Reflections on 2024 & Intentions for 2025
As we approach the end of 2024 and welcome in the New Year ahead, I have been reflecting on what I am looking to bring with me into 2025 and what I’ll be leaving behind. This time of year, a time of transition, invites us to acknowledge our journey while setting intentions for what's next. It's an opportunity to be present with both our accomplishments while also addressing areas where we are still a “work in progress”.
During my recent gathering with international women business leaders, we explored what it means to acknowledge both our challenges and our successes. In speaking with colleagues, it became clear that this year has taught us all that leadership isn't just about achievement – it's about bringing our whole selves to each moment, including our cultural wisdom and lived experiences. These experiences shape not only how we lead but how we create impact in our organizations and communities.
Our conversations revealed powerful insights about self-compassion and authenticity. Participants of our meeting shared their experiences of managing responsibilities in their current roles while simultaneously carrying concerns about events in their home countries, finding courage in prioritizing personal well-being, and navigating the complexities of cultural adaptation in leadership. What emerged was clear: our leadership strength comes not from perfection, but from embracing our whole selves.
Looking back at 2024, we explored crucial themes together: navigating cultural intelligence, fostering inclusion, bridging cultural gaps, and developing as global leaders. Your stories demonstrated how international perspectives enrich leadership – whether through learning to advocate for ourselves in new cultural contexts or finding ways to communicate effectively across cultural differences.
It is through these conversations that I have found our community's strength lies in understanding that we can hold multiple truths simultaneously: we can be powerful leaders while acknowledging vulnerabilities, maintain cultural authenticity while adapting to new environments, and creating impact while being gentle with ourselves.
As we design our path for 2025, I invite you to reflect deeply: What were your moments of triumph in 2024? What needs to be released before moving into 2025? What mindset shifts will serve you in the year ahead? A reminder that completion isn't about finishing everything – it's about being present to what is and moving forward with intention.
I look forward to hearing from you and accompanying you on your journey into 2025.
To Your Growth,
Coaching Practices
Take Action and Put it into Practice
As you transition into 2025, consider these reflection points:
What one word best describes your 2024 experience, and what word would you like to embody in 2025?
What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from 2024, and what declaration are you willing to make about it?
Where do you need to expand your comfort zone as a global leader in the coming year?
What wisdom and/or gifts has this year given you that you'll carry forward?