The holiday season is a time of merriment, festivities, and well-deserved relaxation. However, as the year draws to a close, maintaining employee engagement can be a tricky task. Distractions, personal commitments, and the allure of upcoming time off can lead to a dip in productivity and enthusiasm.
In this blog article, we’ll explore the art of keeping your team motivated and engaged in the workplace during the holiday period. We’ll delve into the strategies, practices, and gestures that can make all the difference in ensuring that your employees remain committed, focused, and inspired. From the power of recognition to the significance of celebrating the journey, we have you covered. With the right approach, you can make this festive season not just merry but also productive and rewarding for your team.
Focus on team-building:
Bringing the people in your team closer together is crucial for creating and maintaining a high-performing team and well-engaged individuals. This can be as simple as extended lunch breaks to allow co-workers to bond in the break room, or offering Friday afternoon drinks in the office to give your team a chance to catch up and debrief with one another. On the other hand, there are also more organised corporate team-building activities, and that is where Team Bonding can come in. With a range of activities from in-person to online events, you’ll be able to bring your team together no matter where they are located. Popular activities include:
- Game Show
- Team Survivor
- Amazing Race
- Murder Mystery
- My Cooking Rules
Communication:
Effective communication is the cornerstone of maintaining employee engagement over the holiday period. Conducting performance reviews can provide a platform for open dialogues, setting expectations, and offering constructive feedback. Moreover, gathering feedback from the team collectively and individually helps address concerns and adapt strategies to meet their needs. The key is to actively listen, understand what employees require, and align these insights with holiday-season plans, ensuring everyone feels heard and valued, thus bolstering engagement during this festive period.
Change up your day:
This could be scheduling a shadowing session for your employees to go and sit with other people in a different department, to gain an understanding of the operations within the wider business. This could also look like upskilling individuals in differing tasks so they can take on new responsibilities in areas of interest to them as well.
Focus on wellness:
Consider providing in-house wellness perks like corporate massages to relieve stress and offering catered lunches or breakfasts to promote healthier eating habits. These thoughtful initiatives not only boost morale but also contribute to a more productive and balanced work environment. Team Bonding also has a range of wellness events from Soulful Hikes to Ice Baths & Breathwork, that provide a way to promote positive health and wellbeing amongst your employees.
Recognise and reward:
This fosters a sense of appreciation, boosts morale, and reinforces a positive workplace culture. Small gestures, like bonuses, gifts, or even a heartfelt “thank you,” go a long way in showing employees that their hard work is valued and acknowledged. Factor in the individual feedback you have gotten from your team so you know what is important to them. With this information, you can find ways to recognise employees’ contributions that align with their respective individual values.
Forward planning:
This is the time when a lot of projects are coming to completion or start dates for new projects are pushed back to the new year. Make the most of the time now, to put an action plan in place for what 2024, or at least the first quarter, of the year is going to look like. Having this kind of forward planning can help motivate your team to stay on track now and even start to take steps to set up for success going into the new year.
In the rush of the holiday season, retaining employee engagement isn’t just about keeping the wheels turning; it’s about creating a workplace where every member of your team thrives. As we navigate the unique challenges posed by year-end distractions, remember to keep the conversation open with your team about how you can support them through this time of year.
Team-building activities bring individuals closer together. They foster collaboration and trust and can help to open communication channels. These outcomes go beyond just the holiday season, but what better time of year to implement these kinds of initiatives?
By embracing these principles, you don’t just ensure a productive holiday period; you lay the groundwork for an engaged and motivated team all year long.
Employee engagement isn’t a one-time effort, but a continuous journey, and the holiday season is a perfect time to kickstart that journey. Remember, a well-engaged team is a gift that keeps on giving, benefiting both your employees and the success of your organisation. So, as the holiday spirit takes hold, let your commitment to employee engagement shine bright. For team-building activities in Sydney, Melbourne or wherever you are in the country, reach out to Team Bonding to discuss your goals and we can tailor an event to suit your team.
