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Est Read Time - 3:30 min

Halloween is the one night we get to be someone else entirely. A superhero, a villain, maybe an inflatable dinosaur if you’re committed to the bit. But what’s interesting about costumes is that we choose them. We decide who we want to show up as, even if just for a few hours.

As we cross into November, ask yourself: have you been choosing how you show up as a leader this year, or just reacting to what the year demanded?

Trend We’re Seeing: Many leaders are slipping into protection mode. Defending budgets. Justifying headcount. Holding the line on last year's wins. It feels responsible, even strategic, but protection without direction takes a toll on your team, your results, and you.

Preparation is different.

Preparation means making space for what matters because you’re doing what’s necessary now for success later. It’s the unnecessary meeting you cancel so you can actually think. It’s the hard conversation with a peer or team member you’ve been postponing. It’s the walking meeting you take instead of another back-to-back at the desk. These aren’t distractions from work. They make finishing strong possible by supporting your physical, mental, and emotional energy. 

Halloween candy? We don’t cover nutrition, so we don’t judge.

Psychologist Daniel Kahneman’s research highlights that people remember how things end more than how they went overall. How you close this year will shape how your team remembers it and how they show up in January. It will also determine whether you start next year with momentum or with fatigue.

With eight weeks left, there’s still time to finish in a way that fuels you and your team rather than depletes you both.

The Trick: Thinking Q4 is about survival.

The Treat: Realizing you still have time to build something that matters and lead with energy, not exhaustion.

Quick HIITs - What’s Coming Up in November

November 3-7 is National Stress Awareness Week. Sure. Let's pretend stress is something we're aware of just five days a year.

However, given stress's impact on our work today and health tomorrow, here are three strategic reminders as Q4 intensifies:

1. Movement Matters More Than You Think: Movement throughout your day - walking meetings, standing calls, or workouts you enjoy - directly reduces stress, sharpens cognitive clarity, and boosts your energy. (And if you're just getting started, research confirms even 4,000 daily steps make a meaningful difference.)

2. Supporting Colleagues - The Power of Recognition: How we feel impacts how we work. Especially during intense Q4 sprints, small acknowledgments go further than you think. Don't sleep on how a genuine "thank you" or quick shoutout impacts colleagues in the trenches. It won't eliminate all the stress - but it shifts how people feel, handle pressure, and keep going. 

3. Play the Long Game: According to WSJ, the new age of entrepreneurship is 70-79. We find that delightful. Why? Because the best work can still be ahead when you take the right steps for longevity today. Consistent habits decide how many chapters you get.

Side note: Stress Awareness Week lasts five days, but stress doesn't stop there - especially in Q4. If you're thinking about programming to support your team's performance, energy, and engagement through year-end and set up a strong start for Q1, reach out or reply to this email. We can help. 

Mission in Motion - Client Spotlight

One of the best parts of our work at Dilagence is seeing well-being and performance intersect across organizations.

We're proud to highlight those stories here, continuing this month with Kahilla, a leadership-development platform focused on helping mid-career professionals climb with more confidence, clarity, and connection.

What's the most surprising outcome from combining leadership and well-being strategies?
How quickly confidence returns once people feel well again. When someone has space to rest and reflect, they show up sharper, kinder, and more courageous. Resilience isn't about pushing harder; it's about restoring capacity.

What should other organizations know about why Kahilla invests in well-being?
Well-being isn't a luxury; it's foundational. You can have the best strategy, but if your people are depleted, it won’t matter. Leaders who are well think bigger, connect better, and lead with heart. That's good for people and good for business.

We’re excited to share our full conversation with Noa next week on our LinkedIn. Until then, learn more about Kahilla on their website, and check out their upcoming leadership retreat here.

Dilagence on the Move 

• 11/25 Webinar with Inpulse: We’ll join Inpulse, a premier employee engagement data platform, for a webinar on "How to Support Line Managers (Q4 and Beyond)." Details soon on LinkedIn.
  

• Forbes: The Great Squeeze — Dilan's latest on why Q4 puts leaders under exceptional pressure and how poker can teach skills for Career Longevity. 

Dose of Dilan

What I’m Looking Forward To:

Celebrating my mom’s 70th birthday. Proud of her many feats  - including getting sworn into the Supreme Court Bar this year and getting 70+ Nigerians to party with her in Cancun #nigeriansgonewild 

What I’m Excited About: 

Lifelong learning. Thrilled to join the Stanford Center on Longevity’s inaugural Catalyst Program, a global cohort of 20 changemakers across 9 countries—as we shape the future of the 100-Year Life, in the workplace and beyond. 

What I’m Watching: 

Hocus Pocus. I learned my lesson after watching Rosemary’s Baby. I need to keep it light.

Want more from Dilan? Follow her on LinkedIn.

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