Less Is More: New Year’s Resolutions For Your Workplace

What will you do in 2020 to make your workplace better?

The New Year holiday is an ideal time to address this question. Undoubtedly many of you are following the age-old tradition of reflecting and resolving as this year ends and the new one begins. In addition to making your personal New Year’s resolutions, consider commitments for your work and workplace as well.

While you may have many goals for the New Year on your mind, stick with three firm resolutions. If you make more than three commitments, you are unlikely to keep them throughout all of 2020.

Some suggestions:

#1 Define Your Organization’s Purpose

Why does your organization or your part of it exist in the first place? How does your job matter? Whether you are the CEO of an entire company, the leader of a department or a team, or an individual contributor without management responsibilities, formulate an aspirational purpose statement if you don’t already have one. Remember that employees engage around a clear and inspiring purpose – especially if they understand how their jobs connect.

#2 Plan How to Challenge the Status Quo

Status quo thinking is insidious and destructive – especially if we are committed to social impact and sustainability. Why? Because we are unlikely to achieve much by doing things the way we have always done them. Our research shows a strong relationship between sustainability and innovation. And innovation requires disrupting status quo thinking. Yet our culture research shows that approximately half of the workforce is uncomfortable challenging the accepted ways of thinking in their companies. Pledge to encourage, rather than discourage, people who rock the boat in your organizations.

#3 Restate How You Will Live by the Organizational Values

Values must be more than empty statements posted on your website and your company walls. In preparation for 2020, pick three values that you will live by next year. Outline how you will demonstrate your commitment through specific behaviors. Ask your team members to do the same. Pledge to hold each other accountable for following through on the commitments.

The end of the year is a great time to reflect on what is most important to you and your organization. However, New Year’s resolutions don’t accomplish anything. It is the follow-through that counts. This annual ritual doesn’t have to be merely an empty exercise carried out only to honor tradition. If you limit your organizational New Year’s resolutions to three and choose those that inspire you the most, this custom will lead to a real impact in 2020.