E312: What Great Leaders Do at the End of the Year and the Start of a New One

It's not about goals met or milestones achieved; it's about the journey of impact, transformation, and purpose. For an experienced leader like yourself, the year's end is more than a time to celebrate successes or plan ahead; it is a key pivotal moment to pause, reflect, and set the tone for the future. How great leaders close one chapter and begin another often defines their impact.

Here are the practices that define great leaders as the year transitions into a very pivotal turn:

1. Reflect on the Year with Intention

Great leaders make reflection rituals. Great leaders do not count successes or failures but seek to understand the lessons hidden in experiences. What went right? What could have been different? Reflection is not about beating yourself up; it's about learning.

What They Do:

• Reflect on performance, culture, and the resilience of the team to deal with setbacks.
• Evaluate if their (your) practice of leadership was appropriate for core values and vision.
• Celebrate success and sacrifices that the team members have made.

Reflection Question: Did my leadership this year strengthen the organization and inspire others to grow? (Your honest answer to yourself?)

2. Reaffirm and Redefine the Vision

A new year can become a time of re-engagement to the mission and vision of an organization and re-refine if needed. Great leaders make sure their teams know what and why. Clarity around purpose inspires action toward growth.

What They Do:

• Revisit the long-term view to align current realities with future aspirations.
• Clearly paint the picture to inspire alignment in vision and momentum.

Reflection Question: Does our vision remain clear, inspiring, and relevant for the year ahead?

3. Hold Open Conversations

The best leaders listen (average ones talk a lot). As the year closes out, they find time to have frank, no-holds-barred conversations with their teams, peers, and mentors. They ask for feedback-not just about how the organization is performing but about themselves.

What They Do:

• Hold end-of-year one-on-ones to understand the perspectives of their team members.
• Ask for active feedback on how they lead and make decisions.
• Use insights to drive intentional improvement.

Reflection Question: Have I created a culture where people feel safe sharing their insights and concerns with me?

4. Invest in Strategic Renewal

Leadership is (very) demanding, and the end of the year is an opportunity to recharge-not just personally, but organizationally. Great leaders know that burnout hinders progress and creativity.

What They Do:

• Encourage their teams to rest and reset during the holidays.
• Take time for their personal reflection, reading, or mentors.
• Spend some downtime analyzing the SWOT: look at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Reflection Question: Do I come into the New Year with clarity, focus, and energy to lead? 

5. Set the Stage for Empowerment

The beginning of the year is a time of renewal for trust and autonomy throughout the organization. Great leaders make sure to empower others around them to take ownership, so the organization can continue on without them.

What They Do:

• Delegate effectively, ensuring teams feel trusted and valued.
• Identify up-and-coming leaders; provide opportunities for growth in leadership.
• Set up supporting systems and structures that help people be independent yet responsible.

Reflection Question: Am I equipping others to lead and succeed in the year ahead?

6. Lead with Gratitude and Compassion

Gratitude is a powerful leadership tool, and compassion builds strong relationships. As the year closes, great leaders take time to show appreciation for their teams, partners, and communities. They recognize the personal and professional hardships their people endure.

What They Do:

• Write personalized thank-you notes or deliver sincere messages of appreciation.
• Create connecting moments-team lunches, acknowledgments, or celebrations.
• Commit to leading with empathy in the coming year.

Reflection Question: Am I showing my team that they are valued beyond their contributions?

7. Anticipate Challenges and Opportunities

While others make resolutions, great leaders craft strategies. They anticipate what lies ahead and prepare their teams to navigate both opportunities and obstacles with confidence.

What They Do:

• Analyze trends and potential disruptions in their industry or community.
• Plan for contingencies and innovate.
• Prioritize resources on the greatest opportunities.

Reflection Question: Am I positioning the organization to thrive in the face of uncertainty?

8. Commit to Continuous Growth

Great leaders model lifelong learning. As the calendar turns, they set personal and professional growth goals that challenge them to evolve. This commitment inspires their teams to do the same.

What They Do:

• Choose an aspect of their leadership to build such as: communication, delegating, decision-making. 
• Study in books, courses or mentorship to expand knowledge. 
• Set an example in leading the way with regards to the value in self-improvement.

Reflection Question: Am I growing as a leader in ways that will benefit those I serve? 

Final Thought:

Leadership is a Year-Round Endeavor

Great leadership is less about one particular point in time, nor even a singular decision; rather, it's the aggregation of intentional action overtime. 

Reflect on last year and this year as you ask yourself:

• Was I able to build trust and inspire growth?
• Do I lead into legacy, empowering leaders and impacts that endure?
• Is the best of people, systems, and community brought forward by my leadership?

Leadership is a journey that gets better with each new day.  As this year turns, let yourself reflect, recharge, and recommit.  Lead with clarity, compassion, and purpose-and watch as the ripples of your actions shape the future for good.

Michael Kouly

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