As 2025 winds down, many leaders are taking stock of what kind of year it has been. Some companies will finish the year with record profits and growth, while others will close the books on a year of struggle, setbacks, or missed opportunities. Wherever your organization lands on that spectrum, one truth remains constant: now is the time to prepare for 2026.
Waiting until January to hit reset is too late. The leaders who consistently outperform are those who begin shaping the future before the new year begins. They review, recalibrate, and reenergize their organizations in the final weeks of the current year so they can hit the ground running on day one of the next.
Here are six practical steps you can take now to ensure 2026 is your best year yet.
1. Conduct a Clear-Eyed Year-End Review
Every leader knows the importance of reflection, but few go deep enough. A strong review means asking not only what happened, but why it happened.
- What decisions paid off, and which ones didn't?
- Did you hit revenue targets—or miss them—and what factors were most responsible?
- Where did you overinvest or underinvest?
- What lessons from 2025 should shape your 2026 strategy?
Gather both data and perspectives from across your organization. Employees at all levels often see issues or opportunities that leaders miss. A candid, no-blame review builds a culture of learning and sets the tone for forward progress.
2. Revisit Your Strategic Priorities
Markets shift. Customer expectations evolve. Competitors move. Even if your 2025 strategy served you well, it may not be the roadmap you need in 2026.
Ask yourself:
- Are our strategic goals still aligned with the realities of the market?
- Do we have the right mix of products, services, and pricing to stay competitive?
- Where are the growth opportunities for 2026—new markets, partnerships, or technologies?
Pruning is just as important as adding. Letting go of outdated initiatives frees up resources and energy for high-potential opportunities.
3. Invest in Your Team's Capability
Your business can only grow to the level of your people. The final months of the year are a powerful time to double down on leadership development, skill-building, and employee engagement.
- Identify skill gaps that may limit performance in 2026.
- Plan training, coaching, or mentorship programs.
- Review succession plans and strengthen your leadership bench.
Consider employee morale as well. Recognition, year-end check-ins, and opportunities for input all boost engagement heading into the new year. Energized people deliver better results.
4. Stress-Test Your Operations
Resilience is now a competitive advantage. From supply chain disruptions to cyber risks, businesses that anticipate challenges recover faster and outperform.
Before the year's end, evaluate:
- Where are the weak points in your supply chain, systems, or processes?
- Do you have contingency plans for economic shifts, talent shortages, or technology failures?
- Are you leveraging data and automation to reduce risk and increase efficiency?
A little foresight in November can prevent major headaches next summer.
5. Sharpen Your Customer Focus
Your customers' needs in 2026 will not be identical to their needs in 2025. Use this time to reconnect and listen.
- Conduct surveys or listening sessions.
- Ask: What's working for you? What's not? What would you like to see from us next year?
- Monitor competitor moves and industry trends that may reshape expectations.
The businesses that win are the ones that anticipate customer needs before they are spoken.
6. Set the Tone for the Year Ahead
Finally, leadership is as much about vision as it is about execution. Use the last weeks of 2025 to communicate clearly with your team:
- Where are we headed in 2026?
- Why does it matter?
- How does every person play a role in that success?
Inspire confidence. Build momentum. Establish 2026 not just as another year, but as a step toward a stronger, more resilient, more innovative company.
The Bottom Line
Whether your company soared or stumbled in 2025, the next few months are your opportunity to take control of the narrative. CEOs, business owners, and managers who act now—who plan, invest, and communicate with clarity—set themselves apart.
Don't wait for January to "up your game." The time to build 2026 is now.
