Holiday Success Starts with Growth Now

A version of this article was initially written for this week’s Multi-Unit Monday newsletter, but I think it’s valuable for anyone leading a team or even for themselves. If you’d like to be added to the Monday email, simply reply with “sign me up.”

We’re 106 days from Christmas, and 95 days until Hanukkah. That means you have about six weeks to get yourself and your team in an even stronger position to succeed this holiday season.

Some organizations would make this a long, drawn-out evaluation. I prefer simple and effective.

Here’s how you can apply it — whether you’re leading other managers, managing a team, or just focusing on your own growth:

First, take a sheet of paper or a simple spreadsheet and create four columns:

Column 1: List the people you’re leading (or just your own name).

Column 2: Write down their greatest strength you can depend on this holiday.

Column 3: Note one thing they can do better to succeed this holiday.

Column 4: Identify what you’ll work with them to develop over the next six weeks.

Then meet with each person. Share your observations and put together a development plan for the next week. Review progress weekly and create the next week’s plan. Do that every week for six weeks.

If you’re doing this for yourself, reflect weekly and update your plan. Don’t skip a week.

At the end of the six weeks, step back and look at the growth. Celebrate the progress. Focusing on a key area for six weeks will make a huge difference. I guarantee it is well worth the time and effort.

Growth and development is not complicated. The key is consistent, forward action.