Identity—our race, gender, culture, class, language, values, and lived experiences—doesn’t sit outside leadership. It actively shapes how leadership is expressed, received, and sustained. When leaders understand and embrace who they are, their impact deepens—not just for themselves, but for the communities they serve.

Uncertainty has become a defining feature of our time. Economic instability, policy shifts, public health challenges, and social change continue to reshape the landscape in which individuals and organizations operate. For nonprofits and community-centered leaders, uncertainty is not a temporary disruption—it is an ongoing condition.

Starting the year with intention offers a different approach. It prioritizes alignment over activity and clarity over speed. By intentionally aligning purpose, values, and action, individuals and organizations can build momentum that is both sustainable and equitable.

A vision reset offers an alternative starting point. Rather than asking, “What should we do this year?” it asks a more foundational question: “Why are we doing this work, and does our current direction still serve that purpose?” For mission-driven individuals and nonprofits, especially those navigating complex social and economic challenges, purpose must come before productivity.