A New Year’s resolution list to be filled out in an official office document to plan for the future.
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When we turn the page on the calendar to welcome a new year, many people think, “New year, new me!” New Year’s resolutions sound great in theory, but let’s face it: Become a better leader, balance work and life, be more productive, or reinvent your company’s culture. “Building” tends to waste energy. The truth is, most resolutions fail and die by February. If you’re a leader, a failed resolution doesn’t just resonate with you personally, it resonates with your entire team.
Research shows that 38.5% of U.S. adults make New Year’s resolutions each year, but only 9% stick to them. Additionally, 23% abandoned their resolution within the first week, but only 36% made it past the first month, and the majority gave up by mid-February.
Here we explain why the solution fails and what to do instead.
Why resolutions set leaders up for failure
Too vague to work
The words “Be a better leader” may inspire you now, but they are meaningless if they are not specific. As Forbes contributor Dana Brownlee puts it, vague goals can cause leaders to “fly on wheels.”
Overloaded and unrealistic
Broad goals like “transforming company culture” are more than just aspirational. As with rapid weight loss, it is impossible to achieve without clear steps. Big changes require small, sustained efforts.
There is no progress without responsibility
Who is checking your resolve? Without accountability, good intentions quickly disappear. Brownlee points out that lack of tracking is one of the main reasons leaders fail.
out of touch with what’s important
Resolutions are often made reactively based on trends or external pressures. Actual leadership growth comes from focusing on what is meaningful to your role and values.
How smart leaders welcome the new year
Forget about resolutions. If you want to create lasting change, try these proven strategies.
Please select a theme for the year
Instead of hard goals, choose guiding themes like clarity, collaboration, and growth. Themes help you stay focused without being tied to a clearly defined path.
Start with habits, not promises
The resolution is flashy. Habits are powerful. If you want to improve your team’s communication, schedule weekly one-on-ones. Small actions add up over time and lead to big results.
Go smart or go home
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals make vague aspirations actionable. Instead of “delegating better,” commit to “assign three recurring tasks by March and track your progress weekly.”
Build responsibility into your plan
Find a mentor, coach, or trusted colleague who will hold you accountable. Research shows that public commitment significantly increases success rates.
Celebrate small victories along the way
Forget perfection, what matters is progress. To keep your motivation high, recognize and celebrate small victories.
Avoid the pitfalls of these leadership solutions
Here are highlights of three traps leaders should avoid:
• Taking on too much: Don’t spread yourself too thin. Focus on one or two priorities.
• Rigorous Thinking: Be flexible and adjust your goals as circumstances change.
• Ignoring your progress: If you aren’t tracking your wins, you may be losing momentum.
Key points for leaders
New Year’s resolutions are quicksand for leaders, tempting but ultimately ineffective. Fundamental change is not tied to January 1st. It’s important to build habits, set clear goals, lead by example, and stay accountable throughout the year.
Let’s ditch empty promises in 2025. Focus on daily actions, small achievements, visible progress, and gradual gains. Want to inspire your team? Show them what sustainable growth looks like every day.
