Page 18 - December 2020

LEADERSHIP DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

by Levi Liebling, DLP

THIS YEAR, MORE so than in years gone by,
your team has buckled down and shown an
astoundingly hard-working attitude due to the ever-
changing landscape we now find ourselves in.The
holiday season is here—but tunes that used to play
throughout the office are missing, the twinkling
lights are gone, and physical gatherings are being
replaced by virtual ones as leaders get their heads
down and plan for the year ahead without any
knowledge of what the future holds. For many,
especially for leaders, the holiday season does not
mean work stops.The future is dependent upon your
assurance, focus and leadership moving forward. So
now, what will you do? How will you approach the
next thirty days? Well, I thought I would share a few
ideas which you can put to use to help you move
forward. Proper planning prevents poor
performance. Now is the time to set clear schedules
for all your team members, making sure you do not
stretch them out too thinly, set priorities whilst
being mindful of what each team member is capable
of and taking into account this year’s unique
circumstances.
Keep your stress under control. It has been a Continue maintaining your high level of work
tough year for everyone, and as the leader of the ethic, and your employees will follow suit. Pitching
pack, you are the last one to sweat as everyone is in and helping employees, whenever and wherever
watching your every move. You must push ahead and you can, shows you care and that you are in this
exude the strengths of a leader. As the year comes to together with your team members.
a close, make sure you praise your team and show Successfully leading your team during the holidays
recognition for all they have done over the last is critical to the overall success of your business,
twelve months, with special focus on the trials and applying good year-end leadership habits will give
tribulations your team have faced. your employees a great end-of-year working
Gather up the troops and offer public praise for experience. Still, it will also increase the likelihood of
the outstanding achievements accomplished having excellent team morale as we move into the
throughout the year. Fortunately, there is no shortage new year.
of opportunities to communicate these messages—at
team meetings, at the end of a particularly stressful
shift, and of course, at the holiday Zoom party.

Image: Jill Wellington via Pexels

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