(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.