Setting the Course for 2026

A new year always brings fresh goals, ambitious plans, and full calendars. But if the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that circumstances can change—and fast. What endures isn’t just what you do as a leader, but who you are while you’re doing it.

At Building Champions, we believe better humans make better leaders. And that belief isn’t just a catchy tagline for us; it’s how we’ve coached leaders for nearly three decades. So, as you look ahead to 2026, we encourage you to think about not only what you want to accomplish, but also the kind of human and leader you want to become in the process.

In this article, we share four practical ways to set the course for 2026 so you can grow as both a human being and a leader: clarifying your vision, building healthy rhythms and routines, committing to intentional development, and investing in others.

Key Takeaways

• Setting the course for 2026 starts with a clear personal vision of who you want to be as a human and a leader, not just what you want to achieve.

• Simple, consistent rhythms and routines—daily, weekly, and quarterly—are what turn that vision into reality over time.

• Intentional leadership development requires choosing specific growth areas, creating a realistic plan, and seeking feedback and support from others.

• The true measure of success in 2026 isn’t only hitting your targets, but the contribution you make in the lives of others and the culture you help create.

• Tools like our Personal Vision Guide, Focus Plan, and leadership coaching can give you structure, clarity, and accountability as you grow into the leader you want to be.

Start with a clear vision of who you want to be

Most leaders enter a new year with targets, budgets, and strategic plans. Far fewer enter with a clear picture of who they want to be by the end of the year.

Before you finalize your goals for 2026, step back and ask yourself: If it’s December 2026 and you say it’s been a great year, what would be true about you as a human and a leader? How do you want to be described by the people who know you best, both at work and at home? What will be different in your character, your habits, your relationships, and your leadership impact?

To answer those questions well, you need time, structure, and thoughtful prompts that help you go deeper. And that’s why we’re offering our Personal Vision Guide as a free download. It’ll walk you through key areas of leadership vison, and help you capture a clear, written picture of the kind of human and leader you want to become in 2026.

As you work through the guide, you’ll begin to put language around what matters most and what you want your life and leadership to look like in the year ahead. When you finish, you’ll have a personal vision you can revisit regularly, use to make better decisions, and return to when the pace of the year starts to pull you off course. You can download your copy here.

Build simple rhythms and routines that match your vision

Vision sets your direction, but your rhythms and routines determine whether you’ll actually get to where you want to go. Big change rarely comes from one dramatic decision. It usually comes from small, consistent practices stacked over time.

Start with your daily rhythms. In the morning, consider how you can start your day centered rather than reactive. That might mean a short time of reflection, reviewing your top three priorities before you dive into email, or thinking about who you need to support or encourage that day. In the evening, decide how you’ll close the day so you can actually rest. This might include a quick review of what went well, what you learned, and what you’ll carry into tomorrow, along with a set time when you stop checking messages and let your mind shift away from work.

Then think about your weekly rhythms. A weekly review of your calendar and commitments can help you see whether your week reflects your true priorities or just the urgencies of others. You may need regular time for renewal through exercise, spiritual practices, hobbies, or simple downtime. You may also want intentional moments with the people who matter most, instead of giving them whatever energy is left at the end of your week. (Our Focus Plan can help you get clear on your priorities—and it’s also a free download).

On a monthly or quarterly basis, it can be helpful to pause for a brief personal check-in. Ask yourself how you’re doing physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Notice where you might be drifting from the vision you wrote for 2026. You might also block an hour or two each month to zoom out and think about the bigger picture of your life and leadership instead of staying stuck in the day-to-day.

Intentionally develop yourself as a leader

Being a better human and a better leader in 2026 requires a plan for intentional development. Begin by identifying where you most need to grow as a leader this year. Ask yourself what skills, mindsets, or behaviors are holding you back and what kind of leader your team and organization will need you to be in 2026. You might discover that you need to grow in areas such as managing your emotions under stress, having difficult conversations and giving clear feedback, thinking and prioritizing strategically, coaching and developing others, or collaborating more effectively across functions.

Once you’ve identified your growth areas, design a simple development plan rather than a complex one you’re unlikely to sustain. Decide what you’ll use for input, such as a book, a podcast series, a course, or an assessment that’ll give you insight and language for your growth. Determine where and how you’ll practice what you’re learning in real situations instead of waiting for perfect conditions. Identify one or two people who’ll give you honest feedback on how you’re showing up. Finally, consider whether you need support from a mentor, coach, or peer group to help you stay accountable and encouraged.

