Celebrate January Wins

For this article by Jo Ilfeld, CEO of Incite to Leadership on celebrating January wins the image shows a woman saying "yes" with a fist pump.

It’s already 2025, and January is in full swing. If you’re like me, the holidays feel like a distant memory, and your team is likely feeling the same way. They’ve jumped right back into work, and the hustle is real.

But here’s the thing: your team has already achieved January wins—don’t let them go unnoticed. Whether it’s new client relationships, successful collaborations, or early testing of new systems, these wins are happening right now. Recently, I spoke with a client whose manager shared an incredible win that would have gone unacknowledged if we hadn’t taken a moment to reflect.

At your next team meeting, take time to pause. Before diving into blockers or performance metrics, ask your team: What have we done well so far? Even small wins, like productive cross-functional conversations or early progress on initiatives, deserve to be celebrated.

Recognizing success early in the year motivates your team and reinforces their sense of progress.

Don’t wait until the end of the year review to reflect on accomplishments. Start the year strong by focusing on wins and building momentum for what’s ahead.

Read more: Start January Strong

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Jo Ilfeld, PhD

An executive leadership coach, Jo helps C-suite leaders, executives, and high-potential managers develop the flexibility, skill, and frame of mind to meet the challenges of the next five, ten, twenty years…. and beyond. She works with individuals, teams and organizations on four core areas of leadership development. Check out Jo's bio page for more information.

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