Advisor I Mentor

Sparring partner

Piotr

Kania

A Powerful Start to the Year

The beginning of the year is a time for fresh starts. Companies organize various events: kick-offs, strategic meetings, annual inaugurations for project groups, gatherings for entire teams or departments. All these events share one common goal — to lead the organization into the new year, set the direction for actions, motivate people, and build the energy that will drive the team in the months ahead. It’s also a time to celebrate the successes of the previous year while presenting employees with a vision for the future and their role in achieving common goals.

The value of such meetings is not universally acknowledged. Increasingly, voices argue that such events can be replaced with email communication, video conferences, or a few slides sent as a presentation. The arguments against organizing such gatherings are varied: budget savings, corporate constraints, time limitations, or simply the belief that "there’s no time for this because what matters is action, not an inflated and artificial event."

However, it’s worth considering whether canceling these events is a mistake that costs more than it seems. A new year kick-off is far more than presenting a budget or setting goals. It’s a moment when leaders have the opportunity to remind everyone why the company exists, what its values and aspirations are, and how each employee contributes to fulfilling this mission. It’s a chance to bring meaning to daily work, which without a broader perspective may feel like just a sum of duties.

Modern generations of employees—especially the younger ones—expect more than just a paycheck or corporate goals expressed in numbers. They want to see the purpose behind what they do and feel proud of belonging to an organization that brings value not only to its shareholders but also to its customers, communities, or the environment. Neglecting the emotional dimension of communication results in employees losing motivation and engagement, which, in the long run, impacts the company’s performance and leads to high turnover rates.

Therefore, instead of viewing such events as a cost, they should be seen as an investment — in people, their morale, their sense of community and belonging. A well-organized event can become the foundation on which team engagement is built throughout the year.

What to keep in mind for success?

For a kick-off to fulfill its inspiring and motivating role, a well-planned structure or elegant presentation is not enough. The entire event must pulsate with energy, build a sense of community and engagement, and, most importantly, give participants the feeling that they are part of something bigger. Leaders’ roles in such meetings go beyond communicating goals and priorities — they must create an emotional connection with the organization’s vision.

To achieve this, authenticity is key. Participants will not be motivated if they sense the meeting is artificial, with leaders delivering only pre-prepared, cliché phrases. Instead, credibility in communication should be emphasized — open, honest speeches that show how the company’s vision aligns with employees' values and aspirations. Sharing success stories that demonstrate how the team or company turned challenges into achievements can effectively motivate participants and energize them for the new year. These stories can relate to both organizational successes and individual accomplishments of specific employees, reinforcing the sense that everyone adds value.

Another crucial aspect is preparation — relying solely on a leader’s natural eloquence is a mistake often repeated. All participants expect the message to be thoughtful, polished, and not random. Regardless of the speaker’s experience, preparation and rehearsal are essential. Leaders should ensure that their speeches are dynamic, energetic, and focused on a clear message. Practicing the presentation, receiving feedback, and incorporating suggestions from the team will help improve any shortcomings that could disrupt the event’s reception and dynamics.

Beyond preparation, team integration plays a vital role. Ideally, the kick-off is not presented solely by one leader but involves the entire leadership team, such as the board or department heads. This joint effort in presenting the vision creates a sense of unity and strengthens the bond among team members. When the board, managers, or project leaders present shared goals, employees feel that the company operates cohesively and that everyone is part of the process. This also builds team spirit, giving employees the sense that they are co-creators of success, not just recipients of it.

Additionally, well-chosen multimedia and visual elements can significantly enhance the message. Videos, photos, infographics, or presentations of completed projects can make the meeting more accessible and memorable. Showing fieldwork, completed initiatives, or the achievements of specific team members helps participants clearly see the impact of their actions on the company and its environment. Such elements remain in participants' memories long after the meeting ends, serving as a bridge to overarching goals such as the company’s vision and strategic objectives.

Finally, it’s essential to maintain the right pace for the meeting. Lengthy speeches and poorly balanced presentations can undermine the inspiring effect. Each part of the meeting should have a designated time, and leaders must ensure smooth communication while maintaining energy throughout the event.

Inspiration — the responsibility of every manager

While large, spectacular kick-offs can inspire enthusiasm, motivate, and give projects the importance they deserve, it’s worth remembering that true engagement and concrete actions arise at the manager and team or department level. It’s the manager’s responsibility to carry the energy from the big event into their area of action — where daily work translates into results. It’s not only an opportunity but also an obligation for leaders to sustain the momentum of a project and ensure shared goals are translated into real actions.

Meetings in smaller groups allow for focusing on the key challenges relevant to specific teams. It’s a moment to refine priorities, create space for open discussions, and build genuine engagement. This approach enables every team member to better understand their role in implementing the strategy and take responsibility for the outcomes. A manager who remembers to organize such a meeting capitalizes on the momentum — working with the team to develop solutions that will have a tangible impact on achieving goals.

Thus, managers not only maintain the team’s dynamics but also strengthen the sense of shared responsibility for the success of the entire initiative. This conscious approach from a leader recognizes that large events provide the impulse, but it’s the team’s daily work, supported by proper management, that delivers lasting results.

An investment that pays off quickly

A kick-off is undoubtedly an event that should not be omitted from any organization’s annual calendar. It’s not only a moment to present goals but also an investment in the company’s and team’s future. A well-prepared and executed meeting can have enormous power to energize the team, foster engagement, and build a sense of community — the foundation for implementing the vision and ambitious plans for the upcoming year.

It’s a dynamic start that can set the tone for the entire year. It’s not just about presenting numbers or strategies but creating an atmosphere where every team member feels responsible for shared success. Investing in an inspiring and motivating kick-off is certainly money well spent. As one of the key elements, it significantly increases the likelihood of achieving set goals, meeting budgets, and executing ambitious tasks. Above all, it’s an investment in people who — motivated, united, and aware of their roles — bring the energy necessary for achieving success in the coming year. Such an event will undoubtedly be appreciated and remembered by employees for a long time.

Ultimately, a kick-off is not just a meeting; it’s a symbolic beginning of the journey that leads to realizing the company’s vision and aspirations of its leaders and employees. Done well, such a start can not only transform the atmosphere but also propel the organization forward, ensuring that the upcoming year is full of success.