It is time for Leap Solutions’ annual “Staff Picks”; our reflections on the holiday season, lessons from the past year, and commitments and hopes for 2025. Thank you to our loyal clients, associates, and friends—for making 2024 a year of inspiration and growth!

In this issue of our newsletter:

• 2024 Lessons by Chuck McPherson
• Holiday Traditions by Tracy Emmerich
• Inspiration for the New Year by Judy Coffey
• Company Culture by Daisy Solorio
• My Vision for 2025 by Jen Chelini
• Be Present by Heidi Ower
• The Art Behind Traditions by Jenice Bartee
• The Power of Do-Overs by Tracy Long
• The Lasting Light of the West Sisters by Jonna Dye
• 2024: How I Made the Switch: A World of Change and Opportunity by Scott Ormerod

2024 Lessons
Chuck McPherson

Each year our Leap staff gets to choose whatever topic they want to write a piece on for our newsletter which is normally in December, but clearly the holidays snuck up on us just like everyone else. I have been thinking about 2024 lessons both in my personal and business life.

Succession Planning
Scott and I have helped many companies think through their succession planning over the years and we have talked about ours for almost 10 years. As many of you know, we were purchased by George Petersen Insurance Agency in March of 2024, and we have been living the transition of what all of that means – rolling up under another company, meeting all new people, and sorting through all the new systems which we are now operating under. It has been an incredible opportunity to join George Petersen and go through this process.

Trust
Throughout 2024 there was a different level of trust needed in my world – trust from my business partner of 20 years, trust in a new company and transition phase, trust in our people, and trust in myself. I would say that trust also included anxiety, fear, and challenges which 95% was really all me. The growth in trusting myself, who I am, and what I bring to the table was a true gift.

Healing
2024 was also a year of healing for me. Past deaths, recent deaths, and personal journeys have accelerated a lot of internal work, which has been hard but very rewarding. Although our coaching leans towards personal growth for our clients, it tends to be more about the business side of growth. I feel that I was fortunate enough to receive both the business and personal side this past year – allowing myself to let go of a lot of the past and be re-energized for the future.

Friends/Family/Colleagues
Close friends are family and sometimes closer than family. I have been fortunate to have some exceptional friends who listen, guide, and help. I am fortunate to have a great team at Leap and now an extended team at George Peterson, as well as our clients who often times become friends in the process of our work.

2025
I am personally looking forward to 2025 and all the possibilities it brings. On the business side, I am looking forward to working with more of the George Petersen folks, and from a personal place, I am looking forward to more growth. Not getting any younger here, folks!

Wishing everyone an exceptional 2025!

Holiday Traditions
Tracy Emmerich

This year there were many discussions around holiday traditions.  What was your favorite holiday memory?  When I asked my sisters this question, many had similar answers.

• Going out to cut down a live tree
• Listening to Andy Williams and Julie Andrews while we decorated the tree with ornaments and tinsel
• Playing hide and seek with the bell ornament in the Christmas Tree
• Leaving cookies and milk out for Santa
• Waiting on the stairs for my parents to say it was okay to go downstairs to open presents (I think they needed to have their coffee ready!)
• Passing around an ugly dog to someone new every year (a tradition that started with my mom and grandfather 83 years ago!)

When I asked my kids what childhood memories they have of Christmas, they both said the music!  Mom loved the Carpenter Christmas album and Dad loved the Home Alone Christmas album.

I find I want to create wonderful memories for my grandchildren.  When they grow up, I hope they remember coming to Grandma and Opa’s house for Christmas brunch.  I hope they remember the smell of bacon and the taste of my homemade muffins and cookies.   I hope they remember taking our time to open up the gifts one at a time and sharing what we received.  I hope they remember the music that was playing when they decorated their tree. I hope when they look back at the pictures of their Childhood Christmas, they know that they were loved beyond belief!

My parents’ legacy of love, warmth, and family is the most meaningful gift they ever gave me and I hope to pass that on to my family!

Inspiration for the New Year
Judy Coffey

The new year is a fresh start – a time for reflection, growth, and intentions for the future. Here are some ideas to help mindfully approach the year ahead:

Reflect and Reset: Take time to reflect on the past year. Celebrate your achievements, acknowledge challenges, and use the reflections to guide your new year goals. Think about what worked well last year that you want to continue and what do you want to let go of to make space for new opportunities.

