Who Walks With You

In our family, that has meant caps and gowns, celebrations, visiting relatives, full calendars, and more than a few moments of reflection. Our oldest son, Carter, recently graduated from high school and will soon begin a new chapter at the United States Naval Academy. Like many parents standing at the edge of such a transition, I have felt the mix of pride, gratitude, anticipation, and grief that comes when one chapter closes, and another begins.

Graduations are easy to recognize because they come with ceremonies. But leaders experience graduations all the time.

A company outgrows its original strategy. A founder prepares to hand more responsibility to the next generation of leaders. A team reaches the end of one season and must decide what the next one requires. A trusted colleague departs. A market shifts. A community asks more of us. A vision that once felt distant suddenly becomes real enough to demand courage.

These are crucible moments. They are moments of transition, pressure, possibility, and hope.

In those moments, it is natural to focus on the destination. Where are we going? What is the goal? What does success look like? It is also natural to focus on the journey. What is the plan? What are the milestones? How hard will the road be?

But over time, I have become increasingly convinced that the most important question may be simpler and more human:  Who walks with you?

Charles M. Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, reminds us, "In life, it's not where you go, it's who you travel with." I think there is deep leadership wisdom in that. Direction matters. Execution matters. Results matter. But few meaningful things are accomplished alone. And in the most important seasons of leadership, we need people who will help us see clearly, tell us the truth, celebrate progress, challenge easy assumptions, and stay near when the road becomes difficult.

So here is a simple leadership practice for any leader standing at the edge of a new chapter.

• First, name the transition. Do not rush past it. Pause long enough to ask: What is ending? What is beginning? What should be celebrated? What must be released? What must be carried forward?
• Second, name your companions. Who are the people you trust to walk with you in this season? Who brings wisdom? Who brings courage? Who brings perspective? Who will tell you the truth with care? And who needs you to walk alongside them?

At Bâton Global, this idea is close to our heart. Our name, Bâton, points to the walking staff carried on a journey or pilgrimage. And yes, our newsletter is called AccelerateYour Journey. But perhaps the deeper point is this: acceleration is not simply about moving faster. It is about moving with greater clarity, purpose, and trusted support.

That is the spirit we hope to bring to every client and community we serve. Whether we are helping clarify strategy, strengthen leadership, support execution, or walk alongside an organization through experienced embedded executives, our purpose remains the same: Serving Your World.

Wherever this season finds you, I hope you will take a moment to pause, reflect, celebrate, and prepare for what comes next.

And most importantly, I hope you will ask: Who walks with you?

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