2024 Wasn't Just About Growth - It Was About Breaking Everything That Was Holding You Back

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Was it different?

I thought 2024 was going to be different. And maybe it was. Or maybe it wasn’t. 

The truth? It’s been a year. One full of growth, chaos, failures, and breakthroughs. If you’re anything like me, you started the year with big plans—goals to finally get your team, your big projects, your vision on track—but instead, you discovered that leadership isn’t just about pushing harder. It’s about breaking down the barriers you’ve set for yourself. The good, the bad, the ugly—this year tested us all. But here’s the kicker: it wasn’t just a year of survival. It was a year of transformation.

As we wrap up the year in this final article from the Leadership In Focus team, let’s take a look back at some of the big ideas we discussed in 2024.

Big Idea #1: Leadership isn’t about control – it’s about navigating chaos and clarity

Control = Stagnation. 

Chaos = Transformation.

Nobody loves chaos.  And may have spent months trying to manage it all. But what if we told you that this chaotic year was exactly what you needed to tap into your real leadership potential? 

Here’s why the most impactful leaders don’t shy away from uncertainty; they lean into it. Because, when you stop trying to control every variable, that’s when you get your best breakthroughs.

So as we wrap up this year, learn to let the grip loosen a bit, and look ahead to 2025: What will you uncontrol in 2025?

Big Idea #2: "The Problem Monsters" are real – and you’re their next target

You’ve got your own personal Problem Monsters – Impostors, OverThinkors, or the all-too-familiar Stressors. You’ve tried to avoid them, but they’re back with a vengeance. So how do you stop letting these invisible forces derail your leadership? The answer isn’t avoidance; it’s head-on confrontation. Bring these monsters into the light. Only then can you break free and build your own version of success.

If you want to tee yourself up for success in 2025, you can either: Face your Problem Monsters. Or let them eat your leadership.  I don’t like the second option.

What can you do? Identify your top 3 "Problem Monsters.”  Determine when they most often appear for you.  Prepare to tackle them head on - what will you do to fight them in 2025?  If you need help identifying your “Problem Monsters”, contact our team, and we can get you started.

Big Idea #3: The “tough talks” you’ve been avoiding are your secret weapon

How many tough conversations did you avoid this year? I bet we’ve all had a few. But avoiding them only builds tension.

You know what real leadership looks like? Getting comfortable with discomfort. It’s time to stop running from the elephants in the room and get them out into the open. You’ll discover, when you confront the hardest talks, you end up with the most growth.

Remember: Your toughest conversations = Your biggest opportunities for growth.

As you journal this week, consider: Who needs to hear from you before the year ends?

Big Idea #4: Failure isn’t your enemy – it’s your training ground

Did you fail at something this year? Maybe a deal fell through, maybe you missed a deadline, or maybe you lost your patience in a crucial meeting. And guess what? That’s okay. It’s time to redefine failure as the best training ground for leadership. We need to stop pretending we don’t make mistakes. Let’s use our failures as the fuel to propel us forward into next year with even greater clarity and conviction.

Keep this in mind: If you’re not failing, you’re not leading.

Reflect on this: What’s the one mistake you made this year that made you a better leader?

Closing thoughts

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

2024 was the year of breaking down old go-to patterns and learning to lead differently. And I believe that– leading differently is the key to winning. Let’s not wait for the calendar to change; let’s start today. 

• Challenge the chaos. 

• Face your monsters. 

• Get comfortable with tough conversations. 

• And embrace failure as the fast track to real growth.

You’ve only scratched the surface of your leadership potential. Get ready to disrupt, to fail, to succeed – and to finally lead the way you were meant to.

How are you planning to leave your comfort zone behind in 2025? Let’s hear it. Share your thoughts in the comments.