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While December can—and in many ways should—be viewed as a time to wind down the year that’s coming to a close, it also offers a valuable opportunity to set the table for a successful launch of the year ahead. Starting 2026 ahead of the game can have a meaningful impact on both performance and morale, and this week’s piece outlines practical tactics leaders can put in place now to make that happen. Whether you currently lead a team or aspire to do so, these ideas can help you make the most of this festive month.

Happy reading!

“Five Things Leaders Should Do In December To Ensure Success In The New Year”
_{by Marc Crowley for The Sweeney Agency}

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Here are five key tactics you’ll be wise to put in motion in December to prepare yourself and your team for a strong, productive start to the year to come!

Share your vision: Articulating your vision for a successful year can inspire curiosity, inspiration, and momentum across your team. Long before the new year officially begins, employees start thinking about how their individual efforts align with that vision and quietly prepare for the challenges ahead. One important note: before shifting focus forward, take time to acknowledge and thank your team for the contributions that made the current year possible.

Meet One-on-One with Your Direct Reports: Individual meetings allow your direct reports the chance to personalize the outlook for the year ahead. They can help you get a better sense of their performance and career-path ambitions, and give you a better sense of how to keep them motivated, and performing at their best. These meetings aren’t just about planning—they’re about making people feel seen, valued, and supported, which is the foundation of sustained engagement.

Assign Next Year’s Goals: Introducing new goals well before their success is time-sensitive & urgent helps reduce anxiety and gives people time to adjust to clarified expectations. Ask employees to draft a high-level plan for achieving next year’s goals; this process often reframes the challenge, showing them the path forward is more manageable than it initially appeared.

Build a Pipeline: December is the time to double down on the activities that drive results, and to encourage your team to build & begin addressing a pipeline of work that can mature in the early weeks of the new year. While this may require extra effort in December, the payoff—confidence, energy, and early wins—makes it worthwhile.

Get Organized and Reflect: Use this quieter time of the year to organize files, clear out clutter, update calendars, and reset your systems. These small, often mundane tasks carry a surprising emotional and psychological reward. These things create a sense of readiness and calm that helps you step into the new year focused, grounded, and prepared.

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So tell us: Throughout your career, have you developed any specific habits or tips for making December as productive as possible?

Thank you,

The MAP Team

MAP Strategic Wealth Advisors | A Member of Advisory Services Network, LLC
10345 W. Olympic Blvd, Suite 110
Los Angeles, CA 90064
OFFICE: 310.601.4095
FAX: 310.388.5484
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