Anticipation Builds for 2025

By Mary Lynn Fayoumi, CAE, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, President & CEO
Published December 17, 2024

The number of days left in this year is dwindling and plans for the next are well underway. Lucky young kids are searching their homes for the Elf on the Shelf each morning, and parents are staying up late trying to get their online holiday shopping done. 

Employers are hosting holiday lunches and distributing gifts and bonuses in recognition of their teams’ efforts over the past twelve months. Depending on the industry, some organizations are getting ready for a big year-end surge in business and others are downshifting for a quiet end to 2024. 

For most people, there’s a feeling of anticipation that occurs by mid-December. For some, it’s a positive feeling caused by the excitement of upcoming celebrations and annual traditions with family and friends. For others, it’s a negative feeling owing to a complex array of issues that might include family challenges, health conditions, financial stressors, and sometimes even isolation and loneliness. The impact of what’s happening in the world around us can have a dampening effect on even the most upbeat soul. 

Given the diverse individuals employed in any particular workplace, there are bound to be people who are at very different places in terms of their mood, well-being, engagement, and productivity right now. These differences might manifest themselves as unresponsiveness, absenteeism, presenteeism, or just plain short fuses. Leaders should be especially mindful that not everyone shares holiday-season enthusiasm and might not even value extra time off if they don’t have the budget for gifts or travel to visit loved ones. 

The German word “Schadenfreude” describes the satisfaction or pleasure you might derive from someone else’s misfortune. While people will admit that they have experienced this feeling from time to time, especially when applied to sports or politics, “Schadenfreude” is not conducive to a heathy organizational culture. 

Showing empathy to those employees and co-workers who are not filled with holiday cheer is both appropriate and recommended. Go the extra mile by giving them a thoughtful card or gift. Maybe even allow them to opt out of employer-sponsored parties and events. Be kind. 

Finding ways to provide opportunities for “Vorfreude” is another way to help employees – both those who are excited about the coming weeks, and those who are struggling to find reasons to smile. 

“Vorfreude,” a less-known German word, is not invoked nearly enough. It refers to the pleasure of anticipation; the feeling of joy that occurs before an event happens. We often experience it leading up to a vacation or a special event. 

In the workplace, one could have “Vorfreude” before visiting an important customer, attending a training program, or beginning work on an interesting project. If you’re a manager, it is helpful to know your team members well enough to incorporate some tasks, responsibilities, or activities that might lead to “Vorfreude.” If you can’t think of any, just ask. 

If the answers you receive primarily point to experiences outside the workplace, encourage your staff to use their vacation or paid time off to get the maximum benefit from doing the things that bring them joy. Both employees and organizations reap the rewards that come from supporting employees during the holidays and throughout the year. 

This article, authored by Mary Lynn, was written for publication in the Daily Herald.

What brings you “Vorfreude” in the workplace? Share with your peers in the All Members Community on HR Exchange.