12 Lessons from 2024: Insights from a Marketing Leader in Tech

The end of the year is a natural moment for introspection and retrospection. Within teams, it’s a time to summarize quarters, reflect on the year’s achievements, and run project retrospectives. We analyze what delivered results, what needs improvement, and where to go from here.

The Personal Side or The Leadership Side?

Alongside these professional summaries, I find it rewarding to reflect on life’s broader lessons. Personal growth and private life inevitably influence me as a leader and specialist, just as leadership skills and professional development make me a better person outside of work. I’ve always found this feedback loop fascinating. How much can leadership training really reshape someone’s mindset, behavioral patterns, or fears — like the sting to their ego, which often proves fragile?

Communication training can refine behaviors, but true transformation often requires something deeper — like therapy. Many of the leaders I admire have engaged in this profound work, going well beyond communication frameworks like Jacobson’s model.

But let’s bring it back to reflection.

New Year’s Retrospectives

Each year, two key moments prompt me to pause and assess: my October birthday and the holiday season leading into the New Year. These are opportunities to ask myself: “What has changed? Where was I? Who was I? What am I proud of? What would I do differently today?”

Sometimes, I take it a step further: “What would I say to myself 10 years ago, at the start of my journey?”

Self-Awareness is Our Friend

Self-awareness and introspection are invaluable for leaders and managers. They provide the distance needed to draw meaningful conclusions and avoid repeating mistakes. With that in mind, I’ve distilled 12 lessons from the past year that I hope might inspire you as well.

1. Nothing worthwhile comes easy.
2. Knowing when to walk away is a skill.
3. Focus is a superpower.
4. The sunk cost fallacy is a trap.
5. Decisions rooted in values yield long-term gains.
6. Not everything is within your control.
7. Your health is your most overlooked KPI.
8. Breaks aren’t luxuries — they’re necessities.
9. Stress is part of the game.
10. Minimalism is a strategy, not a trend.
11. Love — for work and people — is fuel.
12. Humility is a Strength, Not a Weakness

Let’s dive into them.

1. Nothing worthwhile comes easy.

As Jim Collins reminds us in Good to Great: “Good things take time.”

This rings especially true in marketing. Results require patience. Whether it’s a compelling campaign, a cohesive team, or exceptional copy, the best outcomes are rarely the result of chance. They’re the product of deliberate, consistent effort.

In B2B services, there’s no such thing as “5 simple tricks” for success. Long buyer journeys involve myriad factors — testing hypotheses, validating offers, refining target audiences. Similarly, there’s no magical “silver bullet” that will instantly double your conversion rates.

This principle applies beyond marketing. Sustainable outcomes — in work, health, or relationships — demand effort and patience. Sure, you can inject quick fixes, like crash diets or shortcuts, but lasting results come from a holistic approach and consistent commitment.

2. Knowing when to walk away is a skill.

Steve Jobs famously said: “Stay hungry, stay foolish” — but I’d add, don’t stay miserable.

It’s worth giving second chances in both professional and personal life. However, when a situation becomes toxic, it’s critical to leave. Spending even one month in a toxic environment incurs emotional and physical costs that can take months to recover from. Chronic stress — elevated cortisol, constant suspicion, and dreading meetings — leaves scars that linger long after the situation ends.

While second chances are important, when there’s no meaningful improvement, and the situation continues to harm you, it’s time to walk away. Whether it’s a relationship, a job, or an environment, the decision to leave is often the healthiest choice. Speaking from experience, the toll of staying too long can manifest in migraines, neurological issues, recurrent infections, and overall burnout.

3. Focus is a superpower.

In today’s multitasking age, the ability to say “no” is critical. This applies to bad books, inefficient projects, and unproductive meetings. Life (and budgets) are too short to waste on endeavors that don’t deliver fulfillment or impact.

Early in my career, I used to push through mediocre books, watch uninspiring films to the end, or surround myself with people whose negativity dragged me down. I’ve since learned to let go of these things.

Instead of chasing endless new tasks or hobbies — or spending time with those who drain your energy — choose focus. Say no quickly to what doesn’t serve you and channel your energy into what does.

4. The sunk cost fallacy is a trap.

This ties directly to focus. Whether it’s a course, event, or subscription, if it’s not delivering value, stop. Don’t let the money or time already spent dictate future decisions.

Netflix’s recommendation algorithm exemplifies this concept: it doesn’t linger on what didn’t work but quickly suggests something new.

It took me a long time to internalize this. Whether it was tickets to an event or a fencing class I’d paid for, I used to feel compelled to attend — even if I was ill, overstimulated, or simply needed rest. Now, I understand that choosing comfort or recovery isn’t failure; it’s energy management.

5. Decisions rooted in values yield long-term gains.

Every decision, whether in marketing strategy, team management, or client relations, should align with your core values. Short-term compromises often cost more than they’re worth.

Years ago, I left the advertising agency for B2B technology because I couldn’t stand promoting subpar products or misleading messaging. In tech, I found an environment that allowed me to work authentically, partnering with businesses that prioritize quality.

