JSC Newsletter: Nov. 17, 2025

Welcome to this week’s JSC Newsletter!

This week, we’re continuing the theme of Quiet Progress — but shifting it outward.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s the perfect time to think beyond ourselves and lean into the power of being selfless in our professional relationships. Not selfless in a way that drains us — but in a way that reconnects us to people, purpose, and possibility.

As we reflect on the previous weeks, we will also revisit our theme of Quiet progress and the idea that it isn’t always internal. Sometimes it’s the quiet act of reaching out, checking in, and becoming a bridge for others.

Over the past week, I reached out to 3 former colleagues, not with an agenda, not with a pitch, just with genuine curiosity and care. Those conversations were joyful, grounding, and surprisingly impactful. 

Here’s what happened:

• One reconnection sparked an unexpected professional opportunity! Simply because we shared what we’ve each been building and realized our work aligns more than ever.

• One turned into a moment of mentorship, supporting a rising star who’s stepping into their next chapter. An exciting opportunity for me to give back and be present for him right in the moment. 

• And one reminded me that some relationships are truly timeless — that the bond between two people can outlast any workplace, role, or season.

These connections are the fabric of the human experience and we need that time. Don't be afraid to lean in.

As you move through this week, consider making one small, selfless gesture: Reach out. Reconnect. Check in. Not to ask for something — but to offer something. A moment of presence. A reminder that they matter. 

These are the touches that create momentum, community, and unexpected opportunity — the kind of quiet progress that doesn’t just move you forward, but lifts others too.

I'm also going to be switching things up a little with a book list! Recommendations welcome! 

Ready? Let's go! 

Mindset in Motion: Moving with Intention When the World Slows Down

Continuing to build on our theme of Quiet Progress.

Quiet Progress is the discipline of moving forward with intention, even when the world around you shifts into holiday mode. This season often convinces people to pause their search, postpone outreach, or wait for January to “start fresh.” But quiet progress reframes that instinct. It reminds us that being quiet is not the same as being inactive — it’s being strategic.

While hiring may appear to slow, the behind-the-scenes activity doesn’t: recruiters are still reviewing candidates, updating pipelines, and making connections at a higher rate because the noise of daily operations finally quiets down. When others step back, it becomes your opportunity to step in — not loudly, but thoughtfully, like my conversations this past week. Quiet progress is built through small touches, thoughtful outreach, gratitude-driven connection, and revisiting relationships you may have let fade during the busy year.

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” — Chinese Proverb

This is the moment to reflect on the people who impacted you, reconnect with the ones you admire, relate by meeting them where they are, and engage with genuine curiosity. These actions compound over time. They don’t demand visibility today, but they prepare you for visibility tomorrow.

Quiet progress is planting the seeds today that your future self will be thankful you didn’t wait on.

Feeling lost? Need some help or accountability? Could benefit from a soundboard or a 1:1 session to explore some of these elements? Book some time: Personalized Workshops+Coaching

Food for Thought: A Book List

Another way we can implement our Quiet Progress is enrichement. I have always found enrichment from others, either personally or in the written word. Which is why this week, I'm sharing a book list! 

Each title highlights a different dimension of selflessness — from the long-term success of giving without expectation, to the power of elevating others, to creating meaningful moments that strengthen relationships.

• Give and Take — Adam Grant

• The Go-Giver — Bob Burg & John David Mann

• Big Potential — Shawn Achor

• The Art of Gathering — Priya Parker

• The Power of Moments — Chip Heath & Dan Heath

Together, they offer a roadmap for showing up with gratitude, building genuine community, and unlocking opportunities not through force, but through curiosity, presence, and purpose. They remind us that the quiet, human-centered actions we take today often become the catalysts for tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

I'd love to hear feedback from any of these titles, if there are any you've read or maybe pick up, drop a note in Discord to get the conversation started!

That's a wrap! 

As we move into Thanksgiving week, remember that real momentum often happens in quiet, intentional moments, simple actions like reaching out, reconnecting, and expressing genuine gratitude. 

When we move with intention and generosity, opportunity has a way of finding us. So, lead with gratitude, reconnect with purpose, and trust that these small, quiet actions will become the foundation for everything you’re building in the months ahead.

And as always, let’s keep building!

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Cheers, 

Tena & Stephen