When I first published this book in 2021, my world was in turmoil. I wrote it from my dining room table during a global pandemic, as we collectively processed the murder of George Floyd and so many other painful truths. It was a time of deep reckoning, grief, and clarity.

As I share in Chapter 1, I wrote this book because it was the resource I couldn’t find, but knew we desperately needed. Leaders at every level were searching for something deeper, more honest, and more human. There was a gap. This book was my attempt to fill it.

Now, in 2025, Below the Surface leadership is more important than ever. We are living in a fractured world. Systems are breaking down. Leadership structures are being questioned. There is resistance, yes—but there is also hope. The world is changing, and we, the people, have the power to shape what comes next. We can and must build something more human, more connected, and more just. We can’t stop now.

Before you dive in, I want to share why we chose to publish this updated edition. While the heart of the book remains the same, we’ve refreshed the citations, refined the language, and added new tools and perspectives to help us meet this moment, with all its complexity, uncertainty, and possibility.

I continue to be humbled and deeply grateful whenever I hear how this book has helped someone show up differently. Whether it’s as a leader, a teammate, or simply as a human being. That impact is something I hold close.

And if this book resonates with you, I invite you to explore Living Below the Surface: Building Emotional Strength and REAL Connection in a Broken World. Together, let’s keep leaning into the work of authentic connection, deep listening, and leading from a place of truth.

With gratitude,