Finish Strong to Start Strong: Recognize and Recharge

The end of the year rush is actually the perfect moment to slow down, look at your Reflection with Intention exercise, and acknowledge the people on your team who helped make the year successful.

Because your team doesn’t need more pressure this week.

They need recognition and the space & encouragement to recharge.

Why recognition matters this week

This time of year is an opportunity to intentionally pause, recognize the work that’s been done and help your team step into the final stretch of the year feeling appreciated and valued.

As a leader, recognizing your team requires you to reflect on their performance and allows you to show gratitude for the work they’ve done. It helps you see what is working, who is stepping up and who may need a little more encouragement to step into their full potential.

When your team feels seen, a few things can happen

• They feel valued

• They regain motivation

• Their stress decreases and psychological safety increases

• They finish the year strong and enter the next season more open and engaged

How to recognize your team this week

First, revisit what you know for how each person likes to be recognized. Remember that while some people thrive off of public praise, others appreciate sincere acknowledgement in a private conversation. Knowing how your team likes to be recognized will ensure your delivery is both intentional and effective.

Then, write down specific behaviors you want to recognize for each individual and determine when and how you want to share it with them. It doesn’t have to be formal because the goal should be to show intention and appreciation.

• a quick slack or teams message (to the individual or within the group)

• a handwritten note

• during your weekly 1:1

• as a shoutout in your weekly team meeting

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How to help your team (and yourself) recharge this week

If you want to finish the year strong and start the next one energized, then you need to build in the space for you and your team to recharge over the next few weeks.

One way to encourage your team to recharge is to normalize rest and this week is the perfect week to do that.

1. Model rest for your team: cancel a meeting, shorten your 1:1s, remove a deadline, encourage your team to log off early (and then set an example by logging off early too!)

2. Say it out loud: “We’ve worked hard this year. This week, make space to rest and recharge because you’ve earned it” even this can help reduce pressure your team feels but hasn’t expressed.

Recharging doesn’t always require taking PTO. Sometimes it is as simple as removing pressure and giving people some time back during their work day to do the things that will energize them.

A leadership reminder for Thanksgiving week

People don’t remember every task you delegated or every project you led them through. But they do remember how they felt when working with and for you.

This week, help your team feel appreciated, seen, supported and encouraged to rest.