Helping teams through the holiday blues
Douglas Ferguson
President @ Voltage Control | Facilitation Academy | Author | Educator
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…or is it? According to research by the?American Psychiatric Association ,?Americans are five times more likely to say their stress level increases rather than decreases during the holidays. While this season can be full of excitement and joy, it can also induce overwhelming stress and melancholy. Oftentimes, we feel pressure to maintain a positive attitude and smiling face, especially in the workplace. However, demands to wrap up end-of-year objectives, layered with this year’s unsteady economy and layoffs, can leave teams with a heightened sense of anxiety.
Now more than ever, organization leaders need to do everything they can to support staff. In addition to managing your teams, there are effective ways to manage stress levels.?
Offer Stress Management Courses
Not limited to the holidays, stress management training and wellness programs should be implemented by leaders year-round. The courses provide resources to reduce organizational stress and provide employees with ways to rediscover their work/life balance. Through guided self-reflection, each team member can create an action plan that defines their wellness priorities, strategies to prevent burnout, and tools to build resilience and promote well-being. You can start this process by taking a look at our?Psychological Safety Check template , which helps leaders explore their teams’ current levels of psychological safety.
Skip the Holiday Party and Volunteer…or Do Both!
Company holiday parties can lend themselves to added stress…ahem…especially for HR departments. Ask your team if, in lieu of a traditional party, the organization can reserve a workday to volunteer together? Volunteering offers people great comfort by giving back and cultivating purpose. Especially for those who feel lonely during this time, a team volunteering event is a great way to reconnect with colleagues and the community. If you still want to celebrate your company’s successes with a traditional holiday shin-dig, then do both!
Prioritize Self-care
While self-care has become a trendy term over the years, it remains a valuable practice to maintain a healthy relationship with oneself both physically and mentally. Let your team know that you care about their well-being and offer them a safe environment to communicate their mental or physical health needs. Encourage teams to implement meditation breaks, go for walks, and take a mental health day if needed. Protect your teams by taking the?Safe Pledge ,?which raises awareness about family violence, helps people recognize potentially abusive or violent situations, and offers support safely. Finally, don’t forget to lead by example. If you prioritize your self-care, you set a positive example for your colleagues to do the same.?
Support Your Team Through Layoffs
Even if your organization did not conduct layoffs this year, you could still provide support for those who have. Chances are, we all know at least one person impacted by recent layoffs. So in addition to providing emotional support, offer opportunities for tangible support. This can include sharing job opportunities without pressure, introducing them to someone from your network, and proofreading their resume and cover letter. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that there is strength in unity and power in kindness.
In this final stretch of the year, we all must create space for our teams to be human. It’s okay to have days that are more productive than others. It’s okay not to love the holidays. Most of all, it’s okay to feel down. Here are some?free resources ?to share with your team for additional support this season.
Additionally, if you’ve been laid off and were hoping to attend one of?our upcoming events ?for networking and to discover new opportunities but need assistance, reach out to us. We want you to continue to grow and thrive in your career, and we are here to support you. You can reach out directly to this newsletter or [email protected]?
Douglas Ferguson | President, Voltage Control
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