We Are All Better When We Rise Together

As the year winds down and the rosters start filling up again, this felt like the right moment to pause. December is always loud. Busy. Emotional. And if you work in hospitality, clubs, pubs or any service-based industry, it can be relentless.

This final newsletter of the year is not about strategies or systems. It's about people. Community. And the human connection that no amount of AI, automation or efficiency will ever replace.

After another busy, successful and rewarding year, this felt like the right time to say thank you, reflect on what truly matters, and remind you why connection sits at the heart of great leadership.

Community Is Not a Concept. It Is a Lived Experience.

Throughout 2025, we intentionally cycled our podcast and social media content through leadership, customer experience, marketing and the inner workings of business. But the foundation underneath it all has always been community.

Not as a buzzword. Not as a marketing slogan. But as something we live every single day in hospitality.

People come into our venues to connect. To sit quietly in a corner. To celebrate. To grieve. To belong. That human moment is the work. And this month’s podcast guests reminded us of that in very different, but equally powerful ways.

When Community Becomes Life-Changing

Clare Pearson from Little Wings shared a story that stopped many of us in our tracks.

Community, in her world, is sometimes life-saving. For families in regional and remote areas of NSW, ACT and Queensland, access to major hospitals can mean a 15-hour drive each way. Little Wings changes that through volunteer pilots who give their time to fly children and their families to treatment.

What struck me most was the ripple effect. When a parent leaves town to support a sick child, the impact reaches far beyond the family. It affects schools, farms, small businesses and entire communities. Shortening that journey does not just change outcomes for the child. It supports the whole town.

That is community in action.

Belonging Happens When Leaders Lead With Heart

Paul Allan’s story was overflowing with passion. You could hear it in his voice.

From his early days at Club Taree to stepping into the role of CEO, Paul showed us what happens when people feel connected to something bigger than themselves. Young Gen Z team members volunteering. Fundraising. Literally climbing mountains together.

Community does not happen by accident. It happens because someone invites people in. And someone chooses to lead with heart.

The Quiet Power of Micro-Communities

Natalie Hawkins reminded us that community does not always look big or loud. Sometimes it's Lego nights. Early morning ocean swims. Post-COVID social collectives looking for a home base rather than funding.

Our clubs, pubs, cafes and community spaces play a vital role here. They offer safety. Familiarity. A place to be seen.

Connection does not need to be grand to be meaningful.

One Human Moment at a Time

Across all three conversations, the message was clear: Community is built one human moment at a time.

When I look back over my own year, the training rooms, the consulting sessions, the tears, the laughter and the breakthroughs, I see that truth everywhere.

People crave connection. Teams thrive on belonging. Leaders succeed when they serve with heart.

A Big Year of Growth, Personally and Professionally

This year has been big. For my business. For my family. And for me personally.

There were weddings, health challenges, growing grandchildren and moments where business ownership felt heavy. But there was also clarity, gratitude, and deep love for the work I have been doing for 31 years.

Coaching and mentoring middle management teams across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria reminded me why this work matters.

If I had to capture this year in one sentence, it would be this:

We are all better when we rise together.

So if you are heading into a busy summer, especially in hospitality, here are five energising reminders to carry with you:

1. Protect your energy early

Set boundaries. Be clear about what you will and will not take on. Every no is a yes to something else.

2. Do not underestimate micro-rest

Five minutes matters. A drink of water. A deep breath. A short walk outside. Not every break needs to be at a desk or behind the bar.

3. Celebrate small wins daily

Covers served. Coffees made. Conversations had. Connection counts.

4. Create community at work

Burnout is not caused by hard work. It comes from disconnection. Say hello. Ask questions. Build belonging.

5. Ask for help and offer help

This season is lighter when the load is shared. You are not meant to carry it alone.

Looking Ahead to 2026

2026 is already shaping up to be a big year.

Middle management training is booking out early across Queensland and Sydney, with new programs designed to go deeper into leadership, emotional intelligence and culture.

We are also launching a fully upgraded OARS mystery shopping platform, bringing together AI-supported analysis, emotional intelligence indicators and more intuitive reporting to give leaders practical insights they can act on immediately.

If customer excellence, leadership capability and team engagement are priorities for your venue next year, I would love to have that conversation with you.

As we close out the year, I want to say thank you.

Thank you for listening. Thank you for leading with heart. Thank you for being part of this community, even if we have never met.

My Christmas wish for you is simple; may you feel connected, may you feel appreciated, and may you feel proud of what you have achieved this year.

Have a safe, restful break. And I cannot wait to continue the conversation with you in 2026.

Want more? Watch the full video here --> https://youtu.be/RoVcLijh2_Y