Changing the Tone: Leading Your Team Through the Blue Monday Blues
Falling on the third Monday of every January, Blue Monday is considered the most depressing day of the year. This year, in particular, we are feeling a mix of excitement for new beginnings while still dealing with surprises from the pandemic. A month ago, many workplaces started the transition back to the office and could even meet in person for some holiday celebrations. Now, once again, we've been advised to pull back and return to our home offices. “When is this ever going to end” is the menacing humming that your teams are living with.
This menace has been brewing for almost 2 years. As a leader, it is your job to be attuned to the role that you absolutely need to play for your team's mental health. It is non-negotiable now. Please, for your team, make this the most important component of your work. Refer back to these helpful tips to support them through Blue Monday and beyond.
Setting work boundaries starts with you. If you promote a healthy work/life balance, you need to be modeling that yourself. Logging off at a reasonable time, taking lunch breaks, and using your personal and vacation days. Then declare your position and your expectations, tell your team that they should also be doing the same. There shouldn’t be any ambiguities here; don’t leave the guesswork to your team.
Be vulnerable. Even when it's not positive, being open about how you're feeling creates a space for openness and honesty and builds a deeper connection with your team. Remember, for yourself and for your team, it is okay to not be okay.
Make check-ins meaningful. We can often get caught up in the 'what's on your plate' conversation in our 1:1 chats with our team. Make sure that you're leaving space for questions that go beyond the to-do list. Bring your shovel with you, dig a bit deeper and make space for some real-talks.
Be flexible. Things change on a dime with homeschooling, kids getting sick, appointments and so on. However, is it really a catastrophe when that thing is delayed for a couple of days? Make sure you're supporting your people when it comes to a work schedule that best aligns when they are able to be their best selves at work.
Advocate for the use of mental health resources. Many companies have a range of resources that can be used, and most of the time, people don't even know what they are or where to find them. Consider yourself your organization's mental health ambassador and bring those resources front and center so that your team knows what they have at their disposal.
Focus on learning and development. One of the best ways to keep motivated is through self-development and growth. Not only should you inspire your team to pursue their goals and stand behind them as they try something new, more importantly, give them the time to do so. Let’s be real, no one can have the luxury of self-development and growth when working 11 hours a day.
Hats off to you if these tips are already part of your repertoire. In times like these, you need to watch for those rolling eyes, silent sighs, multi-tasking in virtual meetings, and forced rationalization like a hawk. You need to show your team that you care and are invested in creating a supportive environment. As a leader, show empathy and create a connection with your team so that you and your team can beat the Blue Monday blues together.