Things Leaders Should Do to Finish the Year Strong

As the year winds down, the festive season tends to throw leaders into a bit of a balancing act. On the one hand, you want to embrace the holiday spirit, go to those end-of-year parties, exchange Secret Santa gifts, and (finally!) take some well-deserved time off. But on the other hand, you want to finish the year strong. Sound familiar?

Maybe you’ve been here before. You want to be the leader who ends the year on a high note—a boss who not only checks off goals but also inspires your team to sprint to the finish line. You want to finish the year strong.

But let’s face it, you’re also running on fumes from 12 months of deadlines, meetings, and coffee-fueled mornings. The stakes feel even higher when you’re managing a team. Everyone’s looking at you, hoping you’ll set the tone—and let’s not sugarcoat it, that can feel like a lot.

But here’s the thing: finishing the year strong doesn’t have to mean burning yourself (or your team) out trying to cram everything into December. 

Nope.

In fact, it’s about working smarter, not harder. It’s about making thoughtful, impactful moves that motivate, energize, and prepare everyone for the fresh start that January brings. It’s about reflecting on what worked, celebrating wins, closing loops on what’s still lingering, and finding creative ways to inspire your team as they sprint across the finish line with you.

In this article, we’re diving into fresh, practical strategies to help you (and your team) close the year with a bang. So, if you’re ready to finish the year strong, let’s do it.

What to Do With Your Team to Finish the Year Strong

If you want your team to finish the year strong, the secret isn’t in pushing harder—it’s in being smarter. Nobody wants to sprint to the end of December only to collapse on January 1st feeling burned out, resentful, and wondering why they worked overtime when they could’ve been enjoying holiday cookies. 

To really finish the year strong, you’ve got to help your team feel motivated, appreciated, and—dare I say it—excited to cross that finish line with you. So, let’s talk about how to make that happen.

1. Celebrate the Wins—Big and Small

Your team worked hard this year. Maybe you hit your big goals, or maybe you just survived a rollercoaster of ups and downs. Either way, take a beat to recognize what went right.

Don’t just slap a “good job” in an email and call it a day. Make it personal, make it creative, and make it count. You could host a small awards ceremony (even if it’s virtual), create a highlight reel of team accomplishments, or give a shout-out to each person’s contributions in a fun way.

Appreciation goes a long way, and when people feel valued, they’re more likely to show up energized and ready to finish the year strong.

2. Set “Closing Rituals” to Tie Up Loose Ends

December is the perfect time to clear the decks. I’m not talking about dumping extra work on your team in a last-minute frenzy—that’s a no-go. I’m talking about creating structured, simple ways to close out unfinished projects.

Think: a “Loose Ends Day” where everyone spends a few hours tackling those lingering tasks, or a team-wide “Wrap Party” where you close out big goals with snacks, music, and vibes. The key is to make it feel like a team effort, not a chore. Because, let’s face it, checking things off the list feels good.

3. Inject Some Fun to Boost Morale

Here’s the thing: People are juggling a lot this time of year. Work, family, shopping, holiday plans—it’s a lot. So, instead of piling on stress, give your team something to smile about.

Maybe you host a “Festive Friday” with ugly sweaters and hot chocolate, or you swap out a regular meeting for a quick game or trivia session. (Pro tip: Trivia apps like Kahoot are super fun and easy to set up.) 

Little breaks like this can help your people recharge, bond, and stay in a positive headspace so they can finish the year strong without feeling drained.

4. Involve Your Team in Setting Next Year’s Vision

This one’s a game-changer. Instead of you doing all the planning for next year solo, invite your team to share their ideas and input. It could be a brainstorming session or even a simple survey asking what they’d like to improve, add, or change.

When people feel like they have a voice in the future, they’re more invested in finishing the year strong because they know their hard work is building toward something meaningful.

5. Give Permission to Slow Down—Strategically

This one might surprise you, but sometimes, the best way to finish the year strong is to slow down. Not stop—slow down. Encourage your team to prioritize their energy and focus on what matters most instead of trying to do everything. 

Set boundaries around work hours, remind people it’s okay to take breaks, and lead by example. When you create space for your team to work intentionally, they’ll be more productive—and way less stressed.

Bottom line: Helping your team finish the year strong isn’t about squeezing every last ounce of energy out of them. It’s about creating a space where they feel supported, celebrated, and inspired to wrap up the year with pride.

What Leaders Do For Themselves To Finish The Year Strong

Let’s get real for a second—leading a team is a lot. Like, a lot-a lot. And while you’re busy keeping everyone else motivated, wrapping up deadlines, and making sure your team is set to finish the year strong, it’s super easy to put yourself last on the list.

But here’s the thing: if you’re running on empty, how can you expect to inspire your team? Spoiler alert: You can’t. So, this section is all about YOU. Because to lead strong, you’ve got to feel strong.

1. Do a Personal Year-in-Review

Before you dive headfirst into holiday chaos, pause and take a moment to reflect. Seriously, grab a notebook, your favorite coffee (or wine, no judgment), and just think. What went right this year? What could’ve gone better? What lessons did you learn?

This isn’t about beating yourself up over missed goals or coulda-woulda-shouldas—it’s about taking stock and giving yourself a reality check. Reflection is like a mental reset button, and it’s key to helping you finish the year strong with a clear, focused mindset.

2. Say “No” (and Mean It)

December tends to come with a million requests—from extra work tasks to endless social invites. And while saying “yes” to everything might feel like the polite thing to do, it’s also the fastest way to burn out. 

Pro tip: Practice your “No, thank you” game. Whether it’s skipping that one unnecessary meeting or passing on yet another holiday potluck, protecting your time and energy is essential. Remember, every “no” to something unimportant is a “yes” to something that really matters.

3. Invest in Yourself

This doesn’t mean you need to sign up for a fancy leadership course or drop cash on a big-ticket event (unless you want to, of course). Investing in yourself can be as simple as picking up a new book, listening to an inspiring podcast, or blocking off time to work on a skill you’ve been wanting to improve.

The goal here is to give yourself something to feel excited about—a little “level up” that keeps you sharp and motivated as you finish the year strong.

4. Give Yourself Grace

This might be the most important tip of all. Leaders are often their own worst critics, constantly striving to do more, achieve more, be more. But newsflash: you’re human, not a superhero.

Some things might not go as planned, and that’s okay. Instead of dwelling on what didn’t happen, celebrate what did. Acknowledge your wins—yes, even the small ones—and remind yourself that progress is better than perfection.

5. Plan a Guilt-Free Reset

If you’re anything like most leaders, you probably feel a little guilty taking time off. (Let me guess: you think the whole world will fall apart if you’re not around, right?) But here’s the truth: stepping away, even briefly, is the best thing you can do for yourself and your team. 

Block out some guilt-free downtime—whether it’s a staycation, a real vacation, or just a few lazy days at home. Rest now so you can hit the ground running in January.

To finish the year strong, you need to lead yourself with the same care and attention you give your team. So, set boundaries, take time to reflect, and don’t forget to celebrate your wins along the way. You’ve got this.

The Final Push: Go Out Strong, Come Back Stronger

As the year wraps up, remember this: leadership isn’t just about pushing through to the end—it’s about finishing with purpose, positivity, and just the right amount of flair. 

Whether you’re inspiring your team, reflecting on your wins, or giving yourself the grace to slow down, every action you take now sets the tone for the year ahead.

So, take a breath, rally your squad, and make these last few weeks count. Because when you finish the year strong, you don’t just end on a high note—you set yourself and your team up to hit the ground running in January.