- by Jane Halford and ChatGPT

There is a very particular energy that settles over organizations in the final work week before the holiday break. It’s not quite frantic. It’s not quite calm. It’s something in between, like a business version of an airport on December 23rd.

Technically, everyone is “working.” Practically… well, that depends.

Some leaders and team members are hiding.

Their calendars are mysteriously blocked with vague entries like “Focus Time” or “Lunch.” Emails are being read — you know this because you get the “seen” receipt — but replies? Those will come in January. Maybe.

Others are in full panic mode.

These are the leaders who have suddenly decided that everything must be done before December 19th.  Decisions that have sat quietly for six months are now “urgent.” You can almost hear the internal monologue: If I just clear my plate before the holidays, January will be calm (It won’t). Let's not forget the poor lawyers and their dedicated teams who need to meet December 31 deadlines. There are no holidays for them. Give them some extra thanks this time of year - really...do that!

Then there’s a third group — the ones who have already left the building, physically or mentally.

Their out-of-office messages are on. Their text replies are brief and cheerful. They’ve embraced the reality that nothing really happens in this week and have quietly exited stage left. Secretly, we all wish we could be a bit more like that.

And let’s not forget boards.

Board emails may still be circulating. Decisions may still be pending. But attention is… fragmented. Half the board is travelling. The other half is shopping online during Zoom calls. Everyone is promising to “circle back in the new year,” which is code for we will deal with this when we have more bandwidth and fewer cookies.

None of this is wrong. It’s human.

This last stretch before the holidays is a strange mix of reflection, exhaustion, urgency, and anticipation. Leaders are tying up loose ends, and mentally reviewing the year — what worked, what didn’t, and what they hope next year will look like. Even when people appear disengaged, many are actually processing more than they let on.

What am I up to this week? 2 days of business travel, 3 holiday parties, and a long list of holiday prep that has been ignored for months. Thankfully my family is easy going and forgiving. In fact, one of our memorable Christmas dinners was an outdoor wiener roast in 2020. We wanted to see each other, but you remember what that year was like!

I have to actively stopping myself from working between Christmas and New Year's. It is a magical calendar intervention when I feel the world actually catches its breath. Regardless of what holiday you might be celebrating, or none at all, we all need a proverbial long winter's nap. After an intense, pressure-filled, and uncertain 2025, don't we all need a break?

So, if you’re hiding a little this week, I see you. (LOL)
If you’re racing to get things done, I get it.
If you’ve already mentally checked out, you’re not reading this blog.

I wish peace for all, and to all a good night!

Jane

PS. If any of your governance or transition questions follow you into the holidays, feel free to ask my free AI tool Ask Jane to give instant guidance on leadership transition, governance, and family business when I'm away from my computer.