Ditch the KPIs: Why Your Team Needs a "Theme" for 2026

Numbers don’t drive behavior. Narratives do. Here is how to set a "Team Resolution" that actually sticks.Your team doesn't need more KPIs. They need a New Year's Resolution.We are great at giving our teams "performance indicators" - increase sales by 10%, cut costs by 5%. But while these numbers measure results, they rarely drive behavior.If you want to shift the Culture and Identity of your team in 2026, you need to give them a "Theme."In this episode, we explore the neuroscience of "Temporal Landmarks" - why the brain naturally looks for a fresh start in January - and how you can leverage this to create a "Team Resolution" that rallies everyone around a shared identity.In this episode, you will learn:The "Fresh Start" Effect: Why the brain is hardwired to separate the "Old Team" (2025) from the "New Team" (2026) and how to use this to wipe the slate clean 1.Macro vs. Micro Resolutions: How to set a "North Star" theme for the entire department (e.g., "The Year of Strategy") and bespoke themes for each direct report2222.The "Ownership" Tactic: Why you should announce the Theme, but let your team define the Implementation (and how this skyrockets engagement) 3.The "Right Hand" Conversation: A script for sitting down with your deputy in January and framing their development as an "Identity Upgrade" rather than a performance correction 4.💪 The Challenge for This Week:Before your first team meeting of the year:-Set the Macro Theme: What is the one shift your team must make in 2026? (e.g., "From Firefighters to Architects").-Set the Micro Themes: Look at your direct reports. What is the one identity shift they need? (e.g., "From Doer to Coach").-The Launch: Announce the theme and ask them to build the roadmap.Resources:-Join the Conversation: Join our Leadership Mindset 2.0 community on LinkedIn or Facebook-Get Live Coaching: Move from listening to doing inside the Growth Leaders Collective. Start your $1 trial at RMichaelAnderson.com/GLC