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More Joy and Fewer Blunders
Dr. Dee Soder

Holiday traditions can be big or little—whatever it is, it should make you and others happy. Anything works, but try to be creative—make it “your” tradition. Some we liked: a prominent CEO takes a day to personally bake fudge for hundreds of friends, clients and employees. Two young managers give their co-workers a Friday evening out by baby-sitting their children, complete with finger-painting, songs, popcorn, and games. A reporter’s holiday letter is so clever, everyone looks forward to reading it (even if you didn’t know his family). One of my favorites is a client who takes cookies and candy to several post offices and other government offices. She said the looks of shock and appreciation when she thanked people for their extra efforts make her smile even on the longest days.

Avoiding Holiday Blunders

Major and minor “oops” are common during the holidays. It is easy to understand the reasons. Work and personal tasks increase, but time is constant. The resultant lack of sleep and multitasking multiply errors. Add increased family demands, office parties, winter colds, year-end pressures ….no wonder comedians love this time of year.

Everyone has done or said stupid things. How one acts afterwards determines the impact. A calm manner and sincere apologies will mitigate most mistakes. One strategy to minimize holiday blunders is to make a list of the holiday tasks you need to accomplish, time required and due dates. Then, depending on the task, either double the time or adjust the date—everything takes longer than you think. Especially at the holidays. Similarly, plan for contingencies—build back-ups into your plans. If you don’t need them, that’s great—and will save you a lot of grief otherwise.

Think about when you are most apt to make mistakes. Ask a friend if you don’t know. After you’ve identified 2 or 3 traits, then determine some easy reminders and corrections. For example, if you tend to talk too much when you’re tired, switch your watch to another hand during a meeting or do something else to subtly remind yourself to watch your behavior. If you tend to get irritable with little sleep, keep a low-profile with clients and co-workers if you haven’t gotten enough shut-eye. Tend to lose things when you get busy? Forget appointments? Duplicate keys, re-read emails, confirm meetings and prevent potential blunders.

Office parties, after work activities and socializing are more common during the holidays. To ensure you are well-positioned for 2006, be sure to read Joel’s comments on how to increase your T & C factor (Trust and Confidence). Preparation and practice will help you to avoid problems. Plan, prepare, and prepare some more. For example, if you are attending an outside event (common during the holidays), learn who is apt to attend. Know the history of the group, Google backgrounds of people who might attend, practice intro’s and think through potential situations. Be sure to read the paper thoroughly that day so you don’t ask someone what’s happening at work when it is major news (scandal, merger, downsizing, etcetera). For advice on business cards, party pictures (don’t have a drink in your hand), and more—email us.

Sometimes life happens and your nightmare becomes reality. For example, your dynamic hand gesture knocks over your coffee cup and hot coffee spills across the table, damaging paper and your boss’ suit. Regardless of what you feel internally, the situation calls for acting calm. As a senior executive says, “act like a duck, calm on the outside, paddle like mad underneath.” If it is a serious error, admit it and apologize. Say that you’re truly sorry, that you won’t do it again, describe what you’ve to correct the situation and the lesson learned. Apologize slowly—a quick “I’m sorry” doesn’t cut it.

Above all, don’t get so worried about making mistakes that you’re not enjoying the holidays, not taking initiatives. Attend the holiday party or function even if you don’t know anyone. Don’t be afraid to take risks—it okay to fail if you learn something in the process. Don’t lose the lesson. A friend’s motto is that “life is like a video game—you get to start over again everyday.” Most leaders, especially women, got to the top by taking a division that no one wanted, turning around a trouble business, or starting something new. With thought, 2006 should be the best year ever.