Professional (and Personal!) Project Management: Holiday Hustle

Project management can be fairly standard no matter what field you choose, but one thing you can’t predict remains the same across the board: people and their plans. That is not meant as an indictment on anyone’s personal boundaries and/or schedules; it’s actually an endorsement! A key component of success in project management is a happy team that feels its individual commitments and work-life balances are respected, but this can get tricky during holiday celebrations and scheduling. There are a few things to keep in mind when planning for your team to get some much-needed recuperation time during the end-of-year rush, but also maintain efficient workplace procedures.

1. Make sure you are communicating as a team! 

   1. This can fall to both an employee and a manager, but maintaining consistent communication regarding time-off scheduling is important, especially during a season where most employees will be requesting time off that is likely to overlap. 

   2. Consider the size and layout of your team. Do you have 10 or less employees? Are you at a brick and mortar location with posted hours or are you a fully remote venture? This can affect the amount of manpower you need at any given time during a busy holiday corridor. 

   3. It may seem like overkill, but make sure you follow up with someone if you haven’t heard back about their time-off plans. You can consider having a policy in place for employees to submit their time-off plans by a certain date for holiday plans, and then follow up with any extenuating circumstances.

      
      

2. Be respectful and inclusive. 

   1. It’s easy to assume that most or all employees of your business may celebrate the same holidays or enjoy them in the same way (i.e. big travel plans, large family gatherings, etc.). However, some people may choose to or choose not to celebrate certain holidays for an array of reasons, which are to be respected regardless of preference. 

   2. Additionally, not all major holidays occur in the same “traditional” end-of-year frame or are recognized the same way. Some cultures or religions may celebrate after what is considered the standard “new year,” while some may honor a federal holiday in a completely different way than what may be viewed as the majority. All of these differences are great and deserve to be honored like any other, so keep this in mind if someone requests time off for something you may not be “used to.” This could be a great way to get to know your team better!

   3. It’s also important to keep in mind that some team members may have difficult times during this season. Encourage your team to have a gift exchange or holiday party! These are great ways to build team morale and a sense of community and belonging.

      
      

3. Recognize the importance of balance.

   1. Depending on your field, the holiday season can be busy in your personal AND professional life. Make sure you’re not losing sight of the fact that taking time to reflect on the year and look forward to new possibilities in the next year is important and necessary! We all need that time…managers included!

   2. Don’t give in to the temptation to work when you’re off. An exception is understandable if something is TRULY “do or die,” but we can be honest with ourselves that an email can wait. Make sure you set a very clear out-of-office message that details when you will be returning to work (and encourage your team to do the same!).

   3. Make it a priority to honor your team during this time. We spend the majority of our days around our coworkers; make them know you recognize their achievements as individuals and as a team (and not just work achievements – celebrate someone’s newborn, hype up a new house, or reflect on the wedding the whole team attended!). 

Thanks for reading! Any other ideas or comments you have about the hustle of the holidays? Let us know below!