I trust this book will assist business owners and managers in reevaluating their existing management, motivation, and goal-setting processes from a different perspective – viewing them through the lens of constructing an independent and self-developing system. Primary attention should be paid to the attitude toward the formation and improvement of the employee training mechanism. If you look at what’s happening in business from the perspective of parents building a healthy and adaptable system that can autonomously navigate crises, renew itself, identify threats, and address challenges, not just enduring but actively shaping and evolving itself and the surrounding reality for many years and decades, the planning horizon extends significantly into the future, global objectives become clearer, and threats and risks are discerned with greater clarity.

In the final weeks of the calendar year, I make an effort to bring all my affairs to a logical conclusion or to an intermediate stage, and pause to reflect: assessing what I’ve achieved, where I’ve fallen short, discerning why, and crafting a plan for the next year. This practice is both important and obligatory for me. At the start of the year, in line with the tradition of extended New Year holidays in Russia, I typically embark on a two-week hiatus, traveling to various destinations. During these journeys, I find the time to reflect, and my thoughts naturally gravitate towards scenario modeling and formulating strategic development objectives, both for my family and myself, as well as for departments and the company.

I recommend that CFOs – and not only them – kickstart each year with strategic initiatives. It’s paramount for each individual to contemplate and refine personal goals and life plans. I firmly believe that every person should formulate their own mission and vision for the future, akin to any business or non-profit endeavor, and articulate them clearly and directly. These formulations should not be vague and directed towards everyone and no one simultaneously, but precise and straightforward.

They should stem from personal reflection and analysis, grounded in individual experiences, an understanding of one’s strengths and weaknesses, current personal circumstances, trends, and prospects. You can pursue your goals independently or seek guidance from a mentor, coach, psychologist, or career advisor. Should you opt for external assistance, choose wisely, considering the alignment of values, experiences, current life situations, and aspirations.

A useful tool to employ is Simon Sinek’s well-known approach: the system of questions (visualized as concentric circles) «Why, How, What». The essence of the method echoes the principle I elucidated earlier: in any endeavor, it’s crucial to ascertain why you’re undertaking it (Why). This serves as the cornerstone of the motivation system, ranging from the mundane «Why do you brush your teeth?» to profound inquiries like «Why do I pursue my career?» or «What is my purpose in life?».

At first glance, the answers to these questions may appear self-evident and unworthy of attention. However, this isn’t the case. By sincerely and confidently questioning routine tasks and responding to them honestly and confidently, one can uncover numerous areas for process improvement, leading to an enhanced quality of life and satisfaction with completed tasks. It’s imperative not to overdo it, avoiding becoming fixated on self-improvement or pursuing efficiency blindly.