Happppy new year team,

If you’re anything like me, this first week back at work feels slower and a bit more draining than we’d expected. That’s normal. And it’s exactly how we’re supposed to be feeling.

Over time, I’ve observed that at this point in the year, the managers who end up feeling feeling calm, respected, and in control… Are not actually working harder than everyone else right now.

They’re not ‘getting a strong headstart’. They’re just operating slightly differently.

They’re getting the fundamentals right early. Setting some clear standards, firming up their values and ownership. They’re absolutely not jumping straight into firefighting.

They’re ensuring that leadership in 2026 stops feeling reactive and starts feeling intentional from the get go.

So if you’re heading into this new year wanting to stop carrying everyone else’s problems, lead with more authority and actually find some joy in managing again…

For the first time in over a YEAR, i’m running a free live workshop:

It’s a practical session built around The Leadership Level-Up Matrix, a framework I’ve used with thousands of managers to help them regain control of their time, decision-making, and standards.

And there’s no cost to attend.

👉 Save your seat here

This won’t be boring leadership theory like a lot of management training. It’ll be fun, whilst still being verrry practical (as always), and just a strong way for us to kick off the year together as a leadership community.

You’ll leave clearer, more confident, and no longer the bottleneck your team relies on for everything.

If 2026 is the year you want leadership to feel calmer, cleaner, and more intentional, join us. Let’s do it 🚀

Peace,
Heather

How to be a respected leader in 2026