The holiday season is upon us, bringing with it a flurry of activity. At the outset of one of the busiest seasons of the year, here are three steps you can take to ensure a very merry time for everyone in your team.

1. Clear expectations
. When do time-off requests need to be in? What deadlines are essential to hit? Communicate proactively and consistently to ensure your team is on the same page.

2. Considerate celebrations. Take time to enjoy the festive spirit together, while being cognizant of what a busy time this is for individuals. Consider hosting your holiday party in January and supplementing with some casual celebrations during the workday, like a holiday cookie contest.

3.  Tangible thanks. End-of-year bonuses are concrete expressions of how your organization values its employees. Pair a generous bonus with an individual expression of thanks, such as writing a personal note to each employee celebrating a specific way they contribute to your team. 

Insightful leaders recognize that there is a different kind of productivity at play during the holiday season, as connections are strengthened and staff members are refreshed.