As the year moves towards its inevitable conclusion I have done some research on my top blog posts for 2014. This was the year that I determined to blog weekly in amongst the other responsibilities I hold. I have done that every week but one and caught up the next.

I launched my new Making The Most Of A Year Personal Development Program. I have used this system for several years and this time invested heavily into making it fresh and new, it was well received from various parts of the globe.

I will be blogging on “Problems Leaders Solve” over summer so watch out for them and most likely the short ebook that will follow.

My theme for 2015 is #onestepleadership – making leadership smaller makes leadership better (or something like that, it’s a work in progress). For too long leadership has been too big and we must make it small enough to do and big enough to stretch. Watch this space.

Here are my top ten posts from 2014. I’m keen to create, serve and deliver value in this environment so watching what gets engaged with and why really matters. Below are some reflections that I have considered. I’d be keen to hear your thoughts too.

#1: Relationships are important

The top two posts are about handling criticism and remembering names. People matter. People matter to people. Dealing with some of the challenges of leadership seems to have helped a number of people. Putting criticism in context and making people a priority in the midst of that really really matters. These made up 3 of the ten posts and held positions one and two.

#2: Problem solving helps people move forward

In a similar theme to point one when we can solve the problems of life and leadership we can make significant progress. Avoiding the problems isn’t our goal, learning from them needs to be. Perfect leadership isn’t our goal, authentic leadership is. If we can solve the challenges leaders face we can move forward faster.

#3: Planning to make progress is significant

With the emphasis on planning and preparing to Make The Most Of A Year a number of the top posts were related to personal development and annual planning. Jim Rohn said what matters is to make “measurable progress in reasonable time.” To plan to do this is stage one. To discipline yourself to move toward your preferred future is stage two. To enjoy the results of your labour is stage three. Specifically the Future You questions and the post on life themes were of value to people with a number of the other #MTMOAY posts served a number of people.

#4: Leadership yes. But specific leadership is better.

I noticed that remembering names was important. Sabbaticals made a difference and the Twin Pillars of leadership served a number of people. Leadership cannot be generalised anymore. Leadership is more detailed, more nuanced and more niched than ever before. The more specific the issues about leadership the better so it seems. Good feedback for the year ahead.

Here’s believing you had an amazing 2014 and I’m trusting you have the single best year ever in 2015. If you haven’t had the opportunity, head over to my Making The Most Of A Year website and download your free ebook. Take some time to check out the program and invest into a significant step forward next year.

Thank you for your time, your attention and engagement.