LATEST UPDATES
March 10, 2026. Birthday Reflections. While it’s true, today IS my birthday; that’s not the point of the post. Today happens to be a day of reflection. On March 10, 2025, I had no clue of how the next 365 days would unfold. I had no clue that I would leave a job and agency I loved. I had no clue that I would open my own Executive Coaching and Leadership Development company. I had no clue I would become the Junior Junior Junior Associate (pronounced of counsel) at my husband’s law firm. As much as I planned for the future, and trust me I am a planner, I had no idea what was coming. What helped me land with two feet solidly on the ground, were the relationships I had spent over 50 years developing. My childhood, Congressional Page, college, law school, INS, DHS, Miami Beach, and non-profit volunteer networks all activated, enveloping me and sustaining me through an extremely transformative year. Thanks to them, I began my post government career in earnest and have many new and exciting leadership development and coaching endeavors coming up soon. [I look forward to sharing all about them in this space and at www.jsperformancedesign.com.] My own experience during this trip around the sun is what I know to be true as a coach and leader: relationships matter and cultivating them with integrity and in a meaningful way is an art form. This next year for me begins with a heart full of gratitude for everything the last year brought me; a birthday greeting from Makers Mark, and a fully loaded Michael’s gift card I got for my birthday. What more could I possibly ask for?
February 24, 2026. Quiet Leadership. Quiet Leadership. This past week I celebrated my son Eric's 29th birthday. I'm not sure where the time went. Eric is a gentle soul, a good friend, and a great musician. I've probably learned more from him as he's learned from me. He's taught me that life is not linear. Things do not always go the way you plan. Try and try again. Not everyone is going to love you, and that's OK. Speak softly for maximum impact. Practice, practice, practice! I'd say that if he wasn't pursuing a Masters Degree in Music Education, he'd make a great Executive and Leadership coach. He's a reminder that what separates good leaders from great leaders are those willing to be coached, those who are humble, and those who act with integrity. When you put in the hard work, like Eric has, the sky's the limit.
February 10, 2026. Don't Let 'No' Stop You. This Friday will be 9 years since my dad passed away. But about 20 years ago he sent me a newspaper clipping (photo below) to remind me what to do when I hit a personal or professional roadblock - keep going. I had just been told no at work and was still smarting about it. After receiving the clipping in the mail (Dad was old school), I posted it next to my desk where I could see it every day. I moved it from office to office, agency to agency. and now it's at my home office. Over the years, and especially this past year, his reminder to me has been particularly useful: push on, no matter how many times you hear no. Thanks Dad for the super useful advice. Miss you.
January 27, 2026. Lawyers as Leaders...One of the most influential books I read in the last decade was Deborah Rhode's Lawyers as Leaders. It was to become first of many I own in the "Leadership" genre. The shelf is nearly full as you can see. Rhode's book stands as a stark reminder that even if you don't perceive yourself as a leader, those around you see lawyer and think leader. So...act accordingly. Here's the rub: the skills that make you an excellent lawyer (lots of talking) may be antithetical to the skills that make you an excellent leader (lots of listening). A firm I know in Miami has embraced these ideas and I am very excited to be invited to come to speak to them on Leading From Where You Are. More details - and photos - to follow.
January 13, 2026. MLK Day, Lessons in Leadership. This past March I made a trip to Birmingham with National Council of Jewish Women to understand more the history of the Civil Rights movement. There were many moments that brought me to tears; but none more than watching the film of MLK's "I've been to the Mountaintop" speech, given the evening before his assassination. Besides being prophetic, the speech teaches us about the power of vision, divine purpose, unity, and fulfilling a legacy beyond personal life.
You'll see a lot of posts about MLK in the next few days. Don't let those posts pass you by. Soak them in. Leadership is not just for those who have seen "the Mountaintop". Leadership is for everyone. How you view yourself and nurture your potential can have a profound and exponential effect on future generations. Learn from MLK: have a vision and communicate it; have courage and take risks; be authentic and live your values.
