At holiday gatherings, my family of origin played word games (video games hadn’t been invented yet).

It’s natural, then, that I’d use words to facilitate your fantastic family festivities. Here are a few words related to work, work groups, and celebrations. (Some definitions are taken from the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. Others, I made up. You’ll know which are which.)

FACILITATE: To aid or make easier. I hope you’ve read something in my newsletters that’s made your job or life easier these past few months.
FACILITATOR: Someone who helps a group reach goals. One way I’d like to work with your team.
FELICITATOR: The person who leads the fun part of a meeting. The way I’d really like to work with your group.
FELIZ NAVIDAD: Good job–you’re right. Merry Christmas, and if you don’t celebrate Christmas, I’d like to wish you a happy Hanukkah, a joyous Kwaanza, a glorious New Year’s, and a few relaxing days off.
FATIGUE: What happens when you focus on the details instead of the important stuff. May you keep your fatigue to a minimum during the holiday season.
FECUNDITY: Productive or creative power (work groups at their best).
FEEDBACK: One of the greatest gifts we can give to one another, especially when accompanied by respect and caring.
FEELING: Emotion. Also, a sensation received and delivered through touch. (That’s about all I can say to a business audience.)
FELLOW-FEELING: Sympathetic awareness of others. Very helpful in the workplace.
FEIGN: To fake or pretend. Not a constructive thing to do in a team meeting.
FLEXIBILITY: You’re demonstrating yours by reading this. Your co-workers must love you for it.
FOCUS: What it takes to ignore the urgent and accomplish the important.
FUN: Are you having enough? I hope you are, and that you’re putting more of it in your plan for 2015.
FEED, FOOD, FAT: May you have enough to feel full, but not so much you feel foolish.
FRIEND: What my clients become.
FINALE: If these messages have brought felicity to you, and fecundity to your work group, that’s fabulous.