Every milestone is a step forward. Every lesson is a foundation for what’s next.

I’ve spent over 30 years building, breaking, and rebuilding in business. The wins are good client deals, product launches, those moments when the team high-fives in the hallway (or on Zoom/Teams). But the real shape of a company comes from what happens in between.

Our team has a few rituals. We celebrate anniversaries. We tell the stories behind every big win (and a few embarrassing fails). We pause to look back before we charge ahead.

Those moments of reflection? That’s where the magic lives.

🔹 We talk about what worked, but we also talk about what stung.

🔹 We remember the customer calls that changed everything.

🔹 We share the missteps that taught us more than any success.

These stories keep us humble. They remind us that progress is not a straight line (never has been). Every high comes with a lesson. Every low comes with a chance to grow.

Leadership, to me, is not just about steering the ship when the sun’s out. It’s about helping your crew learn from every storm. Making space for honest retrospectives. Building a future on top of every lesson, not just every win.

If you can imagine a team that grows from every experience the good or bad….you can build something that lasts.

What’s one milestone or lesson that shaped your path this year?

#PhoneBill ☎️