Leading with Heart: Lessons from Loss and a Challenge for 2026

By: Katy von Treskow

Dear Friends,

2025 has been a year of profound personal reflection. January started with a devastating jolt as the Pacific Palisades fires swept across my hometown, erasing happy memories in its wake, like bicycling with my twin brother James up to the village, splurging on sweet treats at the local ice cream shop or going to the baseball trading card shop. Those moments weren't just about places; they were rooted in the people who made those businesses feel like home. The heart of our community lived in the friendly faces behind the counter, playing basketball with friends at the Palisades Rec Center, and waving to neighbors on Sunday walks with my dad.

When I drove through the Palisades with my father months later, the faint smell of ashes still lingered, as if the elements were warning us that change was imminent, and we had a choice: adapt or hold on. Yet despite this dystopian reality and the tangible threat of climate change, the community's heart reverberates stronger than ever as people band together to restore homes, businesses, and livelihoods.

Sharing this loss with my daughters, ages 10 and 13, who considered the Palisades their forever second home, took time. But recently, as I was reading my daughter's high school essay, she captured it perfectly: "This challenge grounded us in realizing what matters most, and for me, that's my family." As you think about 2026, I challenge you to get personal. I always tell my attorneys and clients: if it doesn't feel authentic, don't do it. Everything should start with personal. Marketing only succeeds when it leads to personal relationships. My secret sauce after nearly 25 years in legal marketing is the quality of my relationships. Long-standing friendships across all organizational levels have sustained my career in a relentlessly demanding industry.

Success in legal marketing requires subject matter expertise, creativity, and adaptability. On top of that, you must be resourceful, diligent and willing to shift approaches based on market fluctuations to be able to identify and generate productive business development opportunities that will add value. To say the least, it is a ‘only the tough survive’ kind of industry, and it is important to give yourself grace.

I have been faced with so many unforeseen obstacles the past few years, so in 2026, I'm returning to the basics: quality time with my heart; my family, chosen family, and friends. I intend to invest in new connections that sparked this year. At this career stage, reflecting on what I want to model for my daughters and lessons from loss, I firmly believe that the best path to business success is leading with heart. As a dedicated working mom, the tired expression "business isn't personal" offends me and we won’t click if that’s your mantra.

For those of you still reading through this article, I challenge you to be intentional in your touchpoints with your contacts. Add personal anecdotes to holiday cards. I keep mine year over year to (fondly) revisit those relationships. When attending gatherings, spend extra time with the friend who extended you the invite, so they know you appreciate being there. For any gift giving, bear in mind that bespoke gifts are more memorable. That includes bonuses – write a personal note celebrating successes and personal contributions to show you meant it more than just to meet expectations. In conclusion, and to bring this full circle, meaningful relationships, from clients to contacts, start and stop with personal. If you are transparent, personally invested and add value beyond the billable hours, the relationship will inevitably blossom. Throughout 2026, I will continue sharing sound bites and tips about how to nurture, retain and develop quality client relationships at various career stages. I hope you will engage in my material and welcome your comments and connections. In the meantime, from my heart and home, I am wishing my extended community of contacts, peace, prosperity, and personal quality time in 2026. Joyeux Noël.