The 2024 holiday season is a new opportunity to engage your employees in meaningful ways. This tends to be a more emotional time of year with looming deadlines and goals, increasing social obligations, and strained budgets. The culmination of a year of activities provides a perfect occasion to connect with your team organically. A little bit of connection can go a long way, helping your team put a positive spin on a busy season!
Don’t go through the motions this holiday season. It’s crucial to show your employees how much their effort matters to you. Here’s why:
- Boost motivation. When energy tanks, so does motivation. Beat winter slumps by implementing initiatives and activities that boost team spirit and bring people together.?
- Avoid burnout. Give your team members a chance to get their minds off of stress and take a break from staring at their screens. Remind them that you care about them beyond their job performance.
- Improve collaboration. When your team members feel energized, there’s less frustration and friction. Patience and creativity are higher, and good ideas are met with openness and excitement.
How do you avoid going through the motions and actually get employees excited to engage? Here’s what to prioritize:
- Recognize hard work. There’s nothing more frustrating than pouring your efforts into a project and having your hard work overlooked. No matter how successful a project or initiative may be, it’s crucial to recognize the time and effort going into each day.
- Sales incentives. Further celebrate success by offering prizes to those pushing through the challenging times to find success. Whether it’s free lunch, an extra day of PTO, or a cozy new custom blanket, give your employees something exciting to look forward to.
- Write thoughtful notes. A simple Post-It with specific positive feedback can turn someone’s entire day around and make them feel like an integral part of the team. Remember to personalize your message.
- Give practical gifts. A convenient sweatshirt, notebook, backpack, or water bottle can make a huge difference in someone’s day. Gifts are a great way to show you’re here to support your team and make their lives easier!
Be sure to engage your employees frequently during the Q4 season and focus on building up your team to end the year on a strong note.? For more tips on avoiding burnout, check out this article!
