The perfect gifts for your team
Recognition
It’s been another year punctuated by uncertainty and challenges, including pandemic fears and fatigue, back-to-the-office transitions, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
I know we’re all done with ‘21 and want to flip the calendar. Still, it’s important to reflect on and show gratitude and appreciation for your team’s effort, resiliency and successes – both individually and as a group – this year.
Also, be sure to celebrate the learning moments that led to professional or organizational growth this year.
You can acknowledge your team by writing a card, speaking during one-on-one or year-end team meetings or in another creative way. A team that feels recognized and appreciated is a team that will feel inspired and motivated.
Self-care
Business and social calendars are jam-packed in December. Everyone feels the need to catch up with vendors, clients, friends and family before starting a new year.
Many of us end up getting depleted over the two-week holiday period and start the new year exhausted from the so-called “holiday” season.
The family festivities and social events are going to happen and can be a great source of energy for many of us. I would also like to encourage you to give yourself permission, to politely say no to some invitations and plan something in the new year instead.
All the re-energizing techniques that I regularly talk about in this newsletter – going outside to move your body and connect with nature, finding time to relax and read a book or take a nap, to name a few – are the gifts that keep giving.
Encourage your team to recharge over the holidays and show them that you are doing the same.
Resist the urge to bombard them with emails or texts they need to respond to during their downtime, and give them the time and space to truly rest, relax and recharge.
Regifting
So, what’s the perfect gift for a leader? Give yourself the same gift that you gave your team!
New year, new habits
Here are three ideas:
Learn a new habit or behaviour for yourself. It may have to do with their self-care, a hobby or interest, but it’s purely for you! Start with yourself because you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Learn a new habit or behaviour that serves your tribe, which could be your family, group, community, etc. Some ideas: volunteer, start a family phone-free night or book club.
Start a new habit or behaviour for your team. Some ideas: Meeting-free Mondays or a wellness challenge that gets the whole team focused on achieving a shared goal and feeling a shared sense of accomplishment.