It is time again for our New Year’s Resolutions

Time flies, and it is hard to believe that we are finishing another trip around the sun as we close the book on 2025 and head into 2026.

MARC teaches us that the best time to change behaviors is when we have something “new” to support the changes we want.

For example, a new supervisor can create new expectations for her team.  She can’t do anything about the lax supervisory behaviors that let employees escape accountability in the past, but she can require new behaviors.

And our New Year’s Resolution period is our chance look back at our recent disappointments and vow to do better as we start anew on January 1.

I usually pick a few of the usual resolutions – to exercise more, to lose some weight, to read more.  I win a few and lose a few.

I’m no longer in the rat race of the corporate world leading teams of people.  But for those of you who are, perhaps you can choose from these…

“In 2026, I will…

• Communicate my expectations clearly and often with my employees 

• Have regular one-on-one meetings, engaging my employees by showing them I care about them, their work and their careers

• Be patient, and give employees time and opportunities to improve and grow

• Listen more than I talk – and I mean really listen – with full attention and empathy

• Be available and approachable with an open-door policy

• Be humble, a continuous learner, and quick to admit when I’m wrong – never arrogant, boastful or narcissistic

• Set a good example with my actions – they speak louder than words

• Be consistent – showing up every day as an even-keel person – not too high and not too low, regardless of what’s going on

• Care about and believe in my employees, knowing that most people will do the right thing as long as I have told them what the right thing is – and therefore I will not micro-manage

• Praise my employees, never missing an opportunity to give timely and specific positive feedback – delivered in the way they would like best

• Require a fair day’s work from everyone, without favoritism or disparate treatment

• 
  

You may be thinking, “That’s too much to promise!  How can I possibly do all of that in 2026!”

But here’s the catch – these resolutions are non-negotiable requirements for all leaders.  I tricked you when I wrote that you could choose from them.  If you lead people, you cannot pick and choose from these.  These are some of the threshold requirements for leaders.  If you want to be a great leader, there are many more requirements that we could list. 

We pride ourselves at MARC in providing the operational toolkit and assistance needed to help you be a great leader.  Leading with MARC is life-changing.  Please let us show you how MARC can catapult your leadership into greatness. 

Send a message to MARC on the  “Contact Us”  form and VP Gary Kleckner will reach out to you soon. 

And Happy New Year!