What is it?

Ignite 2026 is a 2-hour team workshop to kick off the new year with intention, energy and clarity. Teams reflect on the past year, select the topics that matter most to them, then work in parallel breakout groups to create practical outputs. Each group tackles a different topic from a menu of 12 options spanning reflection, goal-setting, creativity and structure. The session ends with groups sharing their work, building on each other's ideas and committing to clear next steps.

Why is it useful?

This workshop gives teams a meaningful way to start the year together rather than diving straight into business as usual. By letting the team choose which topics to focus on, you get buy-in from the start. The parallel breakout structure means more ground gets covered in less time. Everyone leaves with shared language around what a great year looks like, concrete outputs they helped create and simple action plans to keep momentum going.

Target Audience

• Team leaders or managers who want to energise their team at the start of the year
• HR, L&D or People professionals designing kick-off experiences for multiple teams
• Consultants, coaches or trainers facilitating planning sessions for clients
• Any intact team of 8-16 people who want a structured way to set intentions for the year ahead

Workshop Objectives

• Reflect on the previous year to extract lessons and celebrate progress
• Identify which topics will make the biggest difference for the team in the year ahead
• Create practical outputs in parallel breakout groups without needing a facilitator in each group
• Share work across groups to build on ideas and create stronger final versions
• Leave with simple action plans for each topic the team has worked on

Summary

Duration: 120 minutes
Group Size: 8-16 people
Format: In-person, highly interactive

Materials Needed

• Flip chart paper or large sticky notes (one per breakout group)
• Marker pens (multiple colours)
• Printed Topic Process Handouts (one full set per breakout group, or at minimum the sheets for topics being worked on)
• Printed Topic Menu (one per participant for voting)
• Dot stickers for voting (3-5 per participant)
• Timer or phone for keeping time
• Blu-tack or tape for displaying group outputs
• Action Plan Template (one per topic being worked on)
• Optional: background music for breakout work

Process

Step 1: Welcome and Icebreaker (15 mins)

Goal: Build energy and connection so people arrive mentally present and ready to engage.

Activity:

1. Welcome the group and briefly explain the purpose of the session: to kick off 2026 with clarity, energy and practical next steps.
2. Explain the icebreaker: "Year in Three Words." Each person will share three words that sum up their 2025, then one word they want to define their 2026.
3. Give everyone 2 minutes of quiet thinking time.
4. Go around the room. Each person shares their three words for 2025 and one word for 2026 (aim for 30-45 seconds per person).
5. Thank the group and note any themes you heard. Transition by saying this energy and reflection will carry into the rest of the session.

Debrief Questions:

• What patterns or themes did you notice?
• Were there any surprises in what others shared?
• How does it feel to hear where everyone's head is at going into the new year?

Step 2: Introduce the Topic Menu and Vote (15 mins)

Goal: Give the team ownership over what they will work on by choosing the topics that matter most to them.

Activity:

1. Hand out the Topic Menu to each participant.
2. Walk through the four categories briefly: Reflective and Introspective, Energizing and Action-Oriented, Playful and Creative, Structured and Goal-Focused. Read out the topic titles without going into detail.
3. Explain the voting process: each person gets 3-5 dot stickers (depending on group size). They can spread their dots across different topics or stack them on one if they feel strongly.
4. Post the Topic Menu on the wall or lay it on a table. Give everyone 3 minutes to place their dots.
5. Count the votes together. The top topics (one per breakout group) are what the team will work on. With 8-16 people in groups of 3-4, you will have 2-5 topics selected.
6. Announce the selected topics.

Debrief Questions:

• Are there any surprises in what the team prioritised?
• Does this feel like the right focus for us going into 2026?
• Is anyone disappointed their topic was not selected? (If so, note it could be tackled later or individually.)

Step 3: Form Breakout Groups and Assign Topics (5 mins)

Goal: Get people into groups quickly and ensure each group knows what they are working on.

Activity:

1. Decide how to form groups. Options: self-select based on interest in a topic, count off randomly, or pre-assign to mix up usual working pairs.
2. Announce the groupings and which topic each group will tackle.
3. Hand each group their Topic Process Handout for their assigned topic, plus flip chart paper and markers.
4. Point out where each group will work (spread them out if possible so noise does not overlap).
5. Remind groups they have 35 minutes and that the handout will guide them through without needing facilitator help.

