Story ID: 
AINsight: Why You Need a Year-end Debrief
By: Sheryl Barden
Caption: Reflect on your wins before next year’s pressures take over
Word Count: 606
The last two weeks of the year offer a rare kind of quiet in our industry. Flight schedules tend to ease, meetings are less frequent, and inboxes slow. For those of us in the office, this lull often creates the space to look back on the past 11 months—not only at the obvious milestones but at the meaningful moments that can slip by during the busiest seasons.
Reflection is an important year-end discipline that I value deeply and, as a leader, I invite my team to join me in using this time to take stock. This practice sharpens our self-awareness and clarifies what worked, where we grew, and what we want to strengthen next year. It also grounds our planning in real data and lived experience rather than aspiration alone.
Don’t Put it Off Until January
If we don’t take time to pause now, the demands of January will crowd out the experiences that shaped the past year. And when that happens, we lose the perspective that informs better decisions and stronger leadership.
Documenting your wins also matters because details fade quickly. Capturing achievements now allows you to update résumés, LinkedIn profiles, performance review reports, and succession documents with accuracy and confidence. It also supports meaningful performance discussions and long-term career planning.
Use a Framework as a Guide
If you’re unsure where to begin, following a structured framework helps. I invite you to download this free “Annual Report: Year in Review” template, which offers a simple way to organize your thoughts and build a complete picture of your year. It focuses on both your professional and personal wins.
That said, if you prefer to free-write in a journal or notebook, here are a few areas to consider as you begin your review.
Accomplishments
• Key wins and milestones
• Projects completed
• Operational improvements
• Hiring, training and retention successes
Quantifiable Results
• Certifications earned or renewed
• Revenue or cost savings
• ROI achieved
• Efficiency gains
• Safety or reliability enhancements
• Hiring or time-to-fill metrics
Challenges and Lessons Learned
• Obstacles you navigated
• Decisions that shaped outcomes
• Insights you want to carry into 2026
People and Relationships
• Colleagues who supported your work
• Clients who trusted you
• Partners who delivered critical expertise
• People who referred you or helped you make a key connection
• Individuals you want to thank
• Difficult relationships, disappointing communication, and lessons learned
Career Visibility
• Catalogue and review any saved emails or notes with both positive and constructive feedback
• Update your résumé with measurable accomplishments
• Refresh your LinkedIn profile, headshot photo and professional biography
• Share your wins with your recruiter, mentor and/or trusted advisor
• Include professional wins in your next performance review
Strategic Next Steps
• Skills you want to improve or deepen
• Opportunities you want to pursue
• Leadership responsibilities you want to grow into
• Roles you’re interested in applying for (e.g., a new job, committee or Board position)
A year-end review is far more than a look back. Put simply, it honors the work you’ve done, strengthens the clarity with which you enter the new year, and reinforces the relationships that help you succeed. As you prepare for 2026, I hope you give yourself the space to reflect—because you, and your team, deserve it.