As well as my public commitment in November to avoid the ‘must get X done by the end of the year’ mindset, I am trying to channel a ‘keep it simple’ vibe in this last panui for 2025. In service of this intent, it’s worth noticing a quirk of human nature can work against it. When things feel complex or busy, a natural human instinct is to add more - more process, more prioritisation lists, more meetings, to try and get on top of it all. Most of us don’t naturally think to navigate complexity by taking something away.
It’s a bit like how we used to teach kids to ride bikes by adding on training wheels, but these days we know that starting with less, like a simple balance bike, actually works better. As you wrap up the year and reset for 2026, you might like to pause and ask yourself: What can I remove from my current situation that would make things easier? A small subtraction can create a surprising amount of space and bandwidth. Nicola’s blog includes gentle advice on ensuring your upcoming holiday break serves you in terms of an opportunity to reflect, recharge and renew.
Our R&D team takes a festive look at personality dynamics, offering their predictions for celebratory themes and biases based on our Need for Connection and Need for Pleasure. It looks like I’m with the “Christmas Diplomat” crew - who keep traditions alive and ensure no-one’s left out (…although I’ve never given the neighbour’s cat a gift!?)
Whether you have exciting travel planned or intend on a restful staycation, mauri ora. Take care of yourselves, and enjoy time with your whānau and friends – I’m very much looking forward to that!
Finally, I wanted to say aroha mai for the typo in my sign-off last month, and to share my commitment to paying more attention and getting it right in the future.
Christmas can bring out the best of us and our extremes... From the over-planners to the last-minute shoppers, the Christmas-movie quoters to the nap-enthusiasts - every personality dynamic has its own festive flavour. Here’s our light-hearted look at how we each might approach the upcoming festive season, based on a few of our Needs & Values:
Recharge, Reflect, Renew: A Practical Summer Reset for 2026
By Nicola Richmond
As 2025 wraps up and the summer break finally arrives, the shift in pace offers a valuable chance to step out of the year’s momentum. With work slowing, routines easing, and the holiday stretch ahead, it’s an ideal moment to use the downtime to reset before 2026 begins.
If you're after a feel-good read over the holidays, I'd recommend 'My Friends' by Fredrik Backman. Backman has a real gift for writing characters who feel like people you actually know - flawed, funny, kind, and trying their best. With his trademark blend of humour and emotional insight, the story explores friendship, belonging, and the quiet ways people show up for each other.
For those of us where people are at the centre of our work, the book is a gentle reminder of how powerful empathy, connection, and psychological safety really are. It's a warm and uplifting book with a surprising amount of insight - perfect for a summer break unwind.
Image credits: Unsplash (Dan Dumitriu).
Kind regards, The Winsborough Team
Exceptional Leadership. A Better Future.
Winsborough, Level 3, The Formery, 87 Albert Street, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand, 0800 222 061
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