Nonprofit Leaders’ Guide to Enjoying the Holidays AND Staying Productive

The holidays are here—a season filled with joy, reflection, and sometimes an overwhelming list of to-dos. For nonprofit leaders, the holidays often come with the added pressure of meeting year-end goals, maintaining donor relationships, and planning for the next year. It’s easy to slip into a pattern of doing more, rushing harder, and expecting our teams (and ourselves) to keep up. But what if we approached the holidays differently this year? What if we saw this season as an opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and focus on what matters most: our people?

Human-centric leadership—a concept that centers people over processes—reminds us that no matter how noble our mission, it can only thrive when we invest in the people who make it possible.

People Over Productivity: The Power of Pouring In

As leaders, it’s tempting to measure productivity by tasks completed or goals met. But true leadership isn’t about checking boxes; it’s about building bridges. It’s about pouring into people in ways that empower them, not just to perform but to flourish. And yet, during busy times, even the best intentions can falter. I’ve found myself so focused on the “work” that I’ve unintentionally placed people in the background, engaging in ways that felt more transactional than transformative. It’s easy to fall into the trap of “efficient communication” rather than meaningful connection.

This season, I challenge us to pause and ask:

• Are we truly seeing and hearing the people we lead?

• Are we appreciating them in ways that resonate with their needs, not just what feels convenient or strategic to us?

• Are we investing in relationships, or merely managing interactions?

If the answer is less than ideal, don’t worry—there’s room for growth. The beauty of the holidays is that they naturally invite reflection and renewal. Let’s seize this moment to recalibrate how we lead and connect.

The Holiday Challenge:
Reflect, Refocus, Re-shift, and Renew

The holidays offer a perfect backdrop for nonprofit leaders to reset and prioritize. Here’s a guide to help you do that without sacrificing productivity:

Reflect on Your Priorities
Take time to assess where your energy is going. Are you spending your days on what truly matters, or are you caught in the cycle of “busy work”? Reflection helps us identify what deserves our focus and what can wait.

Ask yourself:
Who needs my attention most right now?
What activities are creating the biggest impact, and what can I release?

Refocus on Relationships
Nonprofits run on relationships—whether it’s your team, your donors, or the communities you serve. Use this time to double down on building genuine connections.

Instead of diving into the next task, take a moment to:
Write a heartfelt note of appreciation to a team member or volunteer.
Schedule a casual check-in to listen without an agenda.
Host a holiday gathering (even virtually) to foster camaraderie.

When people feel seen, valued, and supported, they naturally become more engaged and productive.

Re-shift Your Expectations
“You can’t do it all.” Let that sink in. The pressure to meet every holiday deadline, attend every event, and still be present for your family or personal commitments can leave you stretched thin.

Re-shift your mindset by:
Prioritizing quality over quantity in your efforts.
Delegating tasks to empower your team.
Giving yourself permission to say “no” to things that don’t align with your core goals.

When you let go of perfectionism, you make space for what truly matters.

Renew Your Passion and Purpose
Finally, use this season to renew your sense of purpose. What drew you to nonprofit leadership in the first place? How can you reconnect with that passion? Whether it’s a quiet moment of gratitude, revisiting your organization’s mission, or engaging in acts of kindness, renewing your “why” will fuel you into the new year.

A Call to Action: Lead With Heart

As we navigate the holiday season, I encourage you to embrace human-centric leadership with sincerity and intentionality. Lead with a heart that sees people, not just tasks. Build connections that last beyond deadlines. And invest in others in ways that transform—not just your organization, but the lives within it.

This year, let’s do more than check items off our to-do list. Let’s use this season to reflect, refocus, re-shift, and renew—so that we not only finish strong but enter the new year inspired, recharged, and deeply connected to those we serve. Because at the end of the day, leadership isn’t about doing more. It’s about being more—for our teams, our communities, and ourselves.

Here’s to a holiday season filled with joy, meaningful connections, and intentional leadership.