Thriving through the Holidays

Thriving through the Holidays

As the holidays approach, the whirlwind of day-to-day activities can feel overwhelming. For leaders transitioning from individual contributors to their leadership roles, the challenges of managing change—both personally and within their teams—are amplified. The tools for thriving in change that we discussed in our FREE Thriving in Change workshop can be particularly valuable during this season of celebration, stress, change, and opportunity.

Here are some practical pointers for navigating the holidays with intention and adaptability:

1. Embrace Change as an Opportunity

The holidays often bring a mix of joy and disruption—new schedules, team dynamics, and personal obligations. Recognizing this as an opportunity for growth rather than a burden is key.

Action Tip: Reflect on the Kubler-Ross Change Curve. Identify where you and your team might be along the stages of change (e.g., denial, exploration, acceptance). Use this insight to guide your communication and planning during the holidays. Don’t forget to feel your feelings!

2. Prioritize with Purpose

The end-of-year rush often forces leaders to juggle competing demands. Returning to the principles of prioritization—focusing on high-impact, strategic goals while managing the daily whirlwind—is essential.

Action Tip: Use the Impact/Effort Matrix to evaluate holiday priorities. What tasks can you delegate, defer, or eliminate to focus on what truly matters for your team and personal life? We can totally do everything. We just can’t do everything all at once.

3. Cultivate Balance and Adaptability

The holidays test our ability to adapt while maintaining balance. Striking the right balance between professional responsibilities and personal time ensures you don’t burn out and sets a powerful example for your team.

Action Tip: Schedule “non-negotiable” time for self-care, family, and work commitments. Encourage your team to do the same and model adaptability by being open to adjusting plans as needed. Knowing what to say NO to and what to say YES to is essential!

4. Communicate with Clarity and Empathy

Holiday seasons can bring heightened emotions and diverse expectations. Leaders who communicate with clarity and empathy can build trust and alignment during this period.

Action Tip: Check in regularly with yourself and your team. Ask open-ended questions like, “What support do you need to thrive during this time?” and share updates transparently to align expectations. Lean in to support from your peers and management. We’re all doing our best. Let’s work with each other instead of against each other.

5. Celebrate Progress and Build Momentum

Amidst the busyness, celebrating successes—big or small—helps maintain morale and fosters a sense of accomplishment.

Action Tip: Host a team reflection to acknowledge collective wins for the year. Tie these to future goals to maintain momentum into the new year.

Putting it all together

By adjusting, adapting, and balancing with purpose, you can lead your team—and yourself—through the holidays with resilience and grace. Remember, thriving in change isn’t about avoiding challenges; it’s about recovering quickly, learning, and flourishing in the face of them.

Let thriving be your guiding principle this holiday season—for excelling and creating meaningful connections in your leadership role.

Access the full workshop recording here!

Happy Holidays!