Now that we are well and truly into 2025, many of us will be planning for the year, setting goals, committing to projects, and productivity will be front of mind.

We will all hopefully be feeling refreshed, revitalised and with a renewed focus for the upcoming months. To sustain this, we need to ensure that amongst our long list of actions we include and prioritise the key ingredient that is flourishing.

When leaders experience the multiple benefits of creating an environment where their teams flourish, there is no stopping them. Research has repeatedly proven that positive emotion positively impacts performance, decision making, turnover, prosocial behaviour, negotiation and conflict resolution, groups dynamics and leadership (Barsade & Gibson, 2007). Organisations that embed positive leadership have higher profits, greater customer loyalty and satisfaction, higher rates of employee retention and attendance and higher productivity (Harter, Schmidt & Keyes, 2003).

When leaders apply positive leadership strategies to their leadership toolkit, they immediately tap into a whole new world of optimal performance and wellbeing, where individuals flourish, relationships thrive and organisations prosper.

Just like a cake recipe missing the baking powder, team environments that lack the ingredients to help them flourish will not rise to their full potential. When leaders know how to create a positive climate, the return on their people investment can be both measured, tracked and clearly visible in rising engagement and productivity.

Here are three ingredients you can start with to make sure your team rise this year:

1. Incorporate gratitude into your leadership recipe by expressing regular appreciation to each team member. Make it a practice to give shout outs when people do things well – don’t just assume they know
2. Ask more, tell less. Inspire self-efficacy by strengthening the belief we have in ourselves and our abilities by asking for more contribution
3. Foster a deep sense of purpose by connecting positive meaning in your team to the vision and goals of the organisation. Highlight the positive impact their work has on others and the role they play within the higher intent of the company

How else do you ensure flourishing takes place within yourself and your team?