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Holiday Season Requires Tact, Sensitivity

December 6, 1999

"The holiday season, which, in case you haven't noticed, much of the world is preoccupied with, is a time of joy and goodwill.  Or so the holiday songs and cards tell us.  But back here in reality, we know that, all too often, the holidays can cause stress for many people.  This stress can lead to bad moods, short tempers, and anything but joy of the season.

So whether your holiday spirit is one of cheer or bah-humbug, you should be aware of how you interact and communicate with others - inside and outside your team structure - during this time.  Here are some suggestions for communicating during the holidays:

- Be sensitive to other cultures and holidays.  Remember, not everyone on your team or in your office celebrates at the same time or in the same way as you.  So if you're planning on giving out holiday cards, for example, wish people holiday greetings that reflect their own beliefs.  This premise holds true for customers as well as colleagues and teammates.
- Respect others' moods.  If you're a very happy holiday person, great for you.  But don't try too hard to bring others into your realm.  If a colleague doesn't seem to like the holidays, he or she may have a very personal reason for having that attitude.  You shouldn't pry into these feelings uninvited, but you can offer to listen if a peer really wants to talk.  The same goes if you'd rather just forget the holidays.  You certainly have that right, but don't try to rain on other people's parades if they don't share your opinion.  The name of the game is live and let live.
- Know the holiday schedule.  A heartfelt holiday greeting (even to the "humbuggers") can go a long way in building good working relationships.  This is especially true with customers.  So keep a calendar of all the holidays and call with an appropriate greeting or send a simple card at the right time for each person.  Your greeting will be appreciated and remembered long after the holidays - even if it's not reciprocated.
- Understand your corporate culture.  You may display holiday decorations at home that rival the Griswalds in the movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, but at work, you should maintain a level of professionalism when it comes to visual displays.  Be aware of your company's views on holiday decorations, treats, and parties, and follow these guidelines.  Your efforts should add to holiday cheer without causing visual distractions.

The holiday season can be a great time to improve communication among your teammates and customers if you follow these simple guidelines and respect the wishes and traditions of others.  Use the holiday spirit, as you can, to build pleasant, productive working relationships that will last the year long (Andersen, 1997, p.4)."

Reference:  Andersen, K.N. (1997, December 8).  Holiday Season Requires Tact, Sensitivity.  Teamwork:  Your Personal Guide to Working Successfully with People,.

*  Teamwork:  Your Personal Guide to Working Successfully with People is available on loan at the OSU Leadership Center.  A listing of all the Leadership Center's resources is available on our website www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~leaders

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Created: 2009-01-06, Updated: 2009-01-16