🧵 This Week's Thread: Me vs. You
This week, I kept running into the same frustrating feeling — like I just couldn’t connect, no matter how hard I tried. A series of interactions, both personal and professional, left me spinning. I pride myself on clarity. I know how to communicate. And yet... something wasn’t landing.
In each situation, I found myself thinking:
“I’m being so clear. Why can’t they hear me?”
“Are they not listening?”
“Is it them... or is it me?”
And then the spiral:
“Why is this so hard?”
“Why are we on opposite teams?”
But that’s just it. We weren’t. The problem wasn’t me vs. them — it was that we were stuck in me vs. you, instead of us vs. the problem.
This reframe changes everything. In coaching. In conflict. In movement work. In family. The moment we reorient to a shared challenge, we lower defenses and raise solutions.
🧠 Inside This Issue
For those of you who are new here (👋🏽 welcome!), this newsletter weaves through the blurry lines of politics, leadership, and storytelling — with a human lens and a critical edge. We often name what’s hard to say out loud — especially across identity, systems, and strategy.
This week:
→ Why effective communication isn’t always about clarity
→ Wins + in-the-field updates — including a storytelling workshop I’m pitching (and pricing 👀)
🌀 How To Get Clarity
We’ve all been in the “why don’t they get it?” loop. But often, clarity isn't enough.
What’s really needed is shared framing — a mutual understanding that we’re not on opposite sides of the table, but shoulder to shoulder, solving a challenge together.
So the next time a conversation goes sideways, ask:
- What problem are we actually trying to solve?
- Have we named it clearly — or just started reacting?
- What would it sound like if I shifted to “us vs. the problem”?
This shift doesn’t just de-escalate tension. It builds trust, fast.
💬 question of the week: Where in your life are you showing up as me vs. you — and what would it take to shift to us vs. the problem?
📌 Quick Hits From My World:
→ Wrapped a long RFP process with a nonprofit client… only for them to back out at the finish line. I try to think of my business as a place where if its meant to be, it'll happen. But it still stings in the moment. Have you been here?
→ Sent in two new speaking proposals — one for municipal clerks, the other for a national conference on STEM leadership. Both feature my 90-min workshop on storytelling. Curious what you’d pay for something like that? (I’m testing price anchors this month.)
📣 Things I’m Working On / Offering:
→ Leading With Story | Fall ‘25 bookings now open for my signature storytelling & leadership workshop. High engagement, high clarity. Hit reply and I’ll send over the 1-pager and a calendar link.
→ 1:1 Leadership Coaching | New spots open for execs navigating growth, visibility, or transition.
→ Strategy Support | I partner with founders on messaging, positioning, and pivot points. Clarity = momentum.
→ Brand Refresh Idea | Thinking about a shift to: NIYAH Advisory: A Leadership Studio by Arshiya Kherani. Reply here with your thoughts - I'd love your input.
🥨 Snacks
📚 Currently reading: The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson. Climate fiction meets economic gut-punch.
📲 Venice vs. Bezos: The Venetians were not having it with Jeff & Co. last week.
🗳️ Zohran Under Fire: Right-wing smear tactics kicked in immediately.
Looking for more personalized coaching support, a tailored workshop, or something else? I'd love to learn more 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽
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