One of the biggest trends we saw this year in all the companies we worked with was a huge desire to get back to basics – to keep it simple, stop overcomplicating things or trying to do too much.

And that same need for simplicity is going to continue into 2026 too.

So if you have visions of you and your team coming back to work in January and kicking off with motivation, momentum and pace, then keep reading, because it’s not going to happen through wishful thinking.

Or by planning to plan on your first day back (that’s the biggest mistake most people make!). Because if you’re already thinking ‘it’s a January problem’ – you are already behind the eight ball.

And we get it, the last thing you’re thinking about is next year when you’ve still got a ton on your plate to complete for this year before you head out for tinsel time and holiday hour.

So we’re bringing it back to the basics and giving you 3 simple things you can put in motion now to create a big impact on how you – and your team – start 2026.

1. Book in a Team Session to kickstart the year

January often feels like a soft launch to the year with people dribbling back to work from the 7th to the 26th, so it can feel like it takes ages to build momentum.

If you want to get everyone reconnected, re-engaged and focused fast, book in a team session after Australia Day when everyone is back in the office.

This could be things like a team-building day, a DISC or Clifton Strengths workshop – something that brings your team together to learn about themselves, how best to work with each other, and have a bit of fun.

Team sessions like this are brilliant for kick-starting motivation, momentum and pace in your team.

2. Supercharge your skills as a middle manager

If you want to be an even more effective middle manager in 2026 and better handle the challenges that come your way – you’ve got to know what skills you need to do that.

Diagnostic tools are the easiest way to give you awareness of what areas you need to work on most. We use Hogan and LSI 360, which take feedback from peers and managers to reveal your areas of strength and growth.

If you already feel like you’re doing ‘firefighting’ leadership, that won’t change in the New Year unless you do things differently. So, take a pause before this year is out and get a diagnostic to pinpoint where you need to reset your energies and focus your goals for 2026.

And, if you’re really looking to thrive as a middle manager next year, make sure to check out last month’s article that lays out exactly how to do that.

3. Support emerging leaders to thrive

Being proactive about developing your leaders can be one of the best investments you can make at this time of year for your talent growth and retention next year.

Whether you’ve got a new leader or a more senior leader who learnt ‘on the job’, doing a professional qualification like the Diploma in Leadership and Management we run, can immeasurably grow their confidence and business impact across 2026.

As a self-directed learning pathway, the Diploma gives them a framework to try and succeed at things they’ve never done before. It also offers real-time growth by encouraging them to use their current challenges as the basis for assignments.

If the theme of 2026 is to get back to basics, this will ensure your leaders focus on the simple, core skills they need to do their job better and deliver a big impact on your organisational culture, progress and results.

Use this final month of 2025 to identify and enrol your emerging leaders into programmes that will support them to feel valued, supported and fulfil their potential next year.

The Diploma of Leadership and Management

This accredited program has quietly developed emerging leaders inside organisations including Boost Juice, Zone Bowling, Streem Media, Dusk and Betty’s Burgers, to name a few, and is now helping them lead with greater clarity, confidence, and impact.

This isn’t about starting from scratch. It’s for people already doing the work of leadership, and giving them the tools, perspective, and nationally recognised qualification to back it up.

If you’d like more information on the (BSB50420) Diploma of Leadership and Management, or want to find out more about our DISC, Hogan or LSI 360 diagnostic tools for individuals or teams, simply hit reply, or call us on 1300 110 165.