The Catalyst in the Quiet

This time of year feels strange. As the holidays approach, corporate offices grow quiet while employees burn through their remaining Paid Time Off. When the frantic fourth-quarter rush finally grinds to a halt, I find myself standing on the outside, peering into a world that has momentarily paused. While others celebrate steady paychecks and family traditions, I navigate the lonely path of a job seeker. I am metaphorically wandering the streets in search of work. This humbling contrast forces me to slow down and provides a space for reflection.

When my contract expired in October, I had high hopes. I was lining up interviews and applying for roles. What I did not realize is that the abundance of white-collar professionals on the job market, combined with the economic uncertainty surrounding current government policy, made it a muddy field filled with landmines. People in hiring roles could afford to be choosy, and previous experience in particular business areas was no longer a nice-to-have but mandatory. It made looking for work feel like attempting to hit the lottery.

I decided to put the work in filling out applications, speaking with recruiters, and writing numerous cover letters and resumes. I also learned to use Artificial Intelligence tools to help me craft messages tailored to different companies. The process is humbling, but I think it will yield results in the new year.

I also took the time to reflect on my career and the lessons I have learned. First, I discovered that my strength as a leader is being a "glue guy" on my team. Instead of taking a leading role, I found ways to help myself and other team members succeed. What happened was a pleasant surprise, and it led to greater job satisfaction. Assisting the team elevated my personal profile and improved its visibility.

I also discovered that I need to be involved but not invested in client engagements. Jeff Puetz said that if I looked at work this way, I would take it less personally. He was right. Some things are out of my control, and feeling anxious about them is counterproductive. Thus, I cannot invest my entire personality in my role or in the client's outcomes. I am not in charge of funding, but I can use the financing I have responsibly. I can train and coach people to do the right thing, but I cannot force them to do what is necessary. It was a difficult lesson to accept.

Many websites and services offer year-in-review features. Google characterized my music tastes as indescribable, but I did listen to plenty of Sade and Thomas Dolby in the last year. In 2025, LinkedIn decided to roll out a similar feature, and they said my role was as a catalyst for ideas. I take great pride in that designation.

The business world usually runs on dull routines and more of the same. It also wastes a lot of time on "change" projects that are poorly thought out and end up hurting things more than helping. What I bring to the table is a skeptical eye and a desire to make work better for everyone. It is why I keep looking at Artificial Intelligence as an expensive and risky technology that might not live up to the hype. I am not afraid to call out bad actors in the business world and offer helpful suggestions for keeping projects on track.

Like any good catalyst, I help ideas and people come together to create new solutions that make businesses better. The last year has been challenging, but I have grown and matured in plenty of unexpected ways, and I look forward to bringing that expertise to my next client. I hope everyone has a good Christmas, and I look forward to my predictions issue next week.

Until next time.