The Trunk: Reflecting on Growth Rings to Strengthen Leadership in 2025

Have you ever paused to think about how much you’ve grown this year? It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to reflect—but when you do, it can be transformative. In fact, research from Harvard Business Review shows that structured reflection can boost leadership effectiveness by up to 20%. That’s a compelling reason to take a moment to look back before stepping forward.

As we close 2024—a year that likely tested your resilience and pushed you to adapt—there’s no better time to reflect on the journey that brought you here. I love the metaphor of a tree’s trunk for this. Just like the rings of a tree tell the story of its growth, every year leaves a mark on your leadership, shaped by both challenges and triumphs.

The Wisdom of the Tree Trunk

A tree’s trunk is more than just wood—it’s a testament to everything it has endured and overcome. Each ring tells a story of seasons that were abundant, seasons that were harsh, and everything in between.

As leaders, our “trunk” is the visible part of our growth—the actions we take, the values we stand for, and the resilience we show. It connects the unseen depth of our roots—our core beliefs and principles—to the branches of our influence and the fruit of our contributions.

The truth is, leadership isn’t about one or two big, defining moments. It’s about the steady, consistent actions we take day after day, even when no one is watching. When we reflect on the “growth rings” of our leadership journey, we’re not just honoring what we’ve been through—we’re also gathering the strength to step forward with more clarity and intention.

"If my body were a tree trunk, the rings would surely reveal the time it has had to mature." — Robert M. Hensel

This Year’s Growth Ring: Discovering Strategic Clarity

I love exploring technology and different software, and one of the most impactful growth moments for me this year was being introduced to Perdoo, a platform that helps align organizational goals using the Objectives and Key Results (OKR) framework.

I had the chance to implement Perdoowith a company and saw how it brought focus and alignment to their team. Everyone could see how their efforts connected to the big picture, creating a clear path forward. It was so effective that I started using it for my own personal and professional goals for Ensō Mindset Ltd. .

Perdoo made it easier to stay on track and adapt in real-time, which was a game-changer. And while I’m not affiliated with Perdoo, I genuinely believe in sharing tools that help leaders bring clarity and purpose to their work. This is not a paid endorsement; I simply believe in sharing the tools that are effective in helping leaders win.

Finding Wins Through Tiny Habits

This year, I also leaned into tiny, intentional habits to reach my writing goal of 60,000 words for this book. Inspired by James Clear’s Atomic Habits and DARREN HARDY The Compound Effect, I created a simple habit tracker to keep me accountable.

I love color and doodling, so I turned the tracker into a grid where each square represented 200 words. Every day, I’d fill in a square as I wrote. It felt good to watch those small wins add up, and before I knew it, I was at the finish line.

But let’s be real—this wasn’t some perfect, unbroken streak. There were plenty of missteps along the way. I planned an in-person series, and only a small handful of friends and family showed up. I got sick and fell off the writing wagon for an entire month. There were days when I felt stuck, doubted myself, or just didn’t want to show up.

Still, I came back to it. Again and again. That’s the power of writing down your vision for the year and revisiting it often—it keeps you grounded in your “why,” even when the “how” feels messy.

This experience reminded me that progress doesn’t come from giant leaps. It comes from small, intentional steps taken consistently over time. Resilience isn’t about never falling—it’s about always returning.

Mapping Your Growth Rings

Take a moment to think about the defining moments of your leadership journey. What would your growth rings show? What challenges did you face? What lessons did you learn?

Here’s a glimpse of my own:

• 2016: The year I discovered my calling in HR—finding clarity and purpose that would shape my career.
• 2017: The year we became boat owners of Xanadu—a journey that taught me about responsibility, adventure, and courage.
• 2018: The year I manifested my son’s conception—a testament to the power of belief, intention, and perseverance.
• 2019: The year I became a mother, learning resilience and love in ways I’d never imagined.
• 2020: The year we all faced a global pandemic, adapting and finding hope in even the smallest moments.
• 2021: The year I realized my career needed a change and took the first steps toward something new.
• 2022: The year I reclaimed my self-worth, navigating uncertainty with courage and faith.
• 2023: The year my entrepreneurial vision took root as I stepped into my role as a Leadership Coach.
• 2024: The year I launched my own business and wrote my first book, turning purpose into action and passion into reality.

