Leadership Around the Holidays: Finding Joy in Simple Gestures
The holiday season has a way of slowing us down just enough to notice what matters.
Last week, three moments stood out to me. Although simple on the surface, but meaningful underneath.
Three Observations To Consider:
1. Tradition and Creativity
Each year, my wife and I stay for one night at the same hotel during the holidays. One of my favorite traditions there is seeing the Christmas tree display created by local companies.
Each tree reflects the personality of its organization, sometimes quirky, sometimes elegant, but always holding a sincere message of hope.
As I walked through, I found myself wondering how each team created their tree. What conversations took place? Who led the effort? What ideas were debated? What laughter was shared?
And I wondered what it would look like if all of those different teams were gathered in one room together.
Hotel Roanoke | Fashions For Evergreens
2. Commonality of Joy
The hotel hosts countless holiday parties this time of year.
One morning, the lobby barista asked if I had enjoyed “the craziness” from the night before. I observed the various groups as the night progressed, there were a few drinks, lots of storytelling, and of course, she shared something profound: while parties start in separate rooms with different companies, by the end of the night, everyone blends together.
Joy softens boundaries. When people are immersed in celebration, judgment fades and participation rises. There’s a lesson here about creating spaces where shared experiences outweigh differences.
3. The Power of Simple Gestures
The next morning, Mrs. Claus walked through the lobby, handing out small cakes.
No elaborate plan and no big production. Just a smile, a handshake, and a question: “Would you like a cake?”
Not everyone said yes, but everyone smiled.
Sometimes, the simplest acts create the deepest connections. We often overcomplicate joy when all it takes is a moment of kindness.
This Week’s Ripple Effect
Call to Action:
As you plan events or gatherings—whether for your team, family, or community—focus less on perfection and more on universal joy. Uncertainty will always exist, but when the intent is connection, meaningful things happen.
In one hotel, dozens of companies shared the same goal: to celebrate and appreciate their people.
What if we looked for similar threads in our communities?
Where can we create spaces that bring people together—not just for a party, but for a shared sense of belonging?
