Wine, Hot Chocolate, and the Art of Letting Go

While I was away in Paris with my daughter, I was living a moment I had envisioned for years — a mommy and daughter trip to Europe. In my mind, she would be older, and we’d be sharing a glass of wine on a cobblestone street somewhere. But in reality, it was wine for me and hot chocolate for her. And honestly? It was just as sweet.

Being away didn’t mean I was completely disconnected. In the background, I was still aware of standing meetings, messages, emails waiting for replies, and team members looking for my input. But here’s the thing: I’ve learned that I can’t give quality input unless I’m in the right frame of mind. Trying to catch me while I’m strolling through the Marais or asking me to find a quiet café for a call is a lose-lose — for me and the person on the other end.

Over time, I’ve realized that I operate best when I’m fully in one mode or the other — either fully immersed in work, or fully present in my personal life. When the two blur, I feel like I’m cheating both. I might be physically present with my daughter, but mentally checking off a to-do list. And that never feels good. It makes the moment feel diluted, like I was never really there.

Midway through the trip, I started to feel guilty for being unresponsive. That little voice crept in — you should check in, you should answer, you should show up more. But then I reminded myself: eff it. No one is going to fault me for soaking in time with my daughter. This is what I live and breathe. It’s the autonomy I preach and offer to my team. I trust them to move forward without me — as long as we’re aligned in clarity and vision.

Of course, I’m still working on being more consistent with giving the kind of input that allows decisions to carry through in my absence. But here's what I know for sure: I came back, and my team had crushed it. They brought our vision to life in a way that felt aligned and alive. It wasn’t just maintenance — it was progress.

That’s the beauty of cultivating leaders. When I step away, they step up — often in ways that surprise me. They don’t just hold it down; they rise higher than expected. And I’m reminded: the best thing I can do as a leader is to get out of the way sometimes and let them lead.

So here's to wine, hot chocolate, and the quiet magic that happens when you trust your team — and give yourself the grace to be where your heart wants to be.