It’s the end of another year.
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Over the past 12 months, you've likely ridden the waves of both triumph and trial.
Perhaps you've celebrated moments of unparalleled joy, or maybe you've faced challenges that tested you like never before.

Maybe both.

No matter what this year has brought, my wish for you is to look ahead to the new year with a renewed sense of hope.

The True Nature of Hope

Hope is a funny thing. Our culture often frames it as a warm, fuzzy feeling—a source of comfort and optimism. But as the Grinch discovered about Christmas, maybe hope, too, “means a little bit more.”

Hope can and should be joyful, yes. But here’s something we often overlook:

Hope aches.

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Why? Because hope lives in the space between where we are now and where we long to be.

It's the tension of waiting—of trusting—in what we do not yet have, with no guarantees that we’ll ever see it realized.

As the Apostle Paul wrote:
​"But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."​
—Romans 8:24-25

How Leaders Can Cultivate Hope

So, what do we do with this as leaders?
How do we patiently wait on our hopes while guiding others through their own moments of uncertainty?

Here are 4 thoughts:

1. Build Community; Live Communally

Last week, I had the opportunity to do something I love.

Sitting around a table at my favorite local pub, I gathered with a few close friends. We shared a compelling conversation, reflecting on the past year and asking each other meaningful questions without expectations or pretenses:

• Where were you most challenged this year?
• What's one thing that, if it happened next year, would make you overjoyed?
• What's one thing you learned about yourself this year?

We all need friends who ask us questions like this—friends who challenge and encourage us when we need it most.

As a leader, you have the chance to create these spaces, whether at work or in your personal life.

How can you curate a community that inspires and supports each other?

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2. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

You’re the kind of person who cares about doing things well. You wouldn’t be reading this newsletter if you didn’t.

But there’s a temptation in this—a trap we’ve all fallen into. The pursuit of perfection can stop us from moving forward. And steal our hope.

Done is better than perfect.

When you focus on consistent progress, you create momentum that builds over time. Growth isn’t about flawless execution; it’s about showing up and moving forward.

How can you encourage your team (and yourself) to take the next step, even if it’s not perfect?

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3. Anchor in Purpose

This year, I had a conversation with a leader who was feeling completely stuck.

Their team was facing tons of turnover, and progress seemed slow.

When I asked what they thought the team needed most, they paused and said, “Honestly, I think we’ve lost sight of why we’re doing this.”

It’s easy to feel adrift when the outcomes we’re hoping for feel far off.

As leaders, we have to anchor ourselves and our teams in purpose. Why do you do what you do? Why does your team’s work matter?

Take time to reconnect with your team’s “why.”

Share stories of impact and remind people of the bigger picture.

Purpose is fuel for hope, especially when the waiting feels long.

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4. Model Resilient Patience

You probably took some punches this year (maybe more than a few). You'll likely take some next year too.

It's easy to lose hope when you're feeling beat down; AND...

Sometimes staying in the fight is enough.​
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People see how you react to adversity, and they learn from what they see.

You and I have a unique opportunity to model patience—not the passive kind, but the resilient kind.

Patience means showing up consistently, trusting the process, and keeping hope alive even when results are delayed and odds are stacked.

Be transparent with your team. Share your own struggles with waiting and how you’re choosing to stay focused.

When they see your resilience, they’ll be inspired to do the same.

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New Year, New Legacy
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As we step into the new year, remember this: leadership is as much about how you navigate the “not yet” as it is about celebrating the wins.

Take a moment to reflect:

• What are you hoping for in the year ahead?
• How can you inspire hope in those around you?

The new year is a blank slate, full of possibilities. Approach it with intentionality and courage, knowing that the work you do as a leader matters deeply—both for your team and for yourself.

Here’s to leading with hope and purpose in the year to come.

P.S. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Hit reply and let me know—what’s one thing you’re hoping for in the new year?
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Happy New Year,

Shaun