With the holidays well underway, it’s a natural time to think about the highs and lows of the year that’s closing. For professionals, every year comes with its share of challenges, but facing them head-on is an opportunity to gain valuable insight and experience.

Below, 14 members of Business Journals Leadership Trust share the obstacles they’ve overcome and the lessons they’ve learned in 2019 that will influence their leadership strategies for years to come.

1. Give away your power.

I’ve been practicing something that makes no sense but is a universal truth. As leaders, the more we give away our power, the more it comes back to us. Six months ago, I promoted a rising star, Keely York, to be President of Thesis. I’ve had to physically stop myself from doing tasks I used to do to give Keely the opportunity to lead, and she has delivered results far better than I could ever do. — Ryan Buchanan, Thesis.

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