When Does the Season of Joy End?

Valentine’s Day is almost forgotten, Fat Tuesday calories are still being mourned, the season of Lent is in full swing, and spring break plans are being laid.  Have you thought much about Christmas?  Christmas is over, right?

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays for many reasons a part from the celebration of my faith.  I enjoy the beauty and calm of the first snow fall, of twinkling lights hung on every house, how stop lights even appear to be hung for the colors of the season, all along with a change in attitude of complete strangers smiling more to each other and extending gracious yet common social courtesy.  Christmas time is truly a season of joy.

In the first two weeks of January, most households dismantle their holiday cheer often spawned on by city deadlines for tree pick-up services.  In the northern parts of the country whether brought on by frustration at the difficulty of driving in icy conditions or simply forgetting how good it felt to be courteous to one another, motorists drive selfishly once again.

When does the season of joy end?

What is the acceptable date to take down Christmas decorations?  What makes this date acceptable?

When does it become acceptable to dismiss extensions of grace?

A ‘season of joy’ exists outside of the Christmas celebration as I would say we all experience a season of joy in our relationships both personal and professional.

Think of the new hire’s first two weeks in the office; how he’s treated and how he acts.  Think how you behave in the first few months of a new relationship.

Initially everyone is on their best behavior as well as providing the benefit of the doubt for actions misunderstood.  We even go above and beyond expectations to delight our new partner, boss, colleague, or friend.

In this season, everyone is mostly happy, contributing, and collaborating.

Then what?

It changes.

You know what I’m talking about:  suspicion, jealousy, pride, mistrust, disillusion, blind ambition, etc.  It all comes rushing in.

The season of joy ends.

But Why Must It End?

My question in response to this change of attitude is, why?

Why does it have to change?  What stops us from continually providing the benefit of the doubt to each other?  What stops us from honestly helping our colleagues without ulterior motives?

Does your organization support a culture of true team work?

Does your organization support a culture of true autonomy?

Are your managers leading their teams in supportive ways?  Are your managers providing servant leadership to the lowest person on the totem pole?

Similar to holy days marking a calendar, our relationships experience a time-line of change as we get to know each other more and work together longer.  Unlike holy days however, we have no excuse to take down our personal decorations, aka, our positive attitude or to stop being supportive of one another.  We have no excuse to take advantage of others, to stop providing the benefit of the doubt or to desist in giving our personal best.

How do you keep the season of joy strong in your work place?

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Yahoo Buzz | Newsvine

Email to a friend

—————————-
Jennifer Werth runs a lean process development & training organization.
She can be reached at jennifer@werthexpertise.com and through her blog.

Image Source: farm1.static.flickr.com, wesselcouzijn.nl