I finally reached my breaking point. The "let's always call the mom first" or, more often, "let's only call the mom" thing. So frustrating, and we deal with this all the time. Watch my video on LinkedIn to find out what I did. www.linkedin.com/posts/apmcmi...

"Everything is important" is a prioritization problem. When everything's a priority, nothing is. Prioritizing well means really talking through trade-offs. Then saying no, even to good things. As you plan for 2026, make a list of what to stop doing or delay. That's where real prioritization happens.

There's a loneliness epidemic at work. People on teams for years who don't know much about each other. Work doesn’t need to be entertaining and we’re not camp counselors, but people who have fun and enjoy their peers do better work. It's not about playtime, it’s about helping people connect.

The flip side of AI nobody wants to talk about? AI can't read nuance like humans, can't build relationships, can't handle truly novel situations, and definitely can't replace institutional knowledge teams build over years. Orgs getting AI right are using it to augment their teams, not replace them.

Now is the time to think about setting your team up for success for the new year. A great place to start is recognizing unsuccessful patterns to learn from them and not repeat the same mistakes. Here are the top 5 mistakes I see orgs make over and over. open.substack.com/pub/seasoned...

Most orgs miss out on big time savings because they don't know how AI actually helps. Teams doing this well identify specific repetitive tasks and experiment until it works (meeting summaries, data cleanup, etc). So, if you're saying “I could be using my time in so many better ways," start there.

New to fractional work in tech? I want to help! I'm hosting a week-long AMA on Filament where aspiring and early-stage fractional professionals can ask me ANYthing about building a successful fractional business + brand. No stupid questions! Sign up here: form.typeform.com/to/UlG0lH3B

I'm on the SUPER conference circuit! From JFNA's General Assembly to NATA to present an AI workshop for nonprofits AND today presenting remotely at JS Nation on facilitating technical conversations! Why? Because I want to help people accomplish their work better in tangible, actionable ways.

I had a fun chat with my 7 year old about how I approach teams and staffing different projects. She goes “this is such a hard problem to solve!” She's right. It's a complex puzzle where every piece affects multiple others. How do we staff for headcount AND project success and individual growth?

November highlights are here! You'll find questions to consider as you’re making and planning for changes, plus some cool products and a few great articles worth reading. seasonedleadership.substack.com/p/whats-your...

It’s that time again…performance review time! Need some helpful tips? Look for my performance review posts here: daydreamsinruby.com/blog/

Yes, friends. It’s the end of October. Time to get your team organized for 2026. When I go into an organization, I look for 2 things: What is everyone saying and what isn't being said? So, what issues are your team avoiding? And how will you tackle them in a positive way to move the group forward?

Feedback I received during a training: "You're facilitating around something instead of through it." I was avoiding the real tension rather than helping the group work through it. True facilitation creates the right container for groups to navigate complex challenges together. #Facilitation

I've been busy... Chiefx in NYC, The Linux Foundation’s JSConf and Chiefx in DC. Women are claiming our multi-hyphenate identities as strategists, educators, fractional executives, fixers, all at the same time. We re-imagine, create, and impact positive change and forward momentum.

So far October has been a SPRINT, but I'm in it for the marathon. This month's highlights include a post on post-reorgs from me, a few great book recommendations, and blog highlights from other great thought leaders. Give it a read here: seasonedleadership.substack.com/p/sprinting-...

Yesterday's post was about what to do as a leader of a new business area post-reorg. Today we look from the other perspective. What happens when you’re a manager reporting to a new senior leader? Read my recs here: 5 things every manager should do after a reorg daydreamsinruby.com/blog/2025-10...

Reorgs… There’s no escaping them, there’s just getting really good at figuring out what to do when they happen. Here's what I often see, what you should do, and what I hope I see more of. Read on for tips to setting a strong foundation for moving forward. daydreamsinruby.com/blog/2025-08...

Great leaders know: it’s the people who define culture & do the work. Yet we often underinvest in them. Workshops, trainings & offsites give space for learning, connection & fun—without the pile of work waiting after vacation.

Recipe for an offsite 4.5 tablespoons strategic planning or reviewing of the plan 2 cups celebration 2 cups learning A heavy pour of mindfully curated and planned togetherness A dash of manufactured magic 1 cup clear outcomes and next steps

Last call for Extraordinary Machines apps! Deadline - Oct 6 + $500 “procrastinator discount." You’ll walk away with: • Strategic insights to use right away • A network that actually responds • Upgraded leadership toolkit • Clarity on what’s next shorturl.at/G6OhL

In preschool, my daughter played “someone’s missing”—one hid, the rest guessed who was missing. How often do we hide instead of allowing ourselves to be seen? Extraordinary Machines helps women step out, connect & leave with real takeaways. Apps close Oct 1. Link in comments, DMs open.

open.substack.com/pub/seasoned... Check out this months newsletter!

Part 3 company offsite concerns: We’ve always gotten good feedback, why change? Good is relative. Most teams haven't experienced a great offsite. A great offsite shifts team dynamics, speeds up decisions & creates momentum that lasts or years. You’re investing the time & money; why settle for good?

Part 2 of common tech company offsite concerns: “A facilitator isn’t in our budget.” But with flights, hotels, meals, and lost work time—you’re already investing big. A facilitator ensures that investment pays off. The real question: what value are you leaving on the table without one?

