15 Leadership Lessons I Learned in 2025 (That Will Change How I Lead in 2026) Part I

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith kicks off part one of his annual reflection series, sharing the most significant lessons he learned in 2025 and how they’re shaping his leadership in 2026. Drawing from his year-end review process, Doug offers honest insights on health, family, leadership presence, fatherhood, faith, and the unseen weight leaders carry. ⏱️ Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Why Doug does a year-end review every year 02:00 – Lesson 1: Taking ownership of your health before it’s too late 05:00 – Lesson 2: Big families are a gift worth fighting for 08:30 – Lesson 3: Your presence as a leader matters more than you think 11:00 – Lesson 4: The lifelong impact of being an intentional parent 14:00 – Lesson 5: The tension between progress and preservation 16:00 – Lesson 6: One day you’ll become a king—but not for the reasons you think 18:30 – Lesson 7: Not every battle deserves your energy 21:00 – Lesson 8: Want more *for* people than you want *from* them 23:00 – Lesson 9: Being the voice of leadership, not just the position 24:00 – Lesson 10: Leading well when life isn’t fair Resources Mentioned: Fathered by God: Learning What Your Dad Could Never Teach You by John Eldredge Experience Jesus. Really: Finding Refuge, Strength, and Wonder Through Everyday Encounters with God by John Eldredge Why Do Black Christians Vote Democrat? – Phil Vischer (Video) Family Teams Gerald Brooks Leadership Podcast 🔗 Connect with Doug LinkedIn: The L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions. Andocia exists to bring leaders’ visions to life. Visit to learn more. WATCH ON YOUTUBE:

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15 Leadership Lessons I Learned in 2025 (That Will Change How I Lead in 2026) Part I is an episode from L3 Leadership Podcast by Doug Smith.

This episode is 26:54 long.

This episode was published on Jan 27, 2026.

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