In our culture of highlight reels and polished success posts, I’ve come to believe the stories we need more of are the ones that haven’t been resolved yet.

The in-between moments are where your real work happens. And we all want to hear more about that! In this post, I’ll share a few actual timestamps from my day today, alongside some collective reflections on how “in-the-moment” stories connect us with customers, peers, friends, family… and maybe most importantly, with ourselves.

Where’s your Head Today…Right Now?

If you’re reading this on LinkedIn, let me ask: Where’s your head right now…today? Are you willing to share? I admit, it’s an uncomfortable action for me.

Here’s where today took me: scattered, buzzing, and a little business-waterlogged. I’ve been in back-to-back strategy sessions, digging through campaign reporting, refining proposals, and coaching creatives. Wednesday was a blur. I felt like I was just showing up and checking boxes. Nothing was bad. But nothing felt sharp.

Then something shifted. I had a 1-on-1 check-in with one of our art directors—a conversation that wasn’t on my mental “highlight reel” going into the day. We talked about each of our struggles to balance growing pains with rewarding growth. It brought us both to a place of energy, alignment, and a renewed sense of purpose. It reminded me that even on seemingly deflated days, connection can be the spark that makes the work feel real again.

Why the In-the-Middle Stories Matter

Too often, we wait until something’s “done” to talk about it. We wait until the deck is finalized, the launch has gone live, or the win has been secured. And while those milestones matter, they don’t carry nearly as much weight without the context of the journey.

I compare it to the snapshots while practicing an instrument (yes, I took this photo today).

As leaders, creatives, and decision-makers, it’s tempting to reveal only the polished version. We bank our success on the brilliant outcome, but our soul’s investment takes place well before the crowd cheers. What we all truly connect with—and learn from—are the in-progress, behind-the-scenes, “we’re still in it” stories. That’s where the resonance lives, and where the growth happens.

“What we all truly connect with—and learn from—are the in-progress, behind-the-scenes, “we’re still in it” stories. That’s where the resonance lives, and where the growth happens.”

Making Room for the Valuable Interruptions

In my hybrid schedule—part Zooms, part whiteboard sketching, part deep work—I’ve started recognizing the value of intentional interruptions. Not just allowing them, but>respecting them, because, as a business owner, husband, father, and community member, those interruptions aren’t distractions. They’re part of my whole self. And I’ve noticed: when I allow them in, I lead more authentically. I show up with more humanity for my team and my clients: This happened today:

• 8:15am: A block walk with my labradoodle, Pepper
• 9:25am: A nutrition chat with my wife Heather
• 10:45am: A sofa sit-down with my 15-yr-old, just social-scrolling  ;-]

These moments don’t pull me away from leadership. They inform it. They help me stay rooted in what matters. They keep my expectations for others real. And they model the kind of balance I hope our team feels permission to seek for themselves.

The Value of Stories in Progress

Creative work, marketing strategy, and leadership all require insight. But insight rarely comes in perfect packages. It emerges in conversations, observations, even in frustrations. And if we wait until things are wrapped up and client-ready before we reflect, we miss out on the best lessons. Here are a few ways I try to stay present with what’s happening now:

1. Journal Quick Fragments: I keep a rolling note with 2–3 bullet points a day. What clicked? What felt off? What’s worth revisiting? No need to polish—just capture.
2. Reflect Out Loud: Voice notes after a meeting or task help me articulate what I’m sensing, especially when something didn’t go as expected. It creates clarity I can return to later.
3. Share Something Before it’s Fully Solved: When appropriate, I’ll share with a team member or client what I’m still navigating. It builds trust and often leads to stronger solutions. It also tells others: you don’t have to have it all figured out to speak up.

You Don’t Have to Be a Thought Leader to Lead with Thought

I want to be better at showing up with intention—for the people I serve, the business I’m building, and the culture we’re shaping. And sometimes, that means opening a post or conversation with “Here’s where I’m at today.” It won’t always be shiny, but it will be sincere. And if that sincerity gives somebody else permission to state where they are, reflect more clearly, or lead more authentically, then it’s worth sharing,