As we wrap up this remarkable year, I’m delighted to share this final newsletter—a celebration of the audacious moments that shaped 2024. When I chose “Joy” as my word for the year, little did I know how profoundly it would weave through every experience, from the exhilarating launch of my book to watching my son explore the world.
Life, in its infinite wisdom, presented us with both triumphs and trials. Family challenges, health concerns, and global conflicts touched our lives, but they also revealed our incredible capacity for resilience. Through it all, joy wasn’t just an emotion—it became our compass, illuminating even the darkest paths. Let me share twelve transformative insights, one from each month of this extraordinary journey.
January: The Power of Self-Investment – Lesson #1: Your greatest ROI come from investing in yourself
The year began with an intensive three-day immersion alongside two visionaries I deeply admire: Rich Litvin and Daniel Priestley. While the financial commitment stretched my comfort zone, the dividends of this investment rippled throughout the entire year, proving that betting on yourself yields unprecedented returns.
February: The Joy of Creative Risk – Lesson #2: Every experiment is a step toward growth
Launching “Audacious Conversations Live” on LinkedIn marked a thrilling new chapter. What started as an experiment blossomed into a wellspring of inspiration, connecting me with extraordinary minds and igniting conversations that continue to energize me. This project, born from curiosity, has become a cherished cornerstone I’m excited to carry into 2025.
March: The Courage to Begin – Lesson #3: Every significant achievement starts with a single step
March bustled with many new beginnings, including partnering with Cinven to launch their Ascend Network, bringing together 100 senior women from portfolio companies to explore Emotional Intelligence. The enthusiasm and eagerness to learn in that room was electric.
April: The Art of Play – Lesson #4: Life flourishes in the balance of work and joy
Traversing Europe for birthday celebrations taught me a profound truth: life is indeed too serious to be taken seriously. By embracing play, we unlock our capacity for greater productivity and creativity. Sometimes, the most important work happens when we’re having fun.
May: The Power of Community – Lesson #5: Growth multiplies in shared spaces
The 4th Audacious Leaders Retreat in Transylvania and the completion of our 2nd Artemis programme highlighted the magic of collective growth. These gatherings became sacred spaces where intentions were set, seeds were planted, and extraordinary transformations began.
June: The Journey Within – Lesson #6: Deep reflection catalyses profound change
Venturing to Sedona, Arizona for a Threshold Retreat marked a pivotal moment in my personal evolution. This spiritual journey paralleled the completion of our 2nd edition of Inspiring Women
Leadership Programme at Natixis, where we explored courage, visibility, and the power of authentic leadership.
July: The Gift of Presence – Lesson #7: Rest is not a luxury—it’s a necessity
Los Angeles became a sanctuary of joy with my children and 4PC friends as we prepared for my book launch. These moments of pure presence and play reminded me that our greatest achievements are built on a foundation of well-nourished spirits.
August: The Power of Dreams Realized – Lesson #8: Every achievement is a collective celebration
The launch of my book “The Audacity Spectrum” wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a testament to the power of community. Friends, family, and clients from across the globe came together to celebrate this dream turned reality, reminding me that our greatest accomplishments are always collaborative.
September: The Beauty of Letting Go – Lesson #9: Growth often requires releasing control
As my son embarked on his ten-week Peruvian adventure, I learned profound lessons about trust, growth, and gratitude. His journey became our journey, teaching us both about the courage it takes to spread our wings.
October: The Impact of Connection – Lesson #10: We rise by lifting others
Reuniting with my 4PC community on Vancouver Island reinforced a crucial truth: we become who we surround ourselves with. This extraordinary tribe of coaches and leaders continues to elevate my vision of what’s possible.
November: The Power of Yes – Lesson #11: Opportunity dances with the bold
Transforming “No-vember” into “Yes-vember” opened doors to remarkable adventures and a cascade of enriching opportunities, all explored in my previous Newsletter. From launching Deutsche Bank’s 3rd MAP Women Leadership Programme and re-launching LGC’s Women Network, to facilitating workshops for Panasonic, Cinven, Columbia Business School, Abbvie in Switzerland, and Artemis Masterclass in London, each “Yes” built momentum for positive change.
Perhaps the most meaningful “Yes” was attending our first Return-to-Self Retreat in Transylvania, led by Carmen, where we discovered the profound power of slowing down, reflection, and rejuvenation.
December: The Gift of Gratitude – Lesson #12: Appreciation multiplies joy
Closing the year with Level 20’s webinar on Audacity and our 27th Audacious Conversation on LinkedIn (now on Youtube) brought everything full circle. Your overwhelming response and kind words reminded me why this work matters so deeply.
As 2024 draws to a close, I’m filled with immense gratitude for this year of joy, growth, and audacious adventures. To my incredible team, our inspiring clients, and you—my valued reader—thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey. May your holidays be filled with joy, and may 2025 bring you countless opportunities to embrace your own audacity.
With heartfelt appreciation and warmest wishes for the festive season,
Alina x