A Reflection Framework for ERG Leaders

Hello Trailblazers & Changemakers,

In the final month of the year, ERG leaders have a lot on their plates: coordinating elections, prepping wrap-up events, and transitioning new leaders. But it’s important not to let your to-do list stop you from doing what’s perhaps the most important end-of-year activity: reflection.

A clear-eyed look at what worked (and what didn’t) will help you build on your momentum and avoid spinning your wheels next year.

A Simple Reflection Framework

Your year-end retrospective doesn’t need to be a huge undertaking. In fact, I’ve found that the simpler it is, the more you get from it in the end.

Think of your year in three parts:

• What worked?
  What programs or moments created real value for your members, for the business, or for yourself as a leader? Did you test any new formats or partnerships worth continuing?

• What didn’t?
  Be honest about what felt heavy, what flopped, or what got deprioritized. There’s no shame here, and acknowledging what failed will empower you to avoid similar pitfalls in the future.

• What will you carry forward?
  What do you want to scale, delegate, or redesign? These insights should guide your 2026 planning, and can even help onboard next year’s leaders faster.

Capture Wins With Clarity

So you’ve successfully unpacked the highs and lows of the year. Don’t keep it to yourself!

Key to the longevity of your ERG program is executive buy-in. And you don’t maintain buy-in without sharing your successes. Organize your wins in ways that can travel:

• Highlight standout events and their attendance, engagement, or post-event feedback.

• List key partnerships (e.g., HR, recruiting, L&D) and what they unlocked.

• Share stories of member growth (promotions, mentorship matches, or personal breakthroughs) and subsequent impact in other areas of the business.

• Include quotes from sponsors or members that underscore your value. Remember: the right champion just might unlock the additional resources you’ve been searching for.

Even if you didn’t hit every goal, you likely moved the needle more than you realize. Sharing your wins with others in your organization can help you garner the support you need to enable more wins in the future

What You Can Do This Week

As I mentioned before, I know you’re being pulled in a thousand different directions. Here are small steps you can take this week to get the ball rolling on your end of year reflections:

• Block 60 minutes for reflection (solo or with your team)

• Fill in a version of the framework above

• Start a simple doc or Notion page with your 2025 recap

• Schedule a 2026 planning sync with your ERG sponsor

You don’t have to write a full report. A few clear bullets can make a big difference when you revisit them in Q1.

As we look ahead towards the new year, don’t miss this opportunity to look back. It’ll take you further than you might think.

Onward and upward,

Dumebi

If you're interested in exploring how Chezie can enhance your Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), I invite you to schedule a demo. We also offer a wealth of resources to support your ERG initiatives:

• ERG Toolkit: Comprehensive guides and templates to help you establish and manage effective ERGs.

• Blue Pages: A collection of articles and thought pieces on best practices for ERGs.

• ERG Leaders Community: Join discussions with ERG and DEI leaders to share experiences and strategies.

Lastly, connect with me on LinkedIn for more insights and updates.