Slower, Smarter, Kinder: What We’re Taking Into 2026
2025 wasn’t an easy year for most of us.
It stretched us, tested us, and in a lot of ways, refined us.
When life and leadership move this fast, reflection isn’t a luxury; it’s how we make sense of it all.
As we wrap up the year at Leadership In Focus, we wanted to pause, zoom out, and share a few honest reflections: the things that challenged us, grounded us, and reminded us why growth always starts with awareness.
Q1. Reflecting back on 2025, what are the 3 things you are most grateful for?
Curtis S:
The upside of losing my Mom was reconnecting with so many amazing people and hearing stories of how she impacted their lives.
Watching my kids flourish in life at school and in their sports. They are awesome kids and I’m so grateful for their presence in my life.
Feeling love and support from my true inner circle. When you are surrounded by the right people you feel unstoppable.
Kurtis G:
The time I get to spend with my parents, and in-laws. Life moves fast, and as I am aging, so are our parents, and I realize what a gift every minute I have with them is.
My daughters have turned into incredible adults. Seeing how they are both stepping up in their purpose, and with a desire to make a contribution, gives me hope for the next generation.
My wife, she has continued to be a rock for me. We continue to grow together, we just celebrated 26 years of marriage. And to know that we really like each other, not just love each other, is something special.
Q2. What is one business/leadership lesson that really sunk in for you this past year?
Kurtis G: Business is moving at a relentless pace. Just when it feels like we’ve hit a technological peak, something new blows past it. AI is the latest example, and it’s a massive disruptor.
The lesson, I think, has two parts. First, we have to stay curious: embrace new technology, experiment with it, and learn how it can actually help us work smarter. Second, we have to apply judgment. Our experience, instincts, and human skills still matter. If we don’t bring those to the table, we risk settling for beige, automated outcomes that all look the same.
Leadership today is far more complex than it used to be. The pace alone makes it hard to keep up, let alone stay grounded. That’s why we need to extend more grace: to our leaders, to our teams, and to ourselves. Everyone is trying to catch their breath in a world that doesn’t slow down.
Curtis S: In business and in life we can get really caught up in the outside noise and distractions. I am constantly reminded to control the controllables and move the needle through the variables that our effort and attitude can impact. We get lost focusing on things outside of our control.
Q3. Reflecting back on what happened in 2025, what is one lesson you would share with your 25-year old self?
Curtis S: Chase moments not money. Near the end of my Mom’s life we spent a lot of time talking about regrets and what brought her joy. Life is built in making the moments matter with the people we care about. I focused far too much on money at that age, and sacrificed a lot of things I was more passionate about.
Money will come if we are doing what we enjoy. We don’t spend enough time building out our best life scenarios. Time, flexibility and freedom sure do create a wealthy life.
Kurtis G: This too shall pass. Don’t overreact in the moment. Step back and remind yourself there are usually more options than you see at first glance. Then take action, even small steps count. Paralysis and inaction tend to make situations feel far worse than they actually are.
Q4. What’s one thing you learned about yourself this past year you think would be helpful for others to know?
Kurtis G: I’m a lot more resilient than I realized.
This year threw more than a few unexpected curveballs at me and my family. Each one felt overwhelming at first, and then we got through it. Every time.
It ties back to what I’d tell my 25-year-old self: stay open to more options, and focus your energy on what you can actually control.
Curtis S: Fear is not what holds us back, it is the inaction that comes when fear arises. I actually love speaking and engaging with audiences. For the longest time I shied away from it - maybe imposter syndrome but I would love the ability to do more of this in the future.
Q5. What excites you the most looking ahead to 2026?
Curtis S: To use a sports analogy, I feel like the past several years has been rebuilding my life and setting the tone and structure. There is still so much work to be done but I’m looking forward to living life to the fullest and that means taking some chances, working with new clients and enjoying many moments with my kids and people I love. I come into 2026 with an open heart and mind.
Kurtis G: This might sound counterintuitive, but there’s comfort in knowing I’m going to keep growing.
I already know there are new challenges waiting for me in early 2026. And looking back, it’s always been in the moments with the least clarity that I’ve learned the most about myself, and made some of the biggest, most meaningful breakthroughs.
Closing Thoughts
If there’s one thing this year reminded us, it’s that growth rarely happens in comfort.
It happens in the pauses, the pivots, and the people who keep showing up, for themselves and for others.
As we head into 2026, our hope is simple: that you keep leading with curiosity, grace, and grit.
We’ll keep doing the same: learning, unlearning, and helping leaders find their focus when things get noisy.
From all of us at Leadership In Focus, thank you for being part of our journey this year. Here’s to what’s next, and to who we’ll become along the way.
