Don’t Go Alone in 2025

Matt and his daughters embark on the road trip from Michigan to Texas.

This past summer, I embarked on an 18-hour road trip from Michigan to Texas with my two daughters. Our mission: to drop off my eldest at her new school.

The car was packed with essentials, and some non-essentials I couldn't believe were coming along with us on our trip. Most importantly, the car was filled with laughter, shared stories, and the occasional off-key sing-along to our favorite songs. 

As we journeyed south toward her first year in college, the changing landscapes mirrored our conversations—sometimes familiar, other times leading us into uncharted territory. My youngest kept us entertained with her hilarious observations and spontaneous games. Each mile brought us closer to our destination and closer to each other.

Reflecting on the trip, I realized how different it would have been if my eldest had made this journey alone. The shared experience eased the transition for her and reinforced our relationship. Moments like these remind me of the importance of togetherness, especially during significant life changes.

In a world that often emphasizes independence, this trip was a testament to the strength and joy found in shared adventures. After all, some journeys are too important to undertake alone.

Every road trip to Texas must include a stop at Buc-Ees!

Fast forward to the start of 2025 and a new year. Your journey in leadership isn’t a road trip to Texas, yet the same principles hold.

You don’t need to lead alone in 2025. You were meant to lead with the support of others surrounding and supporting you along the path.

5 Relationships to Walk Alongside You as a Leader

A Trusted Advisor

1. A Trusted Advisor

A trusted advisor provides impartial guidance, leveraging experience to assist leaders in navigating complex decisions. This relationship is built on long-term interactions and mutual trust, offering valuable insights and support. Be cautious to not over-rely on a trusted advisor and create dependency, potentially stifling your creativity and innovation. Experienced Mentor

2. An Invested Mentor

A mentor shares wisdom and experiences, aiding in personal and professional growth. Mentorship is crucial in leadership development, offering invaluable guidance, support, and learning opportunities for aspiring leaders. Remember that mentors may have limited availability, and their perspectives might be influenced by their own experiences, which may not fully align with your unique challenges. Peer-Support Community

3. A Peer-Support Community

Engaging with a peer-support group fosters a sense of community among leaders facing similar challenges. Such groups provide psychological safety and shared learning experiences, enhancing leadership skills. These could be formal or be connected to a professional association. Be careful that group dynamics don’t lead to groupthink, where dissenting opinions are suppressed, potentially limiting innovative solutions. Family Member or Close Friend

4. Your Family and Friends

Family members or close friends offer emotional support, grounding you and providing a personal perspective outside the professional sphere. This support can be crucial in maintaining work-life balance and personal well-being. Be thoughtful when involving family or friends in professional matters that may blur boundaries, leading to potential conflicts of interest or emotional bias in decision-making.n Executive Coach

5. An Executive Coach or Process Consultant

An executive coach and/or Process Consultant assists you in enhancing your skills, providing structured feedback, and facilitating personal development and action planning. Coaching can help you cope better with stress and develop effective strategies for growth through listening, helping, and learning. A Process Consultant can provide you with a partner to help you move from where you are to where you are going by co-creating a path forward. 

Design Group International – Walking Alongside You

At Design Group International, our process approach focuses on walking with you as a leader to engage your particular challenge with a posture of listening, helping, and learning. The process approach provides you a partner on your journey toward transformation, like my road trip with my daughter on the way to college. Trusted Advisor

Let’s not go alone this year!

Walking alongside,

Matt Visser

Senior Design Partner
Design Group International

t yourself in an immersive environment. Visit an aquarium where you can be surrounded by fish.