Focus on Gratitude: Start the year with a mindset of appreciation for what you have. Set intentions, not just goals. Set intentions that align with your values and aspirations.

Embrace Change and Uncertainty: The new year will bring surprises both good and challenging. See challenges as opportunities for growth. Embrace the idea of progress, not perfection. Celebrate big or small wins.

Be Present and Enjoy the Journey: Appreciate the moments along the way. Remember your journey is as important as the goal. Savor the present.

Finally, Dare to Dream Big: The new year is time to think beyond limitations. Work toward your bold dreams one small step at a time.

This new year 2025 is your blank page. You are the author of your story. Write it with courage, intention, and hope.

Company Culture
Daisy Solorio

As the new year approached, I reflected on the changes that occurred in 2024. One change for me was becoming part of Leap Solutions. This led me to think about what makes Leap great and why do people stay. I think that a lot has to do with the company culture. Company culture has a large impact on employee satisfaction.  A positive company culture is a reflection of what the company prioritizes. In this case, it’s Leap’s employees. By showing trust, respect, and support, Leap shows that they value their team and prioritize their wellbeing. Being part of a company where you are free to give your thoughts and you feel heard, where they allow for flexibility and work life balance, and where everyone motivates one another is what makes people want to stay and work for the company that they choose to go to everyday.

As we welcome 2025, take the time to reflect and think about what your company culture looks like. I encourage you to work towards building a positive company culture or continuing to actively maintain a positive company culture because investing in your employees is one of the most beneficial things that you can do for your company’s success.
Happy New Year!

My Vision for 2025
Jen Chelini

2024 was a year of growth for me, much more than I envisioned. So how do I want to see my 2025 enfold and how will I get there? I have put a lot of thought into my vision for 2025 and have intentionally decided to focus on deepening meaningful connections with those around me. How do I plan to bring this to life?

I plan on deepening my connections with family, friends, and other relationships through quality time – weekly dinners, virtual meet-ups, or even group activities; sharing experiences by planning activities that create lasting memories, such as travel, or even volunteering together; actively listening by making an effort to truly listen to others, asking more meaningful questions, and engaging in conversations that go beyond the surface.

My plan to grow my relationships starts with mutual support but also encourages growth – by sharing resources, ideas, or advice that may help each other grow in personal and professional areas by celebrating milestones, whether it’s birthdays, anniversaries, or career achievements, celebrating the moments that matter to my close circle; helping each other to overcome challenges and celebrate progress together.

I want to collaborate and celebrate collective achievements more thoroughly by looking for opportunities to collaborate with colleagues on projects that align with our professional goals. This could involve working on big team initiatives with trusted colleagues or getting more involved in community engagement by engaging in projects or causes where collective achievement can be truly rewarding, whether through a work initiative or volunteer opportunities.

Lastly, I want to radiate the power of positivity and support to my family, friends, and colleagues by offering encouragement and making a point of being a positive force in relationships, especially in challenging times – making my support a stabilizing force for others, celebrating successes of both big and small victories in the lives of those I care about by taking the time to recognize accomplishments, whether it’s a new job, personal growth, or simply making it through a tough time, and of course, supporting each other through setbacks and teaching each other how to stay resilient, by helping to cultivate a mindset of optimism and strength among my circle.

By setting these intentional goals and focusing on creating deep, supportive, and growth-oriented relationships in 2025, I look to thrive, creating connections that will create a lasting sense of purpose and fulfillment as I navigate the year.

Be Present
Heidi Ower

As January approached, I considered whether I wanted to commit to any 2025 resolutions. In the past, while my sights have been set high, my follow-through has not been stellar. From a distance, incorporating 10,000 steps, a 30-minute workout, a gallon of water, a chapter of a book, creative time, grounding time outside, and sufficient sleep into each day seems attainable, but as soon as I could see January of 2025 without binoculars, with the exhaustion and bloating of the holidays stubbornly hanging on, I just laughed at pre-holidays Heidi’s motivation. It ended before it even started.

