From the clanging of the bell ringer, the downtown carolers and the lights, to the smells of holiday snacks, the season surrounds us, permeating well into the workplace. Because so many are caught up in the emotion of the times, the chances of error during this sensitive period are greatly enhanced.
So it is with the best intentions that we offer this reasoned guide to having a fun, enjoyable and trouble-free holiday season at work.
Let’s consider:
Which holiday? Remember not everybody celebrates Christmas. Celebrants of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa can get as emotionally tied to their holidays as the larger populace gets about Christmas.
Workplace consultants Bill Catlette and Richard Hadden gently remind us not to trip over ourselves playing the game of political correctness. Being aware of the private celebrations within each employee’s family culture while participating in public and collective observances is a reasonable approach.
The gift of leadership. There’s no better time than the holidays for the sincere, warm-hearted exercise of true leadership. Some managers, fearing they may appear too soft or too accommodating end up winding themselves up tighter than a traditional holiday ball of string.
‘Tis the season to lighten up, managers. If your crew is any measure of the hard work put in by the American work force this year, you probably have much to celebrate. While exercising control over the purse strings, turn over the planning and preparing of any celebration to the troops and join them as a peer by rolling up your sleeves to help.
When business requires that some people work on the actual holiday, Catlette and Hadden suggest that managers join them for a time. Get out of your warm house, go to the plant, the store or office, hang out for a while, then leave. Your people will tacitly realize that you know they are working hard to make you look good, they advise.
Parties. Holiday functions as the traditional Christmas party can be potential career gold mines or landmines. They are not held for your enjoyment but as a stage for selling yourself to colleagues, bosses and many people you don’t know.
Approach these social events as you would an initial job interview. Dress stylishly yet modestly. Shoes should be shined, nails clean. A non-stop, and hopefully, sincere smile plus a goal to learn something nonwork-related that’s happening in lives of every adult present will bode well in making you a memorable part of the gathering.
At some point, visit and exchange pleasantries with the highest-ranking executive and express your appreciation for the party. Senior executives, meanwhile, should mingle with as many lower-ranked employees as possible.
While it should go without saying, this is not the appropriate setting to be tell Internet jokes, make any move remotely romantic to anyone, including your partner or to consume alcohol as if it were a re-enactment of your college fraternity Friday night keggers.
Excessive drinking occurs at least a quarter of all holiday parties, according to a survey, and leads to rowdy behavior, off-color jokes, sexual overtures or advances and fistfights, and the slippery slope of career destruction.
Showing appreciation. Gift giving carries as much chance of causing confusion, disappointment or embarrassment as creating seasonal goodwill. Proceed with caution. Instead of a gift, consider a sincerely worded personal appreciation for the relationship within a tasteful holiday card.
Show appreciation to customers and vendors through a sincerely worded card, a holiday plant or floral decorative, or perhaps by hosting a low-key reception at the end of a business day. No matter what the gift, it will be remembered in direct proportion to the sincerity with which it’s presented.
Write Eric Zoeckler at The Herald, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206 or e-mail mrscribe@aol.com.
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