Connection Over Perfection: A Holiday Season Leadership Lesson

As we head into the holiday season, I’m reminded of something I see every day in my coaching work with leaders, physicians, HR professionals, and busy teams:

We put enormous pressure on ourselves to wrap up the year perfectly.

Perfect plans.

Perfect performance.

Perfectly tied-up loose ends before January hits.

But the holidays offer a completely different—and much more powerful—leadership lesson:

Connection matters more than perfection.

Think about the moments people talk about when they reflect on this time of year. It’s never the flawlessly executed project plan or the color-coded calendar. What stays with us are the human moments:

• Someone slowing down long enough to really listen

• A teammate jumping in to help, unasked

• A leader checking in without rushing the conversation

• A sincere thank-you that lands exactly when someone needs it

• A manager showing a little vulnerability instead of polished perfection

These are the moments that build trust, psychological safety, and loyalty.

They’re also the moments that define how people experience you as a leader.

This season, consider shifting from performance to presence.

Here are a few simple practices I encourage my clients to try:

Give your full attention when someone is speaking

Turn away from your screen. Put the phone down. Make eye contact. These micro-behaviors have a surprisingly big impact.

Let empathy take the lead—at least some of the time

You don’t have to choose between empathy and efficiency. A little humanity often increases both.

Offer appreciation that is specific and meaningful

Skip the generic “thanks for all you do.”

Instead: name the behavior, the impact, and why it matters.

Drop the pressure to be perfectly composed

Authenticity is far more powerful. Leaders who allow themselves to be human create space for others to be human, too.

Why this matters for leaders

Human-centered leadership is not a soft skill—it’s a strategic one.

Connection drives engagement, retention, wellbeing, and high performance. During the holidays, when emotions and stress levels rise, your presence becomes a stabilizing force for your team.

So as you navigate the final stretch of the year, ask yourself:

What is one small way I can show up with more connection—and less perfection—this season?

Leaders who prioritize presence over polish don’t just end the year well… they set the tone for the year ahead.

Janine Friedman, Owner and founder of Choice Training and Coaching Solutions, Inc. is a leadership and career performance coach and holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation from the International Coaching Federation as well certifications in The Leadership Challenge and Peak Performance/Flow Coaching.

She has spent her 25+ year career dedicated to unlocking the full potential of individuals and teams. She empowers leaders to navigate challenges with confidence and inspire teams to reach new heights.

Through personalized coaching and dynamic workshops, she equips leaders with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in today's ever-evolving business landscape.

To learn more about her background click here.    To schedule a 30-minute meeting to learn more about training or coaching for you or your team, click here.

Success is a Choice.