Estimated read time: 5 minutes

I love this time of year when I get to help leaders design their annual kickoff meetings and refresh their vision for future growth.

Sadly, some growth grinches roam these gatherings. Much like the grumpy solitary creature in the film “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” some leaders miss the true meaning and mechanics behind this important holiday –the planning season. In 2023, I witnessed how these “bah humbug” habits disrupted investor confidence, demoralized team members, and crushed careers….

In this era of data deluge, suspicion, and endless chatter, I believe that our most successful marketing leaders are rediscovering the lost art of listening.

This year, it’s tempting for C-Suite leaders to obsess over boosting the balance sheet. They focus on efficiency—the theme song of our times. This approach has irreparable consequences. It leaves companies vulnerable to competitors who are committed to boosting customer-facing value to improve the bottom line.

Hype cycles take us—and our stakeholders—on a wild ride. Without strategic guardrails, our brand may be forever damaged. Yet here we are, diving into countless ChatGPT and other generative AI use cases and experiments, skipping the strategic questions and downplaying the consequences of unfettered use.

In episode 70 of The Mindful Marketer, we offer strategies to help you navigate the daunting digital desert and privacy pressures – and help you engage and keep great customers.

To avoid big career setbacks, you need to see around corners, build a “value creator” mindset, and amplify alliances with Finance now.

I love the marketing profession, and watching our community members build healthier companies and lives. Why? Because marketing leadership combines head and heart—not just during the Valentine’s Day holiday, but throughout the year.

Collaborative, cross-functional planning requires us to explore new growth strategies. Those strategies should fulfill three guiding principles: they must boost the bottom line, align with our core values, and drive predictable 2023 results.

ChatGPT, tougher privacy rules, and a growing demand for differentiation can decimate well intended thought leadership and content strategies.

When I reflect on this crazy year, my favorite moments shared one common wave: they involved acts of generosity.