Starting 2025 with Empathy: How Leaders Can Support Their Teams After the Holidays

By Ben Williams, Co-founder and CEO at Loopin

As we step into the new year, many employees have just returned from an extended Christmas break. While some returned to their desks on January 2nd, others carry mental baggage from 2024. This creates both an opportunity and a responsibility for leaders to provide genuine support.

The Emotional Landscape of January

The numbers tell a stark story. In January 2024 alone, 1.89 million people reached out to mental health services in the UK. These are not just statistics; they represent colleagues who may sit near you, family members, or friends who struggled during what should have been a festive break.

This data shows that January is one of the most emotionally challenging months for employees. Post-holiday fatigue, financial pressures, and the weight of personal and professional goals can compound, leading to heightened stress and anxiety.

For leaders striving to build resilient, high-performing teams in 2025, it's critical to recognise that emotions, both positive and negative, are fuel for that performance. Optimism and energy can drive success, but unresolved anxiety or disengagement can quietly erode it.

What Leaders Can Do in 2025

As we navigate the start of a new year, here's a challenge for leaders, managers, and colleagues alike: check in with genuine empathy and support.

• Check in: Take a moment to genuinely ask your team how they're doing. Not just in passing, but with intention and curiosity.
• Listen actively: Create spaces where employees feel safe sharing their thoughts and challenges without judgment or rushing to solutions.
• Foster empathy: Remember that everyone's journey is unique. Some may be dealing with family pressures, others with health concerns, and still others with the weight of expectations.
• Build connection: Use team meetings and one-on-ones to strengthen relationships and rebuild the sense of team cohesion after time apart.

Empathy as a Strategic Advantage

Leaders who lead with empathy in January often set the tone for the entire year ahead. Teams that feel seen and supported during what can be a difficult month are more likely to:

• Stay engaged and motivated
• Speak up with ideas and concerns
• Maintain higher levels of psychological safety
• Demonstrate greater resilience in the face of challenges

When leaders show they care about the whole person, not just the employee, it builds trust and strengthens the entire team fabric. This human-centered approach to leadership doesn't just improve wellbeing—it drives better business outcomes.

Looking Ahead

As we progress through 2025, the lessons from January become clear: empathy isn't just a "nice to have," it's a strategic advantage. Leaders who understand and respond to their team's emotional needs create environments where people do their best work, not just survive.

At Loopin, we work with organisations to equip leaders with the tools and insights they need to lead with empathy and confidence. Because when your leaders thrive, so does your business.

Ready to lead with more empathy in 2025? Let's make this the year your teams feel supported, engaged, and empowered to achieve their best work.