As the year winds down, many leaders I speak with aren’t eager to set goals just yet. They’re tired. They’re reflective. And they’re taking stock. And I think that’s wise. Before racing into next year’s priorities, this is a useful moment to pause and ask a few revealing questions:

❔ What genuinely energized me this year?

❔ What consistently drained me?

❔ When was I at my best as a leader?

❔ When was my team at its best and why?

These questions matter more than they might seem.

Gallup’s 2025 workplace research is sending a clear signal: engagement and wellbeing, especially at the manager level, are under strain. Many organizations are discovering that the way the manager role has been defined and supported simply isn’t sustainable.

🔎That’s not a reason for panic. But it is a reason for reflection. Before we redesign strategies, set ambitious targets, or ask for more from our teams, it’s worth asking what truly fuels and lights us up.

Wishing you a thoughtful close to the year, and space to reflect before what comes next