This year, the PNC True Cost of Christmas (the cost of buying all of the items and quantities listed in the Twelve Days of Christmas) rose 1.4% to $116,273.06 (http://www.businessinsider.com/pnc-christmas-price-index-2014-2014-12).

The good news is that, for the most part, effective leadership is still free. So, give the gift that keeps on giving – Good Leadership.
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On the first day of Christmas my leader gave to me
expectations stated clearly

On the second day of Christmas my leader gave to me
two engaging tasks
and expectations stated clearly

On the third day of Christmas my leader gave to me
three stretch goals
two engaging tasks
and expectations stated clearly

On the fourth day of Christmas my leader gave to me
four encouraging words
three stretch goals
two engaging tasks
and expectations stated clearly

On the fifth day of Christmas my leader gave to me
five books to read
four encouraging words
three stretch goals
two engaging tasks
and expectations stated clearly

On the sixth day of Christmas my leader gave to me
six focused outcomes
five books to read
four encouraging words
three stretch goals
two engaging tasks
and expectations stated clearly

On the seventh day of Christmas my leader gave to me
seven bits of feedback
six focused outcomes
five books to read
four encouraging words
three stretch goals
two engaging tasks
and expectations stated clearly

On the eighth day of Christmas my leader gave to me
eight new ideas
seven bits of feedback
six focused outcomes
five books to read
four encouraging words
three stretch goals
two engaging tasks
and expectations stated clearly

On the ninth day of Christmas my leader gave to me
nine fewer meetings
eight new ideas
seven bits of feedback
six focused outcomes
five books to read
four encouraging words
three stretch goals
two engaging tasks
and expectations stated clearly

On the tenth day of Christmas my leader gave to me
ten minutes daily
nine fewer meetings
eight new ideas
seven bits of feedback
six focused outcomes
five books to read
four encouraging words
three stretch goals
two engaging tasks
and expectations stated clearly

On the eleventh day of Christmas my leader gave to me
eleven new connections
ten minutes daily
nine fewer meetings
eight new ideas
seven bits of feedback
six focused outcomes
five books to read
four encouraging words
three stretch goals
two engaging tasks
and expectations stated clearly

On the twelfth day of Christmas my leader gave to me
twelve monthly “sit-downs”
eleven new connections
ten minutes daily
nine fewer meetings
eight new ideas
seven bits of feedback
six focused outcomes
five books to read
four encouraging words
three stretch goals
two engaging tasks
and expectations stated clearly

Happy Holidays.

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Brad Kolar is an executive consultant with Avail Advisors. Avail helps executives drive clarity and results in an ambiguous world. He can be reached atbrad.kolar@availadvisors.com. For more leadership tips, read his blog at www.availadvisors.com/blog.