The end of the year is an excellent time to reflect on the year that has passed and to plan for the year ahead. It is also the prime time to make a list of New Year’s resolutions to hold yourself accountable for any behavioral changes that you’d like to make in the coming year. Whether you’re the leader of a large corporation, a small startup, or a team of people, make some resolutions for this year that will improve upon your leadership skills. Set yourself up for success by making some New Year’s resolutions for leaders.
Before you embark on your New Year’s resolutions for leaders, make sure that you’re setting an achievable goal. Use the SMART method when making your New Year’s resolutions to set yourself up for success.
A SMART goal is:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic and
- Time-bound
By setting a resolution using the SMART method, you’ll have a greater chance of success. Try one of these leadership focused resolutions this New Year’s Eve.
Make Praise a Habit
Inc. recommends developing a gratitude habit to improve your management skills. When you demonstrate gratitude each day at work, that attitude will spread within your team as well. We also know that workplace recognition changes brain chemistry over time and results in a happier and more productive team. Incorporate action steps like daily team shout-outs over Slack or a weekly one-on-one with each team member where you can give each person individualized praise. Monitor your progress and note how the morale changes within your team as you go.
Build Trust in Your Team
This year, resolve to build trust within your team. To build up trust between your team members, you have to create a space where they can be vulnerable and learn that it is safe for them to make mistakes and grow with each other. Create this safe and welcoming space by rewarding open communication and providing emotional support. Continue to build trust in your team with team-building exercises throughout the year.
Start off your year by learning about your team. Have your team members take our assessment so they can learn about themselves, and then invite each member to a Team Room so you can see your entire team at a glance. You’ll see how diverse your team is and discover any biases and challenges that your team may face. With our web app, you’ll gain valuable insights into how your team thinks as a group so that you can divide tasks effectively, communicate more efficiently, and become a more cohesive team.
Reduce Stress
According to the American Institute of Stress, workplace stress costs roughly $602 per worker per year. Make a resolution this year to reduce your own stress and the stress of your team as well. Begin by suggesting apps for your team to download and use during their workday to reduce their stress levels. Work together as a team to identify stress triggers and make plans to resolve those triggers and stressful situations.
Find out what causes stress for each of your team members. You can determine this by having a one-on-one discussion with each member. You can also have each of your team members take our assessment and then download our PIC report. This report describes your team member’s performance style, interpersonal style, and challenges so that you have a deeper understanding of their behavior and stressors.
On a personal level, make a resolution to reduce stress by finding extra support outside of work. Discover what triggers your own stress with our Social-Emotional Physical Health Report so that you can take action to reduce your stress levels in the year ahead.
Make a Resolution to Be a Better Manager
As one of your New Year’s Resolutions for leaders, resolve to a better manager in the upcoming year. Learn management hacks to keep your team happy. Utilize these hacks by planning purposeful meetings, ditching micro-management, and getting to know your team. Use tools and apps that keep you at the top of your management game as well. Learn how to manage your processes as well as your people, suggests Northeastern University. Stay up to date with industry trends by subscribing to our newsletter.
