What Leaders Can Learn From Mom on Thanksgiving

Mom is a pretty smart Thanksgiving leader—she’s capable of leading an army of hungry workers through a satisfying experience. She always has a plan, sticks to her strategies, measures the depth of her bench and delivers year after year on this day of thanks.

Sure, as the CEO of your household, she certainly deserves her thanks and appreciation. However, this column isn’t about thanking Mom. It’s about learning from her. Want to be a better leader? Get out your yellow legal pad, a pencil, tilt your eye glasses slightly forward and watch true leadership at work.

Develop a Plan and Stay the Course: Mom is either an early preparer or an early riser. She has a complete plan in order – from the time it will take to cook that delicious bird to the perfect table setting that she dusts off from the closet once or twice a year. She knows what time the football game will conclude, or is willing to turn the T.V. ever so slightly so that you can continue watching the NFL. She knows who will be there, when they will be there and how they will get there. She knows what you like (the stuffing) and don’t (the under buttered green beans). She is a planner. She is a strategist. She runs through the playbook over and over (perhaps even watches tape from the previous year) and creates the plan of execution.

Don’t Panic When Things Don’t Go Perfectly: When you have a team of players who all run on their own timelines, (from food to mouth, to feet to table, to graceful exit at the appropriate time) things are not going to go perfectly. Mom knows this, as it was a part of her plan. Therefore, on this special Thursday, she doesn’t panic. If the turkey isn’t ready at 4 p.m., that’s OK. If you have to watch one more play before sitting down, that’s OK. If the biggest little kid doesn’t want to sit at the kid’s table any more, that’s OK, too. Mom is a punter – great at calling audible to try to create a great, happy day for all.

As the CEO, it’s Good to Be in the Weeds: Mom doesn’t sit on the sidelines, even when Dad wants to take over the turkey cooking. Mom is always willing to get her hands dirty to show the team that she is a leader. Getting your hands dirty puts you in front of your team in times of needed leadership.

Keep the Good Happy and Exit the Grumps: We have heard it a million times: hire slowly, fire quickly. Mom knows this, too. When someone is over served (booze or food), they are asked to leave the table. Mom will not tolerate any BS on this day – it’s her plan and she is ready to execute on it. If you suck, you are out, and Mom is perfectly willing to make it seem like it was your decision. Mom is in control of this team and will do everything she can to make sure those who are happy remain and grumpy grandpa retires to his over-worn recliner.

Celebrate the Wins: Mom isn’t thinking about herself on this special mid-November day. In fact, she is the most humble person at your table. She doesn’t talk in the third person or spike the turkey. She waits patiently for the pat on the back. The gratitude and support of a great meal make Mom proud, but she will only show it with a slight smile. Mom is more focused on celebrating your wins – no matter how small or big. When you lean back, extend your arms, unbutton your jeans and let out a satisfying sigh, Mom celebrates inside.

Mom knows that strategy, service, relationship and results will win this Thanksgiving and many more for years to come. Her leadership, her execution, her modesty make her Thanksgiving meal yours, and keeps her as one of the strongest CEOs of this fall day.