So another year has flown by and you find yourself in mid-December ramping down the year and planning for the next.  It’s time to celebrate the company wins and pause to reflect on all we’ve been through together.  You show up at the Christmas party thinking about the speech you plan to give, the awards that might be given out, etc.  As the leader of the company, all these things are very important for you to do well.  But there is one job that far outweighs all others.  Your number one job at the Christmas party is to use this opportunity to BRAG on team members when you stop to talk with them in front of their spouse.  Don’t mess this up.  This is a once a year, maybe once ever opportunity.  Your team member has worked all year, come in early, gone home late, and now you find yourself standing with the most important person in their life.  THIS is your shot to tell the spouse of your team member why the team member is so vital to your mission.  Tell them a story about their spouse saving the day.  Tell them your favorite things they do to make work a fun place to be and keep everyone on their toes.  Tell them why their spouse is such a big deal and how thankful you are to get to work with them.  GO BIG.

This interaction may only last a few minutes; but it will be the biggest few minutes in the career of your team member…the day the CEO stopped and took time to lavish praise on them in front of the most important person in their life.