EP205: The Lookback - What 2025 Taught You
SEEING WHERE WE’VE BEEN…
…sets us up for the go-forward.
Enjoy!
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(The notes below are only a brief bullet point summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email to angie@angie-robinson.com.
Typically, the end of the year brings reflection time and goal setting for the next year—wrapping things up, taking time off, and preparing for what’s next. But if you’re listening at a different time of year, this still applies: we don’t have to wait until December to reflect, and we don’t have to wait until January to set goals.
One thing I believe—if you’ve been listening to me, you know this—is: when we understand ourselves, we lead others better.
So we’re starting a three-part end-of-year series designed to help you reflect, reset, and step into 2026 with clarity and intention. And we’re beginning exactly where leadership transformation always begins: with the look back.
Why it’s so tempting to skip reflection
This time of year, it’s really tempting to jump straight to goals and vision boards and new planners. (I just got mine for 2026.) I love the look forward—so much.
But here’s the truth: when we don’t pause—take a beat—and reflect, we often repeat the same patterns in the next year (or the next timeframe).
Reflection isn’t about dwelling. It’s not even about spending hours doing it (although you can). It’s about making meaning. It’s about creating awareness. It’s about honoring what we’ve done—or maybe not done—in a way that serves us, our teams, and our organizations.
And as you know, awareness is the first key to leadership magic.
Leaders move fast (and that’s exactly why this matters)
Leaders are notorious for moving fast. You’re responsible for people, results, impact—and you’re navigating a world that is constantly changing.
I was at an HR roundtable event recently, and the first speaker—an employment law attorney—was reviewing hot topics in employment law. And I just remember thinking: oh my gosh. There’s so much to stay on top of.
And it can feel hard to pause and think about ourselves.
But here’s why I’m encouraging you to pause anyway: when we don’t reflect, we lose sight of what worked, what got in our way, and what we’re carrying forward unnecessarily. We might miss the lessons that could make next year easier—and we might unintentionally repeat the same leadership habits, especially the unhelpful ones.
Reflection is generous—and it creates ripple effects
I believe taking time to look back is one of the most generous things you can do, not just for yourself, but for your team and your organization.
When you process your experience instead of rushing past it, you see your growth, you see the lessons, and you honor your story. And yes—maybe it sounds a little woo woo (woo woo is cool)—but reflection gives your brain validation and closure. It creates a foundation of confidence for the year ahead and can help clear out limiting beliefs that get in your way.
For example: if something didn’t go well, you might be telling yourself a story about it—maybe even beating yourself up. Those thoughts can carry forward and impact your actions and results, even if you don’t realize it. Reflection helps you surface those thoughts so you can do something about them.
And it impacts your team, too. Teams feel the difference when you show up more grounded. You lead with more perspective, empathy, and clarity—because you’re not reacting from burnout or autopilot.
Organizations thrive when leaders are intentional instead of reactive.
And I believe it goes even further than that: when you reflect on who you’ve been and who you’re becoming, you interrupt cycles of dysfunction, model emotional intelligence, and create a ripple effect that can reach families, communities, and the future of the workplace. That is leadership beyond the job title.
Your reflection setup (make it easy and meaningful)
Before we jump into the questions, here’s what I recommend:
Find a time and place where you won’t be distracted
Turn off notifications
Grab your favorite beverage
Give yourself space to think
Environment matters to me. I like to light a candle, put on focus music—sometimes even Disney piano music. (I’m a nerd. I love Disney.)
Six powerful reflection questions
Here are a few questions to get you started:
1) What went well this year?
Celebrate. Don’t skip the wins. And remember: we can learn just as much from what went well as from what didn’t—because we might want to repeat what worked.
2) What surprised you?
Surprises can reveal strengths you didn’t know you had—or blind spots that didn’t serve you well.
3) What challenged you?
Not to judge yourself—just to see what stretched you.
4) What did you learn about yourself?
As a leader, and as a human. Maybe you found courage. Maybe you discovered a pattern. Maybe you realized you’re ready for something new.
5) What do you want to let go of before stepping into the new year?
A habit. A responsibility that’s weighing you down. A thought, fear, or story you’ve been telling yourself.
6) What do you want to carry forward?
Wisdom. Resilience. Clarity. What do you want to bring with you into what’s next?
How this ties to the 3 Keys to Leadership Magic
I’ve shared my framework—the three keys to leadership magic: character, confidence, and connection.
Character: reflection is the willingness to tell the truth about your year—self-honesty, humility, awareness.
Confidence: reviewing your year helps you realize you’ve done more than you thought. Confidence grows from evidence—not pressure or external validation.
Connection: you can’t connect well with others when you’re disconnected from yourself. Reflection brings you back to you—so you can show up more connected to others.
Your next step
Before the next episode / post, carve out 20–30 minutes and reflect using these prompts. Get grounded before the holiday rush, and give yourself the gift of seeing what this year has taught you.
What Do You Think?
After reflecting - what did that experience show you?
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