Even as we move forward into December, the lessons of November’s gratitude stay with us. Here’s a reflection that continues to shape strong leadership.
Every November, as we gather around tables filled with family, friends, and traditions, we’re invited to pause. Thanksgiving isn’t only a day of gratitude; it’s a reminder that appreciation itself can be a strategy — one that strengthens relationships, sustains teams, and shapes organizational culture.
In the world of associations, where people are the greatest asset, gratitude is more than good manners — it’s good leadership. Expressing genuine thanks builds trust across volunteer boards, staff teams, and member communities. It reaffirms shared purpose and reminds us that our work is about more than goals or outcomes; it’s about contribution, belonging, and meaning.
When boards thank staff for their innovation, when executives thank members for their engagement, and when colleagues thank each other for their perseverance, we create an ecosystem of respect and reciprocity. Those simple acknowledgments become the connective tissue of culture — the invisible structure that holds mission-driven organizations together during times of disruption or fatigue.
This Thanksgiving, I encourage you to make gratitude visible.
- Write one handwritten note to someone whose work made your leadership possible this year.
- Acknowledge effort as much as outcome.
- Say thank you publicly in board meetings, newsletters, or events — not for show, but to model the culture you want to sustain.
Strategic capacity begins with human capacity — and gratitude is one of its most renewable resources.
May your Thanksgiving be filled with reflection, appreciation, and renewed purpose.
— Michael Butera
Association Activision | Helping Associations Shape What’s Next
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