The new year is the perfect time for leaders to reset, refocus, and set the tone for success—both for themselves and their teams—by shaping the culture and guiding team members toward shared goals.
Here’s are 10 practices to help you and your team thrive this year:
Reconnect with Your ‘Why’
Remind yourself why you became a leader in the first place:
Reflect on the motivations that led you to become a leader and your purpose for being one.
Write it down! This helps ensure clarity and commitment.
Post your purpose somewhere visible to remind yourself and stay grounded in your "why".
Reflect on the Past Year
Take a moment to look back on the previous year.
What worked well? How can you build on those successes?
What challenges did you face, and what did you learn from them?
Are there any habits or practices you need to leave behind?
Engage and Reenergize Your Team
Start the year demonstrating high energy, enthusiasm, and genuine commitment:
Share your vision with your team and their critical role in achieving it.
Clarify expectations and responsibilities.
Create opportunities for and encourage open communication, where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and concerns.
Reconnect with Each Team Member
Understanding your team members’ interests, motivators, aspirations, and concerns is one of the most effective ways to lead them successfully.
Conduct one-on-one meetings with each team member to listen to their thoughts, concerns, and aspirations for the year ahead.
Together, set clear and achievable goals for the year, ensuring they understand how their role contributes to the overall team vision.
Show them you care about their growth and success by offering support, providing guidance on how they can reach their goals, and letting them know you’re available for feedback or assistance throughout the year.
Nurture Connections and Build New Ones
Strengthen relationships and build new connections with team members, peers, stakeholders, and industry experts to gain support, fresh perspectives, energy and growth:
Make a list of people whose work and professional interests impact you in some way. For each, write down the nature of the impact, what you know about them (including similarities and differences), and what you want to learn more about that could help you both be successful.
Add to the list people you don't yet know but want to get to know, and indicate why you want to get to know them, as well as how you might meet them (e.g., attend industry forum, event, or conference).
Prioritize the list, make a plan to interact with them, and execute the plan. Your plan should include realistic goals, such as reaching out to 1 or 2 on your list each month.
Create a Culture of Well-Being and Psychological Safety
Leadership isn’t just about work; it’s also about ensuring a healthy, balanced team.
Encourage your team to take time for rest and recovery.
Set realistic expectations and create a supportive environment.
Celebrate your team’s hard work and achievements regularly.
7. Focus on Your Own Growth
As a leader, your growth is just as important as your team’s.
Reflect on your own leadership strengths and areas for growth.
Look for opportunities to develop through coaching, workshops, or self-study.
Dedicate time to learning new skills that can help you lead better.
Lead by Example
Since actions speak louder than words, set the tone by modeling the behaviors you expect from your team.
Demonstrate positivity, resilience, and transparency.
Be open about your own goals and challenges.
Live the values you want your team to embody.
Refine Your Goals and Vision
Create a clear vision to help your team members move in the same direction, making sure they’re aligned with your team’s priorities.
Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps.
Make sure your goals are realistic and achievable.
Communicate the vision clearly to your team and explain how everyone plays a part.
Prioritize Areas of Focus
A new year often brings many new initiatives, so be selective and prioritize the ones that will have the biggest impact.
Focus on the top three priorities for the year.
Communicate these priorities to your team clearly.
Avoid distractions and overcommitment to keep your focus sharp.
These practices may seem time-consuming or perhaps obvious. By making a plan and being intentional about your actions, you will set yourself and your team up for sustainable success.
What are you going to do to set yourself and your team up for success this year?
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Francine Esrig & Associates provides tailored strategic advisory and executive coaching solutions to foster organizational alignment of culture, strategy, and people, strengthen team effectiveness, and develop confident, inspirational, and impactful leaders.
To get in touch, please email me at francine@francineesrig.com or schedule a 30-Minute Complementary Consultation.
For information about my services and offerings, please visit francineesrig.com.
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