Debrief Questions:

• None needed here. Keep momentum and get groups moving.

Step 4: Breakout Group Work (35 mins)

Goal: Each group works through their topic process independently and creates a tangible output to share back.

Activity:

1. Start the timer for 35 minutes.
2. Groups follow their Topic Process Handout, which includes: What is it, Expected Outputs, Step-by-step Process and Tips.
3. Facilitator circulates to check groups are on track, answer clarifying questions and give time warnings at 20 minutes, 10 minutes and 5 minutes remaining.
4. Each group captures their output on flip chart paper ready to present.
5. At the 35-minute mark, call time and ask groups to wrap up.

Debrief Questions:

• None during this step. Save reflection for the share-back.

Step 5: Share Back and Build (30 mins)

Goal: Each group presents their work, receives feedback and improves their output with input from the wider team.

Activity:

1. Bring everyone back together. Post each group's flip chart on the wall.
2. Each group presents their output in 3-4 minutes: what topic they worked on, what they created and one insight or surprise from their discussion.
3. After each presentation, open the floor for 2-3 minutes of feedback and additions. Prompt with: "What would you add? What questions do you have? What connects to your group's work?"
4. The presenting group captures useful additions on their flip chart in a different colour.
5. Repeat until all groups have presented.
6. Once all groups have shared, ask the whole team: "Looking at everything on the walls, what stands out? What threads connect across topics?"

Debrief Questions:

• What surprised you about what other groups created?
• Where do you see connections between the different topics?
• What feels most energising or important as we look at this together?

Step 6: Action Planning and Close (20 mins)

Goal: Convert the group outputs into simple, concrete action plans so the work does not get lost after the session.

Activity:

1. Hand out the Action Plan Template (one per topic worked on).
2. Each breakout group reconvenes for 10 minutes to complete their action plan. The template should include: Topic, Key Output/Decision, Next 3 Actions, Who is Responsible, By When, How We Will Check In.
3. Groups do not need to solve everything. The goal is to identify the immediate next steps that will keep momentum.
4. With 5 minutes remaining, bring everyone back together.
5. Each group reads out their top 1-2 actions in one sentence each.
6. Close the session by thanking everyone, acknowledging the energy in the room and reminding them that the real work starts now. Offer a final prompt: "What is one thing you are taking away from today?"
7. Optional: take a photo of all the flip charts and action plans to share with the team afterward.

Debrief Questions:

• What is one thing you are personally committing to after today?
• How will we hold each other accountable to these actions?
• What support do you need from the team to follow through?

Secret Sauce

• Let the vote stand: If the team selects topics you did not expect, resist the urge to steer them. Ownership comes from genuine choice. The topics they pick are the topics they will care about.
• Trust the handouts: The Topic Process Handouts are designed so groups can run themselves. Avoid hovering. Check in briefly, answer questions, then step back.
• Time warnings matter: Breakout groups lose track of time. Give clear warnings at 20, 10 and 5 minutes. This keeps the session on track without rushing the ending.
• Celebrate rough work: Flip chart outputs will not be polished. That is fine. Emphasise that messy progress beats perfect plans. The action plan step is where things get concrete.
• Normalise uneven energy: Some topics spark more excitement than others. If a group seems flat, check in privately. They might need a nudge or a reminder that their work matters to the whole.
• Capture everything: Take photos of flip charts and action plans before people leave. Distribute within 24 hours so momentum does not fade.
• Watch the clock on share-backs: With 4-5 groups presenting, time can slip. Keep presentations to 3-4 minutes maximum and feedback to 2-3 minutes. Use a timer if needed.
• Name the discomfort: Some people find reflection exercises awkward. Early in the session, say something like: "Some of this might feel a bit uncomfortable. That usually means we are getting somewhere useful." This gives permission to stay engaged rather than shut down.
• Have a backup plan for odd numbers: If you end up with uneven group sizes, it is fine to have one group of 3 and another of 4. Groups of 2 can work but may lack energy. Avoid groups larger than 5.
• End on energy, not admin: Close with the "one thing you are taking away" prompt rather than logistics. Save any housekeeping for after the formal close.