I love Spring. We have more sunlight, warmer temperatures, and more reasons to be outside in nature. And with the changing of the seasons, I’ve been thinking a lot about the seasons of life. There are seasons that are easy and seasons that are hard. Seasons that answer questions and seasons that ask them. Seasons where we’re building and striving, and seasons where we’re simply maintaining—showing up for our work, our families, and the people who need us. Each season carries its own strengths and challenges. And one of the hardest things to do is appreciate the season we’re in instead of wishing we were in a different one. If you’re in a hard season of parenting, it’s understandable to wish for something easier. If you’re in a challenging season at work, it’s tempting to focus on what’s next instead of what’s right in front of you. But instead of wishing for greener grass, I want to encourage you to lean into the season you’re in. I’m coming out of a really hard season—both as a business owner and as a parent. I was filled with anxiety, trying to control everything while also feeling powerless. Eventually, I had to surrender to what that season was asking of me. This surrender has turned into a season of deepening. Deepening my self-trust. Deepening the vision for Vitale & Company. Deepening my identity as a leader and a parent. Once I surrendered to that season, something shifted. Things felt lighter. The lessons became clearer. And the opportunities started to appear. Now we’re moving out of winter and into spring. Spring has always been my favorite season because it symbolizes growth, rebirth, and planting seeds. Leadership often looks exactly like that—planting seeds today that will grow in a future season. Here are three seeds worth planting right now. 1. Plant the seed of presence Most leaders underestimate the power of presence. In a world where everyone is busy, distracted, and moving fast, presence is rare. And because it’s rare, it’s powerful. Presence means listening fully instead of thinking about the next meeting. It means noticing when someone on your team is struggling—or when someone at home needs more of you. The truth is, presence matters just as much in our personal lives as it does in our leadership. Your team notices when you’re paying attention. Your kids notice when you’re distracted. Your partner notices when you’re fully there. People don’t need perfect leaders or perfect parents. They need people who are present. Action: Ask yourself: Where do I need to be more present in this season of my life? Maybe it’s a weekly one-on-one where you truly listen. Maybe it’s putting your phone away at dinner. Maybe it’s taking a walk with a friend or a child without rushing to the next thing. Small moments of presence compound into stronger relationships, deeper trust, and a more grounded way of leading. 2. Plant the seed of courageous leadership Every season of growth requires clearing space for something new. Many leaders are incredibly thoughtful and well-intentioned, but they delay the conversations that would help someone grow—whether that’s recognition, clarity around expectations, or performance feedback. Avoiding those conversations might feel easier in the moment, but it often creates confusion and frustration later. Strong leadership requires both care and courage. Action: Think about your team. Is there someone who needs encouragement or recognition? Is there someone who needs clear, thoughtful feedback so they can step into their next level? The conversation you’ve been putting off might be the seed that helps someone grow in the next season. 3. Plant the seed of self-trust Many leaders spend so much time supporting everyone else that they lose connection with themselves. We start looking outward for validation, reassurance, or certainty—when the answers are often already inside us. Self-trust is the foundation for navigating any season of leadership. It allows you to make decisions, take risks, and move forward without needing everything to be perfect first. And self-trust grows when we listen to ourselves, protect our energy, and honor what we need. Action: Ask yourself: What do I need in this season? More rest? More time to think? More movement? A conversation you’ve been putting off? Leadership is not just about driving results—it’s about protecting your clarity, energy, and intuition so you can lead well. As we step into this new season of the year, I encourage you to pause and reflect: What season are you in right now? What is it asking of you? And what seeds do you need to plant for what comes next? If you’re looking for spaces to invest in your own leadership growth this spring, we have three upcoming opportunities: Vitale & Company’s Executive Briefing — March 25 A conversation focused on leadership, strategy, and the human advantage in the age of AI. Present & Powerful Women’s Leadership Conference — April 16 A day focused on presence, confidence, and owning your leadership voice. Trust Catalyst for Healthcare Leaders — May 5–6 A two-day virtual experience designed to help healthcare leaders strengthen trust within their teams and organizations. Both are designed to help leaders grow—not just in what they do, but in how they lead.