Naming what you’ve learned over the last year is powerful because it transforms experience into wisdom. When you name something—whether it’s a skill, a pattern, a quote or a hard-earned insight—you give it form and meaning.
Here’s why that matters:
Awareness Turns Experience into Growth
We live through thousands of moments, but reflection gives them value. When you intentionally name what you’ve learned—“I’ve learned how to pause before reacting,” “I’ve learned to trust my team more,” “I’ve learned that saying no is leadership”—you move from unconscious growth to conscious mastery.
Language Anchors Learning
Naming is like planting a flag on the territory of your growth. Once you put words to it, you can return to it, teach it, and apply it. Without language, lessons drift away. With language, they become part of your leadership DNA.
Naming Builds Gratitude and Perspective
Reflection reminds you how far you’ve come. Even when the year felt hard, naming what you’ve learned reframes struggle as progress—it shifts you from “that was painful” to “that was purposeful.”
It Shapes the Next Chapter
When you name what you’ve learned, you also name what you want next. The process naturally surfaces where you’ve grown strong and where you still need clarity. It’s the bridge between reflection and intention.
It Models Leadership Maturity
Leaders who can articulate their learning show humility and growth mindset. When you name your lessons out loud, it gives permission for others to do the same—and that’s culture building at its finest.
The above details the “why” naming is important so here is me practicing authentically with all of you.
Here are the 25 things I am naming for 2025:
- Survive, Save, Serve- Learning to move through these areas successfully will help steady me and the legacy I want to leave.
- “Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.” Go Giver
- “Be ruthless with ideas and gentle with people.” Charlie Boyd
- “I miss you” – is this an invitation or an accusation? Depends on your history with the person.
- There are three important ways to communicate: Silence, Chit Chat, and Deep Conversation. Don’t discount them and move too quickly to deep conversation. Some relationships can’t handle that deep well yet.
- “Be around people who have that grow together mentality.” Unknown
- “Dream big but know you are the one that’s going to be doing the work.” Tracee Ellis
- “The best thing you can do for your family is becoming a stable, high-energy person they can count on. That’s real love in action.” James Clear
- “When you’re born you look like your parents. When you die you look like your decisions.” Priscilla Shirer
- Joy is not a crumb. Let me drink it up and not just think it is always small little crumbs.
- “A good book can be a wise counselor.” Jackie Hill Perry
- A friend told me “You don’t have to say anything wise. Just sit with me until it hurts less.”
- “Significance comes when you add value to others.” John Maxwell
- “If everything depends on you, you’re not leading—you’re bottlenecking.” Unknown
- “Promotion does not equal preparation.” India Martin
- “Live life with an empty cup. There should always be room in your cup to receive input from others.” Charlie Mae Harris (Chancellor Bennie Harris’s mother)
- Learning to ask “What is it like to experience me?”
- Honesty is best received by invitation only. Wait for someone to ask before I give my opinion.
- Our level of gratitude determines our level of enjoyment of any activity.
- Complaining robs us of energy we could be using to contribute.
- “Learn from a book, not about the book.” Common Ground Pilgrimages
- There is an art to “knowing our own nothingness.” Persuasion by Jane Austen
- Behind our every emotion is an idol.
- Can you recognize when you experience “overpowering happiness?” Being present will help with this process.
- Authenticity is the best way to lead.
Let’s keep growing together. Connect with us and share your own learnings!
