3 Ways to Refocus Your Team for 2026

The start of a new year creates a natural pause. The pace slows over the holidays, routines change, and people step away from the day-to-day. When teams return, it’s the perfect opportunity to reset and focus on what matters most for the year ahead.

Even strong teams can benefit from a moment to realign, particularly when new goals, priorities, or expectations are emerging.

Refocusing a team doesn’t require a big strategy session; it’s the smaller, deliberate actions that help people reconnect, regain clarity, and move forward with confidence. Here are three practical ways to refocus your team and set a strong foundation for 2026.

1. Reset Expectations, Out Loud

After time away, you need to clearly restate what success will look like. Naming your top 3-4 priorities removes guesswork and creates shared understanding.

The aim isn’t to plan the whole year but to give the team clarity on what matters most in the next 90 days.

This is also a good moment to revisit expectations around how the team plans to work together i.e., communication, decision-making, and how work gets done.

Simple actions to try:

• Briefly acknowledge wins from the previous year

• Clearly outline three to four priorities for the next quarter

• Revisit the team behaviours and ways of working that will matter most in 2026

Clear expectations help people focus your team’s energy in the right places.

2. Reconnect People to Purpose

Purpose doesn’t always disappear over a break, but it can fade into the background. Taking time to reconnect your people to your WHY helps bring meaning back into everyday tasks.

This might involve sharing what the organisation is working towards this year or reflecting on the impact the team had last year. Linking individual roles to broader goals helps people see how their contribution fits into the bigger picture.

Simple actions to try:

• Share a story that highlights the difference the team’s work made

• Invite people to share what they’re looking forward to this year

• Reinforce how the team’s work supports clients, customers, or the community

When people feel connected to purpose, motivation tends to follow naturally.

3. Remove Roadblocks Early

The beginning of the year is also a good time to notice what makes work harder than it needs to be.

Small issues like unclear processes, clunky workflows, or unresolved questions can quickly slow progress if left unaddressed. Asking a few simple questions and acting on what comes up can make a meaningful difference.

Simple actions to try:

• Ask, “What’s one thing that would make your work easier this year?”

• Ask, “What support would help you do your best work?”

• Tidy up backlogs or unclear processes

• Address small, recurring points of friction

Removing obstacles early helps teams build momentum without unnecessary stress.

Leading with Clarity from Day One

Refocusing a team isn’t about grand plans or perfect systems. It’s about creating clarity, reinforcing purpose, and making it easier for people to do good work.

A few thoughtful actions at the start of the year can shape how a team works together long after January has passed.

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