Thinking Strategy for the New Year: Why Now Is the Time to Lift Your Head Up

The start of the year has a familiar rhythm. Teams come back from a break feeling a little more energised, a little clearer and often more open to thinking differently. It’s also the moment when many leaders shift from “just getting through the work” to “working on the business again.” 

We see this every year – strategy season quietly kicks off in January and runs through the next three to four months. The more organised teams are already in this mindset. They’re refreshing plans, challenging assumption and reconnecting around what matters for the year ahead. 

But even if that’s not where you’re at yet, it’s a good time to pause and ask a simple question: 

“Are we being intentional about the new year, or are we waiting for it to arrive?” 

Working on the business, not just in it 

The day-to-day always fills the calendar. It’s easy to stay in delivery mode longer than we planned. But strategy doesn’t move itself. It needs deliberate space – not a full offsite, just regular time to step back, talk openly and reconnect with direction. 

For many organisations, that’s the difference between a reactive year and a focused one. 

Why this window matters 

Over the next few months, teams have a natural opportunity to: 

• Reset priorities before momentum picks up 

• Test assumptions that may no longer hold 

• Reconnect leadership around the same picture of success 

• Shift energy toward the work that will matter most  

No big fanfare required – just small, structured conversations that help everyone lift their heads up. 

If you’re not thinking about the new year yet, now’s a good time.

There’s value in being early. It creates space for better choices, more thoughtful planning and fewer last-minute scrambles. But even if you’re not an early planner, simply naming that strategy season has started is often enough to prompt action. 

Sometimes teams just need a nudge – a reminder that clarity doesn’t appear on its own. 

A gentle poke for leaders 

If you lead a team, this is the moment to tap someone on the shoulder and ask: 

• “What do we need to get right this year?” 

• “What’s changed since we last set our direction?” 

• “Where do we need to get more aligned?” 

These questions don’t just shape strategy. 

They create shared commitment – and that’s what moves organisations forward. 

Looking ahead with purpose 

The new year will move quickly. Taking time now to think, align and reset can make the difference between a busy year and a purposeful one. 

We’ve supported many teams to build clarity and momentum at this stage of the year and we know the impact it can have. If you want to make these conversations meaningful and actionable, we’re ready to help you set the right rhythm.