Last time, I shared a reflection on humility, and given the season, it feels only fitting to follow that important trait—essential for human success—with another equally significant one:
Thanksgiving!
As a business operating in both the US and Canada, we have the unique privilege of celebrating this special occasion twice—once on Columbus Day in October, and again on the last Thursday of November.
While Thanksgiving can be described with an array of positive adjectives, here, my focus is on People Leaders.
Amid the day-to-day challenges—both positive and, occasionally, negative (though hopefully rare)—I wonder how often people managers pause to reflect on what they have to be thankful for in their roles as leaders. As we approach (or have celebrated) Thanksgiving, what should we, as leaders, ideally be thankful for? Here are a few thoughts, in no particular order:
1. Our Jobs – I hope all are grateful for the jobs we applied for, successfully attained, and agreed to fulfill, along with the responsibilities outlined in our job descriptions.
2. Our Teams – The people entrusted to our leadership are invaluable ‘human’ resources. These individuals contribute their skills to perform excellent (hopefully above-average) work while aligning with our company values.
3. Our Leaders – The leaders who have guided us, and who likely played a role in selecting us for our current leadership positions, deserve our thanks. They (hopefully) appropriately challenge us, help us grow, and care for us along the way.
4. Our Company – We said "yes" to our organization, committing to give our best not only through our work performance but also through our behavior. We represent our company—whether or not we are customer-facing—and should be proud of the role we play.
5. Our Families – Like our workplace, families are imperfect, but they are often integral to who we are and where we are today. Whether we find ourselves together by choice (through work) or by circumstance (through family), if we are fortunate enough to be with loved ones this Thanksgiving, we have much to be thankful for.
6. Our Determination – We should be thankful for our resilience, for knowing where we are going (or at least having a strong sense of direction), and for the many people who have supported us along the way.
7. Our Freedom – The ability to make choices that we believe will benefit us—and others—is something to be deeply grateful for.
I would like to affirm the old adage that, for all working people, "There are only two certainties in life." I need not note them.
Though neither may be pleasant, they are universal realities that we all must face.
Therefore, fellow professionals and friends, I encourage you all to practice humility and take a moment to recognize the blessings, good fortune, and considerable goodwill that surround us—both within our personal and work families. Most of us spend a significant portion of our waking hours at work. By taking time to nourish our minds, hearts, and souls with thoughts of Thanksgiving, we not only deepen our enjoyment of the holiday, but we also return to work reinvigorated and better prepared to channel that gratitude into positive actions and behaviors.
Happy Thanksgiving to all from Ferrin Leadership
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