A Different Kind of New Year’s Resolution
We often start the new year off by making resolutions to improve our own lives. I want to offer an alternative to that. Make a resolution that will enhance the experience of those you work with every day.
Why focus on others? While taking care of our own health and well-being certainly is beneficial to everyone in our lives, we often have a unique and important way that we can influence the health and well-being of others.
Here are some examples for inspiration:
Give members of your team something to do. I facilitated a Board going through some major change, and when it was time to assign accountability for some priority work, one member eagerly took on the hardest task area that there was. This member was the only one without a specific role, and he actually spoke about how important it was to him to have a specific way to contribute. Without it, he felt disconnected to the work and the team itself.
Delegate. Not for you, but for the person who is seeking to learn something new. Then do a good job in the delegation and coaching so that they are not only successful but feel good about the experience.
If you manage people, schedule an informal meeting to get input on their hopes and desires for 2026. Be prepared to support at least some of what they speak to. This can be done one-on-one or as a team activity.
Pick one client a week (perhaps randomly - like the 7th client) to go the extra step with - ask more questions, do more research on their behalf, complete warm handoffs. You may not be able to do this with everyone - we have lots of people to support. But once in a while, going the extra step will mean so much to them and help to remind ourselves of the value of those we work with.
Write a thank you note to a client, customer, collaborator, or employee. We may be good at saying thank you in the moment, but taking the time to put pen to paper will demonstrate how much we value them and/or what they did.
Bring in food for the team - for no reason. Homemade? Even better.
Sign up to volunteer for an event. Get to know people as you do so and learn about the work of the organization sponsoring the event. Organize a group of coworkers to go with you.
Serve on a Board. This is a bigger commitment than your one-time volunteer opportunity. It also means a bigger impact. And it will enhance your professional resume as well.
You attend a training or an event and you are asked for your feedback. They hand out or send you a survey. This time, do as they ask. Fill out the survey and do it well.
Instead of eating lunch at your desk, choose to eat lunch in the break area with the idea of socializing with others. Get to know the people that are there (while resisting any gossiping about people who are not there).
On a less busy or intense day, go beyond the "how are you" question and ask something more in-depth. (Make sure the day isn’t extra busy or intense for them or they won’t be able to engage in the way you intended.)
If there is a lot of remote work (but you still share geography), prioritize seeing coworkers, perhaps outside of work for dinner, or at the gym, or a community event. Do the planning and inviting. That in itself is a gift! You can do this with people who share space with you everyday, as well.
If your team is remote and not geographically in the same place, schedule a short virtual retreat that includes elements of creativity and fun. Yes - that is possible to do remotely.
If you are in charge of a meeting, plan a fun and engaging activity to kick off the year or a new project that focuses on the strengths of the people and builds rapport.
I wrote a similar blog a year ago - although my focus is a bit different here. I invite you to read last year’s New Year’s blog to continue on these themes.
We spend a lot of time working. When we choose to give of ourselves meaningfully and strive to create good experiences for all, everyone benefits. And that’s a New Year’s resolution worth making.
Happy New Year!
