What should leaders do in the first week of January to set their team up for success in 2026? How can middle managers use the first week back to re-engage their teams and set the tone for the entire year?

Most leaders waste the first week of January drowning in email and attending pointless meetings. But the first week of January isn't about catching up—it's about resetting. In this episode, Colby breaks down the specific conversations leaders need to have, why one-on-ones are non-negotiable, and how to build leadership habits that actually stick.

If you've been struggling with team engagement or haven't been doing one-on-ones consistently, this episode will give you the framework to start 2026 strong.

Key Takeaways

• Why the first week of January is the most important week of the year for leaders
• The three critical conversations every leader needs to have with their team in the first week back
• What the data says about one-on-one meetings and employee engagement (the numbers might surprise you)
• A vulnerable framework for admitting you haven't been doing one-on-ones—and how to start
• The Start/Stop/Continue framework for resetting your leadership in 2026
• How to set a leadership rhythm that prevents you from falling back into old habits by March

Featured Statistics

• Only 23% of employees globally are engaged at work (Gallup, 2024)
• Employee disengagement costs $8.9 trillion globally
• Employees who meet one-on-one with leaders weekly are 1.5x more likely to be highly engaged (Work Human, 2024)
• 70% of variance in team engagement is attributable to the manager (Gallup)

Who This Episode Is For

Middle managers and team leaders who want to start 2026 strong, re-engage their teams after the holidays, and build sustainable leadership habits that actually stick.

Connect with Colby

• Website: nxtstepadvisors.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colbymorris

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• Things Leaders Do Instagram