Today’s my birthday.

And I spent it doing something that matters more to me than cake or candles - lunch with one of my favourite people.

Nicole Daniels was one of the best hires I ever made.

She joined my then-young, fast-growing, tech-driven agency more than 15 years ago as a mid-level HR manager.

From day one, she lit up the business - a combination of energy, excellence, passion, and tenacity that made everyone around her raise their game.

Over time, she became my right hand person as COO.

In those early days, delegation didn’t come naturally to me.
This was my baby after all.
But Nicole built such trust that I learned to let go.
First to trust her.
Then to trust others.

And that changed everything.
It allowed the business and me to grow beyond my own limits.

She also has that rare combination of empathy and assertiveness.
She could challenge me hard, but always in a way that kept me grounded and my ego in check.
It’s a gift, and she used it well.

Since we both left the agency, we’ve stayed close.
These days, we coach each other, swapping roles between client, sounding board and challenger.

It’s funny: I often see people on here on LinkedIn crediting mentors who came before them. And there are many giants who I stand on the shoulders of.

But one of my greatest teachers came after me - someone younger, different, and with a completely unique set of strengths.

It’s reminded me of something I now share often with my coaching clients:
Wisdom doesn’t just flow downhill.

Some of the best leadership growth happens when we’re humble enough to learn from the people we’ve led.

It takes self-awareness to notice when someone else’s strength reveals a blind spot in you.

And it takes maturity to celebrate it rather than defend against it.
That’s the kind of leadership I try to help others build - confident enough to be teachable.

So thank you, Nicole - for challenging, teaching, and walking beside me.
The best leaders never stop learning, especially from the ones they once led.