The flames of the fireplace dance before me. Holiday music plays in the speakers, an instrumental nod to chestnuts roasting and children dreaming. Snow dots the areas outside, a futile fight against the warmth and rain, but snow is resilient, and it will return as sure as kids will sing about Frosty this time next year.

It’s been a year.

If you have been reading me for awhile, you know that my end of the year article is a reflection. This year is no different. But my goodness, the year was different.

As CIOs and technology leaders, we entered the year overwhelmed. Generative AI only added to the weight we bear, as did economic uncertainty, employee instability, and executive discontinuity.

Historically, we push trains uphill. This year we were like the Grinch trying to save the sled of accumulated goods from plummeting. 

As Seth Godin recently wrote, “If you try to sprint an entire marathon, you’ll hurt yourself. Systems can be stressed for short periods, but they burn out much more quickly if we overdo it…The hypervigilance required to go at full speed gives us no room to breathe or even improve.”

You see yourself in what Seth wrote. 

Full speed. A little more. Getting around to things but not gaining ground on things.

Breathe. It wasn’t your fault.You made it your opportunity. I’m proud of you.

You remain my heroes. I spent time with you this year. You stepped up to heights others were not qualified to reach; you stepped into lengths others were not prepared to take; you stepped out into areas others were not willing to explore.

In the wake of the pandemic, where your leadership rose, 2023 was the year your leadership was settled. You belong.

You will lead differently in 2024. But you will not lead alone.

As I considered how to resolve the overwhelm you face, and what is required to gain ground, I concluded that you need CEO alignment and partnership more than ever. You can’t have interference or filters between you; you must not suffer the interpretation others give to the insights you have for those to whom you must speak to directly instead.

You need the clear channel, the direct line, and the crucial conversation.

I’m devoting my resources in 2024 to improve the CEO’s understanding of your value and of the value in working more closely with you. Greater understanding. Greater collaboration. Greater advocacy. Greater revolution.

We wrap up work surrounded by songs and messages of peace. For many, it is merely a time-out. But peace is not the absence of conflict or pressure; it is wholeness in the midst of. Wholeness within you. With relationships.

What technology leaders have often not known with CEOs is peace - stability, maturity, security. Together, we can change that. I will do my part to educate CEOs on what needs to happen; you will do your part by walking taller, with greater confidence, not worn out by the relentless sprint, but strong, self-calming, grounded in response and enduring toward meaningful ends.

I’m days away from my house having wrapping paper strewn about, boxes torn and emptied, and gifts waiting to be gathered and put in their proper place. While I’m picking up and cleaning up, I will be grateful for the time just shared.

That day will end as every other does; evening will fall, curtains will close, and lights will be turned off.

And then a new day will come.