December 30, 2025. New Year, New You? Not Quite! Recently I was reading a scholarly article (OK, it was a social media post if I am being honest) that reported just because the calendar is turning over to a new year, it does not mean it's time for a "new you." January, alone, cannot be your "why" for embarking on a new initiative (e.g. weight loss, home organization, improved skills, better focus). You need to assess, set, and achieve your goals when YOU are ready; on your own timeline. Right now you are wearing the rose-colored glasses of the holidays. Wait for reality to come. And then consider if it is the right time for a "new you." The good news is that JSPD is open and ready for you year-round. Let me know when you are ready.
December 16, 2025. This holiday season, Give Leadership Coaching. People have been asking me about Jill Swartz Performance Design and what I do as a Leadership Coach. At a holiday dinner when I told my dear Aunt Fran about JSPD, she asked me if I could coach her into being a boss and getting people to do as she says. I explained that’s management and not leadership. Leadership is more than telling people what to do. Coaching involves visioning the future state and planning to get there. It’s an investment in growth, clarity, and confidence. It supports leaders in navigating challenges, strengthening communication, and inspiring teams. When leaders grow, organizations thrive. As an aside, Aunt Fran, I’m not sure you need lessons in being bossy.
November 25, 2025. Giving Thanks. So much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season. As I continue growing Jill Swartz Performance Design, I’m reminded that some of the most meaningful opportunities come through the people who believe in me. To the friends and colleagues who have referred clients my way, invited me to come speak, introduced me to others —thank you. Your trust is something I don’t take lightly, and it motivates me to show up with even greater commitment. I’m truly grateful for my community and the way we lift one another up. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
November 4, 2025. Election Day: Choices, Choices, and more Choices. Today is Election Day in many communities throughout the U.S. How lucky we are to have choices. [PSA: Polls open until 7pm!]. Although sometimes having too many choices is counterproductive to meeting your goals. Perhaps a Coach can help you decide which options are best for you to move forward both personally and professionally. A coach can walk you through you scenarios and help you make a plan based upon objective information.Choose yourself and your future.
October 22, 2025. Ever wondered what a 360-degree review is all about? It’s a powerful tool for personal and professional growth — you get feedback from everyone you work with: managers, peers, and even your direct reports. The goal? To get a full picture of your strengths and areas for improvement, so you can keep growing and becoming the best version of yourself! Just so happens that Jill Swartz Performance Design can personalize a 360-degree review for you or a valued member of your team.
October 8, 2025. October is supposed to be SCARY. But new beginnings are scarier. Think about the first day of school, first dates, first day in your college dorm (ok, maybe that one was more fun than scary), or first day of a new job. Now try the first day of an early “retirement”. That’s super scary. You have the time – and hopefully the means – to make something out of the rest of your life. Quite the challenge.
I thought I had more time to plan for my retirement. I expected to leave federal service in April 2027, after hitting the 30 year mark and I was going to open my coaching business then. Due to current events, I took advantage of the offer of a voluntary early retirement. And here we are. Retirement, but no real plan because I thought I had all the time in the world. The irony of it…needing coaching on how to open a coaching business. I’ve since learned that it takes vision, patience, creativity, smarts, and a vast network of friends, colleagues, and supporters. With a support system like that, turns out, there is nothing to fear. And I’m proof that coaching works!
Are you looking at something scary? How can we turn the page for you and create the life you want with purpose and intention? Is there a project you want to tackle? A big decision you need to make? Do you want to engage a coach for a colleague or your team? Take the scary out of a big transition into or out of the workplace? Let’s chat and see what’s right for you.
July 16, 2025. I probably should call this post “First Update” and not latest update. So much to say and so little space. I have two thoughts to share if I may. One thought is grounded in gratitude to the people who helped me get to this moment. Gratitude for my tribe who listened as I planned this new endeavor, provided thoughtful advice, critical feedback, and made Jill Swartz Performance Design a reality. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. My second thought is about purpose. As I closed out my nearly 30 year government career I wondered what it was all for. There was the pin, the pension, and the plaque. But there was more: purpose. Those years provided me with situational experience I can now pass on to my JSPD clients. There was a purpose to all of those training events, leadership symposiums, projects to manage all taking place late at night or out of town. The purpose was JSPD! Welcome, glad you are here. How can I help?