5 Leadership Habits to Build a Stronger Team in 2026
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Strong teams don’t just happen they’re shaped by leadership.
As this year winds down and planning for 2026 begins, it’s a good time to ask:
What kind of leadership does your team need next year?
If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that consistency, clarity, and trust are non-negotiables. And they don’t require more tools, more meetings, or more pressure. They require better habits.
Here are five simple but powerful leadership habits to strengthen your team as you head into 2026.
1. Start With Clarity, Not Control
When things are moving fast, it’s tempting to jump in and fix. But the best leaders build teams that can move without them—because everyone understands what matters.
Ask yourself:
Does everyone know what “good” looks like in their role?
Do they understand the bigger picture, how their work fits into company goals?
Do they know what success looks like this quarter?
Start with clarity. It scales better than micromanagement ever will.
2. Make Feedback a Routine, Not a Reaction
High-performing teams don’t wait for annual reviews to talk about performance. They normalize feedback positive and constructive so growth becomes part of how they work.
What to try:
Regular 1:1s with open-ended questions
A culture of asking “What’s one thing I could do better?”
Encouraging peer-to-peer feedback
Feedback builds trust when it’s timely, fair, and grounded in shared expectations.
3. Recognize What’s Working
Recognition isn’t just a “nice to have.” It drives engagement, performance, and retention especially when done well.
The best leaders:
Catch people doing things right
Tie recognition back to values or business goals
Don’t wait for perfect outcomes—acknowledge progress, effort, and problem-solving
This habit is simple, but easy to overlook in the rush of year-end deadlines. Don’t miss the chance to show people they’re seen and appreciated.
4. Model What You Expect
If you want accountability, consistency, transparency start there yourself.
Are you:
Following through on your own commitments?
Owning mistakes openly?
Showing up the way you want your team to?
The fastest way to change culture is to model it consistently. People notice what you do more than what you say.
5. Pause to Plan and Let Others In
Strong leaders don’t do it all themselves. They create space for reflection, planning, and shared decision-making.
As you close out this year:
Review what’s working and what’s not
Ask your team for input on what they want to improve
Identify gaps in structure, communication, or performance management
Prioritize what needs to shift heading into Q1
It’s not just about making plans. It’s about building shared ownership of where the team is going.
Want Support Building Your Leadership Habits in 2026?
At People Solutions Hub, we help small and mid-sized businesses develop confident, capable leaders through:
EOS-style quarterly check-ins with structure and follow-through
Feedback and accountability training
Practical performance and engagement systems
Whether you’re building a leadership team for the first time or want to level-up the one you have, we’re here to help you grow strong, aligned teams with the right people practices in place.
About People Solutions Hub
People Solutions Hub was founded by Nicki Leritz, an HR leader committed to giving small and mid-sized businesses clear, practical, and compliant people operations. After years of watching employers struggle with shifting laws, confusing deadlines, and inconsistent HR support, Nicki built PSH to bridge the gap between what teams need and what real-world businesses can actually manage. Today, our team helps Minnesota employers navigate everything from PFML compliance, employee handbooks, and HR audits to pay transparency, wage notices,
and leave management.
We believe HR shouldn’t feel overwhelming, it should feel supportive and built for long-term stability.
At People Solutions Hub, we partner with business owners, managers, and growing teams to simplify compliance, strengthen workplace culture, and build people systems that actually work.
📩 Reach out at psolutionshub@gmail.com
🌐 Visit www.peoplesolutionshub.co
