Thanksgiving gives us rare space to notice the ‘teachers’ we never asked for—the tough economy, rising costs, AI disruption, election-year noise, even the hard no’s and risky yes’s. In this year’s reflection, Mary Ann, Managing Partner at Butler Street, shares how those unwelcome lessons reshaped her leadership, sharpened their focus, deepened gratitude for clients and teams, and turned ongoing discomfort into clarity, courage, and uncommon growth.

At the U.S. Open, JJ Spaun struck the flag perfectly—only to watch it ricochet off a misplaced rake and roll away. Two flawless shots. Two brutal outcomes. Yet Spaun didn’t snap a club; he regrouped, reset his routine, and carried on. In staffing and sales, we face our rakes—lost candidates, reneged offers, undercut deals. Success hinges on disciplined preparation: role-play, rehearsal, structure. AI coaching delivers instant insight and targeted guidance so that when setback