Lessons From This Year to Carry into 2025

As the year wraps up, we asked Team Engine partners a simple question: What’s something you learned this year that you’re carrying forward into 2025? Their responses highlight key takeaways on leadership, learning, communication, and hiring that we hope you can also incorporate with your work in the coming year.

Adaptability and Continuous Learning

Nataly Mualem, Managing Attorney, Mualem Firm LLC
This year, I’ve learned the profound value of adaptability and openness to feedback in both personal and professional settings. Embracing change and seeking input from diverse perspectives have been essential in navigating complex challenges and identifying creative solutions that I might not have considered alone. Carrying this forward into 2025, I’m committed to staying flexible, welcoming new insights, and remaining open to adjusting my approach as situations evolve. It’s a mindset that not only strengthens relationships but also drives continuous growth and innovation.

Levi Jett, LSSBB, CSP, ASM, Owner, Jett Facility Consultants LLC
What I've learned in 2024 that will carry over into 2025, is to keep learning. 2024 has been a hallmark year for me educationally. I’m back in college, I earned my Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification, and I’m now a Certified Business Consultant. No one told me to do any of this—I did it for me, my business, and my family. I encourage and challenge anyone reading this to double down and invest in your education and yourself. You won’t regret it!

Gloria Wesley, Founder/CEO, Exodus Management and Consulting, LLC
This year, I’ve learned the critical importance of integrating AI into Business Process Management (BPM) while actively addressing change management resistance—a lesson I’m definitely carrying forward into 2025. AI has proven to be a game-changer in streamlining workflows, automating repetitive tasks, and providing data-driven insights. But what stood out to me is that the technology itself isn’t the biggest challenge; it’s getting people to embrace it. Successful implementation isn’t just about rolling out tools—it’s about aligning the people, processes, and technology.

Communication and Relationship Building

Tonya Schulte, Construction Trades Profitability Educator, The Profit Constructors
I learned that communication is at the heart of every successful business relationship. Whether it’s between employers and employees, leaders and teams, or even outsourced professionals and clients, setting clear expectations and following through on promises builds trust. This principle applies to hiring, retention, and every other aspect of running a business—and it’s something I’ll emphasize even more in 2025.

Kelly Rowlett Presgrave, CEO, Work With Your Handz
This year, we learned the power of building relationships over transactions. Candidates and clients alike respond better when the focus is on long-term collaboration rather than short-term solutions. This approach has strengthened trust, improved retention rates, and set the foundation for sustained success. In 2025, we’re committed to doubling down on this strategy while leveraging technology to enhance the human connection in recruitment.

Hiring and Recruitment Strategies

Kathey Palmer, Chief Growth Officer, Inova Payroll
The old saying, ‘People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care’ is still a critical component to hiring, training, and retaining engaged and productive employees.

Mike Voories, Founder & CEO, BR1
Meet candidates where they are and make it easy for them to engage with our brand and recruiting efforts.

Ross Friedman, Owner/Partner, ServiceAdvantEdge
Hire slow (multiple interviews to ensure a good fit) and fire fast.

Judson Griggs, Head Harvester, The Harvest Group
Always be recruiting and hiring! If you wait until you desperately need to hire someone for an open position, you will be hiring out of desperation. Seldom does that hire work out. If you always have your antennae up looking for a great employee, you can find some great people.

Leadership and Team Management

Katie Magoon, President, People Solutions Center
Having a team means you have to spend more time with your ‘leader’ and ‘coach’ hat on and less time ‘managing’ the team. Taking the time to ensure I am in the right mindset when working with team members is a key difference for my team.

Ed Laflamme, Head Harvester, The Harvest Group
It’s clearer to me now more than ever that success is built with happy people, doing rewarding work, where they are challenged and have clear (and even aggressive) future goals.

Greg Herring, CEO, The Herring Group
Remember to celebrate and enjoy the victories.

Whether you’re focused on learning, leading, or building stronger relationships, these insights remind us that growth comes from both reflection and action. Here’s to a successful and fulfilling 2025!

Want more end of year reflections and predictions? Check out these other articles in our 2024 wrap up series:

Expert Insights on Employee Retention in 2025

How Employers Can Improve the Candidate Experience in 2025

How Hiring Priorities Are Shifting in Today’s Job Market

What 2024 Taught Us About Hiring and Retention for 2025

ICYMI: New Features Added to Team Engine in 2024