While the holidays are meant to be a joyful time of year, for many, they can actually feel like a lot to manage – from budgeting for travel and gifts to navigating complex family dynamics to meeting ambitious year-end goals at work. In fact, 52% of workers report extra stress during the holiday season, according to the Society for Human Resource Management, and 42% of employees feel heightened work-related stress as end-of-year deadlines approach, per a Gallup study.
So, as we dive into this busy season, being mindful of the pressures your team might be facing can go a long way in this complicated period. Not only is it important to remember that everyone celebrates the holidays differently, but also that each person on your team has unique family dynamics, holiday sentiments, and circumstances that can lead to added pressure when they’re trying to close out the year strong. Also, recognize that sometimes the employees who seem to be the most positive and upbeat may be seriously struggling underneath.
With this in mind, how can you create an environment of support and understanding, while still ensuring key deadlines are met?
Set realistic end-of-year goals
Planning thoughtfully can help you set achievable deadlines that take holidays and vacations into account. Try to set your goals early and avoid adding last-minute projects to the list so that your team can focus on the initiatives that truly matter without feeling frantic. Similarly, do your best to communicate expectations early and regularly follow up to ensure there’s alignment and clarity across your team. This way, the end of the year becomes an opportunity to finish on a high note, not a stressful sprint, creating a win-win for your team’s well-being and overall impact.
Address holiday stress
Try to take some time in an upcoming group meeting to acknowledge the added stress your team members may be facing during the holiday season. As it turns out, 45% of people want emotional validation during tough times, according to research by Clearer Thinking, so be sure to check in with your team more often in the coming weeks and ask if there’s anything they need from you. When employees feel confident that you genuinely care about their well-being, it can ease some of the pressure they’re carrying and ensure greater outcomes for your team.
Try to be flexible
44% of workers are burned out, according to a study by the Society of Human Resource Management, and that’s in a regular month! The added stress of holiday deadlines and obligations can accelerate those feelings, so try your best to be flexible with your team’s hours and in-office attendance if you aren’t a remote team. Allowing employees to adjust their schedules and take time off when needed can make a real difference in their overall well-being during the season. In fact, this kind of flexibility not only helps prevent burnout, it can also boost morale and engagement, per Harvard Business Review.
Avoid assumptions and generalizations
Because we work with our team every day, we might think we know what their lives are like outside of the office. But there may be complex topics you haven’t covered in your day-to-day discussions, which could be triggered by asking specific questions about their holiday plans.
For example, a person might have suffered a recent loss or had a falling out with a certain family member, which they haven’t disclosed to you or the team. So asking them questions like “Are you spending the holidays with your family?” might be a sensitive topic for them.
Instead, consider reframing your talk of the holidays by asking more general questions like “Do you have anything planned for the holidays?” or simply making more general statements like “I hope you’ll have some time to rest over the break.” This might help you avoid a painful conversation, and on the flip side, if your employee wants to tell you their plans, they can.
Create inclusive celebrations
Some people celebrate religious holidays, some cultural, and some don’t celebrate any holidays at all, so in your end-of-year celebrations, try to focus less on the religious aspect and more on the special feeling of bringing everyone together. Maybe you organize a nice dinner with your team and reminisce about the things you’ve achieved together throughout the year, or have everyone vote on a fun activity to do as a group like go-cart racing, paint and sip, or going to a theme park. Whatever you choose, give your team members the chance to weigh in on the planning so it feels meaningful and relevant.
Check in with yourself
If you yourself are navigating complicated feelings during the holiday season, it’s important to set boundaries and prioritize your well-being too. Consider lightening your schedule by reducing non-essential meetings and blocking off time to take a breather – whether it’s an uninterrupted lunch break, a walk outside, or a quick call with a friend. Doing so not only ensures you’re taking care of your own needs, it also sets the tone that this type of behavior is expected on your team. So approach this season with both empathy and efficiency – both for your sake and for the sake of your team members.
Show gratitude for hard work
The holidays are a great time to express gratitude and set a warm tone across your team. So, rather than waiting for a formal meeting or team celebration to express it, try to work appreciation into your everyday interactions during this chaotic time. With gratitude towards coworkers raising happiness levels by 25%, according to Forbes, do your best to lead with thankfulness in your daily hustle to inspire your team members to do the same. This can be as simple as sending a private message to an employee you see going the extra mile or ending a meeting with a note of specific thanks. When you understand how much of an impact gratitude can have on teams, you might consider making it a habit during the holiday season that will carry over to 2025 and beyond!
