How to start 2025 like a leader

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If you’ve been reading this newsletter for a while, you know I love a good goal setting session. As 2024 comes to a close, I want to wrap up the year with a simple framework I use to start 2025 with clarity, focus, and impact.

Whether you're leading a team, stepping into a new role, or simply striving to grow, setting intentional goals is the difference between drifting and driving.

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3 steps to review and plan ahead

1. Look back before you look forward
What did you accomplish this year? Where did you grow? Take 5 minutes to write down your wins (big and small)—it’s easy to forget just how much you’ve done.

For me, one of my biggest wins this year was quietly launching the Management Fundamentals for the Modern Leader self-paced course. It’s been a long time in the making, and seeing the first few sign-ups this week reminded me how important it is to celebrate progress, not just the finish line.

2. Focus on just one thing
Pick one area where you want to grow next year. Not ten. Not three. Just one. You can have several goals in different areas, but one primary focus.

Next year, my focus is on becoming less T-shaped. I’ve gotten good enough to the point where I can step in and do essentially anything that’s handed to me, but as a result, I haven’t been able to really go deep on any particular area. So one might say my focus is on finding my focus!

3. Build in accountability
Set a plan, but don’t stop there. Share it with someone who can keep you accountable, whether it’s a loved one, mentor, peer, or your team. If you keep your goals entirely to yourself, you’re less likely to stick to them.

Where will you grow in 2025?

For many of you, that “one thing” might be growing as a leader. Leadership is a skill, and like any skill, it gets better with practice and the right tools.

If you read the first section and were like, wait, a self-paced course? Yes! I know my live Management Fundamentals course is either not occurring at a workable time or is out of budget, so I’ve been quietly hard at work to build a self-paced-version. Same great content, just now available to complete on your on time.

➡ Enroll now at the special presale price of $249 (ends soon!)

I’m targeting a January 20 launch for the self-paced course. On launch day, the price will increase to $399.

Start the new year with a clear framework for communication, empowerment, and trust—the foundations of impactful leadership.

A thank you to close out the year

To everyone who’s followed along with The Modern Leader this year: thank you. Writing this newsletter and connecting with so many of you has been a highlight of my 2024.

Here’s to growing, leading, and achieving great things in 2025.

Want to work with me? Here are 3 ways I can help you:

1. Upgrade to a paid membership: You’ll get VIP access to Friday deep dives on newsletter topics shared on Tuesdays, as well as the archive of all free Tuesday posts. This includes scripts and templates you can put to use immediately.

2. Enroll in my Management Fundamentals course:

   • Prefer to learn at your own pace? Check out my self-paced course, where you’ll gain the tools to identify and coach team members, manage conflict, and give effective feedback on your schedule. Available for $249 for a limited time!

   • Looking for live interaction? Join one of my live cohort sessions for personalized guidance, group discussions, and Q&A. Take 25% off with code NEWYEAR!

3. Sign up for 1-on-1 coaching: If you prefer to learn alone, I offer one-on-one coaching to aspiring and new leaders.