1Q25

 

Can you believe the first quarter of 2025 already is done? I cannot. One fourth of the year is finished, complete, in the can. So how is your year going for you?

• What new habits have you created?

• What bad habits have you removed from your life?

• Where do you stand with goals and resolutions you set for the year?

• Whose world is better because you were in their life last quarter?

• How about your business objectives? One quarter through the year, how do revenue, margins and expenses look compared to targets?

Knowing where we are going is essential, but monitoring our progress in getting there is the real key. Give yourself a first quarter check-in!

Growth & Grace

Have you grown over time? Are you different than you were six months ago, or even a year ago?  Are you better or improved? Many of us would answer with a resounding, “Yes!” I believe we improve with age, much like wine. Perhaps we become wiser, calmer, even more generous. 

So why do we look at others and judge, or assume that, the person they are today is who they will always be? We do not know who they will become or what they are capable of doing in the future. We also do not know who they may have been in the past. Maybe instead of being skeptical because we do not like what we see, we should have faith, knowing they too will learn and grow in time.  

How are you improving over time? Better yet, how much grace are you showing others going through the same growth process? 

Innovation

We live in a constantly changing world. All facets of society are evolving. This is especially true in business. Just consider the speed of change in technology. Here is what you must know in today’s business world.

- If you do not innovate your business, someone else will! 

Think about it. Our competitive edge is constantly under attack. Our differentiation is always at risk. Our business model always has room for improvement. Don’t lose your edge, be on the leading edge…

5 Years Later

I wrote the below MMM back in 2020 at the beginning of Covid pandemic. Tomorrow marks five years from the date that both the NBA and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo were shut down. Somewhat of a quarantine would follow. Five years later, it’s remarkable to reflect on how much the world has changed. Pre-pandemic, meetings, family gatherings, and even something as simple as a sneeze or cough were hardly given a second thought. The crisis reshaped nearly every aspect of our daily living, but we are amazing creatures! We have adapted, and in some ways, life is back to normal. In some ways not so much. 

What have you learned since the spring of 2020? 

2020

Trying Times

These times will test our souls.  Our faith will be tested, but it will become our rock.  Our resolve will be stretched but it will support us. Our businesses and the economy will be damaged, but they will survive.  Our friends and families may be separated, but we will hold them tightly.  

Leaders are purveyors of hope.  Now is the time for us to step up.  Our employees, friends and followers need to see hope in our eyes and positivity in our voices.  It will not be easy.  They need to hear us say the things above.  They need to know there is an end to this and better days will come.  They need to know this is survivable.  It is time to instill hope.  It is time to step up as leaders.  It is time for us to pass the test of leadership.

Let’s do this together. Take one day at a time and lead with hope!