You've grown way more this year than you probably realise

As I reflect on a year that has been so challenging for so many, I want to give a shout out to everyone who has stared uncertainty and fear in the face and found a way through. This most likely means I’m giving a shout out to you.

Without discounting the enormous pain and suffering endured by many this year, I have been so inspired by the personal and team performances I’ve witnessed across dozens of businesses during 2020. I can never recall seeing so much personal growth take place in the people around me (i.e. you) as I have this year.

Almost overnight, I saw people forced to change their business models, rapidly evolve their client service and upend their team rhythms and rituals. Some have had to rally their team to save their business. Some have had to experience a constant stream of client tears as they hold back their own. One team, in particular, had to leave their family homes and sleep in their office for a few months, just to ensure their client experience remained uninterrupted.

Leaders stand up in crises and at one stage or another, we've all had to step up this year and be a leader for the people around us. In some ways, your whole career prior to 2020 had prepared you for it. Whatever the year has meant for you, you’ve almost definitely developed new skills and wisdom that have made you stronger, wiser and way more valuable to the people around you.

However you’re feeling right now, don’t forget to push pause and acknowledge how far you’ve come and how much you’ve grown this year despite been so challenged. And if you've seen this in the people around you, don’t forget to send them some love too. They probably need to hear it.

Pressure makes diamonds and even if you can’t quite see them now, I have no doubt there have been some positives in this year for you. Hold onto them, as they will be useful for you as you step into 2021 and beyond.

Merry Christmas guys. Times are still tough for many, but there are always gifts hiding around us if we look hard enough for them or help the people around us find them.