EEEK! The end of the year is here. As I head into my 23rd December in the recruitment industry, not much has changed about these final weeks of the year: the stakes are high, patience is low, and the recruitment treadmill seems to be speeding up instead of slowing down.
While it might be tempting to dive headfirst into end-of-year celebration mode (cue Mariah Cary), it's critical that you use this time to check on your teams. Fatigued candidates, frazzled Talent Acquisition teams, and stressed-out hiring managers can create an environment ripe for burnout.
The conversations you have with people now will set the tone for 2025. So what should you be thinking about? Let’s dig into it.
What the Data Says About Employee Motivation
Chocolate-covered peanuts and an epic Christmas party might make people happy in the short term, but it doesn’t get good employees to stick with their jobs when they’re burning out.
The most recent Talentpath Talent Guide 24/25 revealed some helpful statistics about what motivates employees to stay in their role:
70% of employees said recognition from their manager is the number one factor influencing their connection to the workplace.
55% of respondents noted that clarity on next year’s goals and career pathways motivated them to return in January with renewed enthusiasm.
And, perhaps unsurprisingly, 80% of people admitted they simply want to feel heard during stressful times.
While your team might not ask for much, what they do want is clear communication, recognition, and meaningful conversations about the future (in addition to the chocolate and party).
Learn more: Workplace Woes: Our In-House Wellness Guru is Here to Help
5 Tips to Engage and Excite Your Team
With our data locked and loaded, let’s look at how to keep your team switched on and feeling the love as we hurtle towards the end-of-year break:
1. Include "What’s Next?" Chats in your One on Ones
Take time over the next few weeks to schedule short conversations with each team member. Ask how they’re feeling now, listen to their challenges, and talk about what “great” will look like for them when they return in 2025.
Bonus points if there's coffee and treats involved.
2. Celebrate Small Wins
Recognition doesn’t have to wait for a formal awards night. Whether it’s a shoutout in a team meeting or a quick Teams message, letting your team know you see their efforts (especially when they’re juggling end-of-year chaos) goes a long way.
Here at Talentpath, our leadership team leads the way on this, especially at this time of year, going out of the way to do loads of public team acknowledgements.
3. Give the Gift of Clarity
It’s hard to be motivated if you don’t have a clear vision of the road ahead. Share as much as you can about the team’s goals, projects, and priorities for the new year. Even if plans aren’t 100% locked in, providing a sneak peek can help your team feel involved and inspired.
We’ve got some really exciting projects coming in 2025 at Talentpath which has put a real pep in our end of year step! That starts with a leadership restructure, which you can read about here.
4. Inject Some End-of-Year Fun
The end of the year can be intense, so try to balance all that workload with some light-hearted moments.
We had Gelato Messina ice-cream delivered for the team, we all put the office Christmas tree up together, we’re planning secret Santa gifts, and we try to have Friday lunches out of the office.
Little moments of joy create big connections.
5. Ask, Don’t Assume
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, check in. Whether it’s through a casual chat, an anonymous survey, or your best attempt at reading their body language during Teams meetings, ask your team how they’re really doing.
And when they answer, listen. We have a new saying at TP HQ thanks to Steve Sharp, who works hard to curate environments that fuel teamwork and performance: “we don’t make assumptions around here”. Feedback is at its strongest when it’s actually used.
Learn more: Embracing the Right to Disconnect: A New Era of Work-Life Balance
Why End-of-Year Team Spirit Matters
Keeping your team connected and engaged is an investment in a thriving, motivated workplace for the new year. When your team knows they’re valued and sees a clear path forward, they’ll come back in January ready to hit the ground running.
So, before Mariah Carey takes the stage, take a moment to reconnect with your people. Who knows? The conversations you have now might just be the start of your team’s best year yet.
Need to chat about your team plans for 2025? Get in touch and let’s talk.
