Noticing The Tone

 Day 308 of 2026

Hi Friends,

I’ve been more aware lately, and one of the things I’ve noticed is how much the tone of the person I report to changes from day to day. Some days she asks how I’m doing. Other days she goes straight to the topic. Lately, it’s almost always the topic.

She isn’t someone I idolize as a leader, and I’m learning that’s okay. Not everyone we work with will be a model we want to follow. But I’m starting to believe that every person we work with is still teaching us something, even if the lesson is simply what we want to do differently.

I don’t think she means anything by it. People are busy, and pressure has a way of narrowing our attention until all that’s left is the task. 

So instead of taking it personally, I’m choosing to treat it as a quiet reminder. A small “how are you?” costs almost nothing, but it can change how someone walks into a conversation. I want to be the kind of person who asks it and actually waits for the answer.

It also makes me wonder how my own tone shifts from day to day, and what the people around me notice when I’m not paying attention.

So here’s my question for you. What’s one small thing you could do this week to make someone feel seen before you get to the point?

Wishing you peace and happiness from my heart to yours!

Peace

Monita