INSIGHTS

"Your unique curiosity, paired with courageous action, drives real change." — Anette Lan

(I016) The Trunk: Reflecting on Growth Rings to Strengthen Leadership in 2025

Have you ever paused to think about how much you’ve grown this year? It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to reflect—but when you do, it can be transformative. In fact, research from Harvard Business Review shows that structured reflection can boost leadership effectiveness by up to 20%. That’s a compelling reason to take a moment to look back before stepping forward.

As we close 2024—a year that likely tested your resilience and pushed you to adapt—there’s no better time to reflect on the journey that brought you here. I love the metaphor of a tree’s trunk for this. Just like the rings of a tree tell the story of its growth, every year leaves a mark on your leadership, shaped by both challenges and triumphs.

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(I011) The Wisdom of the Tree

What if the secret to authentic leadership lies in something as simple as a tree? Trees embody resilience, adaptability, and connection, offering profound lessons for leaders. Like a seed growing into a strong and flexible tree, leadership requires nurturing roots in self-awareness, values, and relationships, while branches extend outward toward growth and opportunity.

The tree’s wisdom isn’t about striving for perfection but embracing change, balancing strength with vulnerability, and fostering collective growth. From the “wood wide web” of interconnected roots to the ability to bend without breaking in a storm, trees remind us that true leadership thrives through connection and adaptability.

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