How Leaders Influence and Shape Before Anything Moves

Have you heard the saying, “Actions speak louder than words”?

It’s fascinated me, in hindsight, how much my approach to planning, New Year’s resolutions, and goal-setting has changed over time.

New Year’s resolutions are usually abandoned by the end of the first quarter.

Plans full of lists and Gantt charts often lose relevance by the end of February.

I’ve learnt that goals without purpose as a foundation and without being held to a practical, structured way rarely last.

As a leader, what I’ve seen shape a year more than any finalised plan or resolution is this:

Taking time to reflect on what worked and what didn’t
Noticing when things feel “the same as last year” and being honest about what should change
Creating an open, safe environment for early conversations
Involving the right people before things are clear
Remembering that leaders are not the only, or always the best, decision-makers

What happens early matters more than we think.

What are you doing differently now to shape how 2026 unfolds?

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