Santa’s leadership secrets can help companies thrive

The holidays are approaching, which means that companies in almost every industry are wrapping up the year and planning for the next.  

Here at Resolute HR Pros, we have our own end-of-year tradition. The holidays are when we cover “The Leadership Secrets of Santa Claus,” a three-hour, one-session workshop that highlights steps companies in every industry can take to improve workplace performance. 

We’re not alone in looking to Jolly Old St. Nick for leadership advice — “Santa’s secrets” have been shared in books and training programs across the nation for years.  

Just think about it. Santa receives “orders” from around the globe. He and his elves have to make millions of toys and deliver them all in 24 hours. To pull this off, Santa has to stay focused on the well-defined mission of “making spirits bright” by delivering high-quality products to a global audience. He must trust his team to work quickly and diligently in order to pull off this mission smoothly. And he must constantly adapt his capabilities to accommodate an ever-expanding demand for different products.   

While the theme of our “Leadership Secrets of Santa Claus” training course might bring a smile to your lips — and we can all use that — it dives into some serious business lessons, including: 

• Staying focused on a clearly defined “mission.” 
• Training your team to fulfill this mission successfully and efficiently. 

• Taking the time to hire the right talent and set expectations. 
• Setting clear goals and encouraging employee input in those goals. 
• Developing written action plans and establishing priorities.  
• Listening to employees and encouraging collaboration and contributions from everyone on the team.  
• Learning to adapt to meet customers ever-evolving demands.  

• Sharing the milk and cookies — or the rewards of reaching your goals — and recognizing those who played a role in it. 
• Tracking performance and confronting challenges in a productive way. 
• Empowering employees with meaningful feedback and training them to improve.  
• Setting a good example for your team and inspiring them with your words and actions. 

Santa exhibits all of these traits and follows these lessons to lead an efficient, high-performing team. Whimsy aside, his example can be used by every company to improve and thrive.