Leadership is changing—fast. New technologies, shifting workplace cultures, and the constant pace of change are rewriting the playbook every day. At Leadership Austin, we believe leadership isn’t a destination—it’s something you practice. That belief came to life at our recent LeaderLab Thank You event, where C-suite participants and executive coaches came together to reflect on what it truly takes to lead in today’s world.
One theme stood out: the importance of renewal. We often use the phrase “sharpen the saw,” a reminder to invest in our physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being. Just like the lumberjack who paused to sharpen his saw, leaders who take time to recharge return more effective, resilient, and clear. LeaderLab gave participants that pause—space to step back, share openly, and return to their organizations with new perspective.
During the event, four coaches served as panelists* and reminded us that modern leadership isn’t only about strategy—it’s about humanity. AI may expand our knowledge, but compassion, care, and empathy are what build trust and connection. Words build worlds, and the way we communicate shapes the cultures we create.
Panelists:
- Alida Al-Saadi – Disruption Expert & Strategic Ally, Alida Al-Saadi LLC
- Becky Pastner – Pastner Leadership, Coach & Strategist (Essential 41-2020)
- Keith Lewis – VeraSpark President / Author
- Jim Pacey – Pacey Consulting & Coaching CEO (Essential 39-2018)
- Moderated by Jill Goodman, Leadership Austin CEO (Essential 36-2015)
We also heard hard truths: what worked before won’t always work now. Leaders today face both VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) and BANI (brittle, anxious, nonlinear, incomprehensible) realities. The challenge is to adapt quickly without losing sight of who we are, to pivot while staying grounded in our values.
Again and again, the conversation circled back to resilience, empathy, and presence. The better we manage ourselves, the better we can lead our teams and communities.
The biggest takeaway? Leadership doesn’t happen alone. It grows stronger in circles of trust, reflection, and support. For that, we’re grateful to the St. Edward’s University Kozmetsky Center for hosting our event and to our LeaderLab participants, executive coaches, and Leadership Austin community.
– Chris Nieto, Chief Program Officer for Leadership Austin