A Leader’s Guide to a Thriving Holiday Season
1. SPENDING AND SAVING
The holidays are a time for generosity. Just like with your family celebrations, it can be fun to “go all out” with your workplace festivities too. However, you also need to make wise financial decisions that will be good for your organization long-term.
2. WORK AND HOME
Year-end deadlines and countless holiday events add to your normal workload, which are compounded by the expectation that you make the most of the season with friends and family. Perhaps more than any other time of year, finding work/life balance is especially important around the holiday season.
5. FREEDOM AND ACCOUNTABILITY
As leaders, the holidays are a good time to loosen up a little with team members, as the season is sure to bring its fair share of changes to workflows and team members’ schedules. It’s also an important time to provide clarity around the non-negotiable expectations of each team member, which could easily be forgotten in the frenzy of the season.
6. TASK FOCUSED AND RELATIONSHIP ORIENTED
The holiday season can quickly amount to a lengthy “to-do” list. There are parties to plan, presents to buy, projects to wrap up, and schedules to manage. At the same time, it’s the time of year, more than any other, when we want to lead in a way that models compassion and attentiveness.
7. CARE FOR SELF AND CARE FOR OTHERS
The holiday season is all about focusing on the needs of others. We give gifts to friends and family, carve out time for those we care about, and often step up our charitable giving and volunteering. It’s also a time, however, when we must be sure to focus on self-care. Doing so will ensure that we sustain the energy, health and spirit we need to keep a legitimate smile on our face.
8. PURPOSE AND PROFIT
As a leader, the holidays are a perfect time to revisit your values and ensure your organization’s work aligns with its mission and vision. It is also a time to crunch the numbers and make sure you are delivering a healthy bottom line as you move into the new year.
9. LOCAL AND GLOBAL
The holiday season is a great time to give back to your community and get involved in local celebrations. However, there are also a lot of ways you can think beyond your backyard and add a global perspective to your festivities.
10. IDEALISTIC AND REALISTIC
With the end of the year approaching and the new year right around the corner, we want to end well and start strong. This means pushing hard to meet financial targets and deadlines while setting inspiring goals for the year ahead. It is also a time of year when we need to accept and celebrate reality while ensuring our vision and plans are achievable.
11. DISCIPLINE AND LETTING LOOSE
The holidays are an important time of year to keep a pulse check on workplace culture. On one hand, it is the best time of the year to let your team loosen up, laugh, and have some fun. On the other hand, it is also a time to provide clarity around the core expectations of workplace culture and appropriateness.
12. FOCUS ON THE LONG-TERM AND FOCUS ON THE SHORT-TERM
Often December is when a leader’s head starts to spin… in a good way. There are plans for the new year, updated goals and targets, and new ideas tap into your entrepreneurial spirit. At the same time, the holiday season is often the best opportunity a leader has to slow down, exhale, and turn work off for a while.
