Who Did You Become This Year?
Happy New Year’s Eve! As we close out 2025, I’ve found myself reflecting less on what I accomplished and more on who I became.
At the end of a year, it’s easy to look at results. Did we hit our goals? Did the numbers move in the right direction? Did things go according to plan? Those questions matter. But I think there’s a more important one we don’t ask often enough.
Who did you become this year?
Anthony inspiring a crowd with tools for better leadership
For me this year brought moments of growth (I improved as a communicator) and moments of frustration (I struggled with marketing). If you are like me, there are wins you’re proud of and challenges that stretched you more than you expected. There were probably days you showed up exactly how you wanted to as a leader, and others where you wish you could have hit reset.
I’ve found those are the days when leadership is tested and character shines through. It’s how we respond when things don’t go as planned. How we treat people when we’re tired. How we communicate under pressure. How willing we are to listen, to admit we were wrong, or to ask for help.
When I look back on this year, I’m reminded that progress rarely comes from one big breakthrough. It usually comes from a series of small decisions. Choosing patience over reaction. Choosing curiosity over certainty. And choosing to stay engaged instead of checking out when things get hard.
As leaders, the impact we have on others is more about how we show up than our strategies or decisions. It’s our energy, our presence, and our consistency that determines how our team responds. And over time, who we become sets the tone for the culture around us.
As the calendar turns to a new year, there will be plenty of talk about goals, resolutions, and what’s next. Those are all worthwhile conversations. But before rushing ahead, I encourage you to pause and reflect.
What did this year teach you about yourself?
Where did you grow?
Where do you still have work to do?
And who do you want to become in the year ahead?
At MIBE, we believe that making it better every day starts from the inside out. When leaders grow, teams grow. When leaders evolve, culture follows.
So tonight, as we close the chapter on 2025, don’t just ask what you want to do next year. Ask who you want to be. Because the leader you become will matter far more than any goal you set.
Happy New Year!
Keep MIBE-ing!
Anthony Lambatos
Founder, MIBE Hospitality Leadership Development
Owner, Footers Catering
P.S. Grow your leadership. Join us at our MIBE Summit January 25th - 27th.
