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Ditch the KPIs: Why Your Team Needs a "Theme" for 2026
Numbers don’t drive behavior. Narratives do. Here is how to set a "Team Resolution" that actually sticks.
Your team doesn't need more KPIs. They need a New Year's Resolution.
We are great at giving our teams "performance indicators" - increase sales by 10%, cut costs by 5%. But while these numbers measure results, they rarely drive behavior.
If you want to shift the Culture and Identity of your team in 2026, you need to give them a "Theme."
In this episode, we explore the neuroscience of "Temporal Landmarks" - why the brain naturally looks for a fresh start in January - and how you can leverage this to create a "Team Resolution" that rallies everyone around a shared identity.
In this episode, you will learn:
- The "Fresh Start" Effect: Why the brain is hardwired to separate the "Old Team" (2025) from the "New Team" (2026) and how to use this to wipe the slate clean 1.
- Macro vs. Micro Resolutions: How to set a "North Star" theme for the entire department (e.g., "The Year of Strategy") and bespoke themes for each direct report2222.
- The "Ownership" Tactic: Why you should announce the Theme, but let your team define the Implementation (and how this skyrockets engagement) 3.
- The "Right Hand" Conversation: A script for sitting down with your deputy in January and framing their development as an "Identity Upgrade" rather than a performance correction 4.
💪 The Challenge for This Week:
Before your first team meeting of the year:
-Set the Macro Theme: What is the one shift your team must make in 2026? (e.g., "From Firefighters to Architects").
-Set the Micro Themes: Look at your direct reports. What is the one identity shift they need? (e.g., "From Doer to Coach").
-The Launch: Announce the theme and ask them to build the roadmap.
Resources:
-Join the Conversation: Join our Leadership Mindset 2.0 community on LinkedIn or Facebook
-Get Live Coaching: Move from listening to doing inside the Growth Leaders Collective. Start your $1 trial at RMichaelAnderson.com/GLC
Mentioned in this episode:
Now Open - the 2026 Mindset Accelerator
Special Announcement: Enrollment is open for the 2026 Leadership Mindset Accelerator. This is a live, 3-month program starting February 24th to help you move from "Doer" to "Strategic Leader."
Here's the link:
2026 Mindset Accelerator
View all episodes
By R. Michael Anderson | Leadership Coach & CEONumbers don’t drive behavior. Narratives do. Here is how to set a "Team Resolution" that actually sticks.
Your team doesn't need more KPIs. They need a New Year's Resolution.
We are great at giving our teams "performance indicators" - increase sales by 10%, cut costs by 5%. But while these numbers measure results, they rarely drive behavior.
If you want to shift the Culture and Identity of your team in 2026, you need to give them a "Theme."
In this episode, we explore the neuroscience of "Temporal Landmarks" - why the brain naturally looks for a fresh start in January - and how you can leverage this to create a "Team Resolution" that rallies everyone around a shared identity.
In this episode, you will learn:
- The "Fresh Start" Effect: Why the brain is hardwired to separate the "Old Team" (2025) from the "New Team" (2026) and how to use this to wipe the slate clean 1.
- Macro vs. Micro Resolutions: How to set a "North Star" theme for the entire department (e.g., "The Year of Strategy") and bespoke themes for each direct report2222.
- The "Ownership" Tactic: Why you should announce the Theme, but let your team define the Implementation (and how this skyrockets engagement) 3.
- The "Right Hand" Conversation: A script for sitting down with your deputy in January and framing their development as an "Identity Upgrade" rather than a performance correction 4.
💪 The Challenge for This Week:
Before your first team meeting of the year:
-Set the Macro Theme: What is the one shift your team must make in 2026? (e.g., "From Firefighters to Architects").
-Set the Micro Themes: Look at your direct reports. What is the one identity shift they need? (e.g., "From Doer to Coach").
-The Launch: Announce the theme and ask them to build the roadmap.
Resources:
-Join the Conversation: Join our Leadership Mindset 2.0 community on LinkedIn or Facebook
-Get Live Coaching: Move from listening to doing inside the Growth Leaders Collective. Start your $1 trial at RMichaelAnderson.com/GLC
Mentioned in this episode:
Now Open - the 2026 Mindset Accelerator
Special Announcement: Enrollment is open for the 2026 Leadership Mindset Accelerator. This is a live, 3-month program starting February 24th to help you move from "Doer" to "Strategic Leader."
Here's the link:
2026 Mindset Accelerator