The Family Letter

My mom had five sisters and a brother—seven kids born in nine years. When the oldest, Mary Ann, went off to college in the late '60s, my grandparents (Pop and Gram to me) started a tradition: they wrote her a letter every Sunday. They did the same for Peggy the following year, and so on as each child left home.

Over the decades, as the family grew (a lot!), the practice of a weekly letter continued. I remember standing on my tiptoes as a kid, eagerly reaching into the mailbox, searching for Gram’s handwriting on the envelope containing our “family letter.”

Pop began each letter with his go-to salutation, “Dear Gang,” sharing stories about their travels, his childhood in New Jersey, and musings on current events. Gram’s section always started with “Hello World” and chronicled the lives of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Even though we didn’t all live nearby, that letter kept us connected.

By the 2000s, the letter evolved into an email, and today it’s a collective effort: four family members contribute on a rotating schedule. Every Sunday, I still look forward to seeing “Family Letter” in my inbox—almost as eagerly as I did checking the mailbox as a kid. Pop passed away in 2016, but Gram, now 98, still listens to the letter each week, read to her over the phone by my Aunt Robbie. The tradition continues 55 years later.

Looking Back on Wednesday Words

I share this because I’ve been reflecting on the other weekly letter in my life. Earlier this year, as Victor transitioned from Experience Institute’s CEO to Chairman, the rest of the Ei team and I inherited the responsibility for writing Wednesday Words. Victor poured so much care into this community and each letter, weaving his special combination of warmth, motivation, and insight into every edition. He left us big shoes to fill.

Still, writing Wednesday Words—our Ei letters—and reading the ones my colleagues have written has been one of my greatest joys of the year. They are a thread that ties us to you and, much like my Family Letter, aim to offer connection and inspiration week after week.

Here are a few that resonated most deeply with us—and with you. (Or at least, you liked the titles enough to open them!)

• I Found My Unicorn Company: Our most clicked and responded-to post of the year—and my favorite of my personal contributions. I wrote this piece in June to honor Pride Month, a time to intentionally celebrate belonging. It shares the strategies we’ve used to foster a sense of belonging within our team and offers actionable insights to help you do the same.

• Fifteen Minutes to Impact Workplace Culture: One of our most experiential editions of Wednesday Words, this piece taps into the L&D zeitgeist, where culture has taken center stage this year. We loved hearing about the small, intentional actions—or Leaps—you devised to shift your workplace culture in just 15 minutes.

• Sh*tty First Drafts: This one actually lost us a few subscribers when we forgot the asterisk in the email subject line. But I stand by the sentiment. Dropping perfectionism and embracing the SFD has been one of the most transformative practices in my professional life and for our team. It’s a vital step for fostering innovation, and we’ve heard the same from many participants—so we knew it was worth sharing with you.

• 50 Conversations in 50 Days: At the end of last year, Victor embarked on a special project: hosting 1:1 conversations with 50 people leaders across industries. The result? Seven themes for navigating change and challenge at work—insights that remain as relevant today as ever.

• The Guy Who Saved My Life: This is Amelia’s story about the power of reframing limiting beliefs and the innovations we can unlock when we do. It’s a timely push for the new year—what orthodoxies can you flip in 2025?

Looking Ahead to 2025
As we prepare for a new year, we’d love your input to ensure Wednesday Words continues to resonate with you. What were your favorite pieces this year? What would you like to see next? You can reply directly or share your thoughts in this quick survey.

We’re so grateful to have a weekly letter in our professional lives that feels as meaningful as the Family Letter does in my personal life. Thank you for being part of this journey.

Happy Wednesday, happy holidays, and see you in 2025,

Erin & the Ei Team