As The Grossman Group celebrates 25 years, Ragan is partnering with them to share the top attributes they see in modern leaders today.
Modern leadership attribute No. 24: The new year calls for new leadership habits: Make holistic wellbeing a strategic priority
As the year winds down, I often see leaders shift into reflection mode — celebrating wins, acknowledging challenges and planning for the year ahead. But there’s one area where many teams quietly fall short, and it often goes unnoticed until burnout, disengagement or turnover forces it into the spotlight.
Holistic wellbeing. Not as a program or a perk, but as a core leadership strategy.
In my upcoming book, The Heart Work of Modern Leadership, I share why wellbeing can no longer sit on the sidelines of leadership. Exceptional leaders recognize that when people feel supported across all dimensions of their lives — mental health, professional development, personal growth and work-life integration — they show up with more creativity, commitment and energy. They perform at a higher level, not because they are pushed harder, but because they are supported better.
As we move into a new year, it’s worth asking ourselves: Are we supporting the whole person, or only the part of them that produces outcomes?
A year-end wellbeing audit for leaders
Before we finalize January plans or launch new initiatives, a simple year-end audit can help us ensure our leadership approach reflects the needs of today’s workforce.
1. Review your current support systems.
Where do strong structures exist, and where are the gaps? Are mental health resources clear and accessible? Do development opportunities match what employees actually want? Do workloads reflect true capacity, not just business demand?
2. Look for gaps between what we say and what employees experience.
Many organizations talk about wellbeing, but fewer demonstrate it consistently. Ask yourself: Do my actions reflect the messages I share about caring for my team?
3. Choose one meaningful shift to make in the new year.
Based on what the audit reveals, identify one change you will champion in January. It might mean redesigning check-ins to include wellbeing conversations, creating better growth pathways or clarifying priorities to reduce overload.
Why this matters now
This time of year naturally prompts personal reflection. Employees are asking themselves whether their work is supporting or draining them. Leaders who acknowledge this and act on it build trust and strengthen momentum heading into the new year.
Holistic wellbeing isn’t about adding more programs. It’s about addressing the interconnected needs that determine whether people can show up as their best selves. When leaders embrace this shift, they don’t just reduce burnout; they unlock higher engagement, greater innovation and stronger work cultures.
The leadership opportunity ahead
Choose one action that signals to your team: Your well-being matters here, and it will matter even more next year.
That’s how modern leaders enter the new year with intention, humanity, and clarity.
This tip is adapted from my upcoming book, The Heart Work of Modern Leadership, which is being published in March 2026 and is now available for presale.
I wrote this book to give leaders practical tools, research-backed insights, and real-world stories to help them lead with heart and impact.
Pre-order today to access the full framework.
About The Modern Leader series
Discover actionable insights released biweekly, designed to help you elevate your own leadership impact and drive the business results you seek.
So, how do you know if you’re a modern leader?
Modern leaders stand apart through their ability to balance head and heart in today’s complex workplace, integrating emotional intelligence with strategic thinking.
New research with The Harris Poll (publishing Summer 2025) shows only 30% of leaders truly meet their teams’ evolving needs — but that elite group leads with “their heart IN their head” and consistently demonstrates six key differentiators.
They:
- Lead with gratitude.
- Listen and empathize.
- Foster an inclusive culture.
- Communicate with context.
- Connect strategy to employee growth.
- Enable employees to meet the moment.
To see additional ways you can differentiate yourself as a modern leader, check out the collection of modern leadership attributes (added bi-weekly) here.
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