Fresh Starts and Incremental Changes
Happy New Year! I love the holiday season that’s bookended by a day of gratitude and a day for a refresh. There’s something about flipping the calendar that feels like hitting the reset button. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and set the tone for what’s ahead. My year started out rainy! That First Day hike was rained out, but the creek is full and flowing fast, adding a nice soundtrack to life.
First, I want to talk about Lisa McCormack for one more second. She began 2026 in retirement, so for the first time since 2009, I started the year without her as a coworker. The team is evolving, which is fitting for the new year.
I think of resolutions like I think of performance reviews: they rarely achieve what you want them to, no one really likes them, but we think we have to do them. Instead of resolutions, I prefer a theme. Why? Because it’s not about a checklist of goals; it’s about a mindset. For the year. This year, we will continue to evolve. Evolve means growing, adapting, and finding better ways to do what we do. Whether that’s learning new skills, improving processes, or simply being open to change, I’m looking to continue to make progress that serves me and the times, just like the dark-eyed juncos at UCLA.
Now, on to something a little more practical: employee handbooks. I know, I know—handbooks are rarely exciting, but they can be an important part of the foundation of effective Human Resource Management. Your handbook sets expectations, outline policies, and make sure everyone is on the same page. But most importantly, they give you a chance to articulate your values and make sure they are supported by your policies. As we kick off the year, we’ll be working with clients to review and update handbooks.
Here’s to a year of evolution, celebration, and maybe even a few surprises along the way. We’d love to hear what your theme of the year is.
Cheers to 2026—we’re ready for you!
Jonna, Lisha, Suzanne, Lisa, Karen and Linda