Hi Reader,
As the year comes to an end, our team has been practicing something we encourage all our clients to do: slow down long enough to reflect on what went well, what could have gone better and what you learned on a regular basis. The wins, yes, but also the moments that stretched us, revealed something new, or reshaped the way we think about our work and personal lives.
Below are our favorite memories from the year, and one lesson each of us is taking into 2026 to guide the way we lead and live.
I’ll go first.
Shaun’s Reflections on 2025
2025 was a year with so much to be grateful for. Our business continued to grow. We partnered with incredible new clients. And our Leading Together executive team transformation program is in significantly higher demand than it was a year ago. The thing I’m most excited about is that we are building a strong and mighty little team.
Personally, it was a year full of adventure. I hiked Big Bend with my son. I spent time in the Grand Tetons with two close friends. And our family trip to Vancouver Island was nothing short of magic. Oh, and perhaps the greatest adventure, teaching my oldest daughter to drive :)
The biggest thing I learned at work was:
You cannot focus too much on your business model. Growth can feel energizing, even validating. But not all growth is healthy growth. And if you are not intentional about the kind of growth you pursue, you can quickly find yourself in a demanding rhythm that is not sustainable for you or your team. This was my biggest personal leadership learning of 2025, and one I am carrying with me into the new year.
The biggest thing I learned in my personal life was:
In the forward to Richard Rohr’s Falling Upward, Brene Brown talks about her spiritual life as something she spent most of her life trying to fit in around the rest of her life. She goes on to explain that she is experiencing a shift, one where the aim is to flip that paradigm. When I read this a few weeks ago it felt incredibly convicting. I’m closer to 50 than I am 40, and I’m beginning to think about time differently. I feel like most weeks I’m fitting God in around the edges, and that's something I’d like to change next year.
Joe’s Reflections on 2025
We covered a lot of ground in 2025, but when I reflect on the year, one truth I kept returning to with leaders stands out: the culture and health of an organization are merely a reflection of the overall cohesion and effectiveness of its senior executive team. Through our Leading Together work, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with leadership teams who are willing to look in that mirror and deliberately prioritize how they show up and lead together. Executive teams who choose to do this don’t just improve how they work – they shape how work is experienced across the organization. One of the core beliefs that drives our work is that everyone deserves to find purpose and a sense of significance in their work. In a world where the average person spends nearly a third of their waking life at work, the influence of an executive team is hard to ignore.
With three young, amazing kids at home, I’m reminded of a similar reality every day and of a quote from James Baldwin I used to reference regularly as a middle school principal: “Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” My wife and I recognize that the environment of our household is a reflection of our collective energy and how we parent together. The patience we bring, the tone we use, the way we handle conflict – it all shows up in our kids. And as much as I believe in this, it’s hard. No one gets it right all the time. What this has taught me is the importance of extending grace to myself, to my wife, and to our kids, while continuing to show up, try again, and embrace this incredible responsibility I’m so grateful to have.
What I learned professionally:
What I learned most this year is that there are no shortcuts when it comes to becoming a high-performing team. People are complex, and when we come together to work as a team, that complexity multiplies, showing up in how we communicate, handle tension, and hold one another accountable. The teams that made the most progress didn’t shy away from tension or conflict when it surfaced. They expected it, addressed it head-on, and built deeper trust and connection as a result.
What I learned personally:
This year reminded me that the moments I find most meaningful are almost always relational. When I look back, the times I felt the greatest sense of joy and purpose came from simple moments of connection: date nights with my wife, one-on-one time with my kids, catching up with family members, or long Zoom calls with old buddies. Heading into the new year, I’m committing to prioritize those relationships and to be someone the people in my life can count on.
Turning Insights into Progress
Reflection has a way of reminding us who we are becoming. As our team looks back on 2025, we feel grateful, humbled, and energized for what is ahead. Our wish for you is that you enter 2026 with clarity about what matters most, a renewed sense of purpose, and the courage to lead with intention in every space you influence.
Thank you for being part of this growing community of leaders committed to healthier teams and healthier organizations. We look forward to walking with you, learning from you, and championing your progress in the year to come.
-Shaun & Joe
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