Leadership in Holiday Magic
Manage episode 349955219 series 3091079
Holiday magic is made by women.
The holiday season would be a lot less magical without the work that mostly women do to create it. In homes and in organisations, creating happiness for other people. It’s an additional mental load, without us realising that it is.
At this time of year, most of us are dealing with end-of-year workload: having budget meetings, wrapping up performance reviews, aligning on 2023 strategy, plus lots happening in our social lives and personal lives. The dash to the end of the year.
But what about all of the little things that, put together, make you feel warm and fuzzy over the holidays… when you think about it: who does all of those things? Who adds the details that make the holidays special?
99% of Lisa’s female clients turn up in overwhelm this time of year – and she doesn’t hear her male clients being swamped in the same way .
It’s worth unpacking this and bringing in more gender equity.
Let’s recognise and appreciate the effort. Let’s notice the contrast between the happiness created and the workload & time that it requires. Let’s make conscious choices – up front – of what you want to do, skip or involve others in. Choose what works for *you.
Let’s also acknowledge that holidays can be difficult for people. Reach out to someone, to us. The holidays are not magic for everybody. If that’s you: there are people out there that are happy to connect with you, including Lisa and me.
And let’s become more aware that, actually, creating holiday magic is a real expression of genuine leadership skills. Being able to attune to other human beings is exactly what happens in organizations when amazing and highly effective teams are created.
Organizational magic is made by these skills. Recognise it as your interpersonal leadership skill that transfers to the workplace context.
Make it a season that is magical, inclusive of the people that put so much of the work in.
Happy holidays!
Referenced:
- ‘Holiday Magic Is Made By Women’, Gemma Hartley in Huffpost.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/emotional-labor-holidays_n_5a1ec905e4b0d724fed5588a
- ‘You should’ve asked’, https://english.emmaclit.com/2017/05/20/you-shouldve-asked/comment-page-1/
More about us:
Lisa Dempsey – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisakdempsey/ - https://www.leadershiplabs.eu
Marjolijn Vlug – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjolijnvlug/ - https://www.marjolijnvlug.nl/?lang=en
Reach us both at PeopleImpactPodcast@gmail.com
130 episodes