LEADERS REFLECT ON THE PAST AND PLAN AHEAD FOR THER FUTURE – PART II

Last week, as we headed into the new year, I shared leadership wisdom from “The Leadership Freak,” Dan Caldwell. I encourage you to subscribe to Dan’s daily blog. This week I am sharing tips from several additional leadership authors and coaches.

Joel Garfinkle, one of the top leadership coaches in the United States, takes a similar but different approach with his coaching clients than the approach I wrote about last week articulated by Dan. Joel wants his clients to end the year strong and start fresh on the new year.

He suggests they first close out the old year:

-Wrap up loose ends
-Organize your space (physical or digital)
-Celebrate your accomplishments
-Stay connected
-Review employee benefits

Then Joel encourages leaders to “take a well-deserved break”

-Unplug to recharge
-Reconnect with family and friends
-Strengthen your network
-Practice gratitude
-Reflect on your growth this past year

Then leaders can prepare for a fresh start

-Set clear goals
-Update your LinkedIn profile
-Organize priorities
-Choose optimism
-Learn from negatives, reframing setbacks as opportunities to grow
-Track your wins, capturing your accomplishments throughout the year

Renowned leadership coaches Randy Gravett and Mark Miller, in their blog, “Lead Every Day,” remind us that “your capacity to grow determines your capacity to lead.” They assert that “the best leaders know that waiting to plan until January 1st means you are starting behind.” (I realize you are receiving this on January 5. :-))

When you start your leadership planning EARLY,

-Your calendar gets protected before others claim it
-Your growth goals shape your schedule, not the other way around
-Your development becomes strategic, not reactive
-Your Q1 results reflect preparation, nut just aspiration

Randy and Mark assert that the key questions great leaders are asking right now include:

-What went exceptionally well in 2024 that I need to double down on?
-Which relationships contributed most to my growth this year?
-What recurring challenges keep appearing that I need to address?
-What one skill, if mastered, would transform my leadership in 2025?
-How am I different today than I was in January 2024?

Finally, Eileen Chadnick, the head of Big Cheese Coaching, an award-winning leadership coach and the author of the Work-Life newsletter, writes about the “gift of reflection” and poses 12 questions to help us get ready for 2025:

For 2024:

-What went well?
-How have you grown?
-What and who were your greatest teachers?
-What needs to be acknowledged and celebrated (in yourself?)
-What needs to stay around for another year and what needs to go?
-Give the year ending a name to honor its place in your life

For 2025:

-What do you want for the year ahead?
-What do you really want and are willing to put some effort in to get it?
-How will you cultivate hope?
-How will you notice and appreciate the good when the world keeps throwing tough stuff your way?
-Where do you need to slow down?
-How will you bring more “new and fresh” into your life?
-Give your year ahead a personal theme or mantra. What will it be?

So you have much to think about, my friends. Please make the time to engage in real reflection on the past year and smart planning for the year ahead.

Give yourself permission to carve out that precious time. Consider sharing your thoughts with a trusted confidante. When we share meaningful thoughts and goals, we are more likely to integrate them.

If you believe this content would resonate with a friend or colleague, please feel free to forward it along!

-Larry