Welcome to 2025, and with the dawn of a new year comes the belief that one has to make “resolutions” to start the new year “on the right foot.” However, these resolutions are often shallow, easy to break, and not meant to last. When it comes to growing your leadership toolbox, making commitments toward real change can be difficult, but often, more minor, incremental changes can go a long way. So, as a leader, what can you do to grow and evolve with the times- some ideas have already crossed the collective consciousness.
The team over at Fast Company offers a straightforward, consistent, predictable solution. When your team knows what they can expect, a lot of tension can be washed away and dealt with before it becomes an issue within the workplace. This will eliminate ambiguity within the team environment, especially considering how unpredictable the external environment can be. You can have high expectations of your direct reports but eliminate the guesswork internally. Instead, make your expectations crystal clear from the outset, and you might find yourself with a more responsive and successful team.
Forbes also throws up some good ideas that touch on the transparency lane and prioritize authenticity. When it comes to wellness, don’t say that you value wellness when you are in an all-hands meeting. Take steps to put a wellness plan into practical operation. Take steps to encourage your team to not only take leave but to disconnect from the workplace. Folks can say they are “on leave” – but are they? Build into company policy and culture that stepping back and taking time for yourself and your passions outside of work is ok.
Also, end the silos. It is time to end the thought process that operations must be segmented. Encourage interaction between different aspects of your team, even if their functions are entirely different. By doing this, everyone gets an idea about what their teammates are accomplishing, and there is a growing sense of collectively rowing forward as one rather than an individual. This will build strong, positive workplace relationships and foster an attitude of collaboration, often leading to a workplace becoming a hub of innovation.
Take a moment to think about those resolutions you’ve made for 2025, and don’t be afraid to ask yourself if they are indeed sustainable and achievable. By being realistic and authentic in your goal setting, you will be setting everyone on your team up to succeed.
