Lead with kindness, and success will follow.

Happy 2024. The start of a new year is like starting a new chapter in a book. It’s a fresh start—but also a chance to build on what has come before. 

During the holidays, as I reflected on the year that has passed, I had a chance to think about what I want our next chapter to look like. Because it’s going to be a big one. There’s a lot in store for us—for both the organization and the destination.  

And as we move into 2024, I am focused on leading my team with kindness, and empowering them to do the same.

What does it mean to lead with kindness?

Leading with kindness means putting your people first. When a member of my team is facing a problem, my first priority is making sure that they’re okay. That they feel supported. And that they feel safe enough to come to me for help. Only then can we tackle the problem at hand. 

It means remembering that everyone is living a story they don’t always read out loud. When you take the time to really listen, you hear not only what’s being said, but also what isn’t. You learn how to look past the brave face that an individual might put on while dealing with something difficult, and find ways to support them. 

And, leading with kindness means taking the time to recognize the accomplishments of your team. No single person at the CTCC is responsible for our success. But when an individual achieves something great, we can all come together to celebrate. 

I have a feeling we’ll be accomplishing a lot of great things together as a team this year—including celebrating 50 years as a convention centre. It’s going to be a great chapter. You’re going to want to stick around.