Leading Through the Holidays: What Your Team Needs Most
As the holidays approach, leaders face two realities. The year still demands focus, and people are ready to “check out”. Leaders must keep the work moving and honor the season and the people navigating it.
The holidays shift the pace, not the expectations. Leading well during this stretch requires intention. Intentional leadership helps people finish strong without feeling overwhelmed.
See the Season for What It Is
Strong leaders pay attention to three things:
1. Capacity
People have less capacity in December. Keep expectations high and make priorities easy to understand. Give the team a clear path and the support they need.
2. Communication
Shifting schedules and workloads create confusion. Clear it up. Communicate simply and steadily, and repeat the important points.
3. Connection
This season can help people feel grounded or stretched. Be present. Offer support. Set a pace the team can actually keep.
Clarify What “Finishing Strong” Means
Finishing strong means choosing the right work. Identify critical work and direct the team’s attention toward it.
Use this simple check:
What needs to be done by the end of the year?
What can wait?
What obstacles need to get cleared?
When you cut through the noise, teams regain momentum. Clear finish lines reduce stress and increase ownership because everyone understands where their effort lands.
Protect Space for Real Rest
The holidays offer a natural reset for each of us.
We need more than time off. We need permission to unplug without feeling gulity.
As a leader, model it. When you rest, the team follows.
Rest strengthens focus, creativity, and resilience. Treat it as a way to keep your team healthy.
Keep the Human Side in View
People carry more than workloads, especially in December. They carry celebrations, stress, travel, family pressure, financial concerns, and sometimes grief. A little empathy shifts the entire environment.
Acknowledge the weight people carry. You do not need to solve personal challenges. You only need to show that you see the whole person. That awareness shapes tone, timelines, and the support you provide.
Lead the Pace
Leaders set the pace. Push too hard and people hit a wall. Move too slowly and the work loses direction. Set a steady pace that keeps the team focused and working well together.
Ask your team:
What would help you do your best work this month?
Where do you need more clarity ?
What would make the end of this year feel healthy and productive?
These questions remind people their voice matters and give you the information you need to lead the team well.
A Season for Leadership That Resonates
The holidays give leaders a chance to reinforce the culture they expect all year. Protect capacity. Champion clarity. Honor the human side of work. People notice when leaders do these things well.