I initially wrote Simple Resolutions for Managers in 2016 and thought I would update the article for 2025 aimed at achieving balance and effectiveness for nonprofit leaders returning to work—only to be immediately hit with the challenges you cannot leave in 2024. Funding and an uncertain philanthropic environment remain challenges. Unfilled positions continue to impact capacity, and strategic goals that are lagging in the red may feel overwhelming as you face the start of the new year.
Here are some practical strategies you can adopt in 2025 to set a positive tone and address the “tough” situations head-on while maintaining alignment and balance with your team.
It’s Inevitable
The Monday after a holiday break, and the struggle begins. You’re faced with all the professional challenges you tried to forget, or at least drown in a variety of feasts, parties, and slothfulness.
On top of returning to work, you’re likely trying to focus on personal resolutions you made for yourself. Between fitness and wellness goals, embracing mindful living, and adopting technology to streamline your life (yes, AI-driven personal assistants are now a resolution-worthy reality), you may have little or no time to make resolutions specific to your role as a leader.
That’s where I can help. Here are some simple, actionable strategies to adopt for 2025—practices that can help you and your team thrive in the face of challenges.
Tactics for 2025: Setting the Right Tone
Start the Year with an Alignment Session
Schedule an alignment meeting with your team during the first week back. Use this session to:
- Reflect on successes and lessons learned from the past year.
- Revisit and, if necessary, recalibrate organizational and departmental goals to reflect current realities.
- Engage your team in identifying one or two priorities for the first quarter, ensuring they’re actionable and achievable.
This approach fosters transparency, creates focus, and reinforces a sense of shared purpose.
Leverage Technology for Team Engagement
In 2025, nonprofit leaders can harness collaborative tools powered by AI to drive engagement and productivity. Use platforms that:
- Automate task assignments and follow-ups.
- Provide real-time progress tracking for strategic goals.
- Enable team members to share updates and insights asynchronously, accommodating flexible work schedules.
Integrating these tools reduces administrative burdens and allows more time for meaningful team interactions.
Check In on Individual and Team Goals
The start of each new year, is a good time to check in on an align team objectives. In January:
- Schedule one-on-one meetings to discuss team members’ personal and professional goals for 2025.
- Help team members set goals if they haven’t already, demonstrating your commitment to their growth.
- Align individual goals with team objectives to foster accountability and motivation.
Delegate Leadership Roles
In 2025, nonprofit leaders can empower team members, promote skill development and ownership of team dynamics by delegating leadership whenever possible. A few simple opportunities to delegate responsibility are and relieve pressure on yourself are:
- Rotate staff meeting leadership roles among team members throughout the year.
- Assign each leader the task of developing the agenda and facilitating the meeting.
Design a simple, focused 360-feedback questionnaire targeting specific areas for growth.
In January, launch an informal 360 assessment of yourself in order to:
- Encourage team members to provide constructive feedback, emphasizing openness and collaboration.
- Use the feedback to model a growth mindset and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
Build Psychological Safety to Navigate “Tough” Conversations
In 2025, navigating uncertainty and tough situations demands a workplace culture that prioritizes psychological safety. Encourage open communication by:
- Normalizing feedback (both positive and critical).
- Establishing clear norms for respectful dialogue.
- Celebrating small wins to boost morale amidst challenges.
Teams that feel safe to share concerns, ideas, and constructive feedback are more resilient and innovative.
A New Year, A New You
Let 2025 serve as a chance to assess and set the course for who you want to be in the workplace. Are you a manager, a coach, or a leader? Decide to embrace all three roles, balancing strategy, empathy, and vision. This year, take intentional steps to align with your team and turn challenges into opportunities for growth and impact.