Hello Waggle Community!

December is here and is a perfect time to reflect on the past year. Did you know December 4th is Extraordinary Work-Team Recognition Day? If you missed it, don’t worry! You can dedicate the rest of the year to celebrating your team.

This month, we’re diving into what it takes to grow into a leadership role especially if you don’t see yourself as a "born leader."

We’re also sharing insights from ZeShaan Shamsi, a remarkable leader who recalls a question his manager asked him early on: “What type of manager do you want to be?” Over the years, his answer has shifted from wanting to be indispensable to striving to be dispensable.  

Celebrate your team in December

Here are 10 meaningful ways to show your team how much they matter this month or any time:

1. Offer: Provide development opportunities to build resilience and growth.

2. Show: Model how to include recognition in daily interactions.

3. Share: Share inspiring team success stories.

4. Clarify: Help your team understand which behaviors and values are being recognized.

5. Travel: Reflect on your team’s growth journey together.

6. Explore: Try fresh, creative ways to recognize your team.

7. Play: Plan fun, team-building activities that bring laughter.

8. Empower: Equip managers with tools to provide meaningful recognition.

9. Appreciate: Celebrate both big wins and everyday contributions.

10. Reinforce: Recognize your team even during challenging times.

Recognition shouldn’t be reserved for special days but December is a great time to make it extra meaningful!

Reply to this email with topics or tips you’d like to see in next month’s newsletter!

Not a born leader? Here’s how to outperform them in 4 steps.

1. Self-assess honestly

• Rate your current skills on a scale of 1–10.

• Seek anonymous feedback from colleagues.

• Identify key skills needing immediate attention

2. Create your Individual Development Plan (IDP)

• Prioritize 1–2 impactful skills to focus on.

• Set clear, achievable goals with actionable steps.

• Include resources, timelines, and metrics to track progress

3. Carve out growth time.

• Schedule dedicated weekly practice sessions.

• Stay accountable by partnering with a colleague or coach.

• Regularly review progress and adjust your plan.

4. Practice and improve

• Set actionable items to apply your skills.

• Build habits through consistent repetition.

• Use Waggle AI for real-time coaching and feedback.

What is new on the app

Leadership practice dashboard

The Leadership Practice Dashboard helps you develop core leadership skills through regular practice, actionable feedback, and progress tracking. It focuses on eight key skills: Strategic Thinking, Meeting Facilitation, Coaching, Decision Making, Delegation, Empathy, Feedback, and Active Listening.

The dashboard uses a structured progression system:

• Foundational: Begins with your first practice.

• Intermediate: After five practices scoring above 50%.

• Mastery: After seven practices scoring above 80%.

A streak tracker encourages consistency, measuring your practices over a rolling 60-day period. Mastery requires consistent engagement to maintain leadership excellence

Here’s how it works:

• Track your progress with levels: Foundational, Intermediate, and Mastery.

• Stay motivated with a streak tracker to build habits.

• Focus on specific meetings to get tailored insights

• Helps you practice regularly—aim for at least one meeting weekly

• Sets intentional goals for skill development.

P.S. Got ideas for skills we should add? Let us know!

Essential Reads from Our Blog 

In a interview from our "Grown, not Born" series, ZeShaan Shamsi talks how mindful he is about building and maintaining trust. People that work are adults and should be treated as such. If you give them the context and communicate effectively, they often work things out for themselves. Trust issues often arise from a lack of clarity about goals and direction and as ZeShaan explains, it’s up to leaders to provide that clarity 

Warm regards,

Sarah Touzani

Co-founder, Waggle

P.S. We love hearing from you! Share your feedback on this newsletter and let us know if would like a demo of our new feature!

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