Better humans are humble, self-aware, and eager to keep growing. Better leaders take that desire and turn it into clear action. A helpful way to begin is to choose one primary development focus for the first half of 2026, name it clearly, and create a simple plan that includes one resource you’ll engage with, one practice you’ll implement, and one person who’ll speak into your progress.

Invest in others

It’s possible to hit all your targets in 2026 and still miss what matters most. Better humans and better leaders measure success not just by what they achieve, but by the contribution they make in the lives of others.

As you look ahead, consider how you’ll invest in the people around you this year. Ask whether you’re truly present when you’re with others or whether you’re often distracted, rushed, and half-engaged. Think about whether people feel heard and understood when they interact with you, and whether they experience you as someone who listens well and creates space for honest conversation. Reflect on how generous you are with your time, your experience, and your expertise. Are you willing to slow down enough to help others grow, not just help them get through their task list?

Another important question is who you’re intentionally developing as a future leader. It might be a direct report, a high-potential team member, or even a peer. A key part of setting the course for 2026 is deciding who you want to be for your team, your peers, and your family this year and how you’ll make room in your schedule and your mindset to develop others, not just manage work.

When you invest in others—showing up with presence, generosity, and a genuine commitment to their growth—you shape a healthier culture. Over time, that culture amplifies your leadership impact far beyond what you could accomplish on your own.

Setting your course now

Setting the course for 2026 isn’t about creating a perfect plan. It’s about taking ownership of who you’re becoming and how you’ll lead in the year ahead.

You clarify a vision for who you want to be by the end of 2026. You build simple rhythms and routines that support that vision rather than undermine it. You commit to intentional development in one key area of your leadership. And you choose to invest in others, leading with presence and generosity and helping the people around you grow.

When you take these steps, you’re not just preparing for another busy year. You’re deliberately becoming a better human—and in the process, a better leader—for everyone you have the privilege to lead.

If you’d like support turning these ideas into a concrete plan for yourself or your team, that’s the kind of work we do every day at Building Champions. Reach out to schedule a free discovery call and more about our coaching offerings below.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does it mean to “set the course for 2026” as a leader?
  Setting the course for 2026 means intentionally defining who you want to be as a human and a leader, then aligning your goals, habits, and relationships with that vision. It’s less about creating a perfect plan and more about taking ownership of how you’ll live, lead, and invest in others in the year ahead.

• How can I become a better human and a better leader in 2026?
  You become a better human and leader by clarifying a personal vision, building healthy rhythms and routines, committing to focused growth, and intentionally investing in others. When you consistently practice these actions over time, you not only improve your own life, but also your impact on your team and organization.
  

• Why is having a personal vision important for my leadership in 2026?
  A personal vision gives you a clear picture of who you want to be by the end of 2026, which helps you make better decisions, set meaningful goals, and stay grounded when circumstances change. Instead of reacting to every demand, you lead from a defined sense of identity, purpose, and priorities.
  

• What are some practical rhythms and routines that support better leadership?
  Practical rhythms include morning routines that help you start centered, evening practices that allow you to reset, weekly reviews that align your calendar with your priorities, and regular check-ins on your emotional, physical, social, and spiritual health. These small, consistent habits create the foundation for sustainable, effective leadership.
  

• How do I intentionally develop myself as a leader in 2026?
  Intentional development begins by identifying your most important growth areas—such as handling stress, giving feedback, or collaborating across teams—then building a simple plan around them. That plan might include a book or course, real-world practice, regular feedback from trusted people, and support from a mentor, coach, or peer group.

• What does it look like to invest in others as a leader?
  Investing in others means being present, listening well, and generously sharing your time, experience, and expertise to help people grow. It can look like mentoring a future leader, having development-focused conversations with team members, or simply creating space where people feel seen, supported, and challenged to become their best.

• How can Building Champions help me set the course for 2026?
  Building Champions supports leaders through coaching, tools, and experiences that help you clarify your vision, build effective rhythms, grow your leadership capacity, and invest in your team. If you’d like help turning these ideas into a concrete plan, you can schedule a free discovery call to explore the best coaching solution for you or your organization.