Setting Your Team up for a Strong Start in 2026
The holidays are a wonderful time for leaders and teams to step away from work and focus on family, rest, and the kinds of moments that help us reset for the year ahead. That space to unplug is essential for health and well-being — and deeply earned.
But let’s be honest… that first week back in January can be rough.
Trying to remember your passwords. Re-engaging with teams and projects. Feeling a little fuzzy on the five things that suddenly need to kick off right now.
That “holiday fog” is normal — but it doesn’t have to slow your team down.
With a little intentionality before the break, you can create a smooth handoff between “a job well done” in 2025 and a confident start to 2026.
Here are a few simple, high-impact actions that make a meaningful difference.
1. Host a Year-End Wrap-Up That Recognizes What Was Achieved
A year-end wrap-up isn’t just about closing tasks — it’s a powerful moment to help your team feel proud of what they accomplished and appreciated for their contributions.
Before the break, gather your team for a short, grounded conversation:
Celebrate the big accomplishments. Call out the work that truly moved the needle. Be specific.
Express genuine appreciation. People return from the holidays more engaged when they leave feeling seen and valued.
Preview the Top 3 focus areas for January. Just the basics: what matters most, who leads each area, and why it matters.
This meeting creates a bridge between years and sends people into the holidays with a clear sense of pride and purpose.
2. Send a Wrap-Up Email (and Re-Send It in January)
Turn that wrap-up conversation into something your team can easily reference.
Before the break, send an email summarizing:
• What you celebrated • The Top 3 priorities for January • The primary owner for each
Then schedule it to pop back up in your inbox in early January.
When everyone returns, forward the same message with a short note:
• “Welcome back — here are the top priorities we will focus on this month.” • “Looking forward to reconnecting on X, Y, and Z in our team meeting.”
This reduces the “Where were we again?” feeling and helps people reorient quickly.
3. Close a Few Open Loops Before You Leave
Holiday fog hits hardest when people return to a pile of loose ends.
Encourage your team to close a handful of easy loops before they disconnect:
• Finalize minor tasks • Document decisions • Address quick clarifications • Deliberately park non-essential work
You’re not trying to clear the deck — just creating a cleaner exit so people can truly rest.
4. Set Up the First Week of January for Success
One of the best gifts you can give your team is a clear, low-friction start to the new year.
Before the break:
· Schedule your first team meeting
· Outline focus areas for Week 1 and 2, including owners and any January deadlines
· Set expectations lightly, without adding pressure
When people walk back in and see a thoughtful structure waiting for them, re-engagement accelerates naturally.
5. Support Your Team’s Transition to What’s Next
Teams start strong when they head into the holidays with three things:
Accomplishment “I did something meaningful this year.”
Appreciation “My work mattered, and my leaders saw it.”
Anticipation “I know what’s coming next — and I’m ready to begin.”
These three ingredients create a meaningful transition from 2025 to 2026 — one that fuels clarity, confidence, and momentum as the year rolls over.
A little preparation now can enable smoother re-engagement later. Your January self (and your team) will thank you.