The 12 Days of Leadership: SMALL ACTIONS, BIG IMPACT

🎄 It’s that time of year again—Mariah Carey is starting to thaw, holiday lights are going up, and we’re all getting into the festive spirit! ✨

❄️  For Kaleidoskope Singapore, ’tis the season for giving, gratitude, and… a little leadership inspiration! As 2024 comes to a close, we’re kicking off a playful end-of-year countdown with a twist. We’re gifting you “The 12 Days of Leadership: Small Actions, Big Impact” to spread cheer among your team and set the stage for a fantastic 2025. 🎁

⭐ DAY 1:  SHARE A STORY!

Start with a personal or team success story that fosters vulnerability and encourages a positive, celebratory vibe. Sharing these stories acknowledges individual or team achievements, builds trust, and reinforces unity. When leaders openly celebrate wins, they model authenticity, creating a safe space for team members to feel valued and motivated.

In Patrick Lencioni’s 5 Dysfunctions of Teams, the first dysfunction is the absence of trust.  When leaders share openly, it signals that vulnerability is safe within the team, reducing hesitation to take risks or discuss mistakes. This practice also encourages team members to acknowledge each other’s strengths, fostering respect and reducing conflict rooted in mistrust.  As a result, it strengthens the foundation for a cohesive, high-performing team.

⭐ DAY 2:  PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGE A TEAMMATE’S STRENGTHS

Perhaps before you send out your first email today, publicly recognise a team member’s strengths. It uplifts morale and sets an example for a culture of appreciation and respect. Celebrating individual contributions reinforces each person’s value, encourages others to recognise their peers, and strengthens team cohesion.

Quoting Simon Sinek’s philosophy on teams: “A team is not a group of people who work together. A team is a group of people who trust each other.”

⭐ DAY 3: SCHEDULE A “COFFEE CHAT” WITH ONE TEAM MEMBER

Need a coffee fix today?  Schedule it with a team member.  It is a relaxed setting to connect on a personal level, outside of formal work discussions. 

This approach reflects Stephen Covey’s insight: “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” By connecting personally, leaders demonstrate empathy and create an environment where team members feel seen and valued, ultimately enhancing team cohesion and mutual understanding.

⭐ DAY 4: AS A TEAM, REFLECT TOGETHER ON A LESSON LEARNED

Over a tea break today, invite the team to reflect on a critical lesson or challenge from 2024. It shows that growth is valued as much as achievements.  And learning from challenges is just as valuable as celebrating successes. This collective reflection encourages continuous improvement and resilience, setting a tone of openness and adaptability.

As John C. Maxwell put it, “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.” By openly discussing lessons learned, leaders model a growth mindset, showing that challenges are stepping stones to future success and fostering a culture where learning is a valued part of the journey.

⭐ DAY 5:  SURPRISE WITH A FUN TEAM ACTIVITY

Surprising the team with a fun, light-hearted activity like trivia or a holiday-themed game boosts morale and fosters team spirit. Today, let’s break from routine to encourage joy, laughter, and bonding.

This approach resonates with Richard Branson’s philosophy: “A fun and engaged team is a productive team.” Here are some ideas.

⭐ DAY 6: ASK FOR INPUT ON 2025 GOALS

Asking for input on 2025 goals demonstrates that each team member’s perspective is valued, fostering a sense of ownership and engagement.   

“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality,” says Warren Bennis.  Leaders create a shared vision by inviting input on goals and turning aspirations into collective objectives that motivate and empower the team toward shared success.

⭐ DAY 7: LEAD A GRATITUDE EXERCISE

Leading a gratitude exercise encourages team members to reflect on the positive aspects of their work and express appreciation for each other.

“What we are grateful for creates joy and fuels resilience.” By focusing on gratitude, leaders promote a positive mindset and resilience within the team, creating an environment where appreciation and support become integral to the team dynamic.   

⭐ DAY 8: RECOGNISE PERSONAL GROWTH

Recognising a person’s growth over the year highlights their skills, adaptability, and mindset progress.

“Becoming is better than being.” By celebrating personal growth, leaders encourage a mindset focused on improvement and adaptability, creating a culture of embracing learning and development as core values.

⭐ DAY 9: WRITE A THANK-YOU NOTE

Writing a personalised thank-you note to a team member shows appreciation for their unique contributions and dedication.

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” A simple, heartfelt thank-you strengthens team bonds by making each member feel seen and appreciated, enhancing loyalty and morale.

⭐ DAY 10: SHARE A VISION FOR 2025

Sharing a vision for 2025 creates a sense of purpose and optimism, inspiring the team to rally around future goals.

This action aligns with John F. Kennedy’s insight: “Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” Leaders provide clarity and inspiration by sharing a compelling vision, empowering the team to move forward with confidence and a collective drive for success in the coming year.

⭐ DAY 11: CREATE A TEAM “HIGHLIGHT REEL”

Appoint the team’s youngest member (they’ll probably be good at it!) to create a “highlight reel,” compiling photos, quotes, and shout-outs of the year’s memorable moments, showing individual and collective contributions. 

“Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice and discipline.” By reflecting on the highlights, leaders honour the team’s dedication and choices, reinforcing a culture of excellence and camaraderie that inspires continued commitment and shared success.

⭐ DAY 12: HOST A HOLIDAY CHEERS EVENT

Close the countdown with a virtual or in-person gathering to celebrate and toast to the year ahead.

Whether virtual or in-person, this gathering creates an opportunity for team members to connect, unwind, and appreciate one another in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. It’s the perfect time to honour the journey you’ve taken together and to look forward to the possibilities of the coming year.

🎄 And that’s a wrap on our 12 Days of Leadership! 🎁 We hope these small actions inspire you to foster a joyful and connected team as we head into the new year. ✨

We at Kaleidoskope Singapore wish you all a joyful holiday season filled with gratitude, love, and cherished moments. Here’s to new beginnings and a bright, promising year ahead! 🎉