I once heard a leader in a training class say he was far more valuable to the company doing his day-to-day work than sitting in a classroom discussing things he already knows. I could empathize. Deadlines are real. Experience is real. And yet, the statement brought me to wonder. How many leaders reach a point where development becomes a box to check rather than a discipline to practice? A healthy leader knows that transformation never stops. When a healthy person stops eating well or exercising regularly, the decline may not be immediate, but it is inevitable. Healthy habits may look repetitive on the surface, yet the benefits compound over time. Leadership growth works the same way.

Imagine two lists. One contains the qualities that a businessperson should have. The other includes the attributes that most would say they wouldn’t want to have. There’s only one word I can think of that might top both lists: vulnerability. Whether we’re talking about leadership, teamwork, or client service, there is no more powerful attribute than the ability to be genuinely honest about one’s weaknesses, mistakes, and need for help. Nothing inspires trust in another human being like vulnerability. There’s something immensely attractive and inspiring about humility and graciousness.

As I thought about this end-of-year article, especially as a first-time contributor to the Colleen C. Barrett Institute, I kept coming back to three words—reflection, gratitude, and optimism. I’ve been part of the Southwest story for 18 years and am privileged to help lead, support and sustain our Culture initiatives, which, of course, began under Colleen’s Leadership. I remember her passion for Southwest history—reflecting on where we’ve been; her consistent focus on the present—being grateful for where we are; and her anticipation of the future—optimistic about where we’re going.