New Year, New Leadership Goals: Setting Intentions That Stick
Lately, my husband and I have been watching The Irrational, and I love how the show weaves behavioral science into its storytelling. It got me wondering—why do we feel so compelled to start fresh on a Monday, at the beginning of a new month, or especially at the start of a new year? Turns out, there’s a name for it: the fresh start effect.
Psychologists have studied how temporal landmarks—like the new year—give us a psychological clean slate, making us more motivated to set and pursue goals. And for leaders, this is the perfect time to reflect, reset, and set new leadership goals. But before diving into what’s next, I’d encourage you to take a different approach to evaluating what was.
Looking Back Before Moving Forward
When leaders assess the past year, they often default to two categories:
What worked and should continue
What didn’t work and should stop
But I’ve found a third category to be just as important:
What didn’t get enough attention, energy, or time to truly know if it worked or not?
How often do we abandon ideas before they’ve had the chance to take root? Maybe it was a new meeting structure, a different way of delegating, or a leadership habit you tried to build but didn’t fully commit to. Before we label something a failure, we have to ask: Did we actually give it a fair shot?
Leadership Goals Are Personal—More Than We Realize
Whenever I start setting leadership goals, they usually begin as external metrics—things like revenue targets, team development, or operational improvements. But inevitably, they shift inward. Because at the heart of every leadership goal is me.
How can I lead better?
How can I communicate more clearly?
How can I inspire and motivate my team more effectively?
How can I create a culture where people thrive?
Leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about personal growth. And personal growth is hard to do alone.
Why I’m Hiring a Coach—And Why You Should Consider It Too
This year, I’m investing in my own leadership by hiring an executive coach. Because even the most experienced leaders need an outside perspective.
A good coach isn’t just a sounding board; they provide:
✅ Accountability—Helping you stay focused on what truly matters
✅ Perspective—Seeing patterns and blind spots you might miss
✅ Tough Love—Not just calling you out when you’re being too hard on others, but when you’re being too hard on yourself
If you’re serious about growing as a leader this year, consider bringing in a coach who will challenge you, support you, and push you toward the leader you want to become.
At Growth By Design, we specialize in executive coaching that’s tailored to your leadership style and business needs. Whether you need help with goal-setting, team alignment, or personal leadership development, we’re here to help.
Ready to take your leadership to the next level in 2025? Let’s talk.
