Turn Your Holiday Break into a Launchpad for 2025

In partnership with

The holiday season isn’t just for winding down—it’s your opportunity to recharge, reflect, and strategically prepare for the year ahead.

While others may rest, the most effective leaders leverage this time to gain a competitive advantage and set themselves up for a successful 2025.

Here's your roadmap to make the most of this invaluable pause.

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TL;DR

→ Strategic self-reflection exercise ( 90 minutes)
→ High-impact connection strategies ( 3-5 hours)
→ Skill development blueprint ( 60 minutes)

Your Holiday Leadership Preparation Roadmap

Strategic Reflection Workshop (For Yourself)

Investment: 90 minutes

Tools: Journal, quiet space, honest mindset

Leadership audit:

• What were your three biggest wins this year?

  • Example: Implemented a new employee engagement initiative that improved team morale.

• Where did you fall short of your expectations?

  • Example: Struggled with delegation and decreased team productivity.

• What skills need development?

  • Example: Improve conflict resolution skills to manage team dynamics better.

Action:

Take a quiet 90 minutes to journal through these questions. Don’t just write down your answers—reflect on them.

Think about the lessons learned, and how you can apply these insights to make 2025 your best year yet. If you want to dive deeper, create a list of actionable steps based on each area.

Connection & Insight Gathering

Target: 3-5 Intentional Conversations

Connect with:

• Trusted mentors or respected leaders

  •  Schedule a coffee chat with a leader with experience navigating organizational change.

• High-performing team members

  • Example: Meet with a top performer on your team to discuss their perspectives on leadership challenges and opportunities.

• Colleagues from different departments

  • Example: Organize a lunch-and-learn session with colleagues from marketing and/or sales to explore how their strategies can improve your leadership approach

Powerful Discussion Points:

• What leadership capability will differentiate top performers in 2025?

• What emerging trends should I be preparing for?

• What blind spots might I be missing?

Action:

Approach these conversations with curiosity and a genuine desire to learn.

Recommended Newsletters:

Skill Development Blueprint

Created a focused learning plan with the following:

Technical skills to master

• Recommended approach: Micro-learning + practical application

• Example: Use platforms like Linkedin Learning or Coursera for bite-sized lessons.

2. Soft skills to enhance

• Focus on behavioural changes.

• Example: Improve active listening skills to boost team engagement.

3. Networking capability to develop

• Mentorship - both as a mentor and mentee

• Digital networking strategies

• Example: Use platforms like Linkedin to network and build connections.

Action:

Review your current skill set and identify one area to improve. Then, commit to learning something new in that area this holiday season.

Team Involvement

Encourage your team to engage in their development:

1. Team Reflection Session:

• Organize group discussions where team members can share their wins, challenges, and learning goals for the upcoming year.

2. Collaborative Skill Development:

• Create opportunities for team members to lead training sessions on their areas of expertise, fostering a culture of shared learning.

3. Feedback Loops

   • Implement a feedback session where team members can provide constructive input on each other’s leadership styles and approaches.

Action:

Engage your team in a collective holiday reflection. What can you all do together to prepare for a successful 2025?

Recommended Resources:

The Leadership Circle

Offers a range of tools, including a free leadership assessment and a self-directed development plan to help you identify strengths and areas for growth.

Reflective Questions

1. What leadership capability will most impact your success in 2025?

2. Who can provide you with honest, constructive feedback?

3. What one habit, if changed, would dramatically improve your leadership?

4. What single habit, if changed, would dramatically improve your leadership?

5. How will your team's development contribute to organizational success?

Your leadership journey is continuous and evolving. The holiday season represents a strategic pause—an opportunity to recalibrate, reflect, and prepare for exceptional performance.

Leadership is not about perfection but consistent growth and intentional development.