusion, to Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett's groundbreaking insights about reading emotions. These aren't just theoretical discussions – they're vital conversations about how we navigate an increasingly complex future while maintaining our humanity.

A new book project is starting to take shape too – while I can't share the details yet, stay tuned for more on that soon! And speaking of adventures, we are planning our first trip to Iceland in the summer of 2025! I hear the midnight sun is its own kind of magic (send me your travel tips).

The soundtrack to all this change? Well, those who know me won't be surprised that Pitbull remained my most-played artist of 2024. Mr. Worldwide's unstoppable optimism perfectly captures the spirit of embracing change with energy and hope. DALE!

This year reshaped my understanding of community. I've learned that our strongest connections emerge not from shared successes, but from shared vulnerability. The responses to my newsletters, the conversations after speaking engagements, the quiet messages during tough moments – these have shown me that real community transcends professional networks and social circles. It shows up in the spaces between our carefully crafted personas, in the moments when we dare to be real about our struggles and hopes.

One of the most powerful lessons 2024 taught me was about the courage it takes to ask for what you need and the amazing things that can happen when you do. As I look toward 2025, I'm taking that lesson to heart and reaching out. My favorite way to connect is through speaking engagements, sharing insights about Wellbeing Intelligence™, hope as a skillset, workplace culture, and human flourishing. If you're looking for a speaker who'll bring both research-backed insights and real-world vulnerability to your event in 2025, I'd love to hear from you.

We're at an exciting inflection point with Wellbeing Intelligence™. After a year of research and development, we're almost ready to launch our program and content – and we're looking for organizations willing to be early pioneers. If you're interested in being part of our initial pilot program, helping to shape how Wellbeing Intelligence™ can transform workplaces and lives, reach out. Your organization could be part of something transformative.

The WorkWell Podcast™ is also entering an exciting new chapter. We have an incredible lineup of guests, and we're seeking collaborators who want to support the creation of these important discussions. Is that you? Let's talk. I've learned that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness – it's an invitation to create something bigger than ourselves.

As we step into 2025, I'm carrying forward the most persistent lesson of 2024: that hope is active, not passive; that change, while uncomfortable, often leads us exactly where we need to be; and that our humanity – in all its messy, beautiful complexity – is our greatest strength in a rapidly changing world. This year taught me that wellbeing isn't about reaching some perfect state, but about developing the intelligence to navigate life's complexities with grace, courage, and authenticity.

To each of you who's been part of this journey – thank you. Your willingness to engage with these ideas, to share your own stories, and to be part of this evolving conversation means more than you know. Here's to embracing whatever comes next with open hearts, curious minds, and resilient spirits. And hopefully some midnight sun adventures too.

With gratitude and hope,
Jen

P.S. Whether it's Iceland recommendations, speaking opportunities, podcast collaborations, or joining our Wellbeing Intelligence™ pilot program – reach out. The best adventures can start with a simple hello.