The 5 Mistakes Leaders Make in January (And How to Fix Them)
Ah, January. The month of fresh starts, ambitious resolutions, and that awkward period where you still accidentally write “2024” on everything.
For leaders, January often feels like the start of a marathon, but instead of pacing themselves, many sprint out of the gate and wonder why they’re exhausted by February. Don’t get me wrong—January is a fantastic time to set the tone for the year. But it’s also a month where mistakes creep in faster than those unopened gym memberships we all swore we’d use. January sets the tone for the year, yet many leaders unknowingly repeat the same mistakes. In this article, we’ll uncover the five biggest mistakes leaders make in January—and how to avoid them.
👎 Setting Unrealistic Goals
It’s January, and suddenly, everyone is declaring they’ll double revenue, revolutionise their industry, and invent the next life-changing app—all by March. Ambition is great, but let’s keep it realistic. Unrealistic goals don’t motivate your team—they overwhelm them. If your targets sound more like a wish list for a genie, it’s time to recalibrate.
Instead, focus on ‘TIMES’ goals: Time-based, inspirational, measured, engaging, and specific. Start small and build momentum.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Thanks, Lao Tzu, for the reminder.
🪞 Ignoring the Power of Reflection
January is all about looking ahead, but don’t forget to glance in the rear-view mirror. Leaders often charge into the new year without taking time to reflect on what worked (and what didn’t) last year. Reflection isn’t about dwelling on mistakes—it’s about learning from them. What challenges did you face? How did your team perform? What could you do differently this year? Asking these questions now can save you headaches down the line.
As Socrates famously said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
The same applies to leadership. Take a moment to pause, reflect, and carry those lessons into 2025.
📚 Overloading the Team
January often brings a flurry of activity—new initiatives, projects, and goals. But here’s the thing: your team is still coming out of the holiday haze (and probably still full of leftover mince pies).
Dumping too much on their plate right away is a surefire way to kill morale. Instead, ease them back into the swing of things. Prioritise tasks, communicate expectations clearly and remember that productivity doesn’t mean burning out before the year’s even begun.
Remember, as Simon Sinek says,
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.”
😬 Making Excuses Instead of Taking Responsibility
This is one of those mistakes we don’t like to admit but need to address. The start of the year often brings unexpected hiccups—delays missed deadlines, or plans that don’t quite take off. It’s tempting to blame external factors or past challenges, but great leaders take responsibility.
When something doesn’t go to plan, own it. Use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. As I like to say (and shamelessly plug), “You can have success or excuses; you cannot have both.”
January is the perfect time to set the standard for accountability in your team. Show them that mistakes aren’t failures—they’re stepping stones.
🌏 Forgetting the Human Element
In the rush to kick off the year, it’s easy to get caught up in strategies, targets, and KPIs. But leadership isn’t just about hitting numbers—it’s about people. Take time in January to reconnect with your team. Ask them about their goals, their challenges, and how they’re feeling about the year ahead. Show empathy, celebrate their wins (big or small), and remind them that they’re valued.
Maya Angelou said it best:
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Make your team feel supported and inspired, and they’ll go the extra mile for you all year long. January can set the tone for your entire year as a leader, so it’s worth getting it right. Avoid setting unrealistic goals, reflect on the past, ease your team into the new year, take responsibility when things go wrong, and always prioritise the people behind the work.
Leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. By steering clear of these common mistakes, you can start 2025 on the right foot and build momentum for the months ahead.
And if you need a bit of guidance or a motivational nudge along the way, we’re here to help. At The Power Within Training, we specialise in equipping leaders with the tools they need to thrive. Let’s make 2025 your best year yet!
All our programmes – including our worlds-first Executive Diploma in Leading With Motivational Intelligence (MQ) and our Business Growth Academy – and our fully online Self-Leadership Development programme and multiple Executive, Team and Business Coaching have been created with passion and commitment to our mission.
James Fleming
The Power Within Training,
The Motivational Intelligence Company