One resolution I feel comfortable taking into 2025 is a simple phrase. Be present. It’s not something I will be counting on a goal tracker, but it’s a practice I hope to work into my busy days. With two early teen kids busy with sports, growing up into adults- and let’s be honest, putting more gray hairs on my head- it’s easy to get wrapped up in my mom schedule once the work day is over. There is always something propelling me forward and always something in the future pulling me to keep going. While my never-ending to do lists keep our family life from descending into chaos most days, they tend to keep my head spinning into the next thing that needs to be done or planned for and it can be a struggle to just stop and sit with the present. Like so many others I have the idea that when XYZ happens, I will be settled enough to stop and appreciate. But the thing about time is that is doesn’t stop, and it certainly doesn’t slow down, and there is always something else coming up.

When I look back, I don’t look at my busy distracted days with fondness; it’s the days where I took myself outside to sit and close my eyes on a perfectly breezy, sunny day or the days where I ignored everything calling me while I dug new seeds into the earth. The days where I impulsively took the kids on an adventure or spent a lazy day exploring with them on the property. I can almost guarantee these were not days where my house was immaculate and the laundry was caught up, and I can definitely guarantee that no one looks back and cares.

As I’ve considered what being present means for me this year, the two main questions I plan to pause and ask myself are “How do I feel?” and “How can I connect with myself or others right now?” Forcing myself to stop and take in how I feel and how I can connect reinforces my place in the present moment instead of the tendency to ignore myself in service to the greater good of the to do list. If I am being honest in the moment, then there is no wrong answer to those questions. I hope incorporating those questions into my days and weeks will slow me down and create space to be present and make memories in 2025. It’s not the most impressive resolution, but I look forward to it being one of the most impactful.

A final little kick in the pants from Buddha— “Be where you are; otherwise you will miss your life.”

The Art Behind Traditions
Jenice Bartee

Five years ago, my husband and I started our family by welcoming our healthy baby girl Kalani into this world. Soon after settling into the new norm, the topic of traditions came up. We both took turns reminiscing about the family traditions we experienced as children before I asked, “What traditions do we want to implement in our family?” This is a question we have revisited many times with each new chapter we experience in life (welcoming our son, developmental changes in both kids, new routines e.tc.), and we always strive to be intentional when introducing a tradition to our kids.

When reflecting on my childhood, some of my fondest memories were the traditions my parents created. For example, every Christmas we would go to the tree farm on my dad’s birthday (December 16^th) to pick out a tree. He told us all he ever wanted for his birthday was family time and there is no better way to do so than putting on your Santa hats, blasting Christmas music in the truck, and picking out a tree together. When we got home the holiday music continued as we got the tree in the stand, strung the lights around and around the tree, and each of us took turns hanging all the ornaments on the tree. Lastly, my dad would lift my sister to place the angel on the tippy top. It was always a jolly evening celebrating Dad and kicking off Christmas in our house.

Another family holiday tradition was on Christmas morning mom would make a coffee cake and while my folks enjoyed a hot cup of coffee, we all indulged in our slice (or two) of the delicious cake before opening the stockings and then all the presents. We all took turns opening gifts while the other four watched. I remember sometimes feeling annoyed that we had to be patient and watch each person open their gifts, obviously, not understanding the why behind the tradition.

Other examples of traditions my husband and I both experienced while growing up were eating together as a family at the dinner table, family camping trips, movie or board game nights, attending our sibling’s sports games, and completing the commitment we signed up for. These examples helped shape my husband’s and my foundation for how we wanted to raise our kids.

A definition of tradition states: “The handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instructions” (Merriam-Webster, n.d., Definition 2). With this, I asked myself and my husband, “What customs, beliefs, and information do we want to pass on to our children?” We came up with a long list that helped us start, and we soon discovered the intentions behind the traditions were, at the core, what we valued the most.

We both agreed we wanted to continue the tradition of eating dinner as a family at the dinner table. This is quality uninterrupted family time, where we get to discuss how our day was, share, connect, listen, and learn. For Christmas, our kids take turns watching each other open their gifts. This challenges us all to be more present, teaches them patience, and hopefully to appreciate the thoughtfulness of the gifts they receive. For bedtime, the kids will shower, pick out their pjs, brush their teeth, grab a book, and hop in bed with us. My husband and the kiddos will almost always start wrestling and play fighting. When someone gets hurt, they apologize and hug it out. And when they have had enough play, they shake hands/high five and say, “Good game!” Then I can read them their book and put them to bed. We recognize this bedtime tradition will be short-lived but for now, we are embracing the sweet moments while they are practicing healthy habits, developing strength and movement, learning to be a good sport, and receiving all the wonderful benefits of reading before bed.

