Keeping Your Staff Motivated During the Holidays

During the holidays, your employees are likely to get distracted with all of the seasonal changes and festivities. From upcoming vacation time to celebrations they’re looking forward to, employees’ thoughts may be understandably far from focused on work amidst it all. Business doesn’t get to stop for the holiday season, so help keep your staff motivated during the holidays with these tips:

Model Good Behavior

As a leader, you have significant influence in setting the overall morale of the workplace. Practice the example you want your staff to follow during the holidays. Maintain a positive attitude and acknowledge the distraction that the holidays can bring to the workplace. Provide tips on how you personally overcome these challenges to stay productive. Remember: All eyes will be on you, so anything that could be interpreted as you “slacking off” will be seen as permission for employees to do the same.

Give Goals to Strive For

Take advantage of the upcoming New Year holiday to keep your staff motivated during the holiday season. A new year is viewed as a fresh start and may give your staff a renewed sense of motivation to achieve goals. Have your team brainstorm and think of some goals they’d like to accomplish the following year. The act of goal setting can help change their mindset to a more productive one.

Make Time for Celebrating

Low workplace morale is a major challenge to motivation – if employees have a negative attitude toward the workplace, they are less engaged in the outcome of their performances. Boost workplace morale during the holidays by bringing in some festivity. Whether it’s decorating, having an office party, or giving small gifts, acknowledging and embracing the holidays can help refresh your staff and improve their attitudes and motivation.

Communicate the Purpose

When the holidays are looming and your employees would like to be anywhere but the workplace, remind them of how appreciated they truly are. Thank them as a group, and also provide individual recognition for each contributor. Let them know that, without them, the organization couldn’t achieve what it does. Feeling valued as an integral part of the bigger picture can renew their passion for their jobs.  

Get help with increased holiday workload or vacation coverage with staffing firm Professional Alternatives. Since 1998, we have been serving Houston employers and their hiring needs. Our experience allows us to work with our clients to learn about their unique requirements in order to provide candidates that are the best fit. Contact us today to learn more about our employer services.