Why leadership at the end of the year feels harder than it should

That tired, stretched feeling at this time of year is real.

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You know the one, the sense that you are trying to lead your team while your brain whispers, “just get me to Christmas”.

It is not because you lack resilience. It is not because you are doing anything wrong. It is simply the reality of leading a team at the pointy end of the year, when everyone around you is running on a maxed-out calendar.

For you, your team, your customers and for every supplier, contractor and partner you deal with, December becomes a collision of responsibilities.

🎄Workloads rise,

🎄Timelines shorten,

🎄Emotions sit closer to the surface, and

🎄The usual pockets of rest or reset time quietly disappear.

🎄Personal time is full of concerts, assemblies, end-of-year events and family commitments stacked on top of each other.

Leadership feels heavier not because you are failing, but because everything is full. Understanding this helps you lead yourself first, so you can lead your team with steadiness rather than strain.

“People do not need perfect leaders, they need present ones.”

So what can you do when you want to create calm for your team, even when you do not feel particularly calm yourself?

Step 1 – Start with simple clarity

A two minute check in can settle an entire day. If you run a morning huddle, ask each person to name one important thing they want to complete or achieve by the end of the day. Clarity creates action, and action gives people a sense of progress and control. At this time of year, that feeling matters.

‍Step 2– Shorten the meetings

Our brains  absorb less when we are busy (hello December). A short morning reset often does the same work as a longer team meeting. If you can give people time back, even ten minutes, it makes the day feel lighter for everyone.

‍Step 3– Keep communication simple‍

No new information unless it is genuinely urgent. People are juggling work calendars, life calendars and emotional load, so clear, repetitive and simple communication is your friend. It reduces stress, prevents mixed messages and helps your team stay aligned when attention is stretched.

Step 4 - Introduce lightness without extra stress

A small moment of fun can shift the mood more than you think. Chocolate Santas on desks, a shared box of Christmas biscuits, or a small advent calendar for the team can offer a moment of relief without adding to your already full list. Laughter and lightness makes people feel good which sparks action.

Step 5 – Address slipping behaviour early

When standards wobble at this time of year, it is tempting to let it slide because everyone is tired and busy. The standard you walk past is still the standard you accept. Respectfully naming something in the moment prevents bigger issues from landing in January. These short, clear corrections protect both your culture and your calmer future self.

Bonus Step – Look after yourself first

Leaders often forget that their own nervous system sets the tone. Choose one thing that gives you space each day, even if it is a 15 minute walk around the block at lunch. Fresh air resets your brain and helps you lead with more patience, clarity and steadiness through the afternoon rush.

In summary

The end of the year will always feel full, especially when you are leading a small team. Yet with a few thoughtful shifts, you can steady the pace for yourself and everyone around you.

You are not alone in this season. Here is to a steadier finish and a calmer start to the new year.

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