Families, especially spouses and partners, make an unheralded sacrifice to the enterprise all year long.
Family members of the team help to absorb the stress of late nights, long trips, and missed goals. They allow their lives to revolve around the hectic schedule and demands of team members who often carry the burden of ever-expanding work.
Good leaders appreciate this sacrifice and see the company holiday party for what it really is. A chance to thank those in the background, making the sacrifices so team members can show up and do great work.
The more they recognize and acknowledge the family members who attend the party, the more they make the team members look good in front of those who matter most to them.
This ignites loyalty, respect, and feelings of commitment.
But the best leaders don’t do it to motivate the team. They do it because they know nothing happens without the support of the people at home.
For those enterprises that don’t throw a holiday party that involves family members, leaders take the opportunity presented by the festivities to reach out and express their appreciation via handwritten notes, flowers, and other forms of gratefulness.
Good leaders never miss the chance to give a year-end thanks to those who provide the daily support for the team. They find the time to reach out with a heartfelt message.
Former Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi went as far as to handwrite letters to her executives’ parents, thanking them for raising leaders.
Former Southwest Airlines CEO Herb Kelleher routinely thanked team member spouses for “loaning” their loved one to the company. He also liked to show up unannounced at team member weddings, funerals, and holiday family events.
Former Costco CEO James Sinegal made a point of thanking families, crediting them for the company’s famously low turnover, with personalized gifts, especially at holiday time.
Holiday videos or messages addressed directly to spouses, parents and children, publicly thanking family members by name at the party, covering holiday travel costs for family members, having holiday treats delivered to homes, inscribing books to team members’ children, and hiring a photographer to capture a family holiday photo are just a few of the creative gestures great leaders have used to express their appreciation.
Far too many leaders treat the company holiday party like a chore, as something to endure between the cheese tray and the parking lot.
They miss an incredible opportunity to thank the people who make the organization truly great. Holiday time is the perfect time to say thank you.
A Daily Dispatch from the Front Lines of Leadership.
