From the Right Seats to the Right Priorities for Intentional Growth
As the year winds down, it’s natural to reflect; on what worked, what didn’t, and what we want to do differently moving forward. Growth doesn’t usually come from one massive decision. It comes from a series of small, intentional choices: how we learn, how we lead, how we respond under pressure, and how we prioritize the people and moments that matter most.
When we’re intentional about how we show up, both our business and our life get better.
Raising the bar with intention
At the start of the year, I set a goal to read 24 business books. By year’s end, I’ll close out with 27 books read.
And I’ve already decided: I’m raising the bar for 2026.
Next year’s goal? 35 books.
But not just more reading. More intentional reading. Books that challenge how I think, grow how I lead, and push me to keep learning. I’m doing the same with other areas too, like fitness and nutrition. Small increases, sharper focus. So, what goals are you thinking about for 2025?
In case you’re curious, here are my top 5 authors from the books I’ve read this year:
James Clear
Patrick Lencioni
Simon Sinek
Matthew Kelly
Gino Wickman
The wrong seat doesn’t mean the wrong person
There’s a classic scene from the movie ‘Elf’ where Buddy reveals that he made 85 Etch A Sketches, only to find out he was supposed to make…1,000.
Uh oh, looks like Buddy might be in the “Wrong Seat”.
That is when the other elves remind Buddy of everything else he brings to the table:
He’s the only one who can change the smoke detector batteries
He is the only baritone in the elf choir
It’s a funny scene, but it’s also a great reminder: Someone who is a great cultural fit for your organization just isn’t in the right seat. It doesn’t mean they’re not valuable, but NEEDS to be in a role that allows them to SOAR with their strengths. Everyone wins when the right people are in the right seats!
When you see this, who comes to mind in your organization that is not in the ‘Right Seat’?
How we react when things don’t go as planned
I had a nightmare delivery the other day…
I was expecting three manageable boxes, each around 40 pounds, but instead I got a 400-pound pallet that had to go up 2 flights of stairs. With less than 24 hours' notice, the driver showed up and initially said, “Good luck, I’ve got other deliveries.”
I had two choices: (1) Get mad and start making calls, or (2) Roll up my sleeves and figure it out.
I asked the driver if I could help him get the pallet off the truck, because it really was a two-person job. He agreed, and after we got it down, he helped me carry the boxes to my office, despite being clearly pressed for time.
Before he left, he told me something that stuck: “I helped you because you didn’t get mad when things went wrong. You just wanted to get the job done, and you were a nice person the whole time. That made a difference for me, and I WANTED to help you.”
When we’re faced with a miscommunication or a plan that falls apart, are we wasting time arguing or pointing fingers? Or, are we focused on how to move forward and get the job done? Are we our best self during times of unforeseen expectations?
Running a better business to live a better life
This time of year is about so much more than strategy sessions and planning meetings. It’s about presence. With the people we care about most. Around dinner tables, fireplace gatherings, or wherever your traditions take you.
Remember: The EOS Life is doing “What you love, with the People you love”. When you “Run a better Business, you live a better life.”
