Season’s Greetings. Strategic English for the Holiday Period
- Tania Ceniccola
- 6 ore fa
- Tempo di lettura: 3 min
As the year comes to a close, I wish you a focused, restorative, and well-deserved Holiday Season.
The holiday period creates a unique communication environment.
Leaders are expected to close the year with authority, express appreciation without dilution, manage availability clearly, and re-establish direction — often in English, often across cultures.
Below are four high-impact professional situations you are likely to encounter before, during, and after the holidays, with strategic English phrases you can deploy immediately.
1. Closing the Year:
Expressing Appreciation with Authority
Generic appreciation weakens leadership presence. Strategic appreciation reinforces standards.
Instead of:
“Thank you for your hard work this year.”
Consider using:
“I appreciate the professionalism and reliability you demonstrated throughout the year.”
“Your consistency and attention to detail contributed directly to our results.”
“Thank you for maintaining high standards under sustained pressure.”
“Your contribution this year reflected discipline and commitment.”
Why this language works:
Focuses on behaviour, not emotion
Aligns with performance culture
Sounds natural in corporate and military environments
2. Holiday Messages:
Professional Warmth Without Over-Familiarity
Holiday messages should humanise leadership — without eroding authority.
Instead of:
“Enjoy the holidays.”
Use:
“I hope you have the opportunity to rest and return re-focused for the year ahead.”
“I wish you a restful holiday period and a strong start to the coming year.”
“May this period provide space to reset and prepare for upcoming priorities.”
“I trust you will use this time to recharge and maintain readiness.”
These phrases:
Show respect for people
Maintain professional distance
Reinforce continuity and expectation
3. Managing Availability and Boundaries (Before & During the Holidays)
Clear boundaries signal leadership and control — not absence.
Instead of:
“I won’t be available during the holidays.”
Use:
“I will be unavailable during the holiday period and will resume full operations on [date].”
“Limited availability during the holiday period; normal operations resume on [date].”
“For urgent matters, please contact [role/team]; all other items will be addressed after the holidays.”
“I will review non-critical matters upon return.”
Why this matters:
Removes ambiguity
Avoids apology or justification
Works across international and hierarchical contexts
4. After the Holidays:
Re-Establishing Momentum and Direction
January communication should restore tempo, not motivation clichés.
Instead of:
“Let’s start the year strong.”
Use:
“Our priority for the first quarter is to re-establish operational tempo and deliver on core objectives.”
“We will begin the year by consolidating gains and advancing key priorities.”
“Initial focus will be on execution, alignment, and measurable outcomes.”
“The coming weeks will set the conditions for performance throughout the year.”
These phrases:
Signal command of direction
Reduce uncertainty
Reinforce leadership intent
A Final Strategic Reminder
In professional English, especially at senior levels, tone replaces rank.
The holiday period is not a pause in leadership — it is a moment where clarity, restraint, and precision matter most.
Thank you for your professionalism, commitment, and trust throughout the year.
I wish you and your families a peaceful Christmas and a restorative Holiday Season.
May the year ahead be led with
clarity of thought,
disciplined execution,
and purposeful communication
in every mission, decision,
and professional exchange.
Your Strategic English Coach,
Tania
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