Reflections and resolutions for 2019

New Year’s resolutions can be tricky. In fact, I’ve read that a remarkable 80% of resolutions fail. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t set goals for ourselves. What it does say is that we cannot achieve our goals without proper preparation. It’s often said that if you share your goals with others, you’re much more likely to be successful in achieving them. As we celebrate the promise of a new year, I want to take a moment to reflect and share my own 2019 resolutions with all of you:

Give as many opportunities as I receive

I could never have become the leader I am today if my mentors and managers hadn’t believed in my promise and encouraged my potential. That’s every bit as true today as it was when I joined EY as an intern in 1991.

In my three years serving as Regional Managing Partner for the Financial Services Organization (FSO) in the Americas, I have been very intentional in building a high-performing team. One thing I’ve learned is that people can’t grow unless you give them the space to do so. Creating opportunities for others to rise means giving up ownership, something that is very difficult for many of us, and learning to rely on others. It means knowing the strengths of everyone around you, and rallying the team around a shared vision.

In 2019, I want to build on our success. I want to create as many opportunities as possible by trusting the teams we’ve built. I want to help others do the same by leading strategic exercises that arm teams with the tools necessary to embrace healthy conflict and a shared commitment to solving the most complex challenges.

Bring work home with me … in a good way

Technology has allowed us to be nimble in the way we work, but it also means the lines between home and office continue to blur. In this gray area, there’s an opportunity to connect two very important parts of my life — my professional family and the one I come home to.

I am so proud of the work we do at EY, and I want my family to be a part of these accomplishments. Hosting the team at our home for dinner or having my eldest daughter, Lauren, join me on stage to present an award at the EY Strategic Growth Forum?, helps them to see the passion behind what I do every day.

I also believe in celebrating the special accomplishments that walk the line between personal and professional. I was proud to have my family, and a few close colleagues, by my side when I was recognized with a Distinguished Eagle Scout Award at the 2018 Eagle Scout Reunion & Hall of Fame for the Greater New York Councils this October. Celebrations like this show everyone involved that they are all a part of a greater support network.

In 2019, I want to create more opportunities for my work and personal lives to overlap in a positive way.

Spend more time focused on the things I’m passionate about

Every year, I become more and more aware of how quickly time passes. That is why in 2019, I want to spend more time working with organizations that have purposes mirroring my own values.

Personal fulfillment inspires you as an individual, and that means you have more to give back in the professional realm. For me, that means devoting time to organizations like the Patriot Military Family Foundation or spending time with the bright and upcoming business minds at my alma mater, Babson College.

I spoke earlier about the importance of embracing the places where work and family overlap, but each area still deserves moments of special attention. In fact, I would say that finding time to spend with family, and only with family, is also something I’m passionate about. Over the holidays, our family reunited for a Caribbean cruise, and that quality time together is priceless.

Turn reflections into resolutions

Whether personal or professional, each of my resolutions pushes me toward becoming a better leader, father, husband and builder of a better working world.

If you only do one thing to prepare for the year ahead, I suggest it be this: look back on 2018 and decide what moments made you proud and which ones did not, then figure out what goals you need to set to have many more of the former.

Happy New Year!