By Addy Smith
I’ve been doing some reflecting on the year 2024 in review. It has been my first full year at PowerUp Leadership, and if I’m being honest, it flew by. I was busy. Really busy. Between back-to-back meetings, managing my team, chasing deadlines, and putting out fires, my personal development took a back seat. Sound familiar? If you’re like me, you might have spent the past year focusing on everyone and everything else but yourself.
But here’s the thing I’ve realized: as a leader, my growth directly impacts the people I lead, the projects I drive, and the culture I shape. So, for 2025, I’m setting an intention: prioritize my own development. Here are five reasons why I believe we—managers, leaders, and anyone juggling a hundred priorities—should do the same:
1. Live By Example
In 2024, I facilitated over 50 hours of training to over 100 different leaders in multiple different organizations. I always tell my clients they need to embrace new learning opportunities and put aside time for leadership development. But the truth is, I wasn’t leading by example. How can I get buy-in from the leaders I deliver training to when I’m not even making time for training myself? Whether it’s learning a new skill, sharpening an old one, or gaining fresh perspectives, my growth sets the tone for my clients.
2. It Prevents Burnout
I’ll admit it: by the end of 2024, I felt drained. I poured so much into my work that I forgot to refill my own cup. What I’ve learned is that focusing on personal development—whether it’s attending a seminar, reading a leadership book, or even building better work-life balance strategies— It’s a necessity. It’s how we stay inspired, energized, and capable of giving our best to others. Work can’t all be about putting out fires, all the time. That’s just not realistic, or sustainable.
3. The Workplace is Evolving—You Need to Evolve Too
From AI tools to shifting workplace dynamics, the professional landscape is changing. In 2024, I found myself reacting to changes rather than anticipating them. This year, I’m making a commitment to stay ahead of the curve. By dedicating time to exploring trends in my industry, I’ll be better positioned to lead and serve my clients in a more valuable way.
4. You Deserve to Reclaim Your Time
Here’s a hard truth I had to face: if I don’t carve out time for my development, no one else will do it for me. The demands of work won’t magically disappear, but by blocking out time for learning or self-improvement, I’m signaling to myself—and my team—that my growth matters.
5. Your Future Self Will Thank You
Looking back, I can see missed opportunities for growth—chances to attend conferences, connect with mentors, or simply reflect on my career trajectory. But I think 2025 offers a nice fresh start. The skills I can invest in now will better prepare me for whatever challenges and opportunities come next. My future self—the one who’s more confident, capable, and fulfilled—will look back and be grateful I started today.
Moving Forward in 2025
If you’ve also felt like your own development has been on hold, let’s make 2025 the year we change that. For me, that means setting aside dedicated time each week for learning, seeking feedback from peers and mentors, and saying yes to opportunities that push me out of my comfort zone.
When I think about it, it’s not really just about becoming a better leader, or a better consultant. When it comes down to it, I think development is really about becoming a better version of ourselves.
And isn’t that worth prioritizing?