The Year Of Coco

November 3, 2025

What a year!!!

So far in 2025 we: 

  • Launched Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Mobile, Alabama Innovation programs
  • Brought in 25 new users of Coco.
  • Reviewed and analyzed Over 1,500 processes
  • Produced 700 documents for standard work
  • Trained over 822 people to improve processes
  • Partnered with ICMA to provide Innovation Bootcamp 
  • Saved more than $4 million for clients
  • Provided insights into 48 processes in two days––unthinkable in the past

I am blown away by what we were able to accomplish this year. So much of this I never even thought was even possible. 

Our work took us around the world––from Canada to Australia to New Zealand to Birmingham to Seattle and dozens in between.

What did I learn this year?

In times of challenge, we create and make the best innovations!

We helped Austin find ways to improve their services by uncovering processes with Coco and provided feedback on how their teams could use Co-Pilot to remove tedious tasks.  

We helped map and document the entire financial services team for Queensland, Australia, in less than 3 months. 

Our friends in Jefferson County, Alabama, are on track to generate more than $2 million in revenue this year by changing several processes in the Revenue Department. 

These short bursts are our strongest demonstrations to date. 

And yet, I can’t say this was a great year. 

In fact, with all of our success and incredible partnerships, I’ve struggled more this year at work than I have in a long time.

This year, I constantly questioned what I was doing in my work life.

   Should I continue this work? 

   Should I go back to teaching young people instead of adults? 

   Should I stop teaching altogether and find something I never thought about doing? 

For some reason, these questions are still at the forefront of my mind.

I think about these questions more now than I have since leaving the City and County of Denver.

I think you could confidently call this a midlife crisis…instead of overall malaise.

This year, I trained more than 400 leaders to work on their management skills.

In those trainings, I found myself questioning my leadership over and over. 

I also found it incredibly taxing to hear stories about how absolutely terrible some adults treat each other. 

On more than one occasion, I asked the leader to leave the course because their behavior was detrimental to the course and the group.

I know it sounds odd… but yes, I asked leaders to remove themselves from my course.  

I’ve been called names by grown adults and have even been told to … “buzz off.”  

I recognize that I can rub some people the wrong way. But come on. 

To be blunt..this year sucked my energy dry. 

When these challenges occur, it’s incredibly difficult to remember your your purpose to serve.  

For me, success often comes with frustration. It is an exhausting paradox.

Which is confusing. 

Big wins and milestone achievements can sometimes leave me feeling disenchanted for some reason.

I’m often asking myself “what more could I be doing” instead of sitting back and seeing what I have done.

While Change Agents and rvrwrk both experienced impactful successes this year, it wasn’t until I received this note from more than 20 students in my class…that I remembered why I get back on the proverbial horse every day.

“Your course made me remember what is possible…hope you get the chance to reflect and appreciate your work. You’ve helped A LOT of people!”

It only takes one…or in this case…22 people to remind me of my purpose. 

This November, I celebrate my 50th birthday.  

And with my birthday comes a request….  

Take a minute.  

Send a note to that boss, leader, or colleague.

Let them know you appreciate them. 

They probably need to hear it from you. They may be in my same position, struggling to get back on the horse.

So this year…I’m going to get grounded.  

I will hold myself to maintain a positive attitude, look up to people who can make a difference, and believe we all can demonstrate better leadership to our team, partners, and each other.

I’m gonna focus on grounding myself and push off into the next year on solid footing.  Don’t worry.  I am not done yet!!!  

Interested in innovating your workforce? Drop me a line for a free consultation here. 

P.S. Interested in learning about my new company, rvrwrk (River Work)?

First of its kind: a technology-enabled service that helps you uncover the root causes of your process problems in minutes, not weeks. Click here to schedule a free demo and learn more.

P.P.S. November 2025 soundtrack, courtesy of Kora,