The week of Thanksgiving presents a unique challenge for managers. Half your team is mentally checking out, travel plans are disrupting schedules, and productivity naturally dips. Instead of fighting it, smart managers learn to work with it.
Embrace the Natural Rhythm
Fighting against the holiday slowdown is like swimming against a riptide—exhausting and ultimately futile. During the holiday season, your team’s attention is divided between work and family obligations. Instead, plan for the holiday and use it strategically.
Strategic Planning for Holiday Weeks
Here’s how to make the most of reduced-energy periods:
Before the Holiday:
- Complete critical deliverables by the Tuesday before
- Set clear expectations about availability and response times
- Prepare contingency plans for any urgent issues
- Schedule important decisions for after the holiday
During the Holiday Week:
- Use the time for reflection and planning
- Catch up on training, learning, and professional development
- Handle administrative tasks that don’t require peak focus
Opt for Email over Meetings
During holiday weeks, default to asynchronous communication. People appreciate not having their limited time consumed by meetings that could have been emails.
- News — Many meetings where you tell the team something new in the company could be an email. The only reason to have it in person is to provide real-time Q&A or if you want to keep it more confidential.
- Status update meetings — unless it’s part of your process, send an email for status updates or refer people to your status tracking tool.
- Changes to company policies — Send the email explaining the change (or forward the email from HR). If you need to follow up in person for confirmation, that’s a shorter meeting.
Managing Expectations During Slow Periods
Set realistic expectations with stakeholders about what can and cannot be accomplished during holiday weeks. This prevents last-minute stress and unrealistic demands on your team.
Communicate early and often about holiday schedules. Send a team-wide email explaining:
- Who will be out and when
- Coverage arrangements for critical functions
- Response time expectations
- Emergency contact procedures
Making the Most of Downtime
Use slower periods strategically for activities that get pushed aside during busy times:
- Process improvements that require focused thinking
- Documentation updates that are always “someday” tasks
- Strategic planning for the next quarter
The Gift of Presence
Sometimes the best thing you can do as a manager during holiday weeks is simply be present and available. Your calm, steady presence helps anxious team members and shows stakeholders that someone is minding the store.
Next Week Preview:
Our Thanksgiving week edition will be a shorter, reflective piece about what great managers are truly grateful for—and why gratitude is a leadership superpower.
-Frank
