Reflect On Purpose

Some things went right this year, and some things went wrong. That feels like a constant thread when reflecting at year’s end. Often, years don’t feel like huge wins or huge losses.

Instead, continual progression is a really good thing to notice at the end of the year. It’s easy to think, If I didn’t have that one setback, things would be better. But what about all those incredible moments that truly moved me and my business forward? Every one of those could have gone the other way. Through strategy, work, and a whole lot of luck, we ended up with mostly wins.

Cohesive Leaders take time at the end of the year to check systems and reflect on both wins and losses.

Audit behavior: Consistent behavior builds trust. Look at what you did when under pressure. The hard conversations you delayed or avoided. The decisions you got right or wrong. If your behavior audit and your values don't match, believe the audit.

Track where cohesion broke down: Pay attention to friction points. Where did silos form? Where did people go quiet? When did energy drain out of the team? Cohesion often leaks out slowly, and those leaks tell you exactly where leadership needs to develop.

Own your contributions to the mess: If something felt off in the culture, assume you played a role. Cohesive leaders don't ask "Who dropped the ball?" They ask, "What did I model that made this behavior acceptable?"

Identify what you tolerated too long: Every culture is shaped by what leaders allow. The behavior you let slide became policy. The conversation you avoided became precedent.

Recommit to clarity: If you felt the urge to tighten your grip this year, that's a signal. Control is what leaders reach for when clarity is missing. 2026 isn't the year to manage harder. It's the year to communicate cleaner and align earlier.

Decide what kind of leader employees experienced you as: Not what you hoped they felt. What they actually witnessed. Were you steady or reactive? Present or distracted? Curious or defensive?

Year end reflection is the time for honesty and truth telling. Do that, and you'll start next year stronger.

Cohesive leaders improve by being brave enough to look in the mirror and do something with what they see.

I'm going to take some time for reflection. I hope you will too.