Let’s be honest: most New Year’s resolutions don’t make it past January. The gym shoes stay in the closet, the ambitious plans get buried under deadlines, and life moves on. But if you’re thinking about resolutions this year, why not choose ones that matter? As a leader, you have the chance to make a real difference—not just for yourself, but for the people you lead.

What if we make 2025 a year of Humanity at Scale? A year where we lead with purpose, empower others, and create spaces where people can thrive. These resolutions aren’t about adding more to your plate. They’re about committing to practices that amplify your impact while putting humanity at the center of your leadership.

To help you stay on track, each resolution includes reflective questions to revisit throughout the year—small moments to pause, recalibrate, and ensure your leadership is aligned with your intentions. If that resonates, here are five resolutions to inspire you for the year ahead.

Repeat after me… In 2025, I resolve to:

1. Give More Power to the People Around Me
2. Keep a Spotlight on My Purpose
3. Build on Strengths, Not Weaknesses
4. Deepen My Empathy Through Reflection
5. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify

1) Give More Power to the People Around Me

You already empower your team—every leader does, to some extent. But next year, challenge yourself to take it further by finding new ways to help people grow and succeed. Empowering others isn’t just about delegation; it’s about deliberately creating opportunities for your team to step into their full potential. Maybe it’s offering someone the chance to lead a project outside their usual scope or encouraging them to pursue a skill they’ve always wanted to develop. By broadening the ways you empower, you’re not only investing in their growth but also strengthening your team’s capacity to handle bigger challenges.

Reflective Questions:

1. Who did I empower this month, and how did they respond to the opportunity?
2. Have I created space for someone to step up in a meaningful way?
3. Am I offering the right balance of guidance and autonomy?
4. Are there tasks or decisions I’m still holding onto that could be delegated?
5. What new ways can I support my team’s growth and ownership next month?

2) Keep a Spotlight on My Purpose

Your purpose isn’t just a statement—it’s the foundation of your leadership. But let’s face it: in the chaos of daily demands, it’s easy to lose sight of it. Next year, commit to defining your purpose with clarity and making it a consistent part of how you lead. Write it down, share it with your team, and use it as a guidepost for decisions. Build small rituals to keep it front and center: before a major choice, ask yourself, “Does this align with what I stand for?” or spend a few minutes each week reflecting on whether your actions are staying true to your values. Purpose isn’t a one-time declaration—it’s a commitment you live, day by day, moment by moment.

Reflective Questions:

1. Did my decisions this month reflect my core purpose?
2. How have I communicated my purpose to my team recently?
3. Are there moments where I felt disconnected from my purpose? Why?
4. What actions this month brought me closer to what I stand for?
5. How can I better align my day-to-day work with my purpose in the coming month?

3) Build on Strengths, Not Weaknesses

Too often, leadership focuses on fixing what’s wrong. Next year, flip that script. Commit to spending more time celebrating what your team does well and helping them build on their strengths. Take time in meetings or one-on-ones to ask questions like, “What’s a recent win you’re proud of?” or “What part of your work feels most rewarding right now?” Shifting the conversation to strengths over weaknesses fosters a more positive, growth-oriented culture—one where people feel motivated, recognized, and empowered to lean into what they do best.

Reflective Questions:

1. Have I celebrated individual or team successes this month?
2. Did I spend more time highlighting strengths or addressing weaknesses?
3. How have I encouraged people to lean into what they do best?
4. What strengths in my team have gone unrecognized or underutilized?
5. How can I make conversations about strengths a regular part of our work?

4) Deepen My Empathy Through Reflection

Leadership moves fast, but empathy requires slowing down. Next year, commit to making reflection a regular practice. After major decisions or interactions, take a moment to ask yourself, “How might this feel to someone else?” or “What ripple effects could this create?” At week’s end, reflect on whether your actions supported and understood those around you. Empathy isn’t about perfect answers—it’s about taking the time to ask the right questions and letting them guide your next steps.

Reflective Questions:

1. Did I take time to consider how my actions impacted others this month?
2. Have I sought out and truly listened to diverse perspectives on my team?
3. What assumptions did I make this month that I should revisit?
4. Where did I succeed in understanding someone’s experience better?
5. How can I create more space for reflection and understanding next month?

5) Simplify, Simplify, Simplify

Complexity is a silent drain—it slows teams down, clouds priorities, and saps energy. Next year, commit to stripping away unnecessary complexity wherever you find it. Whether it’s refining a cumbersome process, eliminating redundant steps, or clarifying expectations, simplicity creates space for people to thrive. Start by asking, “What can we simplify here?” whenever you encounter confusion or inefficiency. Simplicity isn’t about doing less—it’s about making room for meaningful work and human connection. By cutting the noise, you help create a culture where clarity, focus, and purpose drive both individual and collective success.

Reflective Questions:

1. What felt unnecessarily complicated for my team or me this month?
2. Did I remove any barriers or streamline a process to make work easier?
3. Are there areas of complexity I’ve been ignoring or avoiding?
4. How has simplifying one area of work impacted the team’s energy or focus?
5. What’s one thing I can simplify further in the coming month?

Propelling Humanity At Scale Next Year

The year ahead will be filled with challenges, decisions, and opportunities to shape the experience of those you lead. These resolutions aren’t meant to add complexity to your leadership—they’re a reminder to pause, refocus, and lead with intention. Whether it’s giving your team more room to grow, staying true to your purpose, or simplifying how work gets done, each small shift can ripple out in meaningful ways. In 2025, let’s commit to leadership that doesn’t just aim for results but fosters a culture where people thrive. Humanity at Scale starts with the choices we make every day.