What Will Your Team Remember About 2025?

As this year draws to a close, it’s worth pausing for a moment and asking yourself a simple question: what do you want your team to remember about 2025?

It’s an important question because most teams won’t look back and recall the spreadsheet that took weeks to perfect, the rota problems you fixed late at night, or the tricky conversations you had to navigate. Those things matter, of course, but they don’t leave a lasting mark. What stays with people are the small moments that made them feel something. A moment of encouragement. A shared laugh. A sense of belonging. A time someone noticed their effort and said so.

Those are the moments leaders forget to plan for. Yet they’re often the most influential in shaping how people feel about coming to work.

And here’s the good news: they don’t require grand gestures or huge budgets. They simply need your attention.

Think back over your own year.

When did you see genuine joy in your team?

When did someone come away from a shift with their head held higher?

When did you watch colleagues pull together and thought, “That’s who we are at our best”?

Those moments rarely happen by accident. They come from leaders who are deliberate about connection, encouragement, and helping people feel valued.

As we move into the final weeks of the year, there’s still plenty of time to create these kinds of memories for your team. You don’t need to overhaul everything. Start by taking a few quiet minutes to reflect. Ask yourself:

What brings lightness to the team’s day?
Every team is different. For some, it’s a simple shared coffee. For others, it’s celebrating a quick win, or ending the day with a “what went well” moment. You’ll know your team’s personality. Build from there.

What makes you feel appreciated?
Leaders sometimes forget that appreciation works both ways. When something makes you feel valued, ask whether a version of that could land well with your team.

Where have you seen your team at their best this year?
Noticing this is powerful. Sharing it is even more powerful. Let people know where they’ve shone. Be specific. Let them take that into the new year with confidence.

Are there learning opportunities you could offer?
People remember when leaders back their growth. It doesn’t need to be a big course. Sometimes a simple shadowing opportunity or a short piece of training is enough to spark motivation.

Is there a meaningful way to give back together?
This time of year is ideal for a small charity effort or community action. It builds connection and reminds people they’re part of something more than the task list.

If you want to explore this idea further, the book The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath is well worth reading. It’s a reminder that moments don’t just happen—you create them.

As you look towards 2026, take the chance to shape what your team will remember. You’ll set the tone for the year ahead, strengthen your culture, and give people something more meaningful than another end-of-year checklist. That’s what Great Bosses do.