Look Before You Leap

Wow! 2025 just flew by...and time seems to be accelerating faster still. Its been a wonderful year, but not without its ups and downs. Here are 3 lessons I've learned this year, and 2 things to look forward to in 2026 and beyond.

1.      The AI hype has overtaken reality. Don’t get me wrong – software tools based on AI technologies have amazing utility and we all need to leverage them. However, what is being touted as “AI” evokes either worship or fear. Very few truly see beyond the hype and haze to understand that this is just the next evolution of technology. With advances in hardware processing power and the increased efficiency of computational software we can achieve actions and generative content faster than ever. But not without its risks and limitations. More musings on this to come! For now – adopt the right tools for the outcome you wish to achieve for you and your business. Do your research, and don’t give in to the artificially instigated (another AI acronym for you) peer pressure.

2.      Who you run with is as important as what you’re running towards. It’s been a little over a year since I joined Ag World Support Systems. A new role, a new industry, and a brand-new set of people to work with. One thing is for sure, everyone in the company seeks to embody and demonstrate our core values – Honor God, Do it Right, Do it Now, Clarity, and Serve. Are we perfect? Not at all! But we’re all giving our best effort to emulate our values in every situation – whether its customer care, internal projects, responding to government mandates, or giving to the community. Values matter. They are non-negotiable. Impossible to achieve perhaps, but we’re going to do it anyway.

 3.      Don’t cross the street in a developing country; let the car come to you. Just a few days ago in a remote industrial area in NOIDA, India, I suffered a life-threatening fall and broke my clavicle in 4 places. All because I thought I could jump over a dry drain that separated me from the Uber that was waiting for me on the other side of the road. I gracefully leaped over the gap, but slipped when I landed on the other side, falling forward with near certainty of hitting my face and head on the hard unpaved ground. Thankfully 10+ years of taekwondo training kicked in, and I did a forward roll protecting my head and neck, but taking the brunt of the force on my left shoulder. What happened next was nothing short of miraculous. The Uber driver promptly drove me to the nearest hospital which happened to have one of the best orthopedic surgeons in that area, who was able to operate on me that evening itself. My pastor friend from a local church assigned a couple of young men to stay with me 24/7 all through the operation, post-ops recovery, and even staying with me at the hotel after being discharged until my wife arrived to take me back home. I’m truly grateful to God for sparing my life, and to everyone who helped me through this ordeal. And I’ve learned my lesson: when you are in a foreign country (especially the one you emigrated from), don’t try to be a local. Be the pesky foreigner and let the car come to you 😊.

And now, looking forward to 2026.

        I.            The rise of Gen X. I’m in my early fifties and am having a blast! Working my butt off but smart more than hard, learning new things with voracious passion, seeing several returns of good (and some bad) health investments made in the past, falling in love with my wife again and again, and truly enjoying watching my kids grow into young adults. Of course – things ache in places I didn’t know could hurt, physical wounds don’t heal as fast as they used to, worry sometimes overwhelm me when I look at monthly bills or unforeseen expenses, and sometimes I get anxious regarding the future of my children. But all in all, I know God is in charge. And it is time for our generation to step up to the plate and demonstrate leadership and servanthood (same things, really) like never before. Let’s use what we learned from generations past and ensure that future generations are equipped to create a better world than there has ever been. Professionally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually. Let’s encourage one another to lead well, and finish well.

       II.            Be steady, and flexible – all at the same time. The rate of technological change is only going to increase. What’s brand new now will be obsolete in 3 months, maybe less. Big money is being spent on promotion of things we don’t necessarily need. You must know your business and your customers. Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean that you have to. However, you do need to explore whether the bright shiny object might positively impact your bottom line. Keep an R&D budget. Try the new “AI” tools. Move on quickly if they don’t serve your purpose. Learn more about the industry you serve and look for opportunities where you can provide value. People still crave human connection, no matter how technologically advanced you are. Let’s not lose our souls for the sake of automation.

 I truly hope this holiday season inspires you to move to the next level – in your career, your relationships, your finances, and in your spiritual walk. During Christmas, we celebrate God making a way for us to be in relationship with Him because none of our religious systems can do so. Let’s continue to value relationships over systems and profits. In fact, when we focus on relationships, value imminently follows, which in turn leads to reward. Hope you had a wonderful 2025. May you have an amazing 2026!!

 Sincerely,

Sumit Deshpande

Disclaimer: Absolutely no AI tools were used to write this article 😊!

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