For most of my life, I thought we honored this or that tradition because “it’s just what we do.” But as time went on, I came to realize there was more depth to it. I’m grateful for the intentions my parents and in-laws and generations that came before poured into our traditions and how we have been able to honor the lessons learned. Although each tradition may look and feel different, the intentions were all the same: handing down life lessons, beliefs, and customs from generation to generation. I look forward to my kids learning the art behind traditions and being able to continue the traditions through many generations to come.

The Power of Do-Overs
Tracy Long

Life is full of choices, and sometimes, we wish we could turn back time to correct a mistake or take a different path. The idea of a “do-over” is an appealing one, as it gives us a chance to fix things, make better decisions, and potentially experience more success. But what does a do-over really mean, and how can we embrace second chances in a way that fosters growth and improvement?

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines do-over as, “a new attempt or opportunity to do something after a previous attempt has been unsuccessful or unsatisfactory” (also known as a mulligan for you golf fans). It’s the chance to have another shot at a situation, whether it’s a career decision, a relationship, a mistake in personal behavior, or even a missed opportunity. In many ways, a do-over signifies a fresh start.

Do-overs give us the ability to learn from our past mistakes. They can help us overcome regret when we’ve made a poor decision, teach us that setbacks are obstacles and not the end of the road, and give us hindsight to approach the issue more thoughtfully and intentionally. Of course, many mistakes can’t be corrected and some consequences are irreversible. In cases like this, we must accept responsibility and find a way forward despite the setback.

When you do have the luxury of a do-over, own up to your mistake, reflect on the learnings, allow yourself some grace, and aim for progress rather than perfection. The power of do-overs is not in erasing our mistakes, but in how we respond, learn, and grow.

The Lasting Light of the West Sisters
Jonna Dye

In just over a year, my mother and both of my aunties were laid to rest. These three sisters—Evaline, Alice Mae, and Shirley Jean—lived full, meaningful lives, each leaving behind a legacy of love, generosity, and wisdom.

Aunt Evaline was the firstborn of the West sisters. She was an old soul, and alongside her next younger sister, Alice Mae, just 21 months her junior, Evaline quickly assumed the role of protector to her sisters. Once, while the girls were in the care of a high school-aged babysitter, Alice Mae wheeled her baby walker too close to the edge of the stairs and slipped over. Evaline watched helplessly, but not quietly, as her sister hurtled to the floor below. “My sister is kilt! My sister is kilt!” Evaline screamed, while Alice Mae wailed loudly, protesting Evaline’s summation and bringing their mother running. Fortunately, no serious harm was done, but in that moment, Evaline unwittingly set the course for their lives, advocating for others in need.

The sisters faced challenges in completing their college education, often alternating between attending school and working or teaching elementary school in rural Harding County, South Dakota. These “sabbaticals” not only helped them pay tuition but also allowed them to support one another emotionally and financially, as their mother had passed away at a young age. This pattern of sacrifice and mutual support continued throughout their lives. Their guiding principle was simple but profound: “Be everything the Lord intended you to be, and for pity’s sake, don’t ever stand in the way of anyone else becoming everything the Lord intended them to be.” Our family took these words to heart, striving to create environments where everyone could thrive and reach their full potential.

Mom and Aunt Evaline both became teachers and Licensed Clinical Social Workers, while Aunt Shirley was an accountant and business owner. At the ages of 80, 87 and 93 they retired from their careers, but continued to provide sage advice to those they loved until they passed at the ages of 87, 93 and 96.  All three sisters touched so many lives, not only through their careers, but through the lives they led every day.

The West sisters were Depression Era babies. The hard times shaped them and their family, instilling in them the need to work hard and to save. The family was able to move out of their tarpaper shack and into the house my grandpa purchased and moved to the ranch. The family also had handy running water (hand pumping and foot running) and a simple septic system (path, outhouse, and Sears catalog). But they were grateful for what they had. They also had a profound faith that no matter what happened, God would take care of them, and He desired they share what they had with others.

If you were one of the West sisters’ beloved family members— either by blood or by choice—you were given love beyond comprehension. If you were ever in need and knew any of the three, you probably received anonymous financial assistance and intercessory prayer. And many of us probably received some free therapy—whether we thought we needed it or not.

