We are nearing the last day of my public speaking class at Georgia Southern University. It’s the point in the semester when students calculate their grades with a level of attention to detail I would have appreciated on a few earlier assignments.
I know it’s coming…that last-minute request for an extension. As the leader of the class, I have to decide if a student’s situation warrants flexibility, or if I should hold firm. I want to be fair and thoughtful, even when I’m ready to close the gradebook.
Leaders face similar decisions as the business year winds down. The part of us that’s supposed to be a responsible adult is reviewing deadlines. The other part is already eating Christmas cookies and wondering whether anything really needs to happen before year end.
I know from unfortunate experience that the choices we make in these final weeks can follow us into January. Here are three ways to give them the attention they deserve.
Separate urgency from importance. Some deadlines have real consequences. Others exist because someone decided that “before the holidays” sounded reasonable back in August. Before asking your team to scramble, consider what actually needs to happen now and what can wait.
Avoid rushed conclusions. The desire to wrap things up can tempt us to make a decision before we have enough information. Pause long enough to ask a useful question or hear from someone closest to the issue. A little thoughtfulness now can prevent a lot of cleanup in January. Nobody wants to start the new year unwrapping a problem they gave themselves.
Communicate your rationale clearly. If you change a priority, explain why. If something must be completed this year, help people understand what’s at stake. Your team shouldn’t have to guess whether a deadline reflects a business need or a sudden urge to clear your inbox.
The goal is to finish thoughtfully, not frantically. That requires leaders to stay engaged and make deliberate choices about what deserves attention. There’s still meaningful work to do before the year ends. Your calendar may be winding down, but your judgment still needs to show up for work.