The most serious leaders I know all have something that sparkles

Two days on a client mission — called in to help an executive team step back before the 2027 planning discussions. Ten interviews later: a senior leadership in full renewal, a team already wondering how to breathe before Christmas, overwhelmed by the pace of change.

The honest question: what did I actually bring?

Helping people express their ideas? They could have done that without me. Putting problems in perspective, refocusing on what they control? Same. Asking the sharper questions that move things forward? Once again, they were capable of that without me.

So what did I actually contribute?

The sparkle moment

At the break, someone noticed my glitter shoes. Spontaneously, each person started wondering where in their own department they could also add some sparkle. Not surface-level gloss — just the gesture of enhancing what is already working, shedding light on it.

Restoring some lightness. Letting the quieter voices in the room carry weight. Refocusing the conversation on where there is real room for manoeuvre — not where everything depends on group decisions, regional constraints, or people not in that room.

Sparkle is not as futile as it seems

Yes, it can seem superficial. But it is also what allows you to elevate, to bring light, to restore hope when everything feels like nothing but urgency.

I genuinely believe that a little more sparkle in day-to-day life is part of what drives lasting performance. And performance remembers it long after I’ve left the room.

Where in your team would you need to add a little sparkle this week?