Stop! The Importance of Slowing Down at Christmas

Hello there, and welcome to what will be my last Newsletter of 2024!

I don’t know about you, but I think (always dangerous!) that we’re nearly there! With just under a week until Christmas day, things seem to be set up quite nicely for some time with family and friends, but it’s not always like that…

As the Christmas approaches, there’s often a sense of urgency in the air. Deadlines are looming, year-end goals are to be met, and everyone is racing toward the finish line before the Christmas break (not to mention the last-minute Christmas shopping!)

In all the rush, there’s an important opportunity which we can often overlook: the need to slow down and reflect, especially when it comes to internal communications.

In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with messages, the act of taking a breath, and truly considering how we communicate with our colleagues can make all the difference in helping to build a culture of connection, trust, and clarity.

The Power of Pause

Christmas, traditionally a time for reflection and slowing down, offers the perfect reminder of why taking a step back is so essential in communication. When we slow down, we allow space to think and make sure that we're doing the right thing...?

Rushed, impersonal messages may get the job done, but they can sometimes lack the warmth, depth and connection that we want to achieve.?

Reflecting on How We Communicate

So, how can we improve our internal communications through slowing down??

Quality over quantity:

The end of the year this is not the time to overload colleagues with hundreds of messages, reports, and reminders. Instead, think carefully about what messages matter the most - what actually needs attention and what can wait until next year?

Once you've sorted what you need to send, make sure that your messages are clear, to the point and relevant.

Encourage rest and recharge:?

This can be hard for certain sectors at this time of year, and I wanted to recognise this. Yes, Christmas can be a time to slow down, but some people who work in Retail, Hospitality, the NHS or Care (to name a few), this is not the time that you can put your feet up and take it easy.

Sensitivity is needed around this message (especially if people are working their backsides off around this time), but it's important to encourage people to try and have a break when then can to recharge their batteries ahead of a new year. Remember it’s okay to slow down and take a break, so if you can - make it happen!

Use the time to listen:

Slowing down also provides a great opportunity to listen, to actually build relationships and listen to what people are thinking and feeling. Use this time wisely, and make sure that you understand how you can make communication better, ask lots of questions, don't defend, just listen...?

I've been lucky enough to work for organisations who ask their support office to get out into 'the field' to help at Christmas (this is especially common in retail) it's such a powerful exercise, and the amount of insight and feedback that you get can be a little overwhelming, but it's well worth it - so use the time to your advantage!

Challenge yourself, slowing down shouldn't just be at Christmas time...

The need to stop, think, and communicate with intention doesn’t only apply once a year, it's something that needs to be 'baked in' to your plans right through the year.?

For me this is a big challenge (and something I need to do more of), taking time out to think is a powerful tool and will help any team get better at what they do. Choose to take the time, don't just stay on the treadmill - it's not going to work.?

You've got to slow down to go faster

Wise words (often shared to me by one of my old bosses!)

We've a perfect time to slow down and reflect on how we communicate with our teams, and I know that the result will be a stronger, better, more thought out communication plan for 2025 (and beyond).

I get it, internal communications can be working at a million miles an hour most of the time, but surely it's time to rethink this way of working... We can all "rush out an important note" in five minutes flat (and we've all stories on that I'm sure), but it doesn't need to be like that.

Looking into 2025...

Let's take more time, let's use this time to really think about how we want internal communications to be in 2025. Surely everyone would welcome better, more aligned internal communications that can help to build and strengthen relationships with our colleagues (and result in a stronger bottom line). Let's make sure we're part of these plans in the New Year.

Wishing you all the best for 2025, thank you for reading and I hope you get the rest you need, see you in 2025!

Dave

?