Among many things, the holidays are an opportunity for leaders and communicators to reinforce their organization’s culture.
Does your organization emphasize down time with families and encourage shorter workdays during the holidays? If so, limit the mandatory events (including celebrations).
Are you a highly social group, focused on teamwork and esprit de corps? Put together an event that joins multiple directorates or units together. Unite them with common purposes beyond simply “it’s the holidays.”
Do you take pride in being quiet professionals? If so, then limit bombastic displays of spirit that do little more than give individuals an outlet to seek and receive personal attention.
Do your leaders emphasize health and physical fitness? Maybe don’t pig out on shit. (this also applies to office birthdays, etc.)
If you’ve got folks away from home or overseas focused on operations, you might need to find a way to keep your folks state-side focused on those operations.
Whatever you do, do not use “it’s the holidays” as an excuse to do something inconsistent with your culture and values.
