The Twelve Leadership Lessons of Christmas

Twelve Rules for Navigating the Festive Season

1. Closing for Christmas: During the Festive season, we all know it can be difficult to keep track of the ever-mounting commitments placed within our professional and personal calendars. Nonetheless, we must ensure all members of our working teams (and our customers of course) are aware of the exact dates our businesses will be closing its doors over the Christmas period. To reduce any unnecessary stress, confusion, or ambiguity, ensure employees synchronise their out of office emails and clearly signpost alternative points of contact, so any urgent enquires can be dealt with in a timely manner.

2. Tis the season for workplace burnout: Whilst we may wish to spread festive cheer in our places of work, it’s important we also acknowledge that the Christmas period is also the busiest time of the year for many businesses. Consequently, we must continue to manage productivity appropriately. As we enter the new era of productivity, we need to be mindful of the ever-looming threat of burnout, which may well be exacerbated with mounting pressure in the build up to Christmas. Remember – professional demands must not exceed one’s personal capacity.

3. Goodwill toward all customers: We all know the festive season should be about expressing goodwill toward all men; unfortunately, however, some of our customers may not always share this sentiment. When dealing with impatient and demanding Christmas consumers, members of our working teams must feel confident in their capacity to actively listen to customer frustrations, demonstrate empathy, and most importantly, remain calm and professional (irrespective of whether these behaviours are reciprocated).

4. Merry Christmas EVERYONE: In getting caught up in our festive traditions, we can quickly (and often unintentionally) forget about those around us who may not celebrate the festive season. With that in mind, it’s important we attempt to make any Christmas-related activities as inclusive as possible and consider how the spirit of the festive season can be conveyed in a manner which sensitively considers the beliefs and traditions of our culturally diverse team members. After all, Christmas is the season for bringing people together.

5. A season of (unwanted) surprises: If events such as COVID-19 and Brexit have taught us one thing, it’s that we should always be prepared for the unexpected. With this message in mind, it’s important we take time to assess our organisations contingency planning capabilities and consider ways in which we may be able to enhance our adaptable aptitude, should any unwanted delays or intrusions emerge in the run up to Christmas. In the current climate, this may extend to pre-empting any potential supply chain issues which could impact on distribution of key goods and services.

6. A time for giving: Remember Christmas is the season of generosity. Now more than ever it’s pivotal that we appropriately reward our employees for their hard work during what will undoubtedly be a hectic and tumultuous period for many businesses. Whilst opportunities for large Christmas bonuses may perhaps be limited, what should be given in abundance are displays of gratitude (no matter how big or small). What matters most at this time of year is generosity of spirit, so ensure you give your time, kindness, and appreciation to all those you work with.

7. It can be lonely this Christmas: Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, one in four adults have attested to struggling with feelings of loneliness. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Christmas is likely to serve as a catalyst to further fuel these feelings of isolation. As such, it’s important to ensure we regularly check in our remote employees and let them know they have not been forgotten over the festive period. Whilst we may all be still reeling from Zoom fatigue, we need to make a concerted effort to facilitate opportunities for all members to come together irrespective of where they choose to work.

8. Spread good cheer: In an age of ever-increasing corporate social responsibility, Christmas provides the perfect opportunity to give back to those less fortunate. Additionally, at a time when the ethical sensibilities of our employees are stronger than ever, it’s important we can demonstrate our organisation’s moral fibre and take the opportunity to actively engage in activities which help give back to the wider community. Not only will it help others and boost professional image, it will also help foster gratitude amongst members of our working teams.

9. Feet up by the fire: Christmas reminds us of what is important to us, and nothing is arguably more important than our health and wellbeing. With this message in mind, use the festive period as an opportunity in which to recharge the batteries and replenish your mental and emotional fuel tank. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many of us have lost sight of the bigger picture. What better time to take a step back and attempt to re-establish a healthier work-life balance going into 2022.

10. The ghost of Christmas past: Christmas is a time for reflection. Take the opportunity before you set your out of office email to look back on the last 12 months. What can you be particularly proud of? What do you feel you could have done differently? Most importantly, what are the key lessons you can take from a year that has been filled with adversity and uncertainty? Whilst it can be hard to extract positives from difficult events, our capacity to do so will undoubtedly help aid our personal and professional development in 2022.

11. The ghost of Christmas future: As an extension of the previous lesson, as well as looking back we must also look forward. What do we hope to achieve in 2022 and what do we need to achieve our mission and fulfil our organisational vision? After a season of relaxation and over-indulgence, it’s understandable our staff may return to work with a degree of lethargy. Consequently, we will need to have a clear plan of action in place for 2022, one which helps our company and its people approach the new year, with clear focus, momentum, and enthusiasm.

12. The ghost of Christmas present: In all the excitement and chaos it can be easy to lose focus in the run-up to Christmas. Remember to cultivate a mindful approach to the holiday season. Remain in the present, focus on what you can control, and above all else, take the opportunity to come together with your colleagues and employees and embrace the spirit of the holiday season. After the events of the past two years, we certainly deserve it!

Sources: Employee benefits (2017). Keep productivity up this festive period. Available at: https://employeebenefits.co.uk/keep-productivity-festive-period/; Natividad, A. (2021). Preparing your business for the holiday season. Available at https://thenextad.io/blog/preparing-your-business-for-the-holiday-season/; Pathway Lending (2021). Tips to manage the stress of the holidays at your business. Available at. https://www.pathwaylending.org/news-and-blog/news/7-tips-to-manage-the-stress-of-the-holidays-at-your-business/; Xero (2015). Small business guide to navigating the festive period. Available at: https://www.xero.com/blog/2015/12/asmall-business-guide-to-navigating-the-festive-period/