Thank a Leader

At Insight Experience, we work to help business leaders grow and enable their organizations do great things. The leaders who participate in our learning experiences work in a wide range of settings and scale—from leaders of teams to leaders of global organizations; from leaders of small entrepreneurial businesses to leaders of worldwide functions. There is only one constant: the chaos and disruptions of 2020 have challenged each and every one.

At this time of American Thanksgiving, when we pause and find a way to see blessings in the world, we at Insight Experience are so grateful for the leaders we serve. We are learning from you every day about how to thrive in the new normal.

We are grateful for your courage. You have had to make tough decisions, set priorities, shift direction—all with little clarity about what’s ahead. You’ve had to make choices that impact people’s lives and dreams.

We are grateful for your transparency. You have been honest about the uncertainty. You have led from bedrooms, basements, park benches. You’ve been clear that you don’t have all the answers, either.

We are grateful for your energy. You are juggling your own challenges of disruption, schooling from home, filling the gaps when employees are sick or unable to work; doing the “regular” work along with daily crisis team meetings and new demands. Many of you are working harder than ever.

We are grateful for your empathy. You have recognized that the pandemic, the racial injustice, the electoral process, the dramatic weather events of 2020 have not affected everyone equally. You pay attention to the needs of and possibilities for your teams. You listen and respond.

We are grateful for your optimism. You remind your teams that there is a longer term; that the disappointments and difficulties of today will not last forever; that there is possibility now and ahead. There is reason to hope.

Leadership can be thankless work. Great leadership happens as frequently in the small moments as in the grand gestures. It is amplified in the stories people tell. While leadership failures can be dramatic and get lots of viral airtime, leadership successes may resonate less loudly. We should champion the hidden acts of leadership greatness. We hear those stories as we’ve worked with leaders this year: the stories of role models; of a great leader who encourages a dispirited team; of the value of clear direction; of the kindness from a leader who recognizes that work and life have become one big blur in 2020.

So, on this most unusual of Thanksgiving holidays, thank a leader. And leaders--you know who you are— please take the time to take care of yourselves. We need you. You are helping us all survive and grow in 2020.

Many thanks.

Amanda Young Hickman

Amanda Young Hickman has more than 20 years of experience advising and leading clients on the design and implementation of strategic change initiatives and leadership development experiences. She is an expert facilitator and a seasoned program designer who works in all phases of learning experience design and delivery. Amanda is a founding partner of Insight Experience and believes in the impact a leader has on an organization and its results.