As we approach the end of 2025, we are taking a moment to reflect on the conversations that shaped this year’s 2 Rules editions. What began as a way to translate performance theory into practical action has become a consistent anchor in our work with clients and our own thinking as a business. This year’s themes challenged us, sharpened us and, most importantly, reminded us why showing up with intention matters.
Here’s what each edition taught us and what we’re carrying into 2026.
January – Beware of the Catch-Up Trap
We kicked off with a reminder that progress doesn’t live in recurring meetings or recycled agendas. The best teams don’t just ‘catch up’, they connect. This edition of 2 Rules reminded us to engineer more standout moments, not just calendar invites.
February – Protégés and Prototypes: Same Same But Different
Mentorship isn’t about cloning yourself, it’s about creating the space for others to think, grow, and lead in their own way. February proved that sharing knowledge isn’t losing power but about multiplying it.
March – Don’t Just Firefight, Ignite
Systems got their redemption arc. This month reminded us that structure isn’t boring, it’s what gives creativity its stage. The right process doesn’t box you in; it actually frees you up.
April – More Than a Lucky Break
The secret to luck? Showing up. April reinforced that visibility is a skill, not a coincidence. Be findable, be credible, and when opportunity knocks, make sure you’re ready to open the door.
May – Your Team Doesn’t Need a Pep Talk, They Need a Plan
Confidence isn’t built on buzzwords, it’s built on reps. May’s edition reminded us that sustainable confidence comes from structure, feedback, and the safety to get it wrong before you get it right.
June – AI Isn’t the Hare; It’s the Tortoise’s Secret Weapon
The robots won’t take over, they’ll just give us a head start. This month taught us that curiosity is the real competitive advantage. The future belongs to teams who keep learning, not to those who wait and see.
July – Charisma Won’t Close It
We explored (and dispelled) the myth of the ‘natural seller’. Charisma might get attention, but consistency wins trust. Playbooks, not personalities, drive long-term success.
August – Passing the Baton Without Dropping the Ball
Succession isn’t a scary word; it’s a strategy. We learned that the best time to prepare for the future is long before you need to and that sales enablement solutions are the new keyman insurance for dynamic professional services firms.
September – Clashing or Cashing In?
Four generations, one team and a lot of learning. This edition reminded us that experience and experimentation can coexist. Mindset, not age, determines impact.
October – The Price of Purpose
This one hit home. Purpose isn’t all passion projects and highlight reels. It’s the unglamorous stuff – the discipline, the graft, the doing it anyway. October taught us that the boring bits are the building blocks.
November – Stop Collecting Compliments and Start Collecting Feedback
We closed the year with one truth: growth doesn’t come from praise, it comes from perspective. The best teams don’t crave validation — they create conditions for feedback to make them even better.
This year, 2 Rules reinforced what high-performance really looks like, not just in theory, but also in practice. It’s found in decisive action, measured reflection, and the discipline to keep going even when it feels hard.
Thank you for reading with us this year and following the MCO Performance journey. We’re excited for 2026 and to take you with us as we enter a new phase for our business!
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2026.
Oonagh, Marie-Claire and Broghán
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