Kicking off a 3 part series to cover common concerns for planning offsites & bringing in a facilitator: Part 1: We want people to connect not spend our time in formal sessions Great facilitation marries content sessions & team bonding to create frameworks for real conversation to sustain remote work

The first deadline for Extraordinary Machines is tomorrow. This is a room for women in leadership who want real systems, not just good vibes. If you are looking for honest strategy and smart company, this might be it. Apply here: daydreamsinruby.com/retreat/ #WomenInLeadership #FallRetreat

There is a moment, right before fall really kicks in, where you can still set the tone. I wrote about that window and what it might look like to use it well. Read here: open.substack.com/pub/seasoned... #Leadership #WorkCulture

I am gathering 14 accomplished women for a leadership weekend that is all depth and no fluff. It is not about unplugging. It is about tuning in to what matters and building momentum you can carry forward. Apps due August 15. Details here: daydreamsinruby.com/retreat/ #WomenInLeadership

It is somehow August. While you are melting in the heat or wondering where summer went, here is a quick check-in. What is keeping you up at night about your team or work? What would make it better? If you want to talk it through, I am here. #Leadership #WorkCulture

So many tools, so much burnout. I love being productive but lately I’ve caught myself trying to optimize every moment of my day. And funny enough… it makes me less productive. I wrote about that in my latest post. daydreamsinruby.com/blog/2025-07...

Took my kid shopping before camp. We got to the fitting room and he looked at me and said,“What am I supposed to do now?” It had been so long, he forgot the steps. Made me think about work.We forget how often others need context for things we take for granted. Say the quiet parts too. #Leadership

A light summer prompt: Use your favorite AI tool to get 4 adjectives, 3 nouns, and 2 verbs. Then have it write a short story about your job using them. I’ll reply with mine — curious to see what others get too.

This month I’m thinking about the moments when something seems obvious but isn’t. The July newsletter is about clarity, missed context, and what it means to slow down and name what we thought didn’t need explaining. Read it here: open.substack.com/pub/seasoned...

Fall’s getting booked If you’re planning an offsite (or onsite) and want it to be energizing, thoughtful, and just really damn good, now’s the time to chat Let’s make something your team actually remembers #TeamOffsites #Leadership #Facilitation

Gave a team legos and asked them to build their actual week Not ideal, not aspirational. Just real. Then we looked at what they 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 it to feel like Play helps people tell the truth. And reimagine it. #Facilitation #Leadership #WorkCulture

Something’s in the works. Can’t wait to share it when it’s ready. In the meantime, I’d love input from women: When you invest time or money in a program (personal or professional), what makes it 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵? Replies open. Grateful for your insight. #WomenInLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment

It’s sleepaway camp season and I’m feeling all the nostalgia. Were you a camp kid? What stuck with you—friendships, unexpected lessons, a favorite moment? Would love to hear your stories. And tag your camp crew if you’re still in touch 💚 #CampMemories #SummerReflections #Connection

Shabbat shalom!

Gave my site a little summer glow-up ✨ New highlights: ▫️ Workshop offerings for real-world team needs ▫️ Rooftop DC photo moment in About Me ▫️ Details on gatherings I design + facilitate ▫️ A page of fave methodologies I actually use daydreamsinruby.com Let me know what sparks ideas! #Leadership

Earlier this year, I saw a facilitation moment I loved—an “appreciation station” at a Chief event. Write a note to a woman who shaped your path, even if she’s not in the room. Stamp it. Send it. Quiet, beautiful, connective. I’m still thinking about it. 💌 #Leadership #Facilitation

It’s almost July—whether that means a new fiscal year or a mid-year reset. Summer moves slower, until it doesn’t. Have you aligned with your team? Shared your strategy in a way that sticks? If that’s still in progress, I’d love to support you. Send me a message and let’s make it make sense.

New newsletter is up 💌 May brought recitals, showcases, and a lot on display. I’m not launching anything (yet), but I am sitting with a new idea—one that’s both exciting and a little scary. Wrote about that quiet in-between: seasonedleadership.substack.com/p/on-display... #WomenInLeadership

Karaoke with your team? It reveals 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. A friend and I swapped stories about how much you can learn by watching the flow—who takes charge, who supports, who hesitates. It’s a microcosm of team dynamics. What’s a tiny moment that’s told you a lot about a team? #coffeetalk #teambuilding

The hardest part of goal setting? Not writing SMART goals—it’s getting your team to care. As leaders, we’re not just guiding strategy—we’re helping people find purpose. New post on making goal setting more human: daydreamsinruby.com/blog/2025-05... #Leadership #WorkCulture #PeopleFirst

Not all life-changing moments come from mentors. Sometimes it's the person who gave you a chance, made an intro, or casually encouraged you. Tiny moments, huge impact. Anyone else think about their own “sliding doors” moments? #CareerJourneys #LifeLessons

May newsletter just dropped: reflections on the in-between—those quiet spaces between meetings. Some thoughts from my calendar audit, good reads, and surprisingly delightful recs (landlines + global snack boxes). Read here: seasonedleadership.substack.com/p/the-spaces...

I’ve never had a single “hero.” My growth comes from bits and pieces learned from many people—a manager’s conflict style, a colleague’s clarity, a friend’s support. Who’s shaped you, and what did you take from them? #Mentorship #ProfessionalGrowth