How to Lead with Balance During the Holidays

The holiday season is right around the corner, and while it can bring joy and celebration, it also tends to increase pressure and stress—especially for leaders. Setting up proactive wellness habits is essential to maintaining balance for both yourself and your team. Here are some strategies to help you establish a healthier, more relaxed environment as we approach the end of the year.

1. Prioritize Personal Wellness to Lead Effectively

Your energy, mindset, and wellness directly impact your leadership. Taking care of yourself is not only essential for your health but also sets an example for your team to follow.

Set Boundaries with Work and Family Time: Prioritize dedicated time with family and for yourself, and communicate those boundaries clearly. Doing so demonstrates to your team that it’s okay—and encouraged—to disconnect.
Practice Mindful Relaxation Techniques: Adding short moments of calm to your day can make a huge difference. Take a few minutes for deep breathing, a quick stretch, or even a guided meditation.
Use Holiday Time Wisely: Scheduling downtime around the holidays helps prevent burnout. Stepping away, even for brief breaks, recharges your mind and keeps you resilient for the busy season ahead.

This will obviously look different for each situation, but I always tried to take Friday afternoons off, if not the whole day, in November and December. This allowed me to decorate, shop, wrap presents, and bake without stress, leaving the weekends to be present for my family. I encouraged my team to do the same if they were able.

2. Model Healthy Boundaries and Respect for Time Off

As the end-of-year demands rise, setting boundaries is vital to creating a balanced, productive work environment. Encourage and respect these limits so that your team can focus without feeling overwhelmed.

Encourage True Disconnecting During Vacations: Let team members know it’s okay to fully unplug. Clear communication about respecting time off lets everyone feel comfortable taking the break they deserve.
Limit Last-Minute Requests: Planning ahead to avoid last-minute assignments minimizes stress. It shows your team that their well-being is valued and reduces the pressure to scramble at year-end.
Set Team-Wide Downtime: Offering half-days or extended lunch breaks around the holidays lets team members catch a breather, manage holiday errands, or spend time with family, all while feeling supported.

3. Support Flexible Schedules and Remote Work Options

Flexibility can be a great way to balance work commitments with holiday plans. When feasible, give your team the option to work around their personal schedules.

Flexible Hours: Allow team members to adjust their work hours to fit holiday obligations or family schedules. A small adjustment can make a significant difference in reducing stress.
Promote Remote Work: Working from home can alleviate the time and stress of commuting, giving people more time for self-care. It’s a simple but powerful way to encourage balance and reduce holiday burnout.

4. Set Clear Goals for the New Year

Start thinking ahead and communicating a realistic vision for the new year, so that your team can look forward to a fresh start without the weight of unresolved goals hanging over them.

Align on New Year’s Priorities: Outlining key areas of focus and setting goals now helps your team feel prepared and motivated. It can also reduce the post-holiday rush by providing a clear path forward.
Encourage a ‘Slow Start’ Mindset for January: Begin the new year at a manageable pace, allowing everyone to ease back into work after the holidays, feeling refreshed and ready to perform.

By focusing on wellness and setting boundaries, you’ll be taking the first step toward a healthier, more balanced holiday season. These practices are not only good for you as a leader but also for creating a culture where everyone feels supported.