"I'll take a bit more ownership and step up as a leader out on the track," Thompson told kangaroos.com.au.
"Down back there's Michael Firrito, Nathan Grima and then Scott McMahon and I are the next oldest, so I definitely want to be a leader out there and encourage our younger guys and help the team improve again."
Heading into his sixth season at North, Thompson returned to pre-season training on Thursday along with Robbie Tarrant, Todd Goldstein, Lindsay Thomas and Leigh Adams, admitting to a few aches and pains at the end of his second day back.
"Yesterday was really hard, there was no easing back into it. The session was fairly skills based but the running was really tough. I was buggered at the end of it and my feet are covered in blood blisters today.
"The boys I came back with though were all fit and we kept together in the running which was really good."
Maintaining a strong fitness base over the break was important for Thompson and his teammates who have less than a week until they head to the United States for high-altitude training.
"I had my hardest session over in Utah last year so I know exactly what I have to look forward to. We know it's good for us, but it's full on.
"Even though I've been on the last two camps, I still dread Utah a bit. It's just so tough and doesn't get any easier. It's a gruelling three weeks but you just need to take it session by session."
After arguably his best season in 2012, Thompson is hoping to continue his good form and continue progressing as a group.
"As a team we were a lot better in the second half of the season, if we keep improving like we did last year it will be really good.
"For myself, I just want to keep improving and working on a few deficiencies that I have and keep working on my strengths as well."
Not only was Thompson's holiday a chance to unwind after a busy season, it was also a trip he'll never forget after proposing to girlfriend Lauren Gear.
"We were staying on a boat in the Whitsundays with good friends of ours and I brought her outside on the boat to ask her at sunset.
"It was a few days after our 5-year anniversary, I wanted to do it on a different day so she wasn't expecting it. Now Lauren's busy getting everything organised, we've found an awesome venue and everything is coming together."
