A personal reflection from my journey as a speaker and leader

Every year teaches you something new, but some lessons hit a little deeper. As I look back on the events I’ve spoken at, the leaders I’ve met, and the challenges I’ve faced this year, I’ve been asking myself a simple question:

“What do I wish I knew when the year started?”

Not in a dramatic way. More like those small but essential truths that slowly shape how you show up, in your work, on stage, and in life.

Here are the three that stand out for me.

1. People don’t want perfection from you—they want honesty

When I started speaking years ago, I thought people expected me to show up flawless, perfect tone, perfect timing, perfect stories.

This year reminded me once again: Audiences don’t connect with perfection. They connect with honesty.

The talks where I shared a personal struggle, a mistake, or a story that didn’t go as planned… those are the ones people came back to me about.

At one event, someone said, “Today I felt like you were speaking directly to me.”

Not because of the slides. Not because of the punchlines. But because I was willing to be honest about the complex parts—stress, burnout, pressure, leadership doubts.

If I had known this earlier in 2025, I would have stopped editing myself so much. I would have trusted my story more. I would have spoken less “from the stage” and more “from the heart.”

2. Your energy is your message

One of the most significant shifts for me this year was understanding how much my energy affects the room.

The audience doesn’t remember every strategy or step I talk about. But they always remember how I made them feel.

I saw this clearly at GovTech events, PMI conferences, college keynotes, and even in the smaller workshops. When I walk in, tired or distracted, the room follows me. When I show up fully present, the room rises with me.

By the middle of the year, I realised something simple:

Your message travels through your energy first, your words second.

This changed how I prepared. More sleep. More grounding. More gratitude before stepping on stage. More intentional breathing. More belief in what I was sharing.

If I had understood this earlier, I would have protected my energy the same way I protect my calendar.

3. Waiting for the “right time” keeps you stuck

Here is a truth that hit me this year:

There is no perfect moment to start something meaningful.

Not for launching a coaching offer. Not for sharing a new keynote. Not for building your brand. Not for asking for the opportunity you actually want.

At the start of 2025, I had ideas sitting in drafts, programs, articles, posts, and videos. I kept telling myself, “Once I polish it a little more, I’ll share it.”

But every major win this year happened when I stopped waiting.

When I reached out. When I asked. When I said yes. When I took the first step, even when it felt unfinished.

The lesson?

Momentum comes from action, not from planning.

This year taught me that silence doesn’t build your career—your voice does.

A final thought

If I could go back to the start of 2025, I would tell myself:

• Be real.

• Protect your energy.

• Don’t wait.

But since I can’t go back, I can carry these lessons into the rest of the year and share them so others don’t have to learn them the hard way.

If you’re reading this and trying to make progress in your own career or leadership journey, ask yourself:

What is the one thing you already know you need to start today?

Your future self will thank you.

— Saby Waraich