Why One Little Word Is Steering My Entire Year

About five years ago, I officially jumped on the “one word for the year” bandwagon. I wish some of the promises people make about this practice would actually come true, like magically transforming my life and preventing me from eating an entire sleeve of Thin Mints in one sitting.

Even though it sounds kind of “woo woo,” I have found that having a word to guide my year has been surprisingly helpful. It keeps me focused on my goals and gives me a gentle nudge to do the work.

This year my word is—quite fittingly—guide.

Why guide? Because when you’re a guide, you course correct along the way. You don’t watch someone wander three miles down the wrong trail and think, “I’ll just save this feedback for their six-month review.” No. By then they’re lost, stressed, out of snacks, and questioning all their life choices. Good guides—good leaders—fix issues as they arise.

I also like the word guide because it feels gentle, supportive, and encouraging. When I hear guide, I imagine a river guide—someone steering you through rushing rapids, pointing out rocks, offering quick tips for staying upright, and, when the water calms, reminding you to enjoy the ride and maybe even complimenting your paddling form or suggesting a small adjustment so your back doesn’t feel like it’s auditioning for a chiropractic commercial.

And this is exactly the kind of leadership I teach. In my programs, I talk a lot about the leader as a guide: someone who helps people navigate challenges in real time, not from a mountaintop with a megaphone, but from right beside them in the boat.

Guide is a far cry from boss. “Boss” feels like someone who says, “It’s my way or the highway,” and no one—and I mean no one—wants to work for that guy.

The word means something else to me, too. I chose it because of my Catholic faith. I genuinely believe that God guides me every day, and I want a constant reminder to pray, pause, and pay attention to that guidance—especially when the waters get choppy.

So that’s my word: guide. To guide others with clarity. To allow myself to be guided with humility. And to avoid the metaphorical rapids by listening more closely in the new year.

Here’s to 2026—may we all stay on the right path… and may none of us end up lost in the woods waiting for a performance review.