The end of the year can test even the strongest teams. Goals are looming, energy is dipping, and burnout can creep in fast.
Here’s what we do at Raise The Bar to keep our team aligned, engaged, and motivated through the final stretch of the year and ready to transition to the next.
5 Strategies That Work For Us
(But especially in Q4)
1. Reset Priorities and Realign Goals
Market changes, new clients, people moving roles — all can throw original plans off course.
Our approach:
If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that priorities shift and that unrealistic goals and expectations can bring team morale down. We revisit our quarterly goals, assess what’s realistic, and reestablish team alignment. Instead of punishing missed goals, we ask, “What’s not working, and what can we adjust?” That question alone keeps the team engaged and motivated to solve problems.
2. Give Specific, Timely Praise
We believe praise shouldn’t wait until the finish line.
Our approach:
We celebrate small wins and call out effort as much as results — like trying a new process, testing a bold idea, or taking ownership of a challenge. A simple, “I noticed how you handled that,” or “thanks for giving that a try. It didn’t work but what did we learn?” goes further than you’d think.
Here's an insider story: "At our recent RTB retreat, our team contacted leaders who have been coached by our coaches in training, and asked them to record a video, sharing the impact that their specific coach had on them. From there, our team put together a short movie with all these impact videos. Seeing and hearing the leaders speak about the impact was incredibly powerful, and there wasn't a dry eye in the room that day." - Tina
3. Encourage Collaboration
Working remotely can make it easy to stay siloed and stuck.
Our approach:
Things can easily get misinterpreted in an email which is why we remind everyone that collaboration is often the fastest route to motivation. When something feels stuck, we don’t hesitate to say, “Call a teammate". We prefer using high fidelity communication when things are complex - pick up the phone, connect in a zoom, or go over to their desk. Not only is it a lot faster (and more energizing) than a long email thread, it also leaves less room for miscommunication.
4. Prioritize 1:1 Connections
We never underestimate the power of a 1:1 check-in.
Our approach:
1:1s are our chance to uncover obstacles, check morale, and coach through challenges before they become problems. If someone is struggling, ask them “what can I do to help you succeed” or “is there anything you need from me to help you meet your project goals”. They’re not just meetings — they’re pulse checks for the health of our team and they make your team feel valued, listened to and can help them meet their goals.
5. Listen With Intention And Attention
Leading isn’t always about having the answer, sometimes it’s about uncovering it.
Our approach:
We make time to ask how people are really doing and listen with empathy. If someone sounds drained or disengaged, that’s our cue to pause, not push. Motivation thrives in environments where people feel heard. Leaders who want to make an impact don’t just lead, they listen.
Finishing Q4 strong matters. But what’s just as important is keeping your team motivated, intact, and ready to take on the next big push.
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about spotting small cracks before they turn into big ones. It’s about setting realistic expectations, listening when your team feels stretched thin, and motivating them when energy dips.
Because the way you finish the year says a lot about how you’ll start the next one.
If you're looking to level up your leadership, you can speak with one of our coache
