Dangerous Leader: Two thoughts as we end 2024

Wrapping up 2024 has been like sliding into the only tree on the sledding hill. A feat my son accomplished as a 4-year-old years ago.

Broken-nosed and battered, he laughed about it that night, and we talked about how to steer a sled. Whether or not this is how your 2024 wrap-up feels, I am sharing two final thoughts to carry into your leadership roles at work and home.

Are you better, are they?

Leave it better than you found it.

In 1995, while at basic camp for ROTC, my drill sergeants imparted those words to the cadets walking the woods, picking up anything that didn’t belong. The words stuck with me as I moved forward in my career as a military leader, corporate leader, business owner, coach, professor and on and on. Leave it better than you found it.

As we end 2024 and begin 2025, are you leaving people, places and experiences better than you found them? In both senses. Are YOU better, and are they?

What you control

Focus on the things you can control.

I remember calling my AA sponsor as I sped through the chaotic streets of Doha, Qatar, ranting about things that were driving me crazy. They were driving me crazy primarily because they were not going my way.

My sponsor had me pull over and recite the Serenity Prayer until I could fully breathe. Only then could I see what the right next step could be as I fulfilled my duties to the U.S. Embassy that day.

As we end 2024 and begin 2025, are you focused on what you can control? In both your life and everywhere else?

Set boundaries

The theme of both of these is boundaries.

Be clear on what you will and will not allow to be the standard in your professional and personal life.

Boundaries allow us to be intentional in what we leave behind, where we focus our energy, and to see the tree on the sledding hill before we blacken our eyes.

Dangerous Leaders set boundaries.

Live Dangerously, Be You.

Jennifer Smith is a Cedar Rapids-based personal and executive coach, host of The Dangerous Leader Podcast, and unapologetic optimist. Comments: jennifer@dangerousleader.com; @drjennsmith