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Know yourself, and show up on purpose

Resolute just turned 8 years old. When my human child was small, people told me, "The days are long, but the years are short". I have come to believe that aphorism is not exclusive to parenting. Rather, it is true for any intense endeavor to which we are deeply committed. Resolute is certainly, joyfully, and - at times - exhaustingly, such an endeavor for me. Some days have lasted forever, and eight years have passed in the blink of an eye!

I am indulging myself in this edition of the "officially occasional" newsletter. I'll be sharing 8 lessons I have learned so far (with resources, of course) as well as (re)introducing myself and the firm.

You may notice a refreshed logo at the top of this page. I've recently invested in examining my vision of and for Resolute - now and in the years to come - and the logo is a representation of that. The name Resolute was chosen for many reasons, and my connection to the word itself has strengthened over time. The design of the logo captures the both/and mindset in which Resolute lives and does its best work. You'll see the new visual brand rolling out in the months to come - the ethos is already in place.

Thanks for being here. You're how we made it this far, and what makes this a joyful ride.

Joanna Kozlowski | Founder | Resolute Consulting

Lessons from the first 8 years

1. Rest before you need it. I have navigated a pinball game of exertion and exhaustion over the life of the business, and identified a pattern of year-end illness that I have to admit comes from ignoring the needs of my body (and my mind) for too long. It has been humbling. The 7 Types of Rest related work of Saundra Dalton-Smith has been transformational for me. Full disclosure - I didn't send this newsletter the weekend that Resolute actually turned 8, because I was resting in ways both fun and refreshing.
2. Know what you don't do. I want to do work that I am differentiatedly good at. There's a confidence in that statement - there are things I believe myself to be differentiatedly good at! - but also a rigorous honesty. There are services I do not provide, topics in which I am not an expert, and clients with whom I would not be well aligned. I'm quick to refer and happy to connect prospects to the right resources.
3. Find your community. This is different from friends, clients, and advisors (see below). These are the groups where there are "people like you". Professional associations are wonderful resources (mine include CREW DC, SMPS DC, and Innovation Women), but do not be afraid to create the right community if you cannot find it. Shout out to the Sane Solvent Solopreneurs group I founded just over two years ago - and hope to bring to the wider world this year!
4. Create your own Board of Advisors. Large or small, formal or informal, know who and what you need and seek it out intentionally. I have one, and it is vital to me, though not every member knows of their role.
5. Keep learning. Many of us consider ourselves lifelong learners. Whether or not that's you, find ways to keep learning. Without that growth and curiosity, we grow brittle, risk our career security, and forget the vulnerability of "not knowing". That vulnerability makes us better managers, delegators, and teammates.
6. Know your numbers - at home and at work! I've been able to make calculated risks and intentional choices because I understand the P&L (profit and loss) and balance sheet of my business and my life. I've watched clients struggle to make decisions (or make rash decisions) because they didn't have the data to inform their choices. If you can get to grips with the emotional side of your money as well, even better!
7. Know yourself honestly. Self-awareness is a fundamental of emotional intelligence - it's often uncomfortable yet absolutely vital. Behavioural assessments (I am certified in DiSC, Predictive Index, and the EQi) can be a great tool, and honest reflection is vital. Journaling helps, as does 360-degree feedback. Find the tools you need (let us know if you need help!) to get honest with yourself about yourself. I've had to look in mirrors I didn't anticipate in this chapter of my career, and the reflections have sometimes been uncomfortable. I'm also happier - and better at my job! - from building that self-knowledge.
8. Say thank you (don't just think it). Gratitude and appreciation are so important that we spent a whole newsletter digging in. In turning 8, there are so many people and firms to thank for the support and the positive challenge that keeps Resolute moving forward. You are part of that!

Who we are and what we do

We are Resolute Consulting. We help companies set clear strategies, make wise choices, and develop their people in ways that actually change how work gets done. We clarify the real problem, bring a both/and lens (human + business), and deliver solutions that work - whether for one leader or the whole firm.

Resolute provides clarity, accountability, and a trusted thinking partnership for both leadership teams and individuals. We help ambitious professionals separate signal from noise, decide what matters, and move forward with confidence.

For professional associations and academic institutions, Resolute delivers high-quality, human-centered leadership development and career advisory services that respect adults, volunteers, and real-world constraints, while still providing depth, rigor, and impact. And we have a lot of fun doing it!

I am Joanna Kozlowski. I've brought together my first career in adult education with my second as a marketing and business development leader for professional services firms. Now I operate at the intersection of strategy, learning, and execution to tackle my clients' goals with intention, clarity, and focus.

Whether across a desk one-to-one, in a classroom with a cohort, at the whiteboard with a leadership team, or on a stage in front of hundreds, I am grateful to love my work. And I am deeply appreciative of each of you for your part in that. Thank you!