It reminded me that while trust is essential, visibility is non-negotiable.

No matter how capable your advisors are, there’s no substitute for firsthand understanding when making big decisions. Leadership means knowing when to delegate and when proximity matters too much to compromise.

They provided me with insight into the kind of things that likely would’ve been obvious if I’d been standing on the floor, seeing the operation firsthand.

The business kept moving forward, but the experience stuck with me.

Progress isn’t guaranteed. It requires showing up, speaking up, and choosing inclusion even when it’s hard.

This is how we protect equality for the next generation.

Technology scales, but only within the confines or freedoms that leadership creates. Are you empowering teams to experiment? Are you creating cultures where adaptability isn't feared?

The future of manufacturing will belong to leaders who blend operational discipline with human insight.

Innovation only works when people understand why change matters and how they fit into it.

Resilient manufacturing, to me, is marked by connection. The most important resource is on the shop room floor!

Whether it's new technology or a general disconnect, it's a leader's job to set the tone for how people interact and to provide professional development when needed.

So, to me, the real question is: How do we ensure that connecting human qualities remain central?

Are we inadvertently hindering the development of essential human qualities like empathy and vulnerability in our teams?

Maybe, but I don't think that would be AI's fault.

When institutions adapt to reflect real lives, everyone benefits, not just those who were previously left out.

Progress often starts by simply acknowledging what already exists!

The way we sharpen our skills as leaders helps us to meet other situations with clarity, transparency, and boldness.

What lessons are you taking into the year ahead?

On a personal note, this year also reinforced how interconnected work and life really are. Family, community, and purpose are necessary ingredients in a full life. The patience, empathy, and perspective we build outside of work directly shape how we lead inside it.

Demand is changing as energy constraints move from the hypothetical to reality. Supply chains, talent pipelines, and infrastructure all need to evolve at the same time. We carve a way forward by investing patiently in systems, people, and long-term capability.