The West sisters lived a life of generosity, rooted in their walk with God. In the Gospel of John, Chapter 10, Jesus tells us He came so we could have abundant life. Mom and her sisters loved that Jesus didn’t desire us to merely exist or cope with life’s hardships, but to live abundantly. It’s a hopeful thought. But what does “abundant life” truly mean? I believe some of that abundance comes from being in community together and giving generously of ourselves. To the West sisters, family and community were the context for transformation and growth. They knew that lasting change only happens in relationship.

They didn’t just pray to be blessed; they prayed to be a blessing. All three of them would encourage us today to be intentionally generous with our time and hearts. When we come together, they would urge us to seek relationships with others, especially those who might be in need. If someone has unmet needs, they would say, don’t play it safe relationally—see it as an opportunity, a gift from the hand of Almighty God, to build deeper relationships and a stronger community.

The West sisters’ generosity, compassion, and unwavering devotion to serving others leaves a lasting legacy in the hearts of all who knew them. Their bright light has not gone out; rather, it continues to shine brightly in each of us who were fortunate enough to know and love them. Even in the face of challenges and darkness, their legacy remains a guiding light that cannot be extinguished.

As we enter this new year, may we all be inspired to live as generously as the West sisters did. Let their example remind us to give of ourselves—to love, to serve, and to uplift others—just as they did with such grace and humility.

2024: How I Made the Switch: A World of Change and Opportunity
Scott Ormerod

When I launched Leap Solutions in 1998 as a sole proprietorship, I was fulfilling a huge personal dream – help clients, grow professionally, own the company and be my own boss. I saw immense opportunity and realized that if the worst-case scenario happened, I might have to find a job. I’m thankful to say that the worst case did not become reality. I was able to focus on helping clients take a leap, not a step, to change their world through personal, professional, and organizational change. Hence, the company name, Leap Solutions.

I have lived that dream for over twenty-six years, of which fifteen was with my business partner, Chuck. 2024 marked a year of change as Chuck and I sold our company to George Petersen Insurance Agency (GPIA), and what a significant change this has been for me. First, I became an employee again. Second, while being a Principal at GPIA Leap Solutions LLC has many opportunities to grow the company, I realized that I had a higher level of accountability to the parent company. With more accountability comes a need to change and adapt to new expectations.

The experience of this change was not as difficult as I first imagined. What helped me through the change was a rediscovery of the learnings from the books and resources I have used with clients for years. The book, Switch: How to Change Things when Change is Hard  by Chip and Dan Heath, helped me focus on The Rider (rational side of change), The Elephant (emotional side of change), and The Path (shaping the path for change).

On the rational side (The Rider), I focused on finding the bright spots – no longer having to do certain processes like payroll, scripting the critical moves; integration with the GPIA team by establishing relationships with producers to support their clients, and pointing to the destination; and helping the Leap team transition and understand how things weren’t changing as much as they might imagine.

Of course, the emotional side (The Elephant) emerged as well. My attention was needed to find the feeling – the “why” of the acquisition to ground the emotions of this significant change. I also needed to shrink the change for both the team and me – day-by-day the important things like branding, team needs, client solutions can be accomplished with focus and discovery. Finally, I needed to continue to invest in and grow our people – supporting new clients and helping address their needs while investing in team member professional development.

In Switch, Chip and Dan Heath emphasize, “Shape the Path: make change more likely by making the right behaviors easier and the wrong ones harder.” As I reflect on this significant change, it really feels great to make it happen with and for the team and me. As we continue to shape our Path, I am discovering that we tweaked and will continue to tweak our environment to incorporate our GPIA colleagues and grow the business with them. We have built some new habits such as frequent open conversations about change and how it shows up within the team. Finally, we have rallied the herd through our new mutual experiences and interactions, realizing we still have our culture and traditions, yet we can expand and integrate with GPIA.

Take the challenge, make the change, switch.

“…to create and sustain change, you’ve got to act more like a coach and less like a scorekeeper. You’ve got to embrace a growth mindset and instill it in your team.” -Chip and Dan Heath, Switch

Are You Ready to Leap?

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Leap Solutions, a division of George Petersen Insurance Agency, is a diverse group of highly skilled management, organizational development, executive search and recruitment, and human resources professionals who have spent decades doing what we feel passionate about: helping you feel passionate about what you do. We are available to work with you to develop practical solutions and smart planning decisions for your organization’s immediate, near, and long-term needs.

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