- February 14, 2025
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As we usher in a new year, we’re bombarded with familiar resolutions: lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier, read more books, spend more time with family. The list goes on.
Yet it’s estimated a staggering 88% of people abandon their New Year’s resolutions within the first two weeks of January. The reason? Experts cite a number of factors, but chief among them are goals that aren’t concrete, are based on negative self-judgment, are too long-term, or lack the agility needed to adapt to unexpected obstacles. In short, resolutions tend to be unrealistic, rigid and disconnected from the nuances of everyday life.
This year, instead of succumbing to the tradition of setting lofty resolutions you may not keep, we propose something different: set intentions. The real power of intention-setting lies in its adaptability. It’s not about achieving a specific goal by a fixed date but about aligning your actions and mindset with a larger vision and with your values. By focusing on the process and celebrating small wins, you can maintain momentum and make necessary adjustments along the way.
So, how might you apply this principle to your leadership approach in 2025? We recommend scheduling one hour to work through the following three steps.
Reflecting on the past helps you understand what has worked, where there is room for growth and what qualities you value in leadership. Ask yourself the following questions:
Revisit your answers to these reflections and circle those practices that you want to leverage in 2025, and put a star next to those adjectives that you want to emulate as a leader.
Now that you’ve reflected on the past to capture lessons learned, it’s time to look ahead. Setting an intention for your leadership approach requires focusing on both your strengths and values, and identifying what you want to achieve in the upcoming year. Reflect on:
Now that you have a clear intention, it’s time to build a plan that will help you bring it to life. The key to sustaining your leadership intention throughout the year is consistent check-ins and accountability. Ask yourself:
Kicking-off 2025 with a targeted leadership approach intention can guide you in a purposeful, flexible and sustainable direction. By focusing on your strengths, reflecting on your past leadership experiences and taking actionable steps to move forward, you can create an environment of growth and connection that empowers both you and your team to conquer whatever this year may bring.