Why Micro-Experiments Beat Big Pivots in Leadership Growth
Skipping annual planning isn’t failure—it’s clarity. Learn why disciplined leaders grow through micro-experiments, consistency, and intentional iteration instead of constant reinvention.
I skipped something this year that I’ve done for as long as I can remember.
I didn’t do end-of-year planning.
Which is honestly kind of shocking if you know me.
I love planning. I’m the Notion-template-creating, reflection-loving, systems-obsessed kind of leader. I’ve bought more beautiful planners than I care to admit, and yes, I usually abandon them by February 😅
But this December, I just didn’t feel the pull.
And after sitting with it for a while, I realized something important:
I wasn’t avoiding clarity.
I already had it.
I know what I want for 2026:
- Keep growing my business
- Keep honing my messaging
- Keep showing up consistently
- Keep refining my programs
Nothing new.
Nothing flashy.
Just… continuing.
At first, that felt uncomfortable.
Because we’ve been taught that this time of year is about reinvention.
New goals. New plans. New identities.
Then last week, I was at the gym doing strength training and asked my trainer,
“Are you getting slammed with New Year’s resolution people right now?”
He laughed and said,
“Oh yeah. And honestly? The people who start in January are usually the first ones to quit.”
That landed.
Because I see the same pattern with leaders, and I feel it in myself too.
We love the spark of a new idea.
The clean slate.
The excitement of building something new.
And if you’re an engineer, this is especially real.
I have no shortage of ideas.
On any given week, I probably have five different directions I could pivot my business toward.
The challenge isn’t creativity.
It’s restraint.
Here’s the subtle but important distinction I’ve learned:
This isn’t about doing the same thing over and over and hoping it magically works.
It’s about micro-experiments instead of massive pivots.
Small tweaks.
Tight feedback loops.
Intentional adjustments.
Changing the message, not the mission.
Refining the offer, not burning it down.
Testing one lever at a time instead of starting from scratch.
That’s disciplined leadership.
And it’s a lot harder than chasing the next shiny idea.
This is also why support matters so much.
This year, instead of creating a brand-new plan, I recommitted to having my coach help keep me on track.
Because when the novelty wears off…
When the work gets unsexy…
When my brain wants to pivot hard…
That’s when having someone outside of me matters.
Not to give me motivation.
But to help me slow down, zoom out, and ask:
Is this a smart iteration, or am I avoiding the discomfort of staying with it?
Momentum doesn’t come from constant reinvention.
It comes from intentional experimentation over time.
That’s the energy I’m carrying into 2026.
If this resonates, consider this your permission slip:
You don’t need a whole new plan.
You might just need support making smarter, smaller moves.
P.S.: I’m hosting a LinkedIn Live on January 12 at 8am PST with Rahul Karan Sharma, host of the Confidence Leadership podcast (top 1.5% globally). We’ll be talking about something that comes up constantly with the leaders I work with: why leadership, not tools, is the real key to rolling out AI in a way that actually works for teams.
If AI adoption feels messy, overwhelming, or disconnected from how your team actually operates, I think you’ll get a lot out of this conversation. You can RSVP here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7413916625428660224/
P.P.S.: The Leadership Impact Labs are open and start on January 28th! If you’re looking for consistent support, strategic thinking space, and accountability, especially as you navigate iteration, experimentation, and leadership decisions in 2026, this is a great moment to get prepared.
You can learn more about the Labs here: https://jossiehaines.com/engineering-leadership-coaching/
