What Worked, What Mattered, What's Next?

As we turn the page on another financial year, many businesses shift straight into action—new targets, fresh campaigns, ambitious momentum.

That drive matters. But before we hit the accelerator, let’s consider something even more powerful.

Let’s pause. Let’s breathe. Let's Reflect.

Because success isn’t just found in the final numbers. It’s shaped by the journey to get there.

The Emotional Roller Coaster of Results

Every year brings a mix of triumphs and trials. For leaders and sales teams alike, it’s rarely smooth sailing. There are adrenaline-fuelled wins, mid-year slumps, customer breakthroughs, and moments of sheer grit.

Some goals were met. Others weren’t. And some shifted entirely along the way.

Before we move on too quickly, it’s worth asking: have we truly acknowledged how far we’ve come?

Don’t just count the wins—count the courage, the conversations, the resilience. That’s where real growth lives.

Why It’s Essential to Celebrate What Worked

Too often, EOFY is treated as a finish line to be crossed and forgotten. We zero in on missed targets and what didn’t work. But research tells us: this isn’t where performance improvement lives.

• Positive psychology shows that focusing on strengths can boost performance by up to 36% (Gallup).

• Teams that reflect on success outperform their peers by 23% on future initiatives (Harvard Business Review).

• Recognition-rich cultures enjoy 59% lower turnover, stronger connection, and higher engagement (SHRM).

Reflection isn’t fluffy—it’s fuel for future results.

What “Success” Really Looked Like This Year

It’s easy to measure revenue. Harder to measure resilience.

EOFY wins might look like:

✅ A team member stepping into a new level of leadership ✅ Better customer retention from meaningful follow-up ✅ Pipeline discipline that delivered at crunch time ✅ Clarity from a newly embedded Sales Playbook or CRM habit ✅ A rhythm that built trust, energy, and execution ✅ A shift from just "hitting numbers" to "making an impact" ✅ Bouncing back faster after setbacks

The gold is often found in the shift, not just the stats.

6 Questions to Spark Meaningful Team Reflection

Before you rush into FY25, gather your team and ask:

1. What are we most proud of—individually and together?

2. What new behaviours helped us perform better?

3. How did we show up differently for our customers?

4. What tools or systems made life easier?

5. What feedback showed we made a real difference?

6. What do we want to take forward into the new year?

EOFY Deserves a Celebration

Think of the energy we pour into New Year’s Eve. Why not honour EOFY with the same intention?

It doesn’t have to be lavish—but it should be meaningful.

✨ Host a team brunch or low-key wrap-up ✨ Create a “Wall of Wins” or video montage ✨ Share customer stories, not just KPIs ✨ Give out awards for growth, grit, and great attitudes ✨ Ask: “What are we grateful for this year?” and “What do we want to bring into the next?”

Culture is built in the small moments we choose to mark. Don’t let this one pass uncelebrated.

Starting Fresh: Energised, Focused, Aligned

Only after the pause, comes the plan.

The best leaders start FY25 with clarity, not just urgency. They align their teams around:

1. Vision: What’s our North Star this year—not just in numbers, but in purpose?

2. Values: How will we show up—for each other and for our customers?

3. Focus: What three priorities will drive the biggest outcomes?

4. Energy: How will we stay energised, especially when momentum dips?

5. Rhythm: What’s our cadence—weekly, monthly, quarterly—to stay aligned, agile, and on track?

“When everyone is moving forward together, success takes care of itself.” – Henry Ford

Final Thought: What You Appreciate, Appreciates

Great leadership isn’t just about hitting KPIs. It’s about creating an environment where people grow, contribute, and feel proud of what they’re part of.

So as you wrap up FY25, ask:

✔️ Did we make meaningful progress?

✔️ Did we grow stronger as a team?

✔️ Did we make a difference—for our customers and each other?

If yes, then it was a successful year.

Close it with gratitude. Open the new one with purpose. And start fresh—not from pressure, but from possibility.

Here’s to a human-centred, purpose-fuelled, momentum-filled FY25. Let’s make it count.

And when we get this right, everything becomes much easier.

The better it gets, the better it gets!

At Shine Executive, we love supporting organisations to create a high-performance culture by bringing out the best in their people. We can help your people succeed personally and professionally.

Our Neuroscience for Success, High Performing Teams, Sales Leadership and Psychological Safety workshops are here to help build cohesive, engaged, productive and effective teams.

We are here to help with speaking, consulting, training, conferences, coaching or offsite events and specialise in the following areas:

High Performing Teams | Leadership | Sales Training | EQ & Neuroscience | Financial Services Sales & Service | DISC Personality Profiles | Five Behaviours of Cohesive Teams | Positive Psychology | GROWTH Coaching | Executive Coaching | Stress Management & Resilience

Our bespoke people and performance solutions are created to meet your unique business needs, time available and working environment - so if you have something that's important to you why not Book your free 30 minute call now to discuss. We'd love to hear from you.

Ready for Sales & Service Excellence in your business? I can help you build YOUR Sales Playbook that will set your people up for success, scale your business and delight your customers. Visit www.shineexecutive.com.au/playbook to download your free excerpt and find out how to unlock your business's potential.

Or contact us at naomi@shineexecutive.com.au or +61 423 936090.

Naomi Oyston has more than twenty years leadership experience within the Corporate, Financial and SME Business sectors.  She has had extensive executive level success, with direct responsibility for leading Customer Service Excellence, Sales Performance, Performance Coaching, Organisational Culture, Productivity and Leadership capability within multiple major corporations.

Passionate, engaging and insightful, Naomi specialises in helping business leaders to create High Performing teams through a combination of mindset, toolkits and skills that are street proven to deliver results that matter.