Beating the January Blues: 8 Ways for Managers to Boost Morale in the New Year

Manager Boost Morale with team member in the New Year

For some, January can be a time filled with excitement, with the start of a new year bringing a fresh boost of motivation and a desire to set goals. For others, reduced sunlight and the pressures of Q1 can make the post-festive period challenging, often leading to the January blues.

1. Support Your Team to Create Clear Goals

Many people set New Year’s resolutions, but did you know that 1 in 5 Brits (21%) abandon them just within the first month?* One of the biggest barriers to achieving resolutions is that they’re often unachievable or lack a clear plan, whether personal or professional.

Instead of focusing on resolutions, encourage your team to work towards clear career goals. Resolutions are often too vague, whereas goals provide a more focused and achievable path. In your upcoming meetings or one-to-ones, allocate time for goal-setting—whether for the team as a whole or for individuals. Be sure these goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely).

2. Host a Team Event

The festive season is often packed with social gatherings, but once January arrives, the excitement fades, leaving many feeling low.

To keep energy high and spirits lifted, why not consider organising a team event to kick off the new year? These events can be excellent bonding experiences, especially for welcoming new team members. Not only do they maintain momentum, but they also help foster a positive start for everyone.

3. Celebrate Progress

End-of-year appraisals are over, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to stop celebrating your team. No matter the size of the achievement, ensuring your team members feel valued is essential.

How you deliver will differ depending on the individual. Some may appreciate written feedback, while others might prefer verbal recognition or acknowledgement from their peers. Take the time to communicate with your team members to understand their preferences – this will become more natural as you build rapport.

4. Ask for Your Team’s Input

Collaboration enhances working relationships, encourages idea-sharing, and boosts motivation—key to lifting morale in the new year.

You can involve your team in several ways: ask for suggestions on team day activities, meeting structures, working methods, or group project ideas. Regularly seeking their input fosters a sense of belonging and strengthens the team dynamic.

5. Provide Opportunities for Growth

In the Bright Horizons Modern Families Index Report 2024, 29% of those surveyed listed 'career progression' as the main reason for seeking a new job. Without clear growth opportunities, employees may feel discouraged as the new year begins.

To navigate this, consider having open discussions with your team about promotion paths and the steps required to achieve them. These conversations can align with their new year goals and should continue throughout the year. Clearly outline your expectations and the milestones they need to meet.

6. Offer Mental Health Resources

Some employees might feel unmotivated, while others could struggle with their mental health during this time of year. As a manager, you might not have all the answers, and it's not your role to be a mental health professional. However, you can take actionable steps by making resources easily accessible for your team or other employees who might need them.

This might involve sharing flyers, updating the company intranet, or reminding the team of available mental health resources. If your workplace doesn’t have internal resources, consider providing information about external mental health charities.

7. Encourage Breaks

can be a genuine concern, and skipping breaks only worsens the issue. Encourage your team to step away from their desks, whether working remotely or on-site, and remind them how important breaks are for their well-being.

8. Lead By Example

Being a manager doesn't mean you have to be a superhero but as a senior team member of the team, you do have some level of influence on your peers. While it can be great to show enthusiasm for the year ahead, being a leader doesn’t mean always putting on a brave face.

If you’re not feeling your best, it’s okay to communicate this honestly. You don’t need to share personal details but showing vulnerability creates a supportive environment. This openness can encourage your team to share their own struggles and support one another, fostering a culture of empathy.

This openness can encourage your team to share their own struggles and support one another, be it to do with their career or personal life.

Mental Health Resources

NHS Every Mind Matters mental health support
The Samaritans provide a free 24-hours a day, 7 days a week support service on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Mind - the mental health charity
The Ollie Foundation - suicide awareness and support
Shout - 85258 - a free 24-7 text service for anyone in crisis in the UK
The Calm Zone - The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) a site specifically targeted at supporting men and preventing male suicide.
Sane - support site for mental illness
Rethink - expert information and listings of local resources and groups to support mental health