Normally, at this time of year, many of us are gearing up for a whirlwind of holiday gatherings, gift exchanges, annual bonuses, and some much-deserved time off. As we all know, 2020 just hasn’t been shaking out that way. Sadly, many are stressed, lonely, a bit burned out (or A LOT burned out!), and just happy to have a job. Leaders at all levels are being asked to not only deliver quantitative results (often with fewer resources); but to also tune in to how their employees are feeling, keep them engaged, and get them motivated for the coming year. That’s a tall order no matter how you look at it!
So, what can you do to end the year on a positive note and generate momentum for 2021?
Here are some ideas to consider…
Focus on Presence rather than on Presents
It’s trite but true that your presence is a gift that only you can provide to others. Consider scheduling short, uninterrupted calls or video chats with each member of your team – NOT to get status updates - but rather to spend a few minutes together just talking about what’s going on in their life, what their holiday plans are, etc. If you are already up-to-date on their life outside the office, then perhaps you can spend a few minutes reminiscing about what went well this year and brainstorming what might be possible in 2021 instead? Not a formal goals-setting session; more like a celebration of their wins and an invitation to envision what’s potentially possible. If calls aren’t practical, take a moment to send a video message or, better yet, send a handwritten note to them by old-fashioned snail mail. Need a little convincing? Check out this article published in Psychology Today that highlights the unexpected win-win benefits of handwritten notes.
Host a Virtual Holiday Party
While it’s not the same as renting out a fun venue and hiring a great band, don’t underestimate how much fun you can have by hosting a virtual party for your team. Get some food delivered to each attendee (try Uber Eats, DoorDash, GoldBelly, etc. or give them a gift card to get their own), dig out the ugly sweaters for a contest, have each person bring a joyful picture to share (or submit a childhood photo in advance), play a game of Bingo or Yahtzee with prizes for the winners, etc. Tap into your creativity and let the fun begin! If you need help pulling off a virtual event, there are many vendors that specialize in this – here’s an example.
Support a Charity Together
It may not be possible to do in-person charitable events this year; however, consider inviting your employees to participate in a group fitness challenge such as the Charity Miles program. Collectively get your bodies moving, log your activity, and raise money for a good cause – all at no cost to you (other than your participation). Another option could be to encourage all team members to participate in a food drive to gather canned goods and other needed supplies for a food shelter near their home. Set goals, take photos of the collected items, and celebrate together.
Create a Gratitude Video
Want everyone to feel connected even though they are spread far and wide? Try having each team member record a short video clip (focused on a specific theme), collect the individual clips, and have someone piece the video clips together into one video that brings everyone together. For example, choose a theme such as “I am thankful for…” and ask each participant to jot that phrase on a sheet of paper (along with their response) and to have someone else record them holding up or revealing their response. No talking required at all. Want to get fancy? You could take it one step further and have each participant pretend to hand their paper to someone else that’s off-camera (and for the next person to reach off-camera to take the paper from the prior person). Once all the individual videos are edited together, it will look like everyone is virtually linked together. Need help? There are lots of great free resources online like this one to leverage.
Provide a Team Workshop
As you prepare to wrap up the year, it could be a great opportunity to gift your team a workshop organized around a general topic of interest, a growth area for the group, or a guest speaker; the more interactive, the better. Perhaps you can invite an author to lead the group through a book discussion? Or a business leader to talk about their leadership journey? You could have an instructor teach your team how to communicate/influence more effectively and get some hands-on practice. How about inviting a motivational speaker or coach in to teach your team how to dream and then how to turn their dreams into concrete goals for the upcoming year? The possibilities are endless. If you need some ideas, consider scheduling a complimentary strategy session to explore what might be a good fit for you and your team.
Offer One-on-One Coaching
One of the greatest gifts I ever received during my tenure in Corporate America was the gift of one-on-one coaching. With my coach’s assistance, I was able to hit the pause button on my hectic work schedule, be very intentional about what I wanted to work on and why, and to have the support and honesty of my coach to help me push through the discomfort associated with personal and professional growth. As a result, I gained confidence as a leader, learned to listen better, and developed strategies to help me and my team avoid burnout despite very long hours, limited resources, and many competing priorities. I got so much value out of the experience that I became a professionally certified coach to help others the way that my coach helped me. Perhaps you can gift one hour of one-on-one coaching to each member of your team? Or, better yet, offer a couple of your high potentials a three or six-month coaching engagement? I am happy to help you create a customized offering that will give your team an opportunity to pause and reflect on 2020 while also considering what’s possible for them, both personally and professionally, in 2021.
These end-of-year celebration ideas are just a short list to get your creative juices flowing. Please share your additional ideas and feedback to help me and others continue to grow and learn; we are better together!
Let’s end 2020 on a positive note and look forward to creating great possibilities in 2021!
Create Greater Impact,
Dianne
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