Hey Team Builders!

We’re charging into 2026 with more energy than a double espresso on a Monday morning! My mission? To help organizations like yours create super-sized out-of-the-box fun, covered in learning awesomesauce. From motivational keynotes to team building events—both in-person and virtual—it’s all about gamified, measurable learning that actually sticks.

This year, I’m ramping up our Team Building School (get ready for exclusive sneak peeks!) and putting the finishing touches on Rubber Chicken AI, our new SaaS tool for designing unforgettable team experiences. Whether you’re in healthcare, government, manufacturing, or education, I’m here to help your team connect, communicate, and crush their goals.

Stay tuned for monthly tips, stories, and a little corporate humor—because learning should always be an adventure.

Shed the Pounds – Managers’ Top 10 Resolutions for a Better Team

Did I ever just love making that holiday turkey (and Tofurkey for me) ... as I shimmied up for yet another plate of that sultry Tofurkey love, I unbuckled my belt and thought: This year, I'm totally keeping my New Year’s resolutions! Right? Well, at least I’m going to do some things better.

So, as a leader and manager, here are my Top 10 Resolutions for Building a Better Team in 2026:

1. Lose Weight – Create better financial hygiene with proper staffing, expenditures, and energy use.

2. Get Organized – Better allocate and sustainably share team resources.

3. Spend Less/Save More – Look at online collaboration tools.

4. Stay Fit and Healthy – Find new ways of making team time a healthy initiative.

5. Learn Something New – Explore a new way of connecting learning to team design.

6. Stop Smoking – Discuss, don’t resent.

7. Help Others – Bring your performance reviews and employee growth into real time.

8. Give More – Invest your time to cast a better manager/leader shadow.

9. Fall in Love – Get your people to fall in love with the place they work.

10. Spend More Time with Family – Reward people with more time with family for going above and beyond at work.

1. Lose Weight

It’s time to get lean and efficient. We all have excess—whether it’s projects, subscriptions, or outdated habits. Cut what doesn’t add value, streamline travel and communication costs, and let go of what weighs your team down. Set the excess free and watch your bottom line tighten up. I'm going to drop subscriptions I'm not using, and learn more about what my AI tools can do to help me shed a bit of the unwanted weight.

2. Get Organized

Kick off your first team meeting by analyzing what you Have Lots of, what’s Nice to Have, and what you Gotta Have. Organize not just effort, but effectiveness—share resources and skills for a more sustainable, efficient team. It's kinda like those reality TV shows where they try to organize the mess ... sell, keep, dispose. I'm starting with my office desk and then into the storeroom and the warehouse where I keep my team building tools.

Please don't ask me to pan right... there's more ;)

3. Spend Less/Save More

Move your team into the 21st century with collaborative tools. Cut down on endless emails and meetings—use platforms that keep everyone in the loop and drive real-time progress. How can you streamline your workflow - project management tools? CRM tools? Bots? More? I'm going to lean into our CRM tool and some of the support folks who can help me to maximize their functionality... it's great to have the "toys" but its a shame to leave 'em in the box and not play with them. (Spoiler Alert: American Pickers isn't coming anytime soon to buy your antique SAAS products - use them!)

4. Stay Fit and Healthy

Make healthy habits a team thing! Swap out the sweets for fruit at meetings, try walking meetings, or treat the team to an onsite massage. Healthy teams mean fewer sick days and more energy. This is number one... I'm going to use the hotel gyms more, have walking meetings with coaching clients, and above all protect my wellness time -- oh and maybe when I "Skip the Dishes" I'll forget the carbs and grab a stunning salad!

5. Learn Something New

Start a team book club or learning challenge. Pick a topic, share insights, and build knowledge together. It’s simple, inexpensive, and powerful for team growth. Keep the brain units flowing... I remember chatting with an old man who was well into his 80's - Mr. Wentzel - he did a page from the Grade 10 math book everyday to stay sharp. I'm going to try new recipes in the kitchen, travel to new countries, and yes... even... gulp sharpen up my French Language skills... what are you going to do? I have clients hiring me to run a regular book club with their teams... that's an easy win for you right?

6. Stop Smoking

It’s okay to get passionate, but don’t let post-meeting resentment linger. Agree to disagree, then move forward together. Consider a behavioral contract or a laughing club to keep things light. There is enough smoke on the water in the world these days... Let's tone the noise down. Be a champion of kindness and fun. I'm adding a new offering to my conference mix ... its a character that will walk around your conference and be "Agent Nice" - being soooo nice to everyone and making them laugh...

Agent Nice Debut in December - what a hit!

7. Help Others

Real-time feedback is a game-changer. Use tools like 360 feedback to help your team grow now, not just at annual reviews. Progressive support attracts and retains top talent. Let's really coach our teams. Help them to hone their strengths and see real results. Let's be champions of each other. To help do this - I'm mentoring 3 new Canadian's who are on a professional speaking or entrepreneurial path, I'm giving feedback to those chasing the TEDx stage, and I'm even helping to build a community online to that helps speakers not only automate their success and business but also learn better stage and delivery practices - reach out if you'd like to find out more. Learn More: Speaker Connect

8. Give More

Get your hands dirty and be seen as an active, collaborative leader. Cast a big, positive shadow by working alongside your team. I was at a conference recently and they hugged - a lot. I'm a hugger -- I'm a 6 foot 5 tree after all. What this conference reminded me is that how we embrace each other (not necessarily physically but professionally) makes a huge difference in how connected we feel. This year I'm going to embrace others professionally by reaching out more often through random texts, calls, and even letters. I think old ways of connecting and collaborating with feel new again.

9. Fall in Love

Create a culture people love—one that’s fun, authentic, and celebrates short-term wins. Energized teams are built on excitement and connection. Do things differently. Period. I'm going to add new stories to my keynotes, launch new games, and get www.rubberchicken.ai (the non-beta version) up and running so that fun can be let free like a flock of chickens.

My chickens from my old farm - not the best "flying flocks"

10. Spend More Time with Family

Recognize the importance of both work and home families. Reward your team with time for what matters most, and celebrate together—whether it’s a family BBQ or sending a kid to camp. How can we be community champions? How do we share our gifts? Send me your stories - I can't wait to see what you do to make positive growth in your team and community....

Here’s to a lighter, brighter, and more connected 2026!