Keeping Your Team Focused During the Holiday Season
The happiest time of the year has officially arrived. You’re no Grinch, but you’re already concerned about productivity levels, as your team traditionally has trouble focusing on work during the holidays.
This time of year is filled with fun and excitement, but work still needs to be done. Here are five tips to help keep your team focused, when they’d probably rather be decking the halls elsewhere.
Create a Challenge
There’s nothing like a little friendly competition to get employees to buckle down and work. Turn something people are having trouble getting motivated to do into a fun challenge. It’s up to you whether you want to make it a solo or group event, so choose the format that best fits the situation.
Ask Them to Participate in 2019 Goal Planning
Often times, work gets a little slow around the holiday season. Give employees something meaningful to do by including them in the 2019 goal-setting process. Being asked to participate is an honor, so they will take this activity very seriously. Since they’ll have an important project to focus on, there will be no time left for slacking.
Be Willing to Give a Little With Schedules
For many people, this time of year is extremely hectic. Happenings like kids’ school events, family visiting from out of town, and holiday shopping require a great deal of time and energy.
If you have the capacity to be flexible with employees’ schedules, give them some leeway. This might mean allowing people to adjust their work hours, switch shifts, or work from home — if possible with their job type — to accommodate the extra demands. It’s hard for people to focus on work when they’re stressed out over the holidays, so allowing them extra breathing room should help ease the pressure, increasing their ability to concentrate during their shift.
Recognize 2018 Employee Achievements
The holiday season is all about warm and fuzzy moments, so extend this sentiment to the workplace. Make employees feel special by acknowledging all the hard work they did this year. Write them a note, praise them in a staff meeting, or buy them a small gift to show your appreciation.
Receiving accolades from you will boost employees’ self-confidence. Knowing you believe in them and have paid close attention to their contributions throughout the year will inspire them to keep on working hard throughout the holidays.
Have a Little Holiday Fun Together
If you think trying to ignore the holiday season altogether at your workplace is a good idea, think again. Displaying a Scrooge-like spirit will only bring employees down and cause them to rebel. Instead, hang decorations, host a holiday gathering, and bring the fun of the season into your office. Let employees in on your holiday party plans early, because having to wonder if you’ll allow them to celebrate this year will also take their concentration away from work.
The new year is upon us, making it a great time to expand your team. To learn more about how we can help you find top behavioral health talent, contact us today at (513) 651-9500 or by email at [email protected].