We’re rapidly approaching the end of the year. Heck, we’re rapidly approaching the end of the decade. 2020 once seemed so far away, and yet, here we are. We love the fresh possibility that comes with the start of a new year. This fresh start feeling is magnified with the start of a whole new decade!

The end of a year is an opportunity to renew your clarity around purpose and the dent you want to make in the universe. Whether you’re closing out your previous 5-year strategic plan or realizing you need to make the first long term plan for your company, now is the time to ask, “What’s going to come next for me and the organization?”

One of the more complicated parts of being a leader is building a vision your team connects to and eagerly stands behind. A vision that embodies the purpose of the company, and creates possibilities for growth and impact. Feeling any pressure yet?

Here are two ideas you can use to get started.

1. Examine your past progress

We believe you can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you are. They say hindsight is 20/20 - looking back now can help you get clarity and focus for the new year.

Here’s a simple, four-step process:

First, set some time aside to look back at your 2019 goals and note your progress. Pull out your last strategic plan and check off the items you completed and which objectives fell off the radar.

Next, reflect on what you and your team did that made the difference. What behaviors led to greater success? How did you respond positively to change and challenges? Maybe you’ve acquired new tools or implemented new processes to help with efficiency.

Then turn your attention to the health of your team. How did the group do with decision making? How much is the team having healthy conflict where people are voicing their opinions and concerns in a respectful manner?

Finally, share your perceptions with your team. Ask for their perspectives and celebrate your accomplishments.

2. Seek Individuals’ Feedback

The next week or two can be a great time to invite your leadership team and people at different parts of the organization for one-on-one conversations.

Get a pulse on their engagement at work and opportunities they see by asking questions like:

How are things going around here for you?
What’s your level of engagement in your role?
How are you using your current skills? How might you use them better?
What would great look like for you in your future here?
What do you want to work on to move the company forward?

By seeking feedback from employees, you can begin to see a broader slice of opportunities and challenges across the whole organization. Conversations can reveal opportunities or challenges you don’t currently see or know, allowing you to uncover the hidden gems of what the company may be capable of.

Use their inputs as you draft the vision for the next five years.

We know how challenging it can be to create clarity for yourself and your team around what’s most important for the future. We know you are capable and confident and still, this work can be daunting. If you’re feeling stuck, or want help engaging your team in a conversation about what’s possible for your future, let’s connect.

Stay tuned next month for how to turn your vision into action!