Feasting on Gratitude for Our Leadership Community
If you’ve been following us here at Agile Leadership Journey for any amount of time, you might have noticed: We love a good metaphor!
With that, as those of us in the United States begin our Thanksgiving celebrations, we’re full of gratitude for the leadership journeys we’re privileged to witness every day throughout the year.
Just as each dish at the Thanksgiving table contributes its unique flavor to the meal, every member of our community brings something invaluable to the table. Let’s dig in!
Turkey: The Centerpiece
Every feast needs a centerpiece—something that anchors everything else. In leadership, that’s growth. This year, we’re incredibly thankful to the organizations that embrace growth— in their leaders and subsequently their outcomes and success—whether that means stepping into challenging situations, trying something new, or reimagining what leadership looks like in their teams. Growth isn’t always easy, but like a perfectly tender, seasoned bird, it’s worth the effort.
Stuffing: Blending Skills and Values
Stuffing (or depending on your region, dressing) is a little bit of everything—a blend of flavors and textures that somehow come together perfectly. Leadership, too, is a mix: empathy paired with decisiveness, strategy balanced with flexibility, and vision grounded in values. We’re grateful for the way our community demonstrates this mix, showing their colleagues how powerful the right combination can be.
Mashed Potatoes: The Comfort Food
Life, like leadership, isn’t without its challenges—and sometimes you just need some comfort food. This year, we’ve watched our leaders, clients, and partners rise to the occasion, leaning into resilience to find solutions and offer stability where it’s needed most. Until then, bring on the mashed potatoes!
Cranberry Sauce: Sweet and Sour
Our journeys are complex; a mix of sweet moments of success, the tangy challenges that sharpen our skills and perspectives. Cranberry sauce reminds us that both are essential to our growth. Let’s celebrate the way our community embraces the full spectrum of leadership experiences, turning even the toughest moments into opportunities for growth.
Green Beans: Nourishment Through Teamwork
Green beans might not get the spotlight, but they’re a vital part of the meal—just like those times projects go
just right but might not get all the applause. We’re thankful for those we’ve worked with this year, who’ve shown us how collaboration nourishes results and relationships.
Pumpkin Pie: The Sweet Rewards
Finally, there’s the pumpkin pie—or maybe sweet potato pie;
let’s duke it out in the LinkedIn comments! Either way, it’s the sweet, satisfying reward at the end of the journey. Leadership doesn’t happen overnight, and our journeys are never truly over, but the results of hard work, collaboration, and commitment are worth celebrating.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
As we savor this season of gratitude, we’re reminded that our leadership feast would not be complete without each of you. Our partners, colleagues, leaders, and clients have all brought unique ingredients to our ALJ community. For that, we are profoundly grateful.
We’re excited for the next course—whether that’s tackling new challenges, growing teams, or redefining success, we’re here to support and celebrate alongside you.
About the Author
Betsy Piland is the Marketing and Communications Manager at Agile Leadership Journey. She has spent the bulk of her career working in the higher education, healthcare, corporate learning and development, and nonprofit industries—always looking to tell a compelling story that will inspire audiences into action.
When not at work, she can be found digging in her garden, baking something delicious, and spending time with her husband, daughter, and two rescue dogs.
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