Escape to Thrive: A Gift of Self-Care

Erica Kesse

Dear Thriving Leaders,


As we continue to celebrate Counseling Awareness Month, I want to remind you of the importance of taking care of yourself. As a therapist and author of "Honey, You Need Counseling Skills," I've seen firsthand how burnout and imposter syndrome can affect even the most dedicated and passionate individuals. That's why I'm excited to share with you a special opportunity to escape, recharge, and thrive at Thrive Oasis, my serene retreat space.


The Gift of Self-Care

It's easy to forget that taking care of yourself is not a luxury, but a necessity. By prioritizing your well-being, you'll become a more effective, compassionate, and resilient leader. This month, I invite you to treat yourself or a loved one to a solo retreat at Thrive Oasis, the perfect sanctuary for rejuvenation and growth.


Thrive Oasis: Your Sanctuary for Self-Discovery

Nestled in a peaceful setting, Thrive Oasis offers a tranquil atmosphere conducive to reflection, relaxation, and renewal. Our solo retreats are designed to provide you with the space and guidance you need to:


  • Reconnect with Yourself: Take time to reflect on your goals, values, and aspirations.
  • Recharge Your Energy: Engage in nourishing activities, from yoga to meditation, and enjoy healthy, delicious meals.
  • Renew Your Purpose: Clarify your vision and mission, and leave with a renewed sense of direction and motivation.



A Special Offer for Mother's Day

In celebration of Mother's Day, I'm offering a unique opportunity to gift your mom (or yourself!) a solo retreat at Thrive Oasis. Imagine the joy and relaxation of spending a few days in a serene environment, focused solely on personal growth and well-being. Book your retreat now and give the gift of self-care this Mother's Day.


Book Your Retreat Today

To book your solo retreat at Thrive Oasis, simply visit our website at thriveoasis.life and reserve your spot. As a special offer for Counseling Awareness Month, send an email, subject line “Mother’s Day” and we will give you an extra gift during your retreat. 


Read, Reflect, and Recharge

In addition to your retreat, I encourage you to read my book, "Honey, You Need Counseling Skills," which shares the five imperative counseling skills every leader needs to thrive. These skills will help you navigate the challenges of leadership while maintaining your mental and emotional well-being.



Remember, taking care of yourself is not selfish; it's essential. By investing in your own well-being, you'll become a more effective, compassionate, and resilient leader. This Counseling Awareness Month, give yourself the gift of self-care and join us at Thrive Oasis.


Wishing you peace, serenity, and continued growth,


Erica Kesse


P.S. Treat yourself or your mom to the ultimate self-care experience this Mother's Day.

The 3 Flows of Leadership: Why Upward Communication is Non-Negotiable

By Erica Kesse • October 24, 2025
Effective leadership demands a holistic approach to internal communication, recognizing its multidimensional framework. This system is defined by three distinct flows - Upward, Downward, and Lateral, each serving a specific, vital function that directly impacts productivity and profit. For the CEO, understanding and nurturing the Upward Flow is non-negotiable. Downward: The Direction Flow (Necessary, But Insufficient) Downward communication (from leadership to subordinates) is essential for delegation and distributing information. However, an organization dominated by this top-down approach quickly becomes rigid and unresponsive. True leadership understands that direction must be balanced by receptivity. Upward: The Innovation and Mental Health Flow The Upward Flow is the pulse check of the organization. It's the vital mechanism that allows employees to surface problems, share innovative ideas, and provide crucial feedback. When the CEO and their leadership team actively cultivate and respond to upward communication, two things happen: 1. Innovation: Valuable, ground-level insights are integrated into strategic planning. 2. Mental Health: Employees feel heard, increasing their sense of value and reducing stress, which directly supports their **mental health** and boosts morale. Lateral: The Agility Flow Finally, Lateral communication enables cross-functional collaboration, ensuring departments are aligned on goals. When all three flows are healthy and efficient, the organization operates like a sophisticated nervous system, maximizing its responsiveness and overall vitality. The success of the modern CEO and their leadership team depends on maintaining a strategic balance across all three flows. However, the health and resilience of the entire enterprise hinge on a continuous, valued, and non-negotiable stream of communication flowing up the hierarchy.

The Communication Blueprint: What Every CEO Needs for Organizational Agility

By Erica Kesse • October 17, 2025
The organizational destiny of any modern enterprise is directly tied to the efficiency of its internal communication system. For the modern CEO, building a robust communication framework is not about mandate—it’s about survival in a dynamic market. Formal vs. Informal: The Strategic Balance A key part of the communication blueprint is understanding the interplay between formal and informal channels. Formal communication (reports, official emails) provides structure, clarity, and accountability. However, the social fabric of the organization, the trust and agility required for quick problem-solving is built through informal communication. The CEO must ensure leadership fosters a strategic balance, preventing an over-reliance on rigid, top-down structures that stifle valuable feedback. Lateral Communication and Innovation Organizational agility relies heavily on Lateral/Horizontal Communication—the flow of information between peers and across departments. When silos exist, innovation dies. Effective leadership must facilitate this cross-functional collaboration to ensure knowledge sharing and joint problem-solving. This efficient flow is crucial for driving productivity and ensuring the organization can respond quickly to market shifts. The CEO’s Human-Centric Mandate The path to a thriving workforce begins with an unwavering commitment to communication excellence, which requires specific skills from the CEO and the leadership team. This includes active listening, strategic channel selection, and maintaining radical transparency. This culture, which also supports employee mental health, positions the organization as a responsive, unified entity ready to meet market demands. The CEO acts as the architect of the communication ecosystem. By strategically balancing formality, facilitating lateral flow, and practicing transparent leadership, the organization gains the agility and resilience needed for sustainable growth.

The CEO's Secret Weapon: Why Strategic Communication is the Ultimate Leadership Tool

By Erica Kesse • October 3, 2025
Effective communication is not a soft skill your organization can treat as optional; it is the organizational nervous system that dictates its health, agility, and competitive viability. For every CEO, viewing communication strategically is the single most important leadership tool for driving profitability and corporate culture. A breakdown in communication is a silent profit killer. Data shows that poor information flow leads to measurable financial costs: high employee turnover, lost productivity, and damaged brand reputation. A CEO committed to communication excellence essentially adopts a powerful risk management strategy, ensuring that instructions, expectations, and goals are clearly understood, preventing costly confusion and frustration. Upward Communication: Empowering Leadership While delegation is necessary, true leadership thrives on the information that flows upward. Upward communication from a direct report to the executive team is vital. It allows employees to share innovative ideas, surface problems before they escalate, and, crucially, feel a valuable sense of being heard. A CEO who fosters this flow cultivates innovation and avoids being blindsided by internal issues. Fostering a Resilient Workforce There is a direct correlation between clear communication and employee well-being. When leadership ensures clarity and accountability, and when employees feel their input is valued, stress and confusion are reduced. This sense of psychological safety directly supports employee mental health and cultivates a resilient workforce. Ultimately, the tone for this thriving, communicative culture must be set by the CEO. Strategic communication is a prerequisite for organizational success. The commitment of the CEO to this framework is what turns an average company into an agile, profitable enterprise.
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