Three end of year reflections every leader should make
The end of the year often hits with a strange combination of urgency and exhaustion. Budgets need to be finalized. Reviews need to be completed. Projects that have been quiet all year suddenly become critical. People are juggling family schedules, travel, and holiday expectations. Leaders feel the pressure at every level.
In seasons like this, the instinct is to power through. Push harder. Move faster. Get it done.
But this is exactly the moment when slowing down can create the most meaningful progress. A short pause gives leaders the distance needed to see the year clearly and the clarity to make stronger choices for the year ahead.
Rather than diving straight into planning for 2026, consider taking a moment to reflect on three simple but powerful questions. Each one invites a clearer understanding of what mattered this year and what deserves your time, energy, and focus next year.
1. What was truly worth the effort
Every leader spends time on work that feels urgent in the moment but ultimately contributes little to long term impact. The end of the year is the perfect time to separate activity from value.
Start by identifying what actually worked.
• What moved the team forward
• What strengthened trust, alignment, or morale
• What sparked better decisions or clearer communication
• What helped the organization deliver on its goals
• What supported your people in meaningful ways
These wins show you where your energy was well invested.
Then look at the work that demanded time but did not deliver the return you expected.
• What drained energy without advancing the work
• What created unnecessary complexity
• What felt important but turned out to be noise
• What priorities became distractions
This is not about criticism. It is about clarity. Once you can see which activities created value and which did not, you can make far more intentional decisions about where you focus in 2026.
Takeaway: Impact, not effort, should shape next year’s priorities.
2. What resources are left on the table
Amid the rush to finish the year, it is easy to overlook the support you still have available. Many teams leave development dollars, learning opportunities, or meaningful experiences untouched simply because the calendar feels overwhelming.
Small, intentional moments can shift the entire tone of a team going into the new year.
• A team building activity at a holiday gathering
• A guided reflection to close the year with clarity
• A short staff meeting conversation about lessons learned
• A focused goal setting or blueprint session for 2026
• A facilitated discussion to realign expectations or communication
These moments do not need to be long or complicated. When they are well designed, they can create connection, spark energy, and bring teams into the next year with shared purpose.
If you are planning development programs for early 2026, securing dates now also ensures you use remaining resources strategically rather than reactively.
Takeaway: Sometimes the most valuable resources are the ones you have not used yet.
3. What deserves our energy in 2026
The most successful teams do not start a new year by filling calendars. They start by naming what truly deserves attention.
Look ahead and ask yourself:
• What possibilities are emerging for our team or organization
• Where are we capable of creating real value
• Which priorities will matter most in the first quarter, not just the first week
• What should we amplify because it is working
• What should we release so we can invest in what matters
• Where do we need to work differently to reduce friction and increase clarity
Leaders often get stuck repeating last year’s patterns simply because they have not paused long enough to imagine something better. Naming what deserves your energy helps your team enter the year aligned, focused, and energized rather than reactive.
Takeaway: The work you choose not to carry into 2026 may be just as important as the work you choose to prioritize.
Why the pause matters
Slowing down does not reduce momentum. It creates it. When leaders step back, even briefly, they can see patterns more clearly. They make better decisions. They allocate energy more intentionally. They lead teams into the new year with clarity rather than chaos.
The pause gives everyone a chance to breathe. And that breath often becomes the space where new ideas, better priorities, and stronger alignment take shape.
If you want support
A thoughtful pause now can set your team up for powerful momentum in the months ahead.