Declaring Your Next Growth Ring for 2025

What will your 2025 growth ring represent? Imagine yourself a year from now, looking back with pride and saying, “I did it.” Feel the triumph of knowing you pushed through the hard days and made your vision a reality.

For me, 2025 is the year I will publish my first book—the year I officially become an author. It’s the culmination of years of dreaming, planning, and showing up, even when things didn’t go my way.

What about you? Will this be the year you embrace boldness? Will you build unshakable resilience or deepen the relationships that matter most?

Write your declaration for 2025. For example:

• “In 2025, I will launch my dream business, turning my vision into reality.”
• “In 2025, I will show up courageously, breaking barriers and creating opportunities.”
• “In 2025, I will focus on the people I care about most, prioritizing connection and presence.”

Let this be the year you push beyond what you thought was possible. This time next year, you’ll look back and say, “I did it.”

TALL: A Reflection and Growth Framework

Go to my website to download the activity page:?www.ensomindset.com.

• T - Turnaround Moments: Reflect on key turning points or successes that have shaped your leadership.
• A - Adversity Faced: Think about the challenges you’ve encountered—how did they contribute to your growth?
• L - Leadership Declaration for This Year: Declare the growth you want to see this year—what do you hope to accomplish?
• L - Looking Ahead: Envision your growth in the years to come. What are your aspirations for leadership?

Write down your reflections. Allow this exercise to help you visualize your leadership as a trunk, with each ring representing a moment of growth and resilience. Recognize how each layer has contributed to the leader you are today—and how your weathered strength prepares you for the future.

As we step into 2025, let’s take the wisdom of the tree with us. Like its trunk, our leadership grows ring by ring—shaped by challenges, strengthened by resilience, and guided by values.

What tiny habits will you create today to ensure you thrive this time next year? How will you embrace the quiet strength of consistent, intentional growth?

Let’s move forward with purpose and the steady strength of a deeply rooted tree—growing upward and outward, one ring at a time.?

Join me for the live WORKSHOP Part 1: Your Leadership Tree starting in January 12, 2025!

To continue exploring the journey of The Resilient Leader: Wisdom of the Tree, visit my website www.ensomindset.com. Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive insights, practical tools, and updates on The Resilient Leader: Wisdom of the Tree. Follow along for more reflections, stories, and strategies to grow as a leader rooted in authenticity, resilience, and purpose. Whether you’re looking to cultivate your own Kensho Flock, align with your ecosystem, or explore personalized coaching services, let’s grow together.

Ensō Mindset turns your "And so” moment into a legacy of leadership.

In coaching sessions, I noticed how 'and so' sounded like 'enso'—profound moments where clarity emerged, turning reflection into decisive action. These moments align challenges with purpose, giving leaders the conviction to step forward with authenticity and creating ripples that extend far beyond themselves.

#theresilientleader #wisdomofthetree #leadershipdevelopment #personaldevelopment #leadershipgrowth #wiseowls #wisdomofothers

References

Clear, J. (2018). Atomic habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones. Penguin Random House.

Hardy, D. (2010). The compound effect: Jumpstart your income, your life, your success. Success Books. DARREN HARDY

Harvard Business Review. (2015). Research: Why reflecting on work improves performance. Retrieved from https://hbr.org

Perdoo (n.d.). OKR software for goal management. Retrieved from https://www.perdoo.com

Shook, J. (2009). Managing to learn: Using the A3 management process to solve problems, gain agreement, mentor, and lead. Lean Enterprise Institute.

Womack, J. P., & Jones, D. T. (1996). Lean thinking: Banish waste and create wealth in your corporation. Simon & Schuster.