A Lesson Learned: Embracing the Suck

In my letter closing out 2024, I shared Three Guiding Truths for 2025: Trust Your People, Know Your Customers, and Get ‘Lucky.’ It was an optimistic look ahead after what had been a tough year.

As I write to you now, preparing for 2026, that optimism remains. But I also want to give myself - and you - permission to embrace the suck.

Because in all honesty, 2025 wasn’t a banner year. It challenged me in ways I didn’t see coming, both professionally and personally.

In a world filled with filters, it can feel like we’re expected to have it all together: perfectly curated, polished, and smiling for the camera. This year reminded me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. Sometimes it’s about navigating the chaos of uncertainty and owning decisions that aren’t your first choice.

When faced with hard things, we have a choice: buckle under pressure or stay calm and focused on finding the solution. I faced that choice more than once this year, from making the difficult decision to sell a division I spent more than a decade building to refocus our strategic direction, to managing the unprecedented looting of one of our barges near the Bahamas following a weather event.

Like I said, it’s been a year.

Over the past few months, members of my team have commented on my ability to remain calm in the face of adversity. The truth is, it’s not always easy, but it is my responsibility. As leaders, we set the tone not only during exciting milestones, but especially in moments of uncertainty.

That doesn’t mean we have to pretend some days don’t suck.

This is where I come back to those Three Guiding Truths.

Trust your people. Be relentless about building a team you believe in; one that shares your vision, challenges the status quo, and is committed to making it happen. Navigating tough moments is always easier when you’re surrounded by people you trust.

Know your customers. And I mean really know them. Let them know you, too. Strong relationships matter most when things don’t go according to plan, and they help guide smarter, more inclusive decisions about where and how you grow.

And finally, get ‘lucky.’ The kind of luck that happens when preparation meets opportunity. This industry isn’t handing out easy wins. It demands grit, adaptability, and continuous learning. Invest in sharpening your skills, adding to your toolbox and never forget that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

So, if you, like me, are counting down to a new year, I hope this letter offers a little solidarity. Give yourself permission to embrace the suck—but don’t get stuck there.

Write down the lessons. Learn from them. Use them to reset for the year ahead because there’s opportunity and plenty of good still waiting to happen.

Thank you for being part of the Trailer Bridge journey.

-Mitch