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This morning I'm waking up in London with nearly 30 members of the ADDO team.
That may seem a little over the top. Taking a team overseas isn't something most organizations do. But for us, it's the reward for accomplishing a goal that, at one point, seemed completely out of reach.
The story behind it is actually one of my favorites:
Last year we set a goal that was significantly larger than anything we'd ever accomplished before. We believed it was possible, but if I'm honest, we weren't sure.
About two-thirds of the way through the year, it looked like we were certainly going to miss it.
Then someone asked a simple question: "What if we gave this an unbelievable amount of focus? Could we still do it?"
Instead of lowering the target or making excuses, we decided to find out.
We added a weekly meeting that focused almost exclusively on the leading indicators that would determine whether we'd get there. We made decisions faster. We communicated more clearly. Everyone committed to doing their part because we knew the goal wouldn't happen unless all of us moved together.
Something interesting happened. Momentum created momentum.
Opportunities started appearing. Conversations accelerated. Decisions got made. One win led to another.
Then came the final week.
We had secured one last client that would put us over the top, but there was a problem. The payment wouldn't be finalized before year-end, which meant we technically wouldn't hit the goal.
Except we had spent the year building more than a pipeline, we had built a relationship.
The client found out about our goal, and they voluntarily offered to adjust the terms of our agreement so it could count before the deadline.
Think about that: A client changed the timing of an agreement simply because they wanted to help us succeed.
That's what relentless focus, organizational alignment, and relational equity can accomplish.
That story alone probably deserves its own article.
But that's not really what I've been thinking about as I landed in London today.
I've been thinking about three leadership lessons that apply to every organization, regardless of size.
1. Big goals are galvanizing.
Small goals rarely change people.
Big goals demand new thinking, tighter collaboration, and better execution. They force conversations that otherwise never happen.
People often ask whether ambitious goals create unnecessary pressure.
Sometimes they do, but they also create clarity.
When everyone knows what matters most, it's amazing how much easier it becomes to decide what deserves your time and what doesn't.
2. Don't be afraid of hard seasons.
I'm not advocating for constant hustle or a culture where people wear exhaustion like a badge of honor. Burnout is real, and healthy organizations need rhythms of work and rest.
But I also wonder if, in some places, we've overcorrected.
I heard someone recently make this observation: "There might be more people bored than burnt out." That line has stuck with me.
Growth requires stretching. Whether you're building a business, raising a family, planting a church, or pursuing a meaningful goal, there are seasons that demand more from us. Those seasons shouldn't last forever, but they shouldn't be avoided either.
Some of the greatest confidence you'll ever gain comes from looking back and saying, "That was hard... and we did it."
3. Celebrate on purpose.
No, I'm not suggesting every organization should (or could) take their team to London.
That's not the point.
Too many leaders hit a goal and immediately ask, "What's next?" without ever stopping to recognize what was accomplished. (I’ve been guilty of this many times!)
Celebration isn't just a reward, it’s reinforcement.
When you pause to celebrate, you remind people that their sacrifice mattered and that the journey was worth it. It doesn't have to be an international trip. It might be dinner together, handwritten notes, or simply gathering everyone to tell the stories behind the success.
People may forget the numbers, but they rarely forget how accomplishing something meaningful together made them feel.
As this hits your email inbox, our team is on a double decker but in London, making memories together, and enjoying the reward of a goal that once felt impossible.
I'm grateful to be surrounded by people who believed, stayed aligned, worked hard, and kept going when it would have been easier to settle.
If you're leading a team today, don't be afraid to set a goal that stretches people. Embrace the hard seasons when they come. And when you reach the finish line, don't rush past it.
Pause. Celebrate. Tell the story.
Because one day you'll realize it’s not just the destination, it’s who your team became on the long road getting there.
