As the first snowflakes fall and the smell of freshly baked pepparkakor fills the air, I’m reminded of how quickly the year slips away.

The season of lights and gatherings is upon us, but for leaders like you and me, it’s also a season that whispers: Pause. Reflect. Learn.

If I’m honest, reflection has never come naturally to me. Like many leaders, I thrive on action. Movement feels productive. Planning for the future feels exciting.

By this time of year, I’m already sketching out my goals for 2025—new ideas, new opportunities, new horizons.

But here’s what I’ve learned the hard way: if I don’t slow down to capture the lessons of 2024, I risk carrying old mistakes into the new year.

And that’s not leadership—it’s just motion.

A Lesson in Reflection

Let me take you back to a December not too long ago. It was a crisp Nordic winter, and my calendar was packed: workshops to wrap up, projects to finalize, and holiday plans to coordinate.

The smell of glögg and cinnamon wafted through the house as my family prepared for Christmas.

But I was elsewhere—mentally, at least. My mind was racing through spreadsheets and strategy sessions for the next year.

I was so focused on what was next that I almost missed the chance to understand what just happened.

It hit me during a quiet moment late at night. The house was still, the tree lights softly glowing. I sat with a notebook and scribbled down one question: What did I really learn this year?

At first, it felt awkward. I’m wired to move forward, not look back.

But as I dug into the question, something shifted. I began to see patterns—places where I had succeeded and, more importantly, where I had stumbled.

Without those insights, I would’ve been doomed to repeat the same cycles.

Why Leaders Need Reflection

If you’re anything like me, you probably see reflection as a “nice-to-have.” Action is what gets results, right?

But here’s the truth: reflection amplifies action. It gives you clarity. It helps you focus your energy on what truly matters.

Think of it like debugging a program. If you don’t take time to review the code, you’ll keep running into the same errors. Reflection is how you debug your leadership.

The Cost of Skipping Reflection

I once worked with a leader in the tech sector—let’s call him Alex.

Alex was brilliant, driven, and relentless in his pursuit of excellence. But he had one blind spot: he never stopped to reflect.

His team delivered projects on time, but burnout was rampant. People left, and Alex couldn’t understand why.

When we finally sat down to reflect on the year, it all became clear. Alex’s focus on outcomes had overshadowed the need to connect with his team.

By chasing the next milestone without pausing to evaluate the journey, he missed critical opportunities to lead with empathy.

That’s what happens when we skip reflection. We’re so busy climbing the mountain that we forget to check if we’re even on the right trail.

How to Make Time for Reflection

Reflection doesn’t have to be a time-consuming ritual. It just needs to be intentional. Here’s how I do it:

1. Set the Scene: Find a quiet spot. For me, it’s often late at night with a cup of tea and my ReMarkable.
2. Ask the Right Questions: Use prompts that challenge you. For example: What were my three biggest wins this year? What challenges tested me the most, and how did I grow from them? How did I impact my team, my peers, and my organization?
3. Capture Insights: Write it down. There’s something powerful about seeing your thoughts on paper. It makes them real.

My Gift to You: A Reflection Tool

I know starting can be the hardest part, which is why I created the Year-End Reflection and Planning Framework.

It’s a simple, structured tool designed to guide you through this process. Think of it as your reflection coach, helping you uncover the lessons of 2024 and set a clear vision for 2025.

You can download it here.

Pour yourself a coffee, find a cozy corner, and spend 30 minutes with it. You’ll be amazed at what you discover.

Let’s Lead Differently in 2025

Leadership isn’t just about driving results. It’s about learning, adapting, and growing—both for yourself and those you lead.

Reflection is how we bridge the gap between experience and wisdom.

As you embrace this season of lights and warmth, I challenge you to carve out time for reflection.

Don’t let the lessons of this year slip away in the rush to prepare for the next. Instead, take them with you as tools to build something even better.

So, what did 2024 teach you?

Let’s start the conversation. Share your biggest lesson in the comments below, or send me a message. I’d love to hear your story.

Wishing you a fantastic Christmas if you celebrate it.

Kindly,

Florin