Steal my end-of-year Manager Checklist

(to wrap up the year well and reset for 2026)

Morning team,

Today is my last corporate training of 2025. I’m running my ‘Stop Being Nice, Start Being Kind’ keynote in Canary Warf for the Citi Bank team, which feels such a fab way to end the year.

This time of year I always feel super reflective. Never in a loud, goal setting, or exhausting way. We don’t need a glow up and we definitely don’t need to pretend we’re full of energy (I’m winding down after this week).

But what I’ve found year after year really does help me, is to close the year intentionally. Tie up some loose ends and reset a couple of habits in order to give myself a clear headspace going into the NY.

So today, i’m giving you the exact checklist I use to do that. It’s simple, human, and designed to help us managers finish the year feeling clear (not frazzled).

I posted this on socials, and over 2,000 people have already downloaded this checklist in the last 24hrs, so I’d love you to join us in closing the year off intentionally with my EOY Manager Checklist.

You don’t have to do every single thing on it. Just take what feels useful, I’ll be running through it too over the next 7 days.

I’ve built us out a spreadsheet that you can use to tick off as you complete the list.

There’s 15 boxes to tick in total, let’s go…

1. Mindset

This section is about closing the mental tabs you’ve had open all year and deciding who you actually want to be next year, not just what you want to achieve.

⬜ I’ve created a single “2025 Wins” document with positive feedback
⬜ I’ve had one direct, kind conversation I was avoiding
⬜ I’ve identified one leadership behaviour I am stopping in 2026

2. Relationships

Nothing career-changing happens in isolation. This section is about finishing the year with integrity and strengthening the connections that actually matter.

⬜ I’ve personally thanked each person in my team
⬜ I’ve thanked anyone senior to me who has helped me grow this year
⬜ I’ve reached out to one person I want a better working relationship with in 2026

3. Admin

This is the boring bit that quietly makes everything easier. Your future self will thank you for every tiny bit of digital calm you create here.

⬜ I’ve unsubscribed from at least 10 useless mailing lists
⬜ I’ve cleared my downloads folder and desktop
⬜ I’ve done a ruthless inbox clean

4. Systems

This is where leadership becomes practical. Small system changes beat big motivation every time.

⬜ I’ve blocked one weekly focus slot I will protect next year
⬜ I’ve cancelled or changed one meeting that wastes time
⬜ I’ve scheduled the first 1:1 with each team member for 2026

5. Future You

This final section is about growth, direction, and backing yourself. This is where we chose to not drifting into another year on autopilot.

⬜ I’ve written a short “we’re not doing this in January” list
⬜ I’ve written the business case for my next promotion
⬜ I’ve locked in the month I’m having my pay rise conversation

A gentle reminder as you finish this

One that lets you begin again without carrying all this year’s weight into the next.