What are your people saying about you at the office Christmas party?
2 min read.
With the end of another tumultuous year, many of us are looking forward to friendlier conversations with team members and leaders. Exchanges, such as, ‘Hey, how’s everything going at home?’. For some, that would be the first-time some team members are hearing this question from their team leader.
Is there anything worse than awkward silence?
Sometimes we may stick to topics like the weather and neglect the conversations that enable us to learn more about the individual. It’s true that having a personal conversation isn’t always easy, especially if you don’t know the person sitting or standing next to you. But an awkward silence can cut deeper than any small talk. We may be afraid of being rejected, laughed at, or not trusted. Sometimes it’s simply easier to talk about weather or work.
The absence of authentic and personable leadership means we miss opportunities for meaningful connection, and can create an “us vs. them” divide that can fuel negative chatter amongst our teams – on the job or even at the Christmas celebration. However, if we build a culture of trust, where people feel safe to speak up when they have an issue, and that they can trust that you’ll support and problem-solve with them, they will be more likely to sprinkle Christmas cheer, than to moan about their treatment through the rest of the year.
Labour Shortages doesn’t exist.
Dan Price, founder of credit card processing company Gravity Payments, is probably looking forward to a very merry office Christmas party this year. His employees enjoy many benefits and perks, including a minimum annual salary wage of $70,000, paid parental leave, complete health care benefits, and remote work is optional for all staff.
With not a lot to complain about, they’ll probably all enjoy the chance to kick up their heels and celebrate a successful and prosperous year. And although Gravity Payments advertised 72 job vacancies this year, they had 25,400 applications to choose their new recruits from. A business that supports its people, attracts good people too.
What you can do, starting today
Not every business can financially support employee benefits like those offered by Gravity Payments, but there are things every leader can do to promote a positive culture! We can start by having regular meaningful and personable conversations and not only once or twice per year.
When they are scheduled and diarised, these discussions can feel forced and inauthentic. When the discussions feel spontaneous, they help to put the team member at ease.
Then conversations can be centred around the personal development, goals, and ambitions of the team member. They are a chance for the team member to talk and for we, as their leader, to listen.
If you can, take the opportunity to share your journey, to allow the team member to understand you more, giving context to some of your past, present, and future decisions.
Rather than simply topping up the office Christmas decorations, or boosting the booze budget, it takes commitment to a more positive culture, and work throughout the year to achieve that goal, to turn your organisation’s Christmas party into a true celebration by and for your people.
Liz Ralph
Learning Manager, Lysander
Liz has a wealth of experience in leadership, culture development and leading large-scale projects to effect change. She applies strategic thinking and creativity to designing and executing all Lysander projects and brings empathy and experience from working in a range of workplaces from start-ups to national organisations.