A year filled with meetings, conversations, and both small and significant moments that remind me of what truly matters over time. Again and again, I arrive at the same insight—the importance and power of being clear about, and making visible, our own ability to lead ourselves from the inside out. To create an everyday life where work can be part of life in a way that brings energy, meaning, and direction.
Below I share some of the notes I wrote at the beginning of December as a personal reflection on the year 2025.
What I take with me personally
For fifteen years I have been running Lead by Profession, and it continues to give me energy, engagement, and a strong sense of meaning. I feel a grounded gratitude in my heart for the opportunity to contribute perspective, structure, and inspiration to clients who have the ambition and desire for a more holistic approach—one that values both short- and long-term results.
Sustainability is not only about recovery—it is about direction. It is about knowing what I say yes to and what I need to say no to in order to live the life I truly want to live. Not settling for merely living, but being fully alive in the life that is unfolding.
Two of my favorite words, which I have carried with me for many years, will also guide me into 2026: curiosity and enjoyment. In broad strokes, this means reminding myself in everyday life that when my heart and mind are tuned to curiosity, new thoughts, perspectives, and possibilities arise naturally. When the sense of enjoyment is present, I experience the nuances of life through all my senses and in my presence with others.
The combination of curiosity and enjoyment is like magic to me—being fully alive, all in, in the life that is happening here and now creates a grounded sense of positive forward movement.
Valuable lessons from the year
This year has reminded me that sustainable results rarely come from doing more—often in the form of constant activity—but from better focus. Those of you who have met me know I have never been convinced that the “try harder” method truly works. At our core, we know that when we create trust and clarity in both mind and heart, energy is released. And when energy is released, it becomes easier to prioritize, collaborate, and make things happen—for real.
It is often small refinements that create major impact: a clearer mandate, a more effective meeting structure, a more respectful tone in conversations, or a shared direction that everyone can hold onto. For me, it becomes increasingly clear that culture and results are created in relationships, in human encounters, and in conversations.
The year in assignments
In many assignments, the focus has been the same: to support organizations, leadership teams, managers, teams, and individuals in creating sustainable next steps. When the foundation is in place, clearer goals, responsibilities, safer conversations, braver decisions, and a direction that can be translated into everyday action naturally follow.
Recurring focus areas
Increased self-awareness—the foundation for genuine happiness and the ability to navigate even when conditions are challenging.
Communication as a foundation—when our human relationships work, strategy becomes understandable and executable.
Clarity in roles, responsibilities, and priorities—contributing to a sense of security for everyone.
Culture—the sum of what we all contribute to and can influence in everyday life.
Across assignments—leadership forums, groups, programs, and processes—we have repeatedly returned to a few core insights:
When relationships work, strategy becomes understandable and executable—communication is always a prerequisite.
Reflection is a successful method—we make more grounded, wiser decisions and fewer “fast and wrong” ones.
Safety and the ability to act are created through clarity in direction, roles, and responsibilities.
We thrive when we take time to enjoy, celebrate, and laugh.
Here is some feedback in the form of quotes from clients during the year after completed assignments:
“Clearer mandates, goals, roles, and expectations.”
“More effective decision-making and better quality in our meetings.”
“You can be quite challenging at times, but I see work and life with more nuance today.”
“More trust-based communication built on respect.”
“Work can be enjoyable all the way through—but it can also be truly demanding at times.”
“Increased self-awareness and a more grounded self-leadership.”
“A clearer shared direction that holds even when facing headwinds.”
Thank you
A warm and heartfelt thank you to clients, leaders, teams, and all of you I have had the privilege to collaborate with this year—and of course to friends, family, and love. Without you, life would feel flat. Thank you for the trust, the openness, the willingness to reflect—and the courage to turn insight into action.
“Never lose trusting yourself.”
I look forward to meeting in one way or another during 2026.
Anne-Leé Holmberg
