Monthly Aspiration June 2025

Equipping leaders to navigate what’s now and what’s next.

Seventeen Years Later—Still Leaping

June 2008, I did the unthinkable (well, according to some): I walked away from corporate life and jumped headfirst into starting a human resources and coaching consultancy practice.  No parachute, just purpose. And here we are—17 years later—and I’ve never looked back.

To every client who’s walked this road with me—thank you. You’ve taught me more about leadership, resilience, and humanity than any textbook or boardroom ever could. We’ve built something meaningful, and I’m just getting started. Let’s talk about what’s next—for all of us.

Riding the Rollercoaster: Business in the Age of Volatility

Let’s face it—running a business in 2025 sometimes feels like building a sandcastle during high tide. Just when you think you’ve got things steady, a wave rolls in: tariffs spike, AI shifts again, and suddenly your top performers are updating their LinkedIn profile.

Here’s what I know: volatility isn’t going anywhere. So let’s stop trying to control the chaos—and start leading through it with strategy, guts, and a strong sense of “why.”

Let’s break it down.

The Trade Trap: What’s a Leader to Do?

Tariffs. Trade wars. Economic plot twists.

One day your supply chain’s solid, the next your key material has a 100% duty slapped on it. Business leaders are asking: How do I plan for growth when the rules keep changing?

Spoiler alert: You can. But you’ve got to be agile and informed. Some steps to think about:

1. Policy Volatility is the New Normal - The rules are written in pencil. Trade agreements shift overnight due to politics, global tension, or economic strategies.

Action Step: Build scenario planning into your strategy—quarterly, not yearly. Stay tuned in to global markets. Subscribe to trusted sources and make it part of leadership's weekly rhythm.

1. Supply Chains are Shaky - Tariffs drive up costs and shake up availability. If your vendors are all international, you’re living on the edge.

Action Step: Diversify. Build in sourcing alternatives before you need them. Don’t wait until your parts or goods are stuck at the border.

1. Growth Planning Gets Gritty - When pricing, hiring, and market entry are moving targets, many leaders freeze. That’s the risk. Doing nothing is still a decision—it just rarely ends well.

Action Step: Set short-term, flexible goals. Plan in sprints, not marathons. Build a business that can pivot without panic

Trade Talk Twist: A Surprise Move from the U.S. Trade Court

Well, here’s one for the “Didn’t See That Coming” file.

In a sweeping and unexpected ruling on May 28, 2025, the U.S. Court of International Trade blocked most of the tariffs imposed by President Trump. The court found that the president had overstepped his authority by applying blanket duties across imports from U.S. trading partners—yes, that includes Canada.

The ruling reinforces that the power to regulate international commerce rests squarely with Congress. Even under the guise of emergency economic powers, the White House doesn’t get a free pass.

So, what does this mean for Canadian businesses?

Right now? Uncertainty. (Again.) While the ruling is U.S.-centric, Canada—along with other trading partners—is left to read the tea leaves. Will tariffs be reversed? Will retaliatory measures be lifted? Will trade flows normalize, or will we see a new round of legislative maneuvering?

Bottom line: We're in “wait and see” territory. Again. But here’s what I know: the leaders who stay informed, agile, and scenario-ready will weather the storm—and maybe even find an opportunity or two in the chaos.

This is a real-time reminder that global policy can shift overnight. And if you’re building your business on yesterday’s rules, you’re going to miss tomorrow’s moves.

Stay tuned. Stay smart. And if you need to talk strategy or how this might hit your industry, you know where to find me.

AI: Friend, Not Foe (If You Use It Right)

AI is evolving faster than you can say “ChatGPT.” But let’s set something straight—it’s not the enemy. Fear comes from not knowing what it can do, or how to use it wisely.

The leaders winning right now? They’re not avoiding AI—they’re steering it. Here's how:

1. Purpose Before Platform - If your team can’t answer why you’re using AI, hit pause. Don’t bring in tools just because your competitors are.

Action Step: Set one clear business goal. (Example: “Reduce onboarding time by 25%.”) Then explore how AI can support that goal.

1. Governance Isn’t Optional - AI without oversight is like giving your intern the company credit card and no instructions.

Action Step: Write an AI use policy. Assign someone to own it. Build ethics and accountability in from Day One.

1. Train or Drain - If your team doesn’t understand how the AI works, trust me—they won’t use it properly. Or worse—they’ll misuse it.

Action Step: Hold internal training sessions. Build awareness, not fear. Keep communication open about how AI impacts roles and processes.

1. Track It or Trash It - You wouldn’t leave a sales funnel unmonitored—so why would you “set and forget” an AI model?

Action Step: Review performance metrics regularly. Ask, “Is this delivering value?” If not, adjust or pivot.

1. Data = Power = Responsibility - AI feeds on data. But if that data isn’t protected, you’ve got a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Action Step: Loop in IT and legal. Make privacy and compliance core parts of your AI strategy—not a last-minute scramble.

Final Thought: Change is Coming—Ready or Not

Here’s the deal: no one—and I mean no one—figures this stuff out alone. Not the CEO. Not the new leader. Not the seasoned exec who’s “seen it all.” Everyone needs a sounding board. Someone to challenge their thinking, ask the tough questions, and help them see the opportunity hiding in the noise.

That’s where coaching comes in. Talk to your coach (or find one) and ask the right questions:

• What does success look like now?
• What has to shift to get from here to there?
• And most importantly—why?

Because here’s what I know for sure: Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.

I hope you choose growth. And I hope you choose to do it with someone who’s in your corner.

Anne Bloom, SHRM-SCP, PQ Coach - Leadership Coach | Business Growth Strategist | Author | Speaker | Continuous Learner 30+ years in executive leadership, HR consulting, and coaching 📩 anne@youraspirecoach.com | 🌐 www.youraspirecoach.com