A Tip for Managers During the Holidays

0:28This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. Back Support is made with a blend of melatonin and L-theanine for both kiddos and grown-ups. So when your mind won't switch off, you've got something that can help. Erasing thoughts and restless nights won't stand a chance. Find Oli Sleep Solutions for the whole family at Oli.com. That's O-L-L-Y dot com. Managing personal stress is always hard. But when you add workplace stress plus the holiday season to that mix, it can feel overwhelming. The American Psychological Association says that 38 % of people feel more stressed during the holidays, and only 8 % actually feel happier.

1:09At work, people have tighter deadlines, end-of-year goals, and stressed-out customers, which can all add up to increased anxiety. So how can managers combat stress and keep productivity and spirits up during the holiday season? As a manager, you can really help by reviewing the individual workloads of your team members and seeing if there are any project deadlines that can be extended into the new year. You can also help people prioritize the tasks that do need to get done and even give them more flexibility in their work hours during this set period of time. Think of the holidays as an opportunity for you to show your team members that you really see them as more than just employees.

1:47It's a chance for you to understand each person's individual needs and respond to them, which is a great way to build trust and positive relationships while also reducing other people's stress. Once people really understand what they need to focus on and feel a little bit of freedom and how to get it done, they may also feel more motivated. And the less stressed they are, the better they'll likely feel when they show up at work.