eLeader July 2025
Change is the only constant.
Change isn’t good or bad. It just is.
There’s an old parable about a Chinese farmer, whose horse runs away one day.
His neighbors say, “That’s terrible!”
He replies, “Maybe.”
Then the horse returns with more horses.
“Wonderful!” the neighbors say.
“Maybe,” he replies again.
The story continues with different events—each seemingly good or bad, but always met with the same calm, measured response. The farmer never rushes to judgment, because he knows something wise: the full meaning of any moment is rarely clear right away.
Lately, I’ve been living through a few of those moments myself.
A yard project keeps stalling due to conflicting information.
A routine dental procedure for our dog turned into a series of serious health concerns.
A new chapter has unfolded as our company transitions to new ownership.
Each change arrived quickly. But the full impact? It’s still unfolding.
Here’s what I’m learning (again) as a leader from the farmer:
✳️ Change happens fast, but meaning takes time.
In our lives, our teams, and our organizations, change often shows up suddenly. But more than the event itself, how we respond to it is what matters. With intention. With presence. With care.
✳️ Reserve judgement in the moment.
They say “hindsight is 20/20” for a reason; it’s easy to see what should have been done once we have the whole picture. Even though our natural reaction is to make sense of what is happening in the moment, sometimes we need the distance to truly understand.
✳️ Change can be uncomfortable—but a chance for growth.
Our human nature desires certainty and stability, so change can feel frustrating, disorienting, or sometimes even painful. But that doesn’t mean it’s bad. Naming what we are feeling is different than labeling the moment itself—and learning that difference is a muscle leaders must build.
Business (and life) will always be full of change. Great leadership means learning to stay curious, hold space without judgement, and navigate uncertainty with courage. You don’t have to have all the answers, just the patience to let it unfold. And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can say is simply “Maybe.”
How do you typically respond to unexpected change? When has a change in your life surprised you—for better or worse? What helps you stay grounded in times of uncertainty? What’s something that felt like an ending but turned into a beginning? What recent change are you still making meaning of?
LEADERSHIP & CULTURE
How to be a Better Leader During Difficult Times 💪
Register here for free to attend July 31
In business, crisis is inevitable—when it hits, your team needs presence, not perfection. Join Oracle NetSuite and Entrepreneur for a free webinar on July 31 with Garrett Cathcart, a military veteran, nonprofit founder, and entrepreneur who’s led through high-stakes chaos in both combat and business. Learn best practices for leading with clarity, making tough decisions under pressure, and aligning your team to turn uncertainty into momentum.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Techstars Entrepreneur's Toolkit 🧰
Access it here
The Techstars Entrepreneur’s Toolkit is a free online resource designed to help you master the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Learn directly from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts who support startups in Techstars accelerators, and gain the tools you need to confidently build and scale your startup.
INNOVATION
TechChicago Week ✨
Learn more here
From July 21–27, TechChicago Week brings the city to life with a week-long series of in-person events and experiences celebrating Chicago’s vibrant tech ecosystem.
Explore the bold ideas, emerging industries, and tech trends that are shaping innovation and building the future in Chicago.
PERSONAL GROWTH
WHY Institute❓
Take the assessment ($)
Building off Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle, the WHY Institute helps you uncover your core motivations—your why. It’s self-assessment helps you pinpoint your deepest drivers to the way you operate: why you do what you do, how you bring this to life, and what people can ultimately count on from you. Read more in the blog or listen to the podcast.