A thoughtful and meaningful way to show your employees they’re valued as individuals is to help them set personal intentions for the year ahead. Hosting or encouraging a Word of the Year team-building exercise is a creative way to inspire reflection, boost motivation, and promote connection among your employees.

What is a Word of the Year?

A Word of the Year is a single word chosen to represent your focus, intention, or general goal for the year. It’s not a to-do list, but a mindset. Whether you're facing challenges with perseverance, aiming for growth, or simply hoping to find more balance, your word can serve as an anchor and subtle reminder of what matters most to you.

What Words of the Year Can Do for Employees

When employees are encouraged to choose a Word of the Year, they're not just setting intentions—they're feeling seen, heard, and valued. This simple exercise goes beyond surface-level motivation and taps into personal growth and connection.

Encouraging employees to choose their own Word of the Year can:

• Create space for reflection and self-awareness.

• Strengthen team culture by promoting openness and mutual support.

• Provide a simple yet powerful tool for motivation throughout the year.

Choosing words of the year might just become an annual tradition your team looks forward to!

Word of the Year Team-Building Exercise

If you're ready to inspire your team and create an exercise that combines personal reflection with meaningful connection, consider hosting a Word of the Year workshop at your workplace.

Here’s what a team exercise might look like:

• Prepare: Share this Word of the Year blog post ahead of time with your team. Then book a comfortable space for open conversation. Whether it’s an in-person meeting in a conference room or at a coffee shop or a virtual gathering, ensure everyone feels welcome to participate.

• Reflect Together: Share the following prompts with the team and encourage quiet reflection.

  • What major events or projects are happening this year and how do you want to approach them?

  • What do you want more of in your life?

  • How do you want to feel every day?

  • What mindset will help you navigate this year with purpose and resilience?

  • What word or feeling makes you feel motivated and inspired?

Some people find their word quickly, while others might need more time to reflect. Journaling, meditating, or even talking it out together can help the right word come into focus.

• Share (Optional): Invite team members to share their words and the reason behind their choice. Sharing can foster connection and allow team members to support each other's intentions.

• Create a Display: Once everyone has chosen their word, provide them with a personalized print and frame to display on their desk. Or create a team word board where everyone’s words are displayed together.

• Team Word (Optional): In addition to personal words, teams might choose one collective word to represent their shared goal or vision for the quarter or year. Words like teamwork or collaboration.

2025 Words of the Year

To give your team some ideas, here are the words ordered from my shop so far this year.

Give a Meaningful Gift to your Team

To take this exercise a step further, you can provide beautifully designed Word of the Year prints for each team member. These can be customized with their chosen word and framed for display at their desk. It's a meaningful and lasting reminder of their focus for the year.

Message me for bulk pricing or buy each employee a digital gift card so they can purchase their own word from my shop.

Have you hosted or participated in a Word of the Year exercise before? I'd love to hear your experience in the comments or on social media!

With love,

Alison Rose

Social media: @alisonrosevintage

Shop: alisonrosevintage.com