As the year draws to a close, it’s natural to start thinking about what’s next. But before diving headlong into the promises of the new year, there’s a valuable opportunity right now: the end-of-year review. For improvement leaders it’s about taking a moment to pause, connect, and refocus.
The best reviews go beyond lists of wins and losses. They’re opportunities to celebrate, to reflect honestly, and to lay the groundwork for a strong future. Done right, an end-of-year review can leave your team feeling seen, valued, and energised for what lies ahead.
Here’s how you design an experience that truly resonates with your people.
1. Start with Celebrating the Year’s Journey
Let’s face it: improvement can be intense. Targets, timelines, and the constant pursuit of “better” can leave us racing forward without recognising how far we’ve come. Your review should begin with acknowledging the hard work, not as an afterthought but as the centre of the session.
Start by naming the wins, big and small. Highlight the metrics that matter and what stories stood out this year. Did someone solve a particularly sticky problem? Did the team navigate a challenge with resilience?
Visuals can make this moment even more powerful. Consider presenting a “Year in Review” infographic or slideshow that captures milestones and achievements. This turns intangible successes into something your team can see, remember, and feel proud of.
Interactive Activity: The Contribution Wall
Invite everyone to share their proudest moment from the year. This could be done on sticky notes, a virtual board, or simply around the table. It’s incredible what emerges when people reflect on their own impact and even more powerful when they see their peers’ contributions, too.
2. Reflect on Lessons from the Year
Celebration lays the groundwork for something equally essential: honest reflection. This is about creating a space where the team can explore what worked and what didn’t with curiosity and courage.
Ask open-ended questions that encourage dialogue:
- What are we most proud of this year?
- What challenges tested us, and how did we respond?
- If we could go back and do one thing differently, what would it be?
As a leader, you set the tone here. If you model vulnerability by sharing your own reflections, what you’ve learned, where you’ve stumbled, it creates a safe space for others to do the same.
Interactive Activity: The Improvement Lens
Create a simple “Stop, Start, Continue” framework. Split the team into groups and ask them to brainstorm:
- Stop: Practices or habits that no longer serve us.
- Start: Ideas or innovations to try next year.
- Continue: Strengths to carry forward.
This not only sparks conversation but also starts shaping actionable insights for the year ahead.
3. Strengthen Team Connection by Building Trust and Alignment
An end-of-year review is a chance to reconnect as a team. Improvement work often thrives, or falters on relationships. Taking time to strengthen those bonds is an investment in the work itself.
Consider including a team-building element in your review. This doesn’t need to be elaborate; it could be as simple as sharing gratitude or revisiting your team’s purpose.
Interactive Activity: The Gratitude Circle
End the session with each person sharing something they appreciate about a teammate or the group as a whole. This might feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but the warmth and connection it generates are worth it.
Pro Tip: Link this back to your team’s purpose. For example, if your team’s work is about driving operational excellence, remind them how their efforts ripple out to improve lives and organisations.
4. Set Your Sights on the Future: A Vision for the New Year
After looking back, shift the energy to what’s ahead. This is where your review becomes truly forward-looking, helping the team move into the new year with clarity and purpose.
Instead of diving straight into goals, start with possibilities. What’s exciting about the year ahead? What trends or opportunities could shape your work?
Interactive Activity: Visioning for 2025
Facilitate a brainstorming session where the team imagines the best possible outcomes for the year ahead. Use prompts like:
- What would success look like this time next year?
- What improvements would have the biggest impact on our organisation?
- What personal or professional growth do we want to achieve?
Capture ideas visually, whether through mind maps, sketches, or digital tools. This generates ideas and gives everyone a sense of ownership over the team’s direction.
5. Support Individual Growth
Improvement teams are made up of individuals with unique talents, aspirations, and needs. While the team review is essential, don’t miss the opportunity to connect with each person one-on-one.
Use these conversations to explore:
- What went well for them this year?
- What challenges did they face?
- What are their goals for the year ahead, and how can you support them?
This is also a chance to highlight development opportunities, whether it’s a new project, training programme, or accreditation. Showing that you’re invested in their growth builds loyalty and engagement.
6. Close with Energy and Optimism
The way you end your review matters. It’s your final chance to leave the team feeling energised, valued, and excited for the future.
Thank your team sincerely for what they’ve achieved and for who they are and the way they’ve shown up. Remind them of the impact they’ve made and the potential they hold for the year ahead.
Interactive Activity: A Team Mantra for 2025
As a final activity, co-create a mantra or motto for the year ahead. Something simple, like “Collaboration, Courage, and Continuous Improvement,” can serve as a guiding light when challenges arise.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to rush through the end-of-year review, treating it as just another meeting. But when done with care, these moments of pause can become transformative. They remind us why we do what we do, who we do it with, and what’s possible when we work together.
As a leader, you have the privilege and responsibility of shaping this experience for your team. Lead it with intention, openness, and heart. The year ahead is full of possibility, let this review be the springboard that launches your team towards it.
What’s Next?
For tools, resources, and support to help you and your team thrive in 2025, explore the LCS and its accreditation, training, and operational excellence offers here.
Let’s make 2025 our best year yet. Together.
