A Leader’s Guide for Preparing for the Holidays

The role of any leader is one that includes interaction with others.? In a relative sense, this work is your most important and something that requires your finesse and attention.? The holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years are celebrated in popular culture with images of joy, happiness, family, and sweet emotional connections to the season.? Yes, for many this will be a time of the year where gatherings, meals, and gifts will bring smiles and new memories made.?

Yet, for others, this time of the year is very difficult to handle and as leaders we need a reminder on what we can be doing for our team to help them navigate these final emotional days of 2024.

Show Some Grace – If you are aware that an employee has lost a loved one, dealing with a family illness, in the middle of divorce, or struggling with grief or their own health, extend some grace. That can be as easy as not mentioning they were late to work today or they missed a deadline on a project.? Don’t ignore these work infractions, be direct and address what you know to be true; they are a valuable member of your team, you know this is a hard time of the year and offer to help or give them direct support.? Show them you care by showing some grace.?

Extend kindness – Most employees want their work to be recognized by the boss and they thrive on knowing that their leader cares about them. Add to that, when they see their individual work ties directly to the company’s mission and goals, they are invested in doing a great job. ?If a leader acknowledges their contribution during good and bad times, the employee is reminded of their value and the kindness of the leader is a precious commodity that is irreplaceable and needed, especially during the holidays when emotions can be running high.?

Extend that kindness to remind others of what is true and why you value them and their work.?

Create notes of encouragement – The act of taking the time to leave a note of encouragement to someone is a gift with immeasurable returns. The generosity of kind and affirming words is a warm blanket of compassion and comfort food for the soul. The ability to lift someone’s spirits in a few sentences is a powerful reminder of the potential every leader has when individually pouring into others by investing just a few minutes with an intentional act of encouragement.?

For some added fun, leaving an employee an anonymous note letting them know they are seen, heard, and known can also be an act of great encouragement as the leader is not looking for any credit in their efforts to show the employee compassion and kindness.?

Offer a free pass – The ability of the leader to wave a figurative wand and grant wishes can be of great benefit to team members known to be struggling during the holidays.? Privately meet with these people and offer them the opportunity to leave early on Friday to start their weekend without impacting their pay.? Give someone a longer weekend by offering them the opportunity to take a personal day on a Monday. ?Give someone the chance to schedule a day off of their choice. People know what they need and offer to help them by giving them permission to step away.?

A leader’s action in this area will show that you care, notice their struggle, and want to help by giving them the gift of time.? Offer that free pass and invest in your team and the people who really need it during the holidays.?

Bring a treat – A leader who knows their team can bring in those cookies they love, purchase the drink they enjoy or give them a small gift card to that store they frequent. ?When employees know that their leader cares for them as people and not just a means to hit the company sales goals and year end projections, that is where love and service meet.? Be the leader that takes the simple steps to connect and know your team.?

Your intentional efforts around building the workplace culture should include acting on the individual needs of employees.?

If you know what they enjoy, then in times of personal stress and struggles you can be there with a treat that speaks to your thoughtfulness and wanting to meet their needs.

But what about the leaders - When it comes to the leader struggling during the holidays, make sure you are getting what you need too. Have the vulnerability to let someone in on what is going on so that you have the support that is required to maintain your success.? No one is ever alone.? You may feel that way and it is a matter of adjusting your perspective to ensure that the needs of the organization are cared for while ?simultaneously allowing others to care for you.?

Sure, giving is easier than receiving, however, when you receive what you need, you can increase what you can do for others.?

Leadership is not for the faint at heart and nor is there room for the untamed ego.? Have an attitude of service, kindness, and compassion towards your team.? Whether they tell you or not, some are struggling, and the holidays are not a time of joy but one of difficulty.? Just remember, your small acts towards others will be remembered long beyond the holiday season.?

Happy holidays one and all.?