Making decisions that conflict with your principles leads to inner discord. As a leader, being the “face” of an organization means modeling transparency and integrity. Working in environments that lack these values often becomes unsustainable.

6. Not everything is within your control.

As the saying goes: “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.”

Sometimes clients won’t understand your vision, or leadership may choose a strategy you don’t agree with. That’s okay. While it’s important to advocate for your ideas, it’s equally important not to take rejection personally.

This can be tough, especially when you’re invested and take ownership of your work. But knowing when to let go is essential.

7. Your health is your most overlooked KPI.

You can’t lead a team effectively if you’re burned out.

When I started my career, I worked long hours, fueled by caffeine and little sleep, often sacrificing weekends. This wasn’t sustainable, and eventually, it affected my performance and decision-making.

It took years to undo those habits. Now, I prioritize sleep, exercise, and a balanced diet. These changes have made me more productive in less time, enabling me to focus on high-impact work.

As leaders, we set the tone. If you respond to emails at 1 a.m. and log in exhausted at 8 a.m., your team may feel compelled to mimic that behavior. Prioritizing your well-being is as crucial as meeting your KPIs.

8. Breaks aren’t luxuries — they’re necessities.

In Deep Work, Cal Newport emphasizes the value of focused, uninterrupted time. Vacations and downtime aren’t just about relaxation; they’re essential for strategic thinking and creativity.

Even mundane activities — like cooking or walking in silence — can provide the mental space to generate ideas. I’ve learned that boredom isn’t wasted time; it’s often when the best ideas emerge.

9. Stress is part of the game.

Ambition is naturally tied to stress. The important thing is to learn to live with it and not let it dominate. Stress will always be there, especially if you’re an ambitious person constantly striving for more. You have to learn to manage it. The more we do in the public eye, the more nervousness we feel, and then there’s the inevitable need to deal with comments. It’s worth listening to feedback from people who are honest and kind, rather than random comments from strangers.

Managing stress isn’t as easy as I once thought. In my professional circles, dealing with stress often means doing… even more. Cold showers, CBD, CrossFit, MMA, the latest productivity apps… All of these are fine, but it’s important to take a deeper look at these activities — do they overstimulate our bodies (like cold showers or martial arts), or do they help us relax (like meditation or yoga)? It’s essential to understand what we truly need.

From my own experience, I’ve discovered that overstimulating and stressing the body works only in the short term. You can’t shortcut rest.

10. Minimalism is a strategy, not a trend.

In private life, minimalism — giving away or selling things, organizing closets and storage spaces — brings a sense of lightness that leads to better decisions. The same thing happens in marketing — regularly cleaning up backlogs and clearing tasks creates room for new ideas and better choices.

It’s better to have fewer things, but things that fit well together and are of high quality, rather than a lot of cheap stuff. In marketing, the same applies: three well-thought-out campaigns will be more effective than thirty chaotic initiatives.

11. Love — for work and people — is fuel.

As in life, so in work: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

The greatest inspiration comes from people — clients, teams, and friends. Openness and a willingness to listen can transform relationships and enrich us in countless ways. Feedback and collaboration are the foundation of growing organizations and thriving teams. It’s the shared interactions and collective goals that fuel our energy for work, challenges, and everyday struggles. Without them, even the biggest professional successes can feel empty.

At the same time, relationships teach us to value simplicity. New watches, cars, or vacations can’t compare to the joy of a simple breakfast of shakshuka in a rented apartment, wearing cheap pajamas, surrounded by people who make you laugh — people you can joke around with, even while washing the dishes.

The same is true at work. Another thousand or two in salary won’t matter as much as being part of a team where you can grow, work in a positive environment, and enjoy your time together.

12. Humility is a Strength, Not a Weakness

As Marcus Aurelius wrote in Meditations: “It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.”

Even as experienced professionals — or simply as adults who’ve crossed the milestone of 30 or 40 — we must remind ourselves: we are not the best at everything. Nor should we try to be. There’s immense value in learning from juniors, children, or even animals, who can teach us through their unfiltered curiosity, fresh perspectives, and simple, authentic approaches to life.

Approaching life with curiosity rather than certainty is a game-changer. Instead of offering lengthy, opinionated answers, focus on asking thoughtful questions. Embrace opportunities to learn, regardless of the source.

It takes humility to recognize we don’t know everything — and that’s okay. True strength lies in acknowledging our limitations and being open to growth. As Seneca wisely said: “While we teach, we learn.” By staying humble, we not only enrich ourselves but also inspire those around us to do the same.

Closing Thoughts

Every year offers lessons, and every lesson is a chance for growth. Leadership, like life, comes down to choices — big and small. Embrace change, reflect on failures, and don’t shy away from growth.

Thank you for taking the time to read my reflections. If even one of these resonates with you, my goal has been achieved. I’d love to hear your lessons from this year — what has 2024 taught you?