The last two weeks of the year offer a rare kind of quiet in our industry. Flight schedules tend to ease, meetings are less frequent, and inboxes slow. For those of us in the office, this lull often creates the space to look back on the past 11 months—not only at the obvious milestones but at the meaningful moments that can slip by during the busiest seasons.
Reflection is an important year-end discipline that I value deeply and, as a leader, I invite my team to join me in using this time to take stock. This practice sharpens our self-awareness and clarifies what worked, where we grew, and what we want to strengthen next year. It also grounds our planning in real data and lived experience rather than aspiration alone.
Sheryl Barden, CAM, is CEO of Aviation Personnel International, the longest-running recruiting and HR consulting firm dedicated to business aviation. A recognized thought leader on workforce and leadership issues, she is an NBAA CAM Fellow, past member of NBAA’s board of directors and advisory council, and recipient of NBAA’s John P. “Jack” Doswell Award for lifetime achievement and service to business aviation.
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