Let’s be honest, this time of year can roast or fry even the best of us. The stretch between Reformation Day (aka Halloween) and Thanksgiving often feels like a sprint to the Christmas break finish line in sight. Evaluations, budgets, conferences, holiday events… and somehow, we’re all still smiling or plastering a smile through it (mostly).

But here’s the truth… leaders get tired, too. And when we’re tired, we start making “turkey” decisions… reactive, rushed, and more about survival than purpose. So, before you end up flapping around in exhaustion, here are a few reminders to help you lead with grace (and a little gratitude).

1. Don’t Gobble Up Every Task

Not every email needs a same-day response (unless it’s from someone you know you need to answer, or your mom, but she would have just called). Not every initiative needs your personal touch right now. Hand off a few side dishes so you can focus on the main course. Nobody wins when the leader tries to cook the whole Thanksgiving dinner alone.

2. Season Your Leadership with Gratitude

A quick thank-you can change the flavor of your entire culture. Send that email. Write that note. Tell the people you work with they’re appreciated, not just for what they do, but for who they are. Gratitude spreads faster than burnout, and it sticks around longer, too (kind of like all that food you just seasoned).

3. Step Away from the Stove

Model what balance looks like (kind of like your plate should look this Thanksgiving: a little bit of everything, and at least some green food). If you never unplug, your team won’t either. Breathe. Leave on time once this week. Don’t take your work home (your family will appreciate it more than you know). Go for a walk (you’ll need it after all that food). Read something non-work-related. Schools don’t just need strong leaders; they need healthy ones (especially after Thanksgiving). 

4. Lead from a Full Heart, Not an Empty Plate

As the semester winds down, remind yourself why you started in education. Visit a classroom. Laugh with a student or a teacher. Celebrate a small win someone has. Your presence needs to be seen as grounded, grateful, and human, and it will speak louder than any email or meeting agenda ever will.

So, this Thanksgiving season, don’t be a leadership turkey. Be the calm at the center of the chaos, the gratitude in the room, and the reason everyone around you moves through the rest of the semester inspired instead of exhausted.

Because true leadership isn’t about doing more, it’s about leading well, living whole, and making sure the people around you know they matter.

And if things still get a little crazy? That’s okay. Even the best turkeys need a break from the oven once in a while. Step out, cool off, and come back ready to serve, with heart and maybe a little leftover pie.

As you step into your role today, remember that you are not just an educator and leader but a shaper of the future. Your actions and decisions profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. Go, be the great educator and leader that our future needs.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2025 J Clay Norton

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