Celebrating Progress

Every January, I encourage leaders to set communication goals for the year ahead. I love reading the thoughtful, ambitious goals they share—goals that reflect the kind of communicator and leader they aspire to become. I believe reflecting on that progress deserves equal attention. 

This is not about bemoaning all the things you didn’t get around to doing. The guiding principle here is an old saying often attributed to Maya Angelou: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."

Growth isn't about perfection. It's about becoming a little better than you were twelve months ago. So before planning next year, spend a few minutes looking back.

Here are five questions to ask yourself. 

1. Where did I communicate at my best this year?

This could be: 

• A media interview where you were clear and confident

• A presentation that landed well

• A difficult discussion you handled with empathy

  
  

Identify what made those moments successful and how you can build on that.

2. How have I grown as a communicator this year?

• Did you become more confident?

• More concise?

• Better at listening?

• More comfortable handling difficult conversations?

• Better at influencing decisions?

• More authentic?

• More audience-centric?

• Better at telling stories or simplifying complex ideas?

• More self-aware? 

Growth doesn't always show up in dramatic moments. Sometimes it's found in the conversations that feel a little easier than they did a year ago, or even in a stronger commitment to learning and growing.

3. Where did I fall back into old habits?

• Were there meetings where you talked too much—or not enough?

• Did you go off-message in a media interview?

• Avoid difficult conversations?

• Rush the preparation process?

Remember, growth isn't about perfection, and old habits don’t disappear all at once. 

Research suggests our brains naturally pay more attention to mistakes and threats than successes—a tendency known as negativity bias. This is why it’s important to recognize opportunities for growth, but not dwell on them. 

4. How did my communication change my results?

Did stronger communication help you: 

• Earn trust?

• Build better relationships?

• Influence a decision?

• Create opportunities?

• Motivate people to take action?

  
  

5. What am I committed to improving next year?

Which communication skill would make the biggest difference for you over the next twelve months?

Here are some popular ones, but don't limit yourself to this list:

• Becoming more concise

• Speaking with greater confidence

• Asking better questions

• Listening more intentionally

• Becoming more audience-centric

• Telling more compelling stories

  
  

Choose one or two areas that will have the greatest impact, then commit to practicing them consistently. Small improvements, repeated over time, lead to remarkable results.

Celebrate your progress this year. Growth is rarely the result of one breakthrough moment. It's built conversation by conversation, meeting by meeting, and year by year. That growth may be one of the most valuable investments you've made all year. Carry it with you into the year ahead and continue building on it.